Building Geopolitical Muscle 2026

Mandate1 Sense Radar and sonar Sources and tools to detect and synthesize geopolitical insights/data 2Act Plan Decision-making processes – Strategic planning – Investment and capital allocation (including M&A) – Policy engagement and shaping – Risk monitoring5Operating model – Organizational structure and reporting lines – Cross-organization dynamics and flows3 – Background and expertise – HeadcountTalent4Five building blocks behind geopolitical muscle FIGURE 3 Source: Executive interviews – World Economic Forum, IMD Business School, BCG analysis There is no single blueprint for success when building geopolitical muscle. Different companies face different exposures, opportunities and constraints. Muscle-building tends to be shaped by factors such as company size, global footprint, ability to localize, home-country context, sector, capital structure, organizational blueprint and the available talent pool. Each can succeed when coherence exists between ambition and design. Building Geopolitical Muscle: How Companies Turn Insights into Strategic Advantage 10