Industry Perspectives for 2010

The Great Recession is over; it's time to start moving ahead. However, many industries are in shambles as companies turn their thoughts from treading water to accelerating growth.

The global Partners at Booz & Company have compiled their thoughts about the trends facing each industry, and the key decisions that must be made in 2010.

Download the industry letters below.

Chemicals The $2 trillion chemicals industry continues to face challenges as it attempts to rebound from its worst year ever. Commodity producers need to drive industry leadership and adopt a back-to-basics approach. read more >		Consumer Products In the coming year, CPG companies must focus on deepening relationships with retailers, as well as gaining greater insight into point-of-sale data and the shopping habits of their consumers. read more >

Financial Services: Capital Markets Firms that quickly establish the ability to manage risk at all levels will be rewarded with growth opportunities from their clients and shareholders. read more >		Financial Services: Retail Banking As the worst of the financial crisis abates, strong banks face long-term challenges, which they must begin preparing for immediately. read more >

Engineered Products & Services An enduring competitive advantage in any market comes from a clear strategic direction and differentiated core capabilities. Three capabilities are fundamental for EPS companies striving to grow in an increasingly competitive global economy. read more >		Health Healthcare reform may have started as insurance reform, but the chances it will stop there are about zero. The current debate and emerging legislation should be viewed as the first of several “waves” of reform that will take place over the next five to 10 years. read more >

Media: U.S. and Europe The media and entertainment companies that will define the next wave of industry growth will require competencies that are substantially different from those that ensured success during the analog era. read more >		Media: Emerging Markets In some ways, the biggest issue facing media and entertainment companies is not one of strategy; it is one of change management. read more >

Oil & Gas 2010 will be anything but a dull year in the oil and gas industry. Difficult periods are often the best time to prepare for expansion and growth. Companies that don’t shrink from the task will be the clear winners when industry conditions improve. read more >		Retail Over the year to come, retailers can either pursue strategies that help them build a lead over the competition, or stay locked in on actions that permit them merely to hang on until this slowdown—or a future one—claims them. read more >

Technology Although the high points of 2009 (consolidation, cloud computing, consumerization, acceleration of open innovation, and the growing power of emerging markets) will take years to reach their fullest expression, both sellers and buyers of technology would be wise to begin paying attention to them now. read more >		Telecommunications: U.S. The telecom industry is entering a period of significant change in which five distinct shifts—in operating models, in services, in digital expansion, in operations, and in regulation—will come into even greater focus. read more >

Telecommunications: Middle East & Europe The global recession of 2008–09 is seemingly lifting, and the telecommunications sector—with the notable exception of equipment and handset manufacturers—has escaped the worst of its effects. read more >		Utilities The industry must prepare for radically different market conditions by choosing business models that will require management discipline to drive vital capabilities and improve asset performance. read more >