Why so many leaders feel the pressure to reinvent and why so few succeed

Inspired by PwC’s Business model reinvention pressure index 

We came across PwC’s insightful global analysis - tracking six key indicators - that shows reinvention pressure is at a 25‑year high, yet only 82% of leaders feel compelled to change, and only 58% feel they did so at the right time. This raises a vital question for any leadership team: When does reinvention truly matter, and how do we time it right? 

Below, we talk to each of PwC’s six indicators and show how leaders can use them to act with both insight and impact. 

1. Reinvention pressure is real, clarity often isn’t 

It’s a story we hear regularly: competitive forces are mounting, customer demands are evolving, and internal systems fall behind. Reinvention becomes the logical response, but without a solid strategy, that initial energy fades, and outcomes fail to match the effort. 

“Leaders jump into action under pressure, but a lot of the time they do it without a shared purpose or defined goals. This means reinvention becomes a chore, and not the catalyst you want and need.” Niall Anderson, CEO, smart/tasking

2. Leaders need more than momentum, they need meaning 

Transformation is about maintaining progress and ensuring the whole organisation is aligned on purpose and rigor. 

“We often arrive mid‑project, when momentum has sputtered. Companies need sharp focus from day one, not just a strong start.” Gary Gamp, CXO, smart/tasking

3. How to spot when reinvention is needed 

PwC’s framework highlights six key signals that often precede effective reinvention. Here's how to recognise them and respond with purpose: 

Performance : Declining margins or returns indicate strain within your business model. What to watch for: A consistent drop in return on capital or narrowing profits, even if revenues seem stable. 

Attractiveness : A surge of new competition can erode your position. What to watch for: Increased activity, new startups, M&A deals, or rising market noise in your sector. 

Innovation :Technological breakthroughs can alter value creation overnight. What to watch for: Venture capital moving into adjacent markets, or customers using cutting-edge tools that bypass your solution. 

Shocks: Economic, geopolitical, or supply disruptions can expose fragility in your model. What to watch for: Sudden sales dips, price changes, or operational bottlenecks that weren’t there before. 

Regulation : New laws can shift the rules of competition, or open windows of opportunity. What to watch for: Emerging ESG policies, data/privacy mandates, or trade tariffs impacting your core business. 

Model Intensity : if competitors are reinventing, standing still means falling behind. What to watch for: changes in market share, new industry initiatives, or several rival models gaining momentum. 

How to use these signals: 

• Observe patterns, multiple indicators moving together signal opportunity. 

• Don’t overreact, but don’t ignore them either. 

• Use these insights to define: What should change, when should it change, and why it matters right now. 

4. Timing is everything, and it’s hard to get right 

This is where firms often stumble. PwC’s research shows 42 % of reinvention efforts are mistimed, either rushed or delayed. The mistake isn’t just in whether you act, but when you do. Top-performing organisations monitor signals, engage in disciplined scenario planning, and pivot with confidence when the right moment arrives. 

5. Reinvention can be incremental 

Despite high pressure, PwC makes it clear: reinvention doesn’t always require sweeping change. Carefully targeted initiatives, like removing internal bottlenecks or amplifying key customer touchpoints, can drive transformative results without overhauling your business. 

6. Reinvention that sticks delivers value 

What makes reinvention endure? 

• Clarity on purpose and objectives 

• Awareness of timing and signals 

• Discipline in execution and evolution 

This triumvirate turns reinvention from a one-time event into a strategic capability. 

How we can help 

We guide leaders to: 

• Decode real indicators - not fight every signal 

• Select high-impact priorities with sharp focus 

• Launch deliberately, and follow through with discipline 

Feeling the pressure to reinvent, but unsure where to begin? 

Book a discovery call for clarity, honest challenge, and a robust roadmap on what to shift, shape, or stop next.