What Matters represents a new direction for McKinsey Publishing. To our long tradition of client-driven research we’ve added a new tradition: knowledge derived from convening some of the best thinkers from around the world.

We began last summer by asking researchers, academics, journalists, policy makers and executives to address ten big questions, whose answers will shape our collective future. In each case, we asked our essayists to take a long view and tackle tomorrow’s trends rather than today’s headlines.

We published those essays in a print collection, also titled What Matters. But our goal was always to translate that vision to the Web, to create a place where we could continue to frame the important questions and gather a wide array of thinkers, including some from McKinsey, to address them. In addition, we wanted a place where our readers could bring their considerable wisdom to bear on these crucial issues.

As we launch What Matters online, you’ll find the scores of essays that appeared in print along with many new pieces. We’ll feature a different topic—and a related debate—every few weeks on our home page, along with extras such as podcasts, polls and videos. But the real richness of the site will come from you, our readers.

So take a look around, weigh in on articles, and join the debate. We look forward to hearing from you!