| organization | description |
|---|---|
AARP | Nonprofit based in the United States, advocating for individuals over 50, offering member benefits, education, and advocacy with a nationwide influence. |
Accenture | Global management consulting firm headquartered in Ireland, providing strategy, consulting, digital transformation, technology, and operations services with a digital focus. |
Adecco Group | Staffing firm based in Switzerland, offering workforce solutions and recruitment services globally, employing thousands and addressing flexible workforce needs across industries. |
AlixPartners | Consulting firm headquartered in the United States, specializing in transformation, turnaround, and financial advisory services with a global presence across various industries. |
Alvarez & Marsal | Global consulting firm based in New York City, providing business advisory and turnaround services with a strong focus on operational improvement and financial restructuring. |
Analysys Mason | Telecom, media, and technology consultancy headquartered in the United Kingdom, offering research, consulting, and market analysis services to clients worldwide. |
APQC | Nonprofit organization based in the United States, focused on knowledge management and process and performance improvement, providing benchmarks and resources for organizations globally. |
Arbinger Institute | Organization headquartered in the United States, specializing in business leadership and transformation training, offering workshops and resources for personal and organizational development. |
Arthur D. Little | Consulting firm based in Belgium, focusing on innovation, strategy, and technology management, serving clients across various sectors worldwide. |
Atos | International IT services company headquartered in France, providing digital services, consulting, and technology solutions with a strong emphasis on sustainability and innovation. |
Bain | Global consulting firm headquartered in the United States, specializing in management consulting and strategy, serving diverse industries and providing tailored solutions. |
Baker McKenzie | International law firm based in the United States, specializing in corporate law, tax, and litigation, with a strong global network of offices. |
BCG / Henderson Institute | Global consultancy, focusing on strategic management and fostering innovation, headquartered in the United States, influencing business practices worldwide. |
BDO | Global network of public accounting firms headquartered in Belgium, offering audit, tax, and advisory services across multiple sectors. |
BearingPoint | Consulting firm headquartered in the Netherlands, provides management and technology consulting services with a focus on digital transformation in various markets. |
Berkeley Research Group | Consulting and advisory firm based in the United States, focusing on expert services, analytics, and academia across diverse sectors globally. |
Booz Allen | Management consulting firm headquartered in the United States, providing technology and engineering services, notably in defense, intelligence, and civil sectors. |
Capgemini/Capgemini Research Institute | Global consulting and technology services firm headquartered in France, offering digital transformation solutions, research, and insights across industries. |
Ceres | Nonprofit organization headquartered in the United States, promoting sustainability and responsible business practices in corporations, driving systemic change within the economy. |
Charles River Associates | Consulting firm based in the United States, specializing in economic, financial, and management consulting, serving clients in various industries worldwide. |
Chief | Professional network for women leaders headquartered in the United States, focused on mentorship and support, empowering senior women executives. |
Cognizant | Multinational IT services company based in the United States, providing consulting, digital, and technological solutions across various sectors globally. |
The Conference Board | Global nonprofit research organization based in the United States, providing insights and data on economic trends, helping businesses and policymakers . |
CSCMP | Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals, headquartered in the United States, focusing on advancing supply chain management education and research. |
Dayforce | Cloud-based human capital management platform based in Canada, offering workforce management and HR solutions to businesses globally. |
Deloitte | Global professional services firm headquartered in the United Kingdom, providing audit, consulting, tax, and advisory services across various industries worldwide. |
Dynamo Software | Software solutions company based in the United States, specializing in investment management tools for private equity, venture capital, and real estate sectors. |
Edelman | Global communications firm headquartered in the United States, specializing in public relations, marketing, and reputation management, serving clients worldwide. |
Egon Zehnder | Executive search firm based in Switzerland, focusing on leadership consulting and finding talent for organizations globally. |
ERM Ltd. | Environmental consultancy headquartered in the United Kingdom, providing sustainability and environmental services across industries worldwide, supporting clients in risk management. |
Euromonitor International | Market research company based in the United Kingdom, specializing in global market intelligence and insights for businesses across various sectors. |
EY | Global professional services firm headquartered in the United Kingdom, providing audit, tax, and advisory services, with a focus on building a better working world. |
Farland Group | Consulting firm based in the United States, specializing in B2B customer advisory boards, collaborating with global enterprises to strengthen customer accounts and executive relationships. |
FMI Corp | Consulting firm headquartered in the United States, specializing in the construction and real estate industries, focused on management consulting and investment banking. |
Frost & Sullivan | Research and consulting firm headquartered in the United States, providing market research and analysis across multiple industries worldwide. |
FT Longitude | Financial Times' research and advisory firm, based in the United Kingdom, focusing on providing insight and analysis for businesses globally. |
FTI Consulting | Global business advisory firm headquartered in the United States, providing expert services in finance, litigation, and communications. |
Gallup | Analytics and advisory company based in the United States, providing insights into human behavior and performance through surveys and research globally. |
Gensler / Gensler Research Institute | Architecture and design firm headquartered in the United States, focusing on innovation and sustainability in design projects across various sectors. |
Goodwin Procter | Global law firm based in the United States, specializes in private equity, M&A, and intellectual property, with a significant international footprint. |
Grant Thornton | Global accounting firm headquartered in the United Kingdom, providing audit, tax, and advisory services, serving clients across various sectors worldwide. |
Hewlett Packard | Technology company headquartered in the United States, providing hardware, software, and IT services, influencing the global tech landscape. |
Heidrick & Struggles | Executive search and consulting firm headquartered in the United States, focusing on leadership advisory and talent solutions globally. |
IBM Institute for Business Value | Research institute within IBM, headquartered in the United States, focusing on business insights and technologies to drive innovative strategies globally. |
Infosys Knowledge Institute | Research and analytics unit within Infosys, headquartered in India, providing insights on technology and business trends to enhance client strategies. |
Ipsos | Global market research firm headquartered in France, specializing in opinion polling and marketing research, serving clients across diverse industries worldwide. |
IQVIA Institute | Research arm of IQVIA, focused on healthcare analytics and insights, headquartered in the United States, supporting global health organizations and pharmaceutical companies. |
iResearch Services | Market research company, headquartered in India, providing tailored research solutions and insights for businesses across various sectors globally. |
ISACA | Professional association headquartered in the United States, focusing on IT governance, risk management, and cybersecurity education, serving professionals internationally. |
JLL | Global real estate services firm headquartered in the United States, providing commercial real estate and investment management services, with a strong international presence. |
Kantar | Data, insights, and consulting company headquartered in the United Kingdom, specializing in market research and analytics, helping brands connect with consumers globally. |
Kearney | Global management consulting firm based in the United States, focusing on strategy and transformation services, working with clients across various industries worldwide. |
Korn Ferry Institute | Global organizational consulting firm headquartered in the United States, providing talent management and organizational development services, influencing workplace culture and leadership strategy. |
KPMG | Global auditing and professional services firm, offering audit, tax, and advisory services, with a vast international network. |
The Kyndryl Institute | IT infrastructure services provider spun off from IBM, headquartered in the United States, focusing on cloud services and managed technology solutions globally. |
LEK | Global management consulting firm based in the United States, specializes in strategy and mergers and acquisitions, serving clients across various sectors worldwide. |
LinkedIn B2B Institute | Research division of LinkedIn focused on business insights and trends, headquartered in the United States, helping companies enhance B2B marketing strategies. |
Manpower Group | HR consulting firm based in the United States, specializing in workforce solutions, employment services, and staffing globally, supporting various industries. |
Marsh McLennan | Professional services firm headquartered in the United States, providing risk management, insurance brokerage, and consulting services across multiple sectors worldwide. |
Mayer Brown | International law firm based in the United States, specializing in corporate law, litigation, and real estate, serving clients globally with a diverse practice. |
McKinsey / McKinsey Global Institute | Management consulting firm headquartered in the United States, providing business strategy advice and economic research with a wide global impact. |
Mercer | Global consulting firm headquartered in the United States, specializing in human resources, health, and retirement solutions, impacting clients worldwide. |
Microsoft WorkLab | Global technology company headquartered in the United States, offering software, hardware, and cloud services, leading digital transformation across industries worldwide. |
Momentum ITSMA | Marketing consultancy based in the United Kingdom, specializing in B2B marketing strategies and technology insights to drive business growth for clients. |
The MX Group | B2B marketing agency with a broad range of services including strategy, design, content, web development, demand generation and brand. Creators of The Thought Leadership Index(TM), a diagnostic using data and insights to measure a company's thought leadership standing. |
NERA | Economic consulting firm based in the United States, specializing in providing expert testimony and economic analysis across various sectors globally. |
Nielsen | Global measurement and data analytics company headquartered in the United States, specializing in consumer behavior insights and market research services. |
Oakland | Consulting firm headquartered in the United Kingdom, focusing on data and analytics, supporting organizations in maximizing their potential worldwide. |
OC&C Strategy Consultants | Global strategy consulting firm based in the United Kingdom, specializing in retail, media, and consumer goods, providing deep market insights and strategies. |
Ogilvy | Global marketing and communications agency headquartered in the United States, delivering creative campaigns and insights across digital and traditional platforms. |
Oliver Wyman | Management consulting firm headquartered in the United States, offering strategic advisory services across industries with a focus on in-depth market analysis. |
Oxford Economics | Economic consultancy based in the United Kingdom, providing data-driven insights and economic forecasts to inform business strategy globally. |
PA Consulting | Innovation and consulting firm headquartered in the United Kingdom, focusing on technology and digital transformation, supporting clients in various sectors worldwide. |
Palo Alto Networks | Cybersecurity company based in the United States, providing advanced security solutions and services to protect organizations globally from cyber threats. |
Phronesis Partners | Consultancy headquartered in the United States, specializing in advisory services and strategic insights for businesses, helping navigate market dynamics and enhance decision-making. |
Project Management Institute | Nonprofit organization headquartered in the United States, specializing in project management standards, certifications, and education, serving a global membership of professionals. |
Protiviti | Global consulting firm based in the United States, providing internal audit, risk management, and business consulting services to organizations worldwide. |
Publicis Sapient | Digital consulting firm headquartered in the United States, combining technology, consulting, and marketing to help organizations transform their businesses for the digital age. |
PwC | Global professional services firm headquartered in the United Kingdom, offering audit, tax, and consulting services across various sectors, with a strong international presence. |
RGP | Consulting firm based in the United States, specializing in finance, accounting, and business advisory services, with a global network of professionals. |
Roland Berger | Global management consulting firm headquartered in Germany, providing strategic advisory services across industries, focusing on implementation and innovation worldwide. |
SAP | Multinational software corporation headquartered in Germany, specializing in enterprise resource planning (ERP) software and technology solutions for businesses globally. |
ServiceNow | IT service management and cloud computing platform based in the United States, helping organizations manage digital workflows and improve operational efficiencies worldwide. |
SHRM | SHRM, the trusted advisor on all things work, workers and the workplace, headquartered in the United States, providing innovation, education, and advocacy for the world of work globally. |
Slalom | Management consulting firm based in the United States, focusing on strategy, technology, and transformation solutions tailored to client needs across various industries. |
Source Global Research | Research firm based in the United Kingdom, specializing in consulting industry insights and market analysis, providing data-driven insights to organizations worldwide. |
Spencer Stuart | Executive search and leadership consulting firm headquartered in the United States, focusing on talent acquisition and management services globally. |
TCS | Tata Consultancy Services, a global IT services and consulting firm based in India, providing technology solutions across industries worldwide. |
TEKsystems | Consultancy headquartered in the United States, specializing in transformation and tech services for businesses globally. |
Thomson Reuters Institute | Research and insights division of Thomson Reuters, based in Canada, focusing on legal, tax, and compliance sectors, providing information globally. |
Turner & Townsend | Global construction and project management consultancy headquartered in the United Kingdom, specializing in program management and cost management across various sectors. |
Vested | Executive Education organization specializing in research, workshops and courses in how to increase trading partner trust and create highly collaborative win-win business relationships. |
We. Communications | Global communications agency headquartered in the United States, specializing in public relations, digital strategy, and communications solutions across industries. |
West Monroe Partners | Management consulting firm based in the United States, focusing on business transformation, technology, and operations consulting services, impacting clients globally. |
White & Case | International law firm headquartered in the United States, specializing in complex legal matters including M&A and disputes, serving clients worldwide. |
Willis Towers Watson (WTW) | Global advisory, broking, and solutions company headquartered in the United Kingdom, providing risk management, insurance, and consulting services across multiple sectors. |
Wipro | Multinational corporation headquartered in India, specializing in IT services, consulting, and business process services for clients globally. |
Wolters Kluwer | Global information services and publishing company based in the Netherlands, focusing on professional information and software solutions across sectors. |
World Economic Forum | International organization based in Switzerland, engaging business, political, academic, and other leaders to shape global, regional, and industry agendas. |
ZS | Global consulting firm headquartered in the United States, focusing on sales and marketing consulting, analytics, and technology solutions for pharmaceutical and healthcare sectors. |
GTLI TOP 100
Thought Leadership Producers
Introducing the inaugural Top 100 Thought Leadership organizations. For the first time, the Global Thought Leadership Institute at APQC is proud to present a curated list of 100 organizations that are redefining excellence in thought leadership. These trailblazers are producing rigorous, insight-rich content that empowers executives to make smarter, faster decisions in an increasingly complex and changing world.
This list includes organizations that have been thought leadership producers for decades and relative newcomers. We include large consultancies, professional associations, and small businesses. They all have one thing in common: they are committed to producing quality thought leadership, and they do it within the guardrails of a true thought leadership practice:
1
Grounded in proprietary insights
Strong use of proprietary or original data
2
Dedicated Space
Delivered through a dedicated online space for thought leadership, research, or business insights
3
Open Access Insights
Generally ungated and available to the public without a commitment to subscribe or share an email address and without overt sales, marketing, or product pitches
SHAPING THE FUTURE OF THOUGHT LEADERSHIP
We think these organizations will play a pivotal role in shaping the future of thought leadership, especially as AI upends content development as we know it today. As thought leadership evolves to meet the changing needs of business executives, we are confident that these organizations will be leading the way. Based on the centuries of experience of a group of thought leadership professionals, this list is meant to generate interest and to spark conversations. Let us know what you think and alert us to anything we might have missed.
We encourage you to visit the websites of the organizations on this list using the links provided to check out their thought leadership.
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Almost all (96%) business leaders who consume thought leadership say they make better decisions as a result. And those results inspire them to take action: 87% say they have made a specific purchase decision in the past 90 days as a direct result of consuming thought leadership.
Anderson, Cindy & Anthony Marshall, The ROI of Thought Leadership: Calculating the Value that Sets Organizations Apart, Published by Wiley, 2025.