Insights@Questrom Podcast

How Leaders Turn Purpose Into Daily Behavior

Purpose only matters when it shows up in decisions, incentives, and the everyday behavior of leaders and teams. With Dr. Peter Fasolo—Professor of the Practice and Director of the Human Resources Policy Institute at Boston University Questrom School of Business, and former CHRO of Johnson & Johnson—we dig into how to build a culture that lasts: one where values guide trade-offs, managers teach with time and perspective, and employees trust the why behind hard calls. We explore what separates solid managers from transformative leaders, and why both roles are essential to carry strategy the last mile. Peter explains how transparency strengthens credibility even when consensus is impossible, and how leaders can close the say-do gap by aligning selection, rewards, and operating rhythms with a clear mission. As AI accelerates productivity, he argues the human edge—context, empathy, mentorship, sponsorship—becomes non-negotiable. Advisory tools can nudge, but they cannot replace nuance or care. The conversation moves from incremental efficiency to bold redesign. Instead of treating organizations as stacked boxes, we look at work as cross-functional flow. AI can help map friction and remove waste, while leaders reimagine processes to make jobs richer and more collaborative. We also address mental health and well-being as a true test of purpose: democratizing access to support, equipping managers to notice strain, and building climates where people can bring their whole selves and still grow. We close with a practical playbook: hire for values and collaboration before competencies, reward purpose-aligned behavior, teach leaders to explain the why, and use AI to remove bureaucracy without losing humanity.

Beyond Clicks and Sales: How Advertising Shapes Company Value in the Eyes of Investors

What happens when Wall Street meets Madison Avenue? Despite billions spent annually on advertising, surprisingly little research has explored how these investments impact a company's stock price—until now. Shubha Srinivasan, the Adele and Norman Barron Professor of Management and Professor of Marketing, pulls back the curtain on this critical relationship in our fascinating conversation about her groundbreaking research synthesizing findings from over 250 studies. She reveals three distinct pathways through which advertising influences firm valuation: the indirect route (via increased sales and profits), signaling value to investors, and building long-term brand assets. The disconnect between marketing and finance departments has historically created blind spots, with marketers celebrating metrics like brand awareness while CFOs demand hard ROI numbers. Srinivasan's research bridges this gap, providing marketers with the ammunition they need when facing budget scrutiny. Perhaps most compelling is her finding that a 10% increase in customer retention can translate to a 7% boost in stock price—a connection that transforms how we should evaluate marketing effectiveness. Not all industries experience equal benefit from advertising investments. Consumer-facing sectors like retail, CPG, and tech show stronger connections between advertising and stock performance, while B2B industries might benefit more from relationship-building than traditional advertising. Meanwhile, price promotions present an interesting paradox—consumers love them, but investors often view them as value-destroying. The key takeaway? Marketing leaders must move beyond defending their budgets with short-term metrics and start connecting their efforts to financial outcomes investors care about: revenue growth, margin improvements, risk reduction, and predictable cash flows. By speaking the language of investors and measuring what endures rather than just what's immediate, CMOs can reposition marketing from a cost center to a strategic investment in the company's future. Ready to transform how you view marketing's financial impact? Listen now and discover why the evidence is clear—advertising is far more than just a cost; it's a powerful driver of lasting company value that savvy investors are already noticing.

Tariffs and Their Economic Implications

In this episode, JP Matychak and Mark Williams, Master Lecturer in Finance, discuss the complexities of tariffs, their implications for the US economy, and the recent changes in tariff policy announced by President Trump. They explore how tariffs function as a tax on imported goods, the burden they place on consumers, and the potential economic fallout, including inflation and recession. The conversation also delves into the long-term risks of relying on tariffs as a trade tool and suggests more constructive approaches to address trade imbalances. Key Takeaways * Tariffs are essentially a tax on imported goods. * Consumers ultimately bear the cost of tariffs. * Recent tariff changes have led to significant market declines. * The administration's goal with tariffs is to protect local industries. * High tariffs can lead to inflation and reduced consumer spending. * Stagflation poses a significant risk to the economy. * Tariffs can trigger retaliatory measures from trading partners. * Long-term reliance on tariffs can harm global trade relationships. * Constructive trade policies should be incremental and strategic. * Monitoring financial markets is crucial for understanding economic trends.

Navigating Internet Privacy: Unpacking Cookies, Dark Patterns, and Future Data Protection Challenges

Unlock the secrets of internet privacy as we journey through the intricate world of digital cookies and their profound impact on our online lives. Featuring insights from Garrett Johnson and Tesary Lin of Boston UniversityQuestrom School of Business, we explore the evolution of privacy regulations and their influence on major browsers like Chrome. Discover how first-party and third-party cookies have transformed digital marketing, and learn about Google's innovative Privacy Sandbox initiative, which seeks to balance user privacy with the needs of advertisers and publishers. We also shine a light on the controversial "dark patterns" in user interface design that can manipulate cookie consent rates, challenging the effectiveness of privacy regulations like the GDPR. Delve into the complexities of data protection with a focus on the Global Privacy Control and the potential for a unified U.S. federal privacy law. As we navigate the emerging landscape, we address the responsibilities of AI platforms and social media in safeguarding user data and managing content. This episode promises to equip you with a deeper understanding of the ongoing challenges and future implications in the realm of internet privacy.

Redefining Retirement: Navigating Emotional and Social Transitions with Insightful Strategies

On this episode of Insights@Questrom, contributor Shannon Light chats with Kathy Kram, Professor of Management & Organizations, emerita, and Tim Hall, Professor of Management & Organizations, emeritus, about their co-authored book, Retiring: Creating a Life That Works for You. The discussion dives into retirement as a major life transition—one that goes beyond financial and health concerns to address deeper psychological, social, and structural challenges. Professors Kram and Hall share insights from their book, which is based on detailed retirement stories of 14 individuals and over 200 interviews. They explore how retiring involves reconstructing both identity and life structure, offering wisdom on the four major tasks of retirement: making the retirement decision, detaching from work, building a new retirement life, and adapting as life unfolds. Listeners will learn how alignment among self, life structure, and external context is key to life satisfaction during retirement and how support from family, friends, and colleagues can make a crucial difference. The authors also discuss how organizations can better support older workers as they prepare to transition out of their careers. To find out more about their book, ‘Retiring: Creating a Life That Works for You’ visit https://retiringbook.com [https://retiringbook.com] or find their book on Amazon here [https://a.co/d/8Gw8bCu].