Harvard Business Review

JANUARY 9, 2025

In 2021, researchers at MIT and McKinsey teamed up to ask more than 100 companies how they were using AI in their operations and to learn what separated the highest-performing companies from the rest. They conducted a similar survey in 2023 to see what had changed.

Payback Period 27

Payback Period Company Maturity McKinsey 27

Strategy Driven

JUNE 8, 2016

Can nuclear plants be operated competitively in today’s market? Since 2013, utility executives have announced the early retirement of twelve reactors and Wall Street estimates reveal another dozen to be at risk; raising the question: Can nuclear plants be operated competitively in today’s market? For over 30 years, U.S.

Payback Period 50

Payback Period Power Chief Executive Officer Supply Chain 50

Harvard Business Review

MAY 13, 2014

Under CEO Jack Welch in the 1980s and 1990s, they adopted operational efficiency approaches (“ Workout ,” “Six Sigma,” and “Lean”) that reinforced their success and that many companies emulated. Chief Marketing Officer Beth Comstock told me they looked to see how they could take this battery technology to new markets.

Six Sigma 11

Six Sigma Incubator Payback Period Ries 11

Harvard Business Review

MARCH 29, 2018

We have identified how hospitals’ budgeting systems have erected three distinct barriers to the adoption of technology. These barriers, however, can be overcome by changing how hospitals acquire new technology and by providing incentives to units to use digital innovations to provide more effective and efficient care.

Budgeting 8

Budgeting System Innovation Payback Period 8

Harvard Business Review

JUNE 8, 2018

Since then, we interviewed several chief financial officers (CFOs) of leading technology companies and senior analysts of investment banks who follow technology companies. Business students have traditionally considered net present value, payback period, and hurdle rates as necessary tools to determine which project to select.

Report 8

Report GAAP Net Present Value CFO 8

Harvard Business Review

NOVEMBER 24, 2015

In our experience, well-designed retrofits can deliver 20%-50% energy savings with fast payback periods. is on a commercial rate with their utility, and that rate includes a demand charge—essentially a premium for companies that use a lot of power over a short period of time (rather than using a constant rate).

Management 8

Management Payback Period Energy Supply Chain 8

Harvard Business Review

JANUARY 23, 2017

Both these efforts help the payback period arrive sooner, making collaboration a smarter investment for the next wave of people. Pair a technology whiz with any employee who needs support with the tools; a personal relationship makes the uptake much likelier than expecting someone to learn on their own or to rely on the IT hotline.

Payback Period 8

Payback Period How To Real Estate Hedge 8