At Davos 2026, Manny Maceda, Chair of Bain & Company, presented strategic guidance for CEOs navigating an increasingly fragmented global landscape. He emphasized that in contrast to past decades where global uniformity in operations was the norm, companies must now adopt country-specific strategies tailored to local economic and geopolitical realities. This approach helps businesses remain agile amid diverse regulatory environments and supply chain challenges.
Maceda highlighted AI as a critical catalyst for business transformation, noting its growing impact on efficiency and innovation, particularly in sectors like software engineering. AI adoption is no longer just a theoretical advantage but is beginning to deliver tangible bottom-line improvements for companies that integrate it effectively.
India received special focus as a key growth engine, with Maceda describing it as a high-priority market for multinational companies, private equity firms, and venture capital investors. Bain continues to expand its footprint across India, the Middle East, and Southeast Asia, leveraging strong technology partnerships to service clients across strategy, M&A, operations, and tech transformation. India’s integration into Bain’s global client servicing model underscores its importance in the multinational growth narrative, with private equity and venture capital inflows reaching $43 billion in 2024.
Maceda’s insights reflect a broader trend among global business leaders prioritizing localized operations and AI adoption to drive strategic resilience in a multipolar, fragmented world economy.
