The So What from BCG

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

By the year 2035, we will likely be able to utilize AI to crunch complex data sets and produce far more accurate predictions of the future, for everything from stock market fluctuations to consumer trends. Already, meteorologists are using AI to improve weather forecasting—for instance, by more accurately predicting when a hurricane will make landfall. But BCG’s Alan Iny says this does not mean that business leaders will be able to dispense with planning for multiple scenarios. Predictions will never be perfect—and everyone will have access to the same tools—so strategic planning will remain critical even as it evolves in new ways.    Learn More:  Imagine This: https://lnk.to/imagine-this-general-show09 Alan Iny: https://on.bcg.com/4fCNDo5 [https://on.bcg.com/4fCNDo5]  Are Leaders as Prepared for Strategic Risks as They Think They Are?: https://on.bcg.com/3AXqw8J [https://on.bcg.com/3AXqw8J]  BCG on Corporate Finance and Strategy: https://on.bcg.com/496c3Ek [https://on.bcg.com/496c3Ek]  CEO Moments of Truth: https://on.bcg.com/ITMoT [https://on.bcg.com/ITMoT]   This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podtrac - https://analytics.podtrac.com/privacy-policy-gdrp