BCG is a uniquely global firm, with more than 90 offices in 50 countries and a globally distributed business and partnership. Indeed, a truly global mindset is reflected in all we do: at BCG, each partner has the same rights and privileges—decision rights are not concentrated by tenure or tiered within the partnership; none of BCG’s four regions is home to more than a third of the partner group; and our 16-member Executive Committee consists of partners from ten different countries. 

The firm’s international profile stretches back to its early days. Founded in Boston in 1963, BCG opened its next two offices in Tokyo and London. More offices were added over the years, with the pace accelerating as globalization took hold. By the first decade of the new century, many of BCG’s clients had expanded into new markets, and they wanted their consultants to expand with them. Of course, the growth of global challengers and strong local leaders in emerging markets also provided a much broader client base. 

BCG’s global orientation is exemplified by its commitment to building a presence over the long term, often with strong local ties. BCG started working in China in 1980, for example, and it was the first firm to receive a consulting license there. Today, our team in China has more than 400 people, the vast majority of whom are Chinese. The team is led by Carol Liao, a Beijing-born senior partner and managing director who has more than 20 years of work experience on the ground in China. 

Examples like this can be found in most of the countries where BCG has a presence. Our international growth story is about much more than the number of offices we’ve established; it’s about how we established them. We’re proud of the culture and values that connect all of our people. At the same time, however, we’ve always strived to preserve—and celebrate—the special qualities that make each of our offices distinct. 

BCG’s global presence and mindset are reflected in the diverse range of work we do—both within and beyond the business world. We are trusted advisors to the most influential businesses, governments, and nonprofits around the globe. We collaborate with them as partners to solve their most challenging issues, enabling them to sustain value by creating enduring organizational change. In doing so, we team globally to bring the best of BCG to every individual client and every individual challenge.

BCG goes beyond consulting. As the world grows infinitely more connected, it also becomes more complex and unpredictable. We know how to link the right people, with the right savvy, in order to shake up established thinking, find the deeper insight, and summon the courage to act. 

Because of our intellectual diversity, spanning every significant industry and function, we can spark complex transformations across the sometimes disparate parts of a client's organization. 

We collaborate with clients to dig up valid data, rigorous analyses, external perspectives, root causes, and explicit logic. The goal is to uncover moments of insight—and to have the courage to embrace, and act on, the truths that surface.

Our partnerships run deep. BCG’s culture of internal collaboration naturally translates to our relationships with clients. We develop programs tailored to a client’s unique context and competitive advantage. Our clients’ successes are our own. 

Each solution is grounded in how the client organization actually works and its unique position in the marketplace. 

BCG pushes beyond standard frameworks and methodologies. As a result, we don’t end up with standard industry answers. Our heritage of independent thinking has preserved our edge in client collaboration.

The effective management of risks across the whole enterprise is an absolute priority in today’s environment. This applies not only to our client organizations but also within BCG. 

More than ever before, our stakeholders—our clients and staff, the business community, regulators, and the general public—rightly expect professional services firms to demonstrate strong professional ethics. As trusted advisors, we have a responsibility to maintain the highest of professional standards—and to demonstrate to our clients that we are doing so. 

BCG’s organization includes a dedicated team of experts responsible for the oversight of risk management and professional standards worldwide. Our enterprise risk agenda is spearheaded by the chief risk officer, who works directly with BCG’s global and regional leadership and prioritizes and channels our risk management efforts across each of our functions, locations, and practices. We also continuously invest to enhance our processes, including managing legal risk, to ensure rigorous information management and security of our people. 

With this structure in place, we can be specific in our expectations and explicit in putting our values into practice through our professional standards, even in the most challenging environments.