The So What from BCG

Justin Manly, BCG’s lead on growth and innovation, explains how businesses can choose the right growth strategy given their aspirations and position in the market. Whether a company is gaining or losing share, in a booming or sluggish industry, profitable growth depends on knowing your starting point.  Learn More:  Justin Manly: https://on.bcg.com/4kGYyPH [https://on.bcg.com/4kGYyPH]  BCG’s Latest Thinking on Growth and Innovation Analytics: https://on.bcg.com/4kjTEIB [https://on.bcg.com/4kjTEIB]  BCG’s Latest Thinking on Corporate Finance and Strategy: https://on.bcg.com/3ZeAMlX [https://on.bcg.com/3ZeAMlX]  Your Growth Strategy Depends on Your Starting Point: https://on.bcg.com/43YpzZm [https://on.bcg.com/43YpzZm]  The Vitality Code: How Growth Leaders Master Strategy, Technology, People, and Culture: https://on.bcg.com/4dMKjH1 [https://on.bcg.com/4dMKjH1]  This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podtrac - https://analytics.podtrac.com/privacy-policy-gdrp

Financial analysts were far more prepared than most CEOs for the US tariffs announced on April 2. Analysts, who serve as a proxy for the financial markets, anticipated tariffs would soon be an enormous issue, mentioning the topic 62% more often than did CEOs during Q1 earnings calls. That’s the conclusion of the second edition of the CEO Radar—a tool to help CEOs determine which issues truly deserve their time and attention. It unpacks the leading topics discussed on almost 4,900 earnings calls worldwide in Q1 2025, enabling chief executives to compare their agendas to those of their peers, and to the market’s expectations. On this episode of the CEO Radar Podcast, Edward Adams of Bloomberg Media Studios is joined by BCG Global Chair Rich Lesser and Michael Brigl, Head of BCG’s Central European practice, to discuss how tariffs are likely to have a long-term effect on corporate operations.  Listen to CEO Radar: https://sponsored.bloomberg.com/immersive-story/the-ceo-radar-q2-2025 [https://sponsored.bloomberg.com/immersive-story/the-ceo-radar-q2-2025]  This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podtrac - https://analytics.podtrac.com/privacy-policy-gdrp

Global trade is entering a new phase marked by unpredictability. Marc Gilbert and Michael McAdoo discuss how companies can respond by building supply chain flexibility, strengthening scenario planning, and enhancing their understanding of geopolitical developments. Learn More: Marc Gilbert: https://on.bcg.com/3SpNytS [https://on.bcg.com/3SpNytS]  Michael McAdoo: https://on.bcg.com/4iQA6Ku [https://on.bcg.com/4iQA6Ku]  BCG’s Center on Geopolitics: https://on.bcg.com/3EA5A9A [https://on.bcg.com/3EA5A9A]  There’s Nowhere to Hide as Tariffs Reshape Global Trade: https://on.bcg.com/44RLO47 [https://on.bcg.com/44RLO47]  How Tariffs Are Shaping Investor Expectations: https://on.bcg.com/4iQA5pU [https://on.bcg.com/4iQA5pU]  This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podtrac - https://analytics.podtrac.com/privacy-policy-gdrp

The Global South isn’t standing still as tariffs and uncertainty roil financial markets and business plans. Aparna Bharadwaj, leader of BCG’s Global Advantage practice, explains how these nations are forming smart partnerships and moving from low-cost production to innovation-powered impact.  Learn More:  Aparna Bharadwaj: https://on.bcg.com/4cIKW3V [https://on.bcg.com/4cIKW3V]  In a Multipolar World, the Global South Finds Its Moment: https://on.bcg.com/42UhQLn [https://on.bcg.com/42UhQLn] BCG on Emerging Markets: https://on.bcg.com/4cMJ9e4 [https://on.bcg.com/4cMJ9e4] BCG's Center for Geopolitics: https://on.bcg.com/3EA5A9A [https://on.bcg.com/3EA5A9A] [00:00] Aparna's 'So What' [02:18] The Global South From Its Own Perspective [04:12] Common Themes In The Global South [07:43] Climate And Sustainability [08:47] How Countries Are Navigating Their Own Paths [11:08] China's Role In The Global South [13:28] How Leaders In The Global North Can Flip The Narrative [14:53] Emerging Industries In The Global South [17:15] The Global South Is A Positive Story [18:31] The Future Of Global Commerce [20:21] Advice To Leaders In The Global South [21:26] The 'Now What' This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podtrac - https://analytics.podtrac.com/privacy-policy-gdrp

Nicolas de Bellefonds, BCG’s global AI leader, unpacks the myths, challenges, and real potential of AI agents. They can transform how work gets done if companies stop chasing shortcuts, rethink outdated processes, and prepare for the costs and complexity that come with real change.  Learn More:  Nicolas de Bellefonds: https://on.bcg.com/4lr0Dkh [https://on.bcg.com/4lr0Dkh]  BCG’s Latest Thinking on AI: https://on.bcg.com/3Y1NHaq [https://on.bcg.com/3Y1NHaq]  The CEO’s Workout for Peak AI Performance: https://on.bcg.com/44opFtV [https://on.bcg.com/44opFtV]  From Potential to Profit: Closing the AI Impact Gap: https://on.bcg.com/3XZBGSL [https://on.bcg.com/3XZBGSL]  Chapters: [0:25] Nico’s So What [1:16] What Are Agents? [3:57] What Problems Do Agents Solve? [5:56] How Do Agents Affect Processes? [7:50] What Should Leaders Focus On? [9:06] How Do You Start Improving Data and Infrastructure? [10:24] What Are the Biggest Challenges? [13:48] What Is Next? [14:49] How Close Are We to AGI? [15:43] What Are the Risks? [17:13] Now What? This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podtrac - https://analytics.podtrac.com/privacy-policy-gdrp