The So What from BCG
Boston Consulting Group BCG
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This podcast from Boston Consulting Group looks around the corner of today’s big business and social issues. The goal–the so what–is to make sense of today and prepare busy leaders and executives for the day after tomorrow. Award-winning British journalist Georgie Frost interviews the leading thinkers and doers at BCG on the trends, developments, and ideas that will shape and disrupt the future. This is not your typical business strategy podcast.
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Retailers Are Drowning in Data. Is AI a Life Preserver? 28.07.2026 16λNick Goad, BCG's global co-leader for retail merchandising, argues that retail's biggest problem isn't a lack of data, it's the gap between data and real customer understanding. He explains how AI and large language models are finally bridging that divide, making it possible to localize assortment, sharpen pricing, and accelerate product innovation at scale. For leaders wondering where to start, he makes the case for codifying the knowledge already in merchants' heads.What You’ll Learn:Retailers have more data than ever, but AI finally gives them the tools to turn it into action merchants can actually trust.The biggest near-term opportunities are in assortment localization, smarter pricing, and AI-accelerated product innovation.The new data advantage for retailers isn't raw data — it's codifying the knowledge already in their merchants' heads.Learn More:BCG’s Latest Thinking on the Retail Industry: https://on.bcg.com/4bYoe8xMerch AI by BCGX: https://on.bcg.com/3RxTfJFChapters(0:00) Has Retail Lost Its Personal Touch?(1:13) Serving Customers Before the Digital Age(2:33) The Internet’s Impact on Retail(3:11) Does More Data Mean Better Customer Understanding?(4:12) Why Are Retailers Drowning in Complexity?(5:32) What Can AI Do to Help Retailers?(7:02) Will AI Create a New Data Overload?(7:54) What Are Retail Leaders Hopes and Fears for AI?(9:02) Will AI Get Products to the Shelf Faster?(9:57) Will AI Influence Product Design?(10:37) Can AI Create More Personalized Loyalty Programs?(11:34) How Will AI Shape the Shopping Experience?(12:02) Is Physical Retail Here to Stay?(13:36) Will AI Make All Our Shopping Decisions for Us?(14:23) Where Can Retailers Make the Biggest Changes?(15:00) Where Should Retailers Apply AI First?(15:48) What New Data Advantage Can AI Create?Meet the Expert:Nick Goad, BCG Managing Director & Senior Partner: https://on.bcg.com/4wuIlU0Listen to Other Episodes of The So What from BCG podcastPunch Cards, Frequent Flyers, and the Future of Loyalty: https://lnk.to/so-what-BCG-Crouch-Loyalty09YouTube | https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLMJgyXjV5gMI9JV-GcF_D1Y6zyf1Eab_0&si=plXqe7-YNzbG56U8Apple | https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-so-what-from-bcg/id1591194141Spotify | https://open.spotify.com/show/2NSVR7qrAyZ4CaGsnknbBk?si=1d846c2af8784923Other platforms | https://lnk.to/so-what-general-show12Follow BCGhttps://www.bcg.com/LinkedIn | https://www.linkedin.com/company/boston-consulting-groupThis podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podtrac - https://analytics.podtrac.com/privacy-policy-gdrp -
LLM or MD: Who Owns the Patient Journey? 14.07.2026 21λBen Keneally, BCG’s Asia Pacific health care services leader, explains why AI is now many patients’ first stop — often before they see a doctor. He argues that pairing AI with personal health records improves outcomes and equity, and that health leaders, not LLMs, must shape how this shift unfolds.You’ll Learn:Why AI is becoming the default first step in care, especially in markets with limited access to cliniciansHow pairing AI with personal health records improves treatment compliance and catches errors earlierWhy driving AI into end-to-end care pathways takes leadership, not just frontline experimentationLearn More:BCG’s Latest Thinking on the Health Care Industry: https://on.bcg.com/4w2MmPtConsumers Are Ready for AI-Enabled Health Care. Health Systems Need to Be, Too.: https://on.bcg.com/4vo2ZDXChapters (0:00) The Biggest Health Care Shift in Centuries(1:47) How Is AI Being Used in Health Care Today?(2:23) Where Is AI Adoption Highest, and What Does That Tell Us?(3:29) Does AI Create a Two-Tier Health System?(4:55) What's Next for AI Agents?(6:51) Where Are the Biggest Opportunities: Diagnosis, Navigation, or Appointments?(8:13) The Health Care System AI Could Build(9:56) Does Your Health System Need Its Own AI?(11:36) The Danger of Inaccurate Health Advice(12:53) What Role Does Trust Play?(13:52) How Are Health Care Organizations Shaping This Shift Today?(14:47) AI Alone Won't Transform Health Care(15:49) Who Is Responsible When AI Gets Health Care Wrong?(17:22) Who Owns the Patient Relationship?(18:29) Is the Shift to AI in Health Care Inevitable?(19:49) Is It AI Plus Clinicians or AI Replacing Clinicians?Meet the ExpertBen Keneally, BCG Managing Director & Partner: https://on.bcg.com/4woTTbcListen to Other Episodes of The So What from BCG podcastYouTube | https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLMJgyXjV5gMI9JV-GcF_D1Y6zyf1Eab_0&si=plXqe7-YNzbG56U8Apple | https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-so-what-from-bcg/id1591194141Spotify | https://open.spotify.com/show/2NSVR7qrAyZ4CaGsnknbBk?si=1d846c2af8784923Other platforms | https://lnk.to/so-what-general-show12Follow BCGhttps://www.bcg.com/LinkedIn | https://www.linkedin.com/company/boston-consulting-groupThis podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podtrac - https://analytics.podtrac.com/privacy-policy-gdrp -
AI Is Ready for Government. Is Government Ready? 30.06.2026 21λGovernments are racing to deploy AI. Most have the foundations, but struggle to translate them into faster, smarter execution without losing public trust. BCG's Miguel Carrasco and Daniel Selikowitz break down what separates the countries getting this right from those still stuck — and what every leader can take from their example.You’ll Learn:Why AI governance frameworks are quietly becoming the biggest barrier to AI deploymentHow to tell the difference between necessary caution and unnecessary bureaucracyHow and why some countries are already getting AI governance rightLearn More:Trust Imperative 5.0: https://on.bcg.com/3QO3fOmBCG’s Latest Thinking in Public Sector: https://on.bcg.com/4f69kisMeet the ExpertsMiguel Carrasco, BCG Managing Director & Senior Partner: https://on.bcg.com/4gGH8UzDaniel Selikowitz, Managing Director & Partner: https://on.bcg.com/4oMRKTYWatch The So What from BCG on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLMJgyXjV5gMI9JV-GcF_D1Y6zyf1Eab_0Chapters(0:00) AI Is Already in Government. Here's Where You'll Find It.(3:12) Public vs. Private: Why the Stakes Are Different(4:40) What Leaders Are Saying Across Industries(6:15) What Role Does Fear Play in AI Adoption?(8:14) Inside Governments Deploying AI(9:55) How Are Governments Governing AI?(11:56) How Do Countries Compare on AI Adoption?(13:37) Useful Caution Vs. Unnecessary Bureaucracy in AI Implementation(15:42) Who Is Keeping Pace with AI Innovation?(16:46) What Private Sector Leaders Can Learn from Governments(19:34) What Should Leaders Do Now?This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podtrac - https://analytics.podtrac.com/privacy-policy-gdrp -
Industry 4.0 Moves to the Great Outdoors 16.06.2026 20λIndustry 4.0 is moving beyond factory walls and into farms, forests, and fields.David Potere, a senior tech leader in BCG’s Industrial Goods and Climate Change and Sustainability practices, explores AI’s move into the outdoor world. Robotics and connected systems are changing how farming and other outdoor activities get done.You’ll Learn:Outdoor automation requires AI systems that can operate with constant uncertainty.Leaders should rethink long-held operating models as AI and robotics reshape how physical work gets done.The most valuable AI systems may be the ones that simplify complexity rather than add more dashboards.Learn More:David Potere: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidpotere/What 1,000 Farmers Told Us About Tech Adoption: https://on.bcg.com/4euA76VClimate-Smart Agriculture Needs a Better Yardstick: https://on.bcg.com/4ejIfH6David on the Climate Rising Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/david-potere-at-bcg-x-using-ai-satellites-in-climate/id1482781075?i=1000767537614AI Foundation Model for Extreme Weather: https://on.bcg.com/4vKiwyzChapters00:00 – How Will AI Impact Outdoor Industries?04:26 –The Challenges of Taking Tech Outside06:11– What Would a Farm That Thinks for Itself Look Like?08:27 – Is AI Rescuing Agriculture?10:55– Will AI Only Help Big Farms?14:39 – Who Owns the Data?16:16 – What Can Leaders Learn from the AI Outdoors?18:51 – Next Steps to Truly Benefit from AIThis podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podtrac - https://analytics.podtrac.com/privacy-policy-gdrp -
Why Doomsayers Are Wrong About AI Job Loss 02.06.2026 22λAI isn’t replacing jobs the way headlines suggest, but it is changing who keeps them.Greg Emerson, BCG’s global leader of technology and AI investing, explains why AI will reshape three to four times more jobs than it replaces. He argues that fears of mass unemployment are overblown and the real challenge for leaders is redesigning roles, workflows, and mindsets.You’ll Learn:The real risk: workers who don’t adopt AI will be replaced by those who do.How top performers will get more work, not less.Why leaders must move beyond tool adoption and fully reshape how work gets done.Learn More:Greg Emerson: https://on.bcg.com/43yhARMAI Will Reshape More Jobs Than It Replaces: https://on.bcg.com/4uxhTs5BCG’s Latest Thinking on AI: https://on.bcg.com/4wWwHC9Latest Thinking from the BCG Institute: https://on.bcg.com/4fdjG0IWatch The So What on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLMJgyXjV5gMI9JV-GcF_D1Y6zyf1Eab_0Chapters(0:00) AI Panic vs Reality(1:01) Is AI Replacement Imminent?(2:14) Where Are the Mass Unemployment Headlines Coming From?(4:28) Are AI Layoffs Really About AI?(7:51) AI Will Reshape More Jobs Than It Replaces(10:00) AI Is Creating More Work, Not Less(12:57) The Difference Between Replacing Jobs & Replacing People(14:47) The “Soft Resistance” Problem Inside Companies(16:00) The Biggest Career Risk Right Now(17:08) Why Businesses Struggle to Deliver AI ROI(19:05) The AI Adoption Trap(20:58) The AI Mindset Every Leader NeedsThis podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podtrac - https://analytics.podtrac.com/privacy-policy-gdrp -
CEOs Gamble When They Plan for Just One Future 19.05.2026 17λNavigating uncertainty means one thing: flexibility beats prediction.Nikolaus Lang, global leader of the BCG Henderson Institute, looks 25 years into the future, breaking down what four plausible scenarios mean for GDP growth, work hours, and defense spending. He explains what CEOs can do today to prepare for the faraway future.You’ll Learn:How scenarios connect uncertainty to revenue, risk, and strategyHow to stress-test your strategy with data-driven foresightWhat separates resilient companies from fragile onesHow to identify no-regret moves — from supply chain resilience to AI readiness to talent transformationLearn More:Nikolaus Lang: https://on.bcg.com/43abruYBeyond Tomorrow: Four Scenarios for the World of 2050: https://on.bcg.com/49RMhVFLatest Thinking From the BCG Henderson Institute: https://on.bcg.com/4uHtDbcChapters:(00:00) Why Planning for One Future Won’t Work(01:04) The Benefit of Planning for Plausible Futures(03:19) Should You Ignore Extreme Scenarios?(04:41) Future #1: AI Abundance(05:34) Future #2: Battling Blocs(06:09) Future #3: Climate Coalition(06:45) Future #4: Digital Darwinism(07:30) What KPIs Help Predict the Future?(09:09) What Scenario Is the Most Surprising?(13:50) Is 2050 Too Far to Plan for CEOs?(15:03) The “No-Regret Moves” That Matter for LeadersThis podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podtrac - https://analytics.podtrac.com/privacy-policy-gdrp -
How AI is Transforming Sales—and What To Do 05.05.2026 19λSales teams are no longer defined by a few superstar performers. Japjit Ghai, who leads BCG’s AI efforts for sales globally, explains how AI is reshaping the entire sales workflow—from lead prioritization to real-time coaching and closing the deal. Winners won’t bolt on tools. They’ll integrate AI and agents from end to end.Learn More:Japjit Ghai: https://on.bcg.com/48IzJiVHow AI Agents Will Transform B2B Sales: https://on.bcg.com/4dnWPOrHow AI Can Reshape Distributed Sales Channels in Emerging Markets: https://on.bcg.com/4tSL0puBCG’s Latest Thinking on Marketing and Sales: https://on.bcg.com/4utKWMJImagine This... on the future of sales: https://lnk.to/imagine-this-Andersen-sales09Chapters(0:00) The End of Superstar Salespeople?(1:26) Is AI Moving Into the Sales Frontline?(1:57) Is This Shift Across the Board?(3:01) What Happens to Top Sales Performers?(4:08) Where AI Still Falls Short in Sales(4:47) Why Talent Is Choosing AI-First Companies(5:06) What Augmented Selling Looks Like(6:07) Real-Time AI Sales Assistant Demo(10:13) The ROI of AI in Sales(11:00) What Sellers Gain (and Fear Losing)(11:40) How Performance Is Measured(12:26) Misconceptions Leaders Have About Using AI In Sales(13:14) Will Customer Relationships Suffer?(14:59) When You Should NOT Use AI(16:22) What Great AI Sales Looks Like(17:18) Is There an AI Blueprint to Follow for Sales?(17:58) What Will the Future Look Like in AI Sales?(18:39) Next Steps for LeadersThis podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podtrac - https://analytics.podtrac.com/privacy-policy-gdrp -
What’s Keeping CEOs Up at Night? 21.04.2026 22λBCG CEO Insomnia Index–Understanding CEO Pressure: More than 70% of CEOs are under chronic stress—but the real sources might surprise you.Drawing on BCG’s CEO Insomnia Index, Judith Wallenstein and Christine Barton unpack what’s driving the pressure, why it’s coming from closer than expected, and how it’s starting to impact decision-making at the top. While performance, growth, and cost pressures remain constant, the real weight is coming from much closer to home: boards, leadership teams, and employees.You’ll learn:The surprising stakeholders creating the most pressureHow stress narrows creativity, judgment, and strategic thinkingWhy the CEO role is becoming more isolatingWhat leaders can do to manage energy, time, and expectations more effectivelyLearn More:Christine Barton: https://on.bcg.com/4twIHs8Judith Wallenstein: https://on.bcg.com/4vCcMrrThe BCG CEO Insomnia Index: https://on.bcg.com/492jygqWhat Boards Expect of CEO Candidates: https://on.bcg.com/48hfzwdThe CEO’s Guide to Bolder Bets and Fewer Regrets: https://youtu.be/bbhZl3WRYdo?si=OQ1g_pgHtNXpPUUkBCG’s Latest Insights for CEOs: https://on.bcg.com/3QQrlaSWho Wants to Be a CEO: https://lnk.to/so-what-Barton-CEOs09Chapters(0:00) Why CEO Stress Is Spiking(0:56) What Stress Does to Performance(1:41) What Factors Are Driving Stress(4:05) Why Companies Are Impacted Differently(4:44) Develop Your C-Suite for Higher Performance(5:49) Why Being CEO Feels Lonely(9:31) The Problem with Feedback at the Top(12:22) Rising Expectations from Employees(14:27) The CFO Dynamic Explained(17:37) How CEOs Navigate the Board(18:47) How Should CEOs Spend Their TimeThis podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podtrac - https://analytics.podtrac.com/privacy-policy-gdrp -
Leading Through Scarcity: Purpose Over Panic 07.04.2026 25λCEO lessons for navigating constant change: When resources are tight and uncertainty is high, what keeps organizations moving forward? New Jersey Performing Art Center CEO John Schreiber and BCG’s Rishi Varma share how purpose-led strategy, prioritization, and the right partnerships drive growth. Clear, actionable plans grounded in mission give leaders a north star, helping them stay focused and make hard calls with confidence. Learn More John Schreiber, President and CEO, New Jersey Performing Arts Center https://www.njpac.org/about/our-people/ Rishi Varma, Managing Director & Senior Partner, BCG https://www.bcg.com/about/people/experts/rishi-varmaWhen Strategy Follows Purpose: The Art of Revival, https://www.bcg.com/publications/2025/when-strategy-follows-purpose-art-of-revivalBCG's CEO Agenda, https://www.bcg.com/executives/ceo-agenda/insightsChapters00:00 Intro 00:57 The role of NJPAC 02:33 Why did the organization need to reshape? 05:47 How BCG partnered with NJPAC 07:52 Leading change in a legacy organization 11:16 CEO lessons for navigating constant change 13:28 Building resilience without abundant resources 14:25 How do leaders lead with less? 15:42 When does expanding mission become overreach? 17:36 What should leaders consider before expanding beyond the core? 18:44 How do you build coalitions that unlock real value? 19:54 What impact are you most proud of beyond Newark? 21:23 How do you think about legacy and long-term impact? 23:06 What stands out from disruption and change? 24:45 Outro Subscribe to BCG’s YouTube channel: https://goo.gl/hsFsVT Visit us at https://www.bcg.comThis podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podtrac - https://analytics.podtrac.com/privacy-policy-gdrp -
How Asia Is Rising as an AI Superpower 24.03.2026 22λAI innovation no longer flows in one direction. Jeff Walters, who leads the AI topic in Asia Pacific, explains why companies across China, India, and Southeast Asia are moving at speed—and in some cases pulling ahead. For CEOs, the real differentiator isn’t geography. It’s leadership ambition, organizational change, and the willingness to rethink knowledge work from the ground up.Learn more: Jeff Walters, Managing Director & Senior Partner, https://www.bcg.com/about/people/experts/jeff-waltersAI at Work: Is Asia Pacific Leading the Way? https://www.bcg.com/publications/2025/ai-at-work-is-asia-pacific-leading-the-wayThe Widening AI Value Gap, https://www.bcg.com/publications/2025/are-you-generating-value-from-ai-the-widening-gapLatest Thinking on AI, https://www.bcg.com/capabilities/artificial-intelligence/insightsChapters:00:00 Introduction00:59 AI Evolution Across Asia03:15 Factors Driving AI Adoption in Asia04:20 How Do AI Attitudes Differ Globally?06:00 CEOs’ Priorities to Unlock Value from AI08:45 Asia’s AI Role vs. Silicon Valley10:03 Information Asymmetry in AI: East vs. West10:58 What to Learn from Asia’s AI Ecosystems11:49 Which Asian Sectors Are Deploying AI Fastest?13:36 What Are Dark Factories–and Why Do They Matter?14:04 Who Will Lead AI Transformation over the Next Decade?15:35 Why Is AI Adoption Slower in Some Asia Pacific Markets?16:26 Asia Pacific Innovation by Region17:30 Which Sectors Lead AI Transformation?19:52 What Steps Should Leaders Take to Accelerate AI Impact?21:47 The "Now What"22:35 Outro (edited)Subscribe to BCG’s YouTube channel: https://goo.gl/hsFsVT Visit us at https://www.bcg.comThis podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podtrac - https://analytics.podtrac.com/privacy-policy-gdrp -
AI Profit, Not Pilots: Lessons from Tech, Media and Telecom 10.03.2026 18λAI is no longer a technology experiment—it’s a business imperative. Val Elbert, a member of BCG’s Technology, Media & Telecommunications practice, explains why CEOs must shift from AI pilots to profit, demand quarterly results from all AI initiatives, and lead cross-functional AI transformations that deliver real bottom-line impact. The winners will scale fast. The rest will be left explaining themselves to investors. Learn More Val Elbert, BCG Managing Director and Senior Partner, https://www.bcg.com/about/people/experts/val-elbert As AI Investments Surge, CEOs Take the Lead, https://www.bcg.com/publications/2026/as-ai-investments-surge-ceos-take-the-lead Turning AI Disruption into a Telco's Growth Engine, https://www.bcg.com/publications/2026/turning-ai-disruption-into-telcos-growth-engine Driving Growth and Innovation at Verizon Consumer Group, https://www.bcg.com/publications/2025/driving-growth-innovation-leading-telcoChapters00:00 Introduction 00:44 Where TMT companies stand on AI adoption02:32 The boardroom shift from AI pilots to scale03:11 Building AI into business agendas03:49 AI adoption patterns across industries 04:37 Leaders need to see quarterly results05:22 Why AI can't run as a three-year program05:59 What separates AI winners07:22 Why structure needs to change07:52 Where friction blocks AI value creation09:19 How to focus amid technology noise10:00 The mindset shift to move from AI pilots to P&L10:30 What scaling AI in telecom looks like12:08 The role of humans in an AI-driven operating model13:28 What the next 18 months will look like13:55 Will AI drive mergers?15:10 Is It harder for legacy companies to compete in AI?15:36 How AI-driven change will impact consumers16:44 If you're stuck in the pilot phase17:45 Physical AI at MWC Barcelona18:11 OutroSubscribe to BCG’s YouTube channel: https://goo.gl/hsFsVT Visit us at https://www.bcg.comThis podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podtrac - https://analytics.podtrac.com/privacy-policy-gdrp -
High-Performing Leadership Teams Are Built, Not Bought 24.02.2026 21λWhat makes a leadership team truly high performing, and why does it matter for the entire organization? Judith Wallenstein, CEO Advisory Global Lead of BCG, and Khadija Ben Hammada, Chief People Officer of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, explore this topic and more. They share how CEOs can build executive teams grounded in trust, purpose, and psychological safety. When the top team clicks, the whole company moves faster and with more clarity.Learn more: https://lnk.to/so-what-general-show32Learn More:Judith Wallenstein, Managing Director & Senior Partner, Global Lead, CEO Advisoryhttps://www.bcg.com/about/people/experts/judith-wallensteinKhadija Ben Hammada, Member of the Executive Board and Chief People Officer for Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germanyhttps://www.emdgroup.com/en/company/management/executive-board/khadija-ben-hammada.htmlSubscribe to BCG’s YouTube channel: https://goo.gl/hsFsVTVisit us at https://www.bcg.comChapters(00:00) Intro(00:17) How do you build a high-performing leadership team?(01:36) What makes a team work?(02:12) What does a high-performing team feel like?(03:45) How much of team success depends on the CEO’s behavior and decisions?(05:55) When hiring, what are you looking for — what’s the secret sauce?(08:47) What should the CEO–Chief People Officer relationship look like?(09:50) What did you learn as chief of staff that you apply on an executive team?(11:42) How do team members to elevate collective performance?(13:01) How should leadership adapt in an era of uncertainty?(16:35) How do you keep a team successful when key people move on?(19:27) What's steps should leaders take now to create a top-performing team?(21:03) OutroThis podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podtrac - https://analytics.podtrac.com/privacy-policy-gdrp -
Whatever Happened to the Energy Transition? 10.02.2026 24λThe global energy transition is growing in complexity with shifting economics, soaring electricity demand, and competing national priorities. Maurice Berns and Asheesh Sastry from BCG’s Center for Energy Impact lay out how leaders can keep up by focusing on the economics, creating strategies for individual markets, and staying ahead of policy shifts.Learn More:Maurice Berns, Chair, BCG Center for Energy Impact https://www.bcg.com/about/people/experts/maurice-bernsAsheesh Sastry, Managing Director & Senior Partner https://www.bcg.com/about/people/experts/asheesh-sastryThe Energy Transition’s Next Chapter https://www.bcg.com/publications/2025/global-energy-landscape-next-chapterBCG Center for Energy Impact https://www.bcg.com/industries/energy/center-for-energy-impact/defaultAbout the Energy Transition https://www.bcg.com/industries/energy/energy-transitionThis podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podtrac - https://analytics.podtrac.com/privacy-policy-gdrp -
Special Episode: Davos Wrap-up 27.01.2026 23λJoin several BCG senior partners as they share their insights from their time on the ground at the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting in Davos. BCG invites you to an exclusive look at the forces shaping the CEO agenda in 2026. BCG’s Judith Wallenstein, Aparna Bharadwaj, and Vlad Lukic discuss what they learned from their personal conversations with CEOs and global leaders at Davos. They share practical guidance for organizations preparing for the year ahead in AI, geopolitics, and other areas. Chapters Learn more: BCG at Davos, https://www.bcg.com/about/partner-ecosystem/world-economic-forum/davos BCG’s CEO Agenda, https://www.bcg.com/executives/ceo-agenda Judith Wallenstein, Global Leader, CEO Advisory https://www.bcg.com/about/people/experts/judith-wallenstein Aparna Bharadwaj, Global Leader, Global Advantage Practice https://www.bcg.com/about/people/experts/aparna-bharadwaj Vlad Lukic, Global Leader, Tech and Digital Advantage https://www.bcg.com/about/people/experts/vladimir-lukic This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podtrac - https://analytics.podtrac.com/privacy-policy-gdrp -
Successful CEOs Know That Growth Isn’t Magic. It’s Management. 13.01.2026 21λCEOs must pursue growth transformation with the same rigor that they bring when they tackle costs. Tuukka Seppä, BCG’s global chair of transformation, explains why CEOs need bold targets, smart incentives, and relentless follow-through to scale effectively. He unpacks the common misconceptions that hold companies back, the impact of a chief transformation officer, and why this is the moment to shift from reacting to rebuilding. Listen on podcast platforms: https://lnk.to/so-what-general-show12 Learn More: Tuukka Seppa: https://www.bcg.com/about/people/experts/tuukka-seppa BCG’s Latest Thinking on Business Transformation: https://www.bcg.com/capabilities/business-transformation/insights CEO’s Guide to Growth in 2026 article: https://www.bcg.com/publications/2026/the-ceos-guide-to-growth-seizing-opportunity BCG at Davos 2026: https://www.bcg.com/about/partner-ecosystem/world-economic-forum/davos Chapters: 00:00 Introduction 00:28–00:55 What’s Your “So What” on Growth? 00:55–01:50 If Growth Is a Strategic Choice, What Does It Take to Succeed? 01:50–03:16 Why Do Some Companies Grow During Extreme Volatility? 03:16–04:13 What Does Structured Growth Leadership Look Like in Practice? 04:13–05:12 Can Too Much Discipline Limit Growth in a Volatile World? 05:12–06:03 How Do You Build Flexibility and Adaptability into Growth? 06:03–07:36 Is It Obvious Where Growth Should Come From? How Do Leaders Decide What Good Growth Is? 07:36–10:20 Why Do Two-Thirds of Companies Miss Growth Targets? 10:20–11:05 What Does “Growing from a Strong Base” Mean? 11:05–12:35 How Do You Measure Growth Without Killing It Too Early? 12:35–13:55 How Important Is a Chief Transformation Officer? 13:55–14:37 What Buffers Matter for Growth — and Why Now? 14:37–16:06 What’s the Typical Timeline for a Growth Transformation? 16:06–17:54 What Unlocks the Shift from Efficiency to Growth? 17:54–19:48 What Role Can AI Play in Accelerating Growth? 19:48–20:41 When Is the Right Time to Start a Growth Program? 20:41–21:33 The ‘Now What’ 21:21–21:33 Outro This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podtrac - https://analytics.podtrac.com/privacy-policy-gdrp -
From the Archive: Winning the Rest of the 20s 30.12.2025 26λRich Lesser, BCG’s global chair, and Martin Reeves, chairman of the BCG Henderson Institute, reflect on the shocks and surprises that shaped the first half of the decade and what they reveal about the future. They explore the traits leaders need today: building trust, staying geopolitically aware, and adopting AI in a people-centered way.Learn More:Rich Lesser: https://on.bcg.com/4lZrWlaMartin Reeves: https://on.bcg.com/4lXaAVXWinning in the 20s: https://on.bcg.com/4lpe1ooWinning the ’20s: A Leadership Agenda for the Next Decade: https://on.bcg.com/40iscDsThis podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podtrac - https://analytics.podtrac.com/privacy-policy-gdrp -
The Untapped Market Opportunity Hiding in Plain Sight 16.12.2025 21λMany companies have a blind spot when it comes to serving women. In fields from health care to financial services, they often treat women just like men—even though their needs are very different. BCG’s Alex Friedman and Trish Stroman share tangible steps leaders can take today to better serve women—who are responsible for up to 80% of spending. Organizations that are best positioned won't guess what women want—they’ll co-create with them and design for real needs. Learn More: Alex Friedman: https://on.bcg.com/3XW4lry Trish Stroman: https://on.bcg.com/3KSkJWU Closing the Menopause Care Gap: The Next Frontier in Women’s Health https://on.bcg.com/4oWSkNo BCG’s Latest Thinking on the Healthcare Industry: https://on.bcg.com/3KXXCdH BCG’s Innovate Her: https://on.bcg.com/3KSqiVs Chapters: 00:00-00:57 Introduction 00:58-02:26 Why don't businesses successfully target and serve women? 02:27-03:30 Why is women's health still underinvested in? 03:31-05:04 Why has momentum shifted? 05:05-06:06 How big of an economic opportunity is this? 06:07-07:06 Where are the most immediate areas businesses can create value? 07:07-08:30 How can you scan your business for opportunities? 08:31-09:21 What do leaders say are the biggest opportunities and stumbling blocks? 09:22-11:50 Upcoming innovations that could solve problems for female consumers 11:51-12:58 What sectors have the most to gain from targeting female consuemrs? 12:59-14:13 What businesses are excelling? 14:14-16:03 Is there enough investment in this space? 16:04-17:52 What's the productivity and talent cost when women aren’t supported? 17:53-19:38 How to persuade a board that this is worth investing resources in 19:39-21:04 The ‘Now What’ 21:05-21:15 Outro This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podtrac - https://analytics.podtrac.com/privacy-policy-gdrp -
Special Announcement: Georgie Frost Wins Lovie Award 09.12.2025 1λHelp us celebrate our very own Georgie Frost, who earned the Bronze Lovie Award for Best Podcast Host thanks to her outstanding work on The So What from BCG!Georgie was also a finalist for the People’s Lovie Award for Best Podcast Host. The Lovie Awards are the European cousin of the Webby Awards, celebrating the best of the best across the continent. If you’d like to send a warm note, a congratulatory message, or simply an email full of emoji confetti, please send an email to thesowhat@bcg.com.Congratulations to Georgie and thank you all for making the podcast a success!This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podtrac - https://analytics.podtrac.com/privacy-policy-gdrp
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How BCG Is Rewriting Its Talent Playbook in the Age of AI 02.12.2025 23λWhat happens when AI meets your most human processes like hiring, feedback, and development? Alicia Pittman, BCG’s global people chair, shares how the firm uses AI to amplify human strengths, not replace them. From building trust to rethinking management roles, she offers a roadmap for leaders navigating AI-powered change. Learn More: Alicia Pittman: https://on.bcg.com/4pcZ2Qs BCG’s Latest Thinking on People Strategy: https://on.bcg.com/43X5rGT A Promise That Brings AI to Life Responsibly: https://on.bcg.com/4anxsLC Chapters: 00:00-00:56 Introduction/Alicia’s ‘So What’ 00:57-02:18 Lessons from BCG’s AI journey 02:19-05:24 Where is AI being used at BCG in people management? 05:25-07:08 What challenges has BCG faced? 07:09-08:04 What didn’t work at first? 08:05-09:43 How do you measure success with AI? 09:44-13:10 What are the biggest concerns for leaders at other companies? 13:11-14:56 What has to stay human? 14:57-15:40 What does a human in the loop look like for BCG? 15:41-18:50 Should you act now or wait and see how AI plays out? 18:51-21:38 How is AI reshaping how we learn? 21:39-21:59 Advice for leaders 22:00-22:50 Alicia’s ‘Now What’ 22:51-23:06 Outro This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podtrac - https://analytics.podtrac.com/privacy-policy-gdrp -
What Sweatpants Can Teach Us about Generational Differences and Segmentation 18.11.2025 21λConsumer companies are facing a new reality: demand is maturing, competition is intensifying, and generational preferences are diverging. Justin Vincent, part of BCG’s leadership team for consumer and fashion, explains how businesses can avoid fading into the background by choosing a durable purpose, serving real consumer needs, and mastering digital discovery. Learn More: BCG’s Latest Thinking on Consumer Products: https://on.bcg.com/4oLtmBB BCG on the Fashion Industry: https://on.bcg.com/4oJzSZh How Gen Z and Gen Alpha Are Rewiring the Fashion Industry: https://on.bcg.com/47LxcEH More on Fashion's Next Gen: https://www.linkedin.com/posts/christine-barton-486ab_retailleadership-genz-ai-activity-7395127354852839424-UpRu?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop&rcm=ACoAACCYnPQBE42Xbwt6tSxmjChbfZwsa6uBvxcChapters: 00:00-01:19 Introduction/Justin’s ‘So What’ 01:20-02:32 The evolution of athleisure 02:33-03:46 Why has growth slowed? 03:47-04:56 Who is winning and will they continue to? 04:57-06:06 What is a ‘for purpose’ mindset? 06:07-08:38 How are different generations served? 08:39-10:29 How do brands decide what markets to serve? 10:30-12:32 How can you make your brand stand out? 12:33-16:03 How should companies decide where to focus? 16:04-17:39 How do brands decide where to localize and where to stay consistent? 17:40-18:52 What can consumer companies learn from sportswear brands? 18:53-19:55 What are the biggest challenges the industry is facing? 19:56-21:24 Justin’s ‘Now What’ 21:25-21:38 Outro This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podtrac - https://analytics.podtrac.com/privacy-policy-gdrp
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