The So What from BCG

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

What’s Next in Medtech Matters to Us All

Medtech is a $900 billion industry transforming how we treat, diagnose, and prevent disease—but its innovation engine is slowing. Vikram Aggarwal, global leader of BCG’s medical technology work, explains what’s behind the slowdown and how leaders can rethink regulation, software, and talent to re-accelerate breakthroughs.    Learn More:  Vikram Aggarwal: https://on.bcg.com/4osjpc6 [https://on.bcg.com/4osjpc6]  BCG on Medtech: https://on.bcg.com/3LlJ6MC [https://on.bcg.com/3LlJ6MC]  How Medtech Leaders Are Revving Up Their Innovation Engines: https://on.bcg.com/4op2Rl8 [https://on.bcg.com/4op2Rl8]  Chapters  00:00-01:25 Introduction/Vikram’s ‘So What’  01:26-02:10 What is medtech?  02:11-03:46 Where are some of the most exciting innovations happening in medtech?  03:47-05:36 What areas get the most attention?  05:37-07:33 What are the barriers to innovation?  07:34-08:36 How do software and hardware innovation compare?  08:37-09:58 Software in a medical device vs software as a medical device  09:59-11:40 Is there a lag between innovation in software vs hardware?  11:41-13:41 What is the ideal innovation environment for medtech?  13:42-15:13 How do we fix the STEM skills shortage?  15:14-17:46 What will bring the most value over the next decade?  17:47-19:04 What is happening at startups vs established companies?  19:05 – 20:01 Vikram’s ‘Now What’  20:02-20:15 Outro  This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podtrac - https://analytics.podtrac.com/privacy-policy-gdrp

BCG Presents: The CEO Radar

AI is rising on the agendas of global CEOs, according to the latest edition of the CEO Radar. But a surprising number of chief executives are still struggling to embed the technology into their businesses. On this episode of the CEO Radar Podcast, Edward Adams of Bloomberg Media Studios is joined by BCG Global Chair Rich Lesser and Vlad Lukić, BCG Global Leader of Tech and Digital Advantage, to explore how CEOs can compare themselves to their peers when it comes to corporate integration of AI. Presented by BCG. Listen to The CEO Radar: https://sponsored.bloomberg.com/immersive-story/bcg/the-ceo-radar-q4-2025 [https://sponsored.bloomberg.com/immersive-story/bcg/the-ceo-radar-q4-2025]  This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podtrac - https://analytics.podtrac.com/privacy-policy-gdrp

Your Next Business Move Should Be in Orbit

Space isn’t just for rockets and research anymore. Satellite technology drives precision navigation, automation, and connectivity—quietly powering everything from farming to finance. Troy Thomas, BCG’s global lead for space business, explains why CEOs need a deliberate space strategy to stay ahead of disruption and unlock new growth.     Learn More:  Troy Thomas: https://on.bcg.com/4qhq5ea [https://on.bcg.com/4qhq5ea]  BCG on the Space Sector: https://on.bcg.com/4hohjqS [https://on.bcg.com/4hohjqS]  Space Services Are the Next Frontier for Industrial Companies: https://on.bcg.com/47zs3za [https://on.bcg.com/47zs3za]  GAIA: A Foundation Model for Operational Atmospheric Dynamics: https://arxiv.org/abs/2505.18179 [https://arxiv.org/abs/2505.18179]  GAIA Foundation Model is available for download: https://huggingface.co/bcg-usra-nasa-gaia [https://huggingface.co/bcg-usra-nasa-gaia]  Chapters  00:00- 01:16 Introduction/Troy’s ‘So What’  01:17-01:57 What would a day look like without space?  01:58-04:02 How big is the space industry?  04:03-06:01 The three pillars of space  06:02-08:05 What pillar is the most significant for growth?  08:06-10:40 What can space tech really do for a company?  10:41-12:50 Does every company need a space strategy?  12:51-14:22 What does a good space strategy look like?  14:23-15:52 How do you manage risks?  15:53-16:55 Why would you own your own space assets?  16:56-19:13 Is there enough space in space?  19:14-20:33 BCG’s work with NASA  20:34-22:21 How will space impact the future?  22:22-23:04 Troy’s ‘Now What’  23:05-23:18 Outro  This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podtrac - https://analytics.podtrac.com/privacy-policy-gdrp

The Button That Broke the Internet (and Built It Too)

The like button is more than a symbol — it’s a case study in how innovation really happens. Martin Reeves, chairman of the BCG Henderson Institute and co-author of Like: The Button That Changed the World, unpacks the messy, social, and often surprising process behind major breakthroughs — and what leaders can learn from it as they navigate the AI era.  Learn More:   Martin Reeves: https://on.bcg.com/4pWlAph [https://on.bcg.com/4pWlAph]  Like: The Button That Changed the World: https://www.amazon.com/Like-Button-That-Changed-World/dp/B0D8XM8GZT [https://www.amazon.com/Like-Button-That-Changed-World/dp/B0D8XM8GZT]  What the Like Button Can Teach Us About Innovation: https://on.bcg.com/48MmONK [https://on.bcg.com/48MmONK]  Vote for Georgie Here: https://vote.lovieawards.com/PublicVoting#/2025/podcasts/features/best-hosts [https://vote.lovieawards.com/PublicVoting#/2025/podcasts/features/best-hosts] Chapters:  00:00-01:18 Introduction  01:19-02:50 The Story of ‘Like’  02:51-03:42 Was the like button an invention?  03:43-05:00 Why do we like to ‘like’?  05:01-05:31 Is online liking the same as real world liking?  05:32-06:38 What has been the economic impact?  06:39-08:01 How to get innovation right  08:02-08:28 How do you foster an innovative environment?  08:29-09:33 What role does storytelling play?  09:34-12:10 The like button and regulation   12:11-13:21 What lessons can be applied to new tech?  13:22-14:31 The structure of the book 14:32-16:44 Surprises when researching for the book  16:45-17:57 The business of thought leadership  17:58-18:46 What is the future of thought leadership?  18:47-19:34 What is next for innovation?  19:35-20:01 Outro  This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podtrac - https://analytics.podtrac.com/privacy-policy-gdrp