The So What from BCG

From the Archive: Winning the Rest of the 20s

Rich 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/4lZrWla [https://on.bcg.com/4lZrWla] Martin Reeves: https://on.bcg.com/4lXaAVX [https://on.bcg.com/4lXaAVX] Winning in the 20s: https://on.bcg.com/4lpe1oo [https://on.bcg.com/4lpe1oo] Winning the ’20s: A Leadership Agenda for the Next Decade: https://on.bcg.com/40iscDs [https://on.bcg.com/40iscDs] This 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

Many 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 [https://on.bcg.com/3XW4lry]  Trish Stroman: https://on.bcg.com/3KSkJWU [https://on.bcg.com/3KSkJWU]  Closing the Menopause Care Gap: The Next Frontier in Women’s Health https://on.bcg.com/4oWSkNo [https://on.bcg.com/4oWSkNo]  BCG’s Latest Thinking on the Healthcare Industry: https://on.bcg.com/3KXXCdH [https://on.bcg.com/3KXXCdH]  BCG’s Innovate Her: https://on.bcg.com/3KSqiVs [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

Help 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 [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

How BCG Is Rewriting Its Talent Playbook in the Age of AI

What 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 [https://on.bcg.com/4pcZ2Qs]  BCG’s Latest Thinking on People Strategy: https://on.bcg.com/43X5rGT [https://on.bcg.com/43X5rGT]  A Promise That Brings AI to Life Responsibly: https://on.bcg.com/4anxsLC [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

Consumer 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 [https://on.bcg.com/4oLtmBB]  * BCG on the Fashion Industry: https://on.bcg.com/4oJzSZh [https://on.bcg.com/4oJzSZh]  * How Gen Z and Gen Alpha Are Rewiring the Fashion Industry: https://on.bcg.com/47LxcEH [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=ACoAACCYnPQBE42Xbwt6tSxmjChbfZwsa6uBvxc [https://www.linkedin.com/posts/christine-barton-486ab_retailleadership-genz-ai-activity-7395127354852839424-UpRu?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop&rcm=ACoAACCYnPQBE42Xbwt6tSxmjChbfZwsa6uBvxc] Chapters:  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