This is a summary review of No Ordinary Disruption containing key details about the book.

What is No Ordinary Disruption About?

No Ordinary Disruption by Richard Dobbs, James Manyika, and Jonathan Woetzel explores the forces shaping the global economy and business landscape. (Full Summary…)

No Ordinary Disruption Summary Review

“No Ordinary Disruption: The Four Global Forces Breaking All the Trends” is a comprehensive exploration of the shifting dynamics in the global economy authored by Richard Dobbs, James Manyika, and Jonathan Woetzel. This insightful analysis, backed by years of research from the McKinsey Global Institute, challenges traditional intuitions about how the world works, emphasizing the need for a paradigm shift due to the convergence of four major forces.

The authors articulate a vivid portrayal of a world undergoing profound transformations, driven by the rise of emerging markets, the accelerating impact of technology on market competition, demographic changes with an aging population, and the unprecedented flow of trade, capital, and people. They argue that the era known as the Great Moderation, characterized by stable economic conditions, is a thing of the past, and business leaders must adapt to a new reality.

One of the notable strengths of “No Ordinary Disruption” is its depth of analysis combined with lively and engaging writing. The authors employ a variety of surprising and memorable insights to elucidate complex concepts, making it accessible to a broad audience. They go beyond the conventional focus on well-known emerging markets, such as China and India, to highlight the significance of lesser-known cities like Tianjin in China or Kumasi in Ghana, which are poised to contribute significantly to global economic growth.

The book’s exploration of disruptive forces encompasses a range of topics, from the impact of technological advancements on various industries to the implications of an aging world population on labor markets and consumption patterns. The interconnectedness of the world, facilitated by the movement of capital, people, and information, is examined in detail, providing readers with a holistic understanding of the challenges and opportunities presented by these forces.

The authors also delve into the concept of “digital capital,” emphasizing the transformative role of technology in driving economic progress. They argue that intangible assets, such as algorithms and recommendation engines, are becoming primary drivers of global GDP growth. This focus on the intangible aspects of the economy adds a layer of complexity to the traditional understanding of economic forces.

Moreover, the book addresses the imminent need for organizations to adapt to these disruptions. The authors suggest that businesses should reconsider their assumptions and management strategies, with an emphasis on agility and a willingness to embrace change. The discussion on the increasing rate of creative destruction and the shorter lifespan of companies in the S&P 500 provides valuable insights into the evolving nature of competition.

While the book offers a compelling analysis, it does not shy away from acknowledging the challenges posed by these disruptions. The authors discuss potential consequences, such as the risk of individuals, especially those with low job skills, experiencing a decline in living standards. The book encourages leaders at all levels to rethink their operating assumptions and management intuition in response to these profound shifts.

Essentially, “No Ordinary Disruption” stands out as a thought-provoking and well-researched exploration of the forces shaping the global economy. Its blend of in-depth analysis, engaging writing, and a focus on lesser-known yet impactful regions and cities makes it a valuable resource for business leaders, policymakers, and anyone seeking a deeper understanding of the complex forces driving global change.

Who is the author of No Ordinary Disruption?

Richard Dobbs is a director of the McKinsey Global Institute (MGI), McKinsey & Company’s business and economics research arm, and a director (senior partner) of McKinsey based in London.

James M. Manyika is a Zimbabwean-American academic, consultant, and business executive. He is known for his research and scholarship into the intersection of technology and the economy, including artificial intelligence, robotics automation, and the future of work.

Jonathan Woetzel is a senior partner of McKinsey & Company. He is the global leader of its Cities Special Initiative and the Asia-based director of the McKinsey Global Institute. He has also led McKinsey’s Energy and Materials practice in Asia and is co-Chair of the Urban China Initiative.

How long is No Ordinary Disruption?

• Print length: 288 pages

What genre is No Ordinary Disruption?

Business, Nonfiction, Economics

What are good quotes from No Ordinary Disruption?

“with every doubling of a city’s population, each inhabitant becomes, on average, 15 percent wealthier, more productive, and more innovative.”

“Telekom Austria has converted hundreds of disused phone booths in Vienna into electric-car-charging stations where drivers can pay for fuel with a text message.”

“In Umea, Sweden, long, dark winters and a chronic lack of sunlight have spurred a local company, Umea Energi, to install therapeutic UV light in thirty bus stops. Commuter traffic has since risen by 50 percent.

“It is easy for the leader of a business to take a quick look at Kumasi, and at the thousands of up-and-coming cities in the developing world, and conclude that his or her company is not missing out on all that much by not being there today. But at a time of rapid, surprising change, snapshots that capture a moment in economic time can be deeply misleading. In this age of Instagram, we must apply new filters to the mental and financial pictures we take. Our intuition—the nerve center that turns images into narratives—has to reset so that it processes the incoming data intelligently. The portraits we take of cities must capture the dynamism underneath the surface and highlight the brightness of opportunities, while toning down the alarming flares of risk. Most of all, they must be able to project forward motion.”

“In contrast, between 2010 and 2025, 440 cities in developing nations will generate nearly half of global GDP growth.27”

“In a world where technology is allowing sharks to fall prey to minnows, business leaders have to become fluent in information technology. As companies seek to negotiate the new landscape, as they eye potential rivals and partners, they have to elevate technology to the core of strategic thinking in every business unit. In addition to employing a chief information officer, who generally tends to the nuts and bolts of the technology a company uses, there is a strong argument for having a chief digital officer, who oversees technology as a strategic issue. Technology is becoming the lever through which companies can disrupt their own business models and adapt to the changing basis of competition. Burberry,”

“How many people have spotted Surat, Foshan, or Porto Alegre on their strategic radars?”

“Each will contribute more to global growth between now and 2025 than Madrid, Milan, or Zurich.”

“Sales of industrial robots grew by 170 percent in just two years between 2009 and 2011,”

“Moody’s, the credit-rating agency, in 2014 projected that the number of “superaged” countries—where more than one-fifth of the population is sixty-five or older—would rise from 3 today (Germany, Italy, and Japan) to 13 in 2020 and to 34 in 2030.”

“The number of Chinese aged fifty-five or older is likely to rise to more than 43 percent of the population in 2030, from 26 percent today.”

“Leaders must build and manage systematic ways of keeping the skills of employees up-to-date and must ensure that executive teams and boards remain well informed about the latest technological developments.”