Basic philosophy, spirit and drive of an organization have far more to do with its relative achievements than do technological or economic resources, organizational structure, innovation and timing.

Following McKinsey's death in 1937 the two offices split up and Bower resurrected the New York firm with the assistance of New York partners as McKinsey & Company in 1939. According to the Harvard Business School Bower "is considered the father of modern management consulting. " His principled insistence on impeccable professional standards in substance ethics and style; his dedication to the professional development of his colleagues; and his candor all served as a role model for several generations of management consultants both within and outside McKinsey.