CEO Perspectives

The US has reduced greenhouse gas emissions by 17% since 2004, and yet the US and world are falling short on limiting global temperature rise and establishing a net-zero economy. What kind of progress can we expect to emerge from this year’s UN climate conference, COP29?   

Join Steve Odland and guest Alex Heil, Senior Economist at The Conference Board's ESF Center, to find out why COP29 was hosted by Azerbaijan, whether developed economics will fund the necessary climate actions, and the role of the power sector in decarbonizing. 

(00:49) Understanding COP and Its History
(04:11) Focus on Finance at COP 29
(07:35) Geopolitical Context of COP 29
(09:42) Absence of Key Leaders
(11:21) Paris Accord and National Contributions
(16:00) Carbon Credits and Financial Support

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The average CEO’s tenure is declining, especially at smaller companies. How can boards reassess their approach to CEO succession planning given the increasing complexities of the job and the rise in activist stakeholders? 

Join Steve Odland and guest Blair Jones, Managing Director at Semler Brossy, to discover the latest insights on CEO succession, the progress being made on gender equity, and why boards should have an emergency succession plan before a crisis strikes. 

(01:20) CEO Tenure Trends
(05:11) Internal vs External Succession
(07:55) Gender Diversity in CEO Roles
(13:43) Emergency Succession Planning
(19:45) Interim CEO and Board Roles
(25:03) Activist Attacks on Female CEOs
(28:40) Trends in CEO Compensation

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Despite the backlash against diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), 80% of senior executives say they’ll adjust their DEI strategies rather than scale them back. How can businesses create effective DEI programs that align with core values and follow the law? 

Join Steve Odland and guest Diana Scott, US Human Capital Center Leader at The Conference Board, to find out how companies can rethink DEI, measure the success of these initiatives, and achieve better outcomes for all employees. 

(00:52) Defining DEI and Its Objectives 
(02:00) Supreme Court Ruling and Its Impact 
(04:44) Adjusting DEI Tactics 
(11:23) Strategic Changes in DEI Programs
(18:52) Data-Driven DEI Decisions 
(25:25) Future of DEI in a Diverse Society

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CEO pay isn’t just salary: There’s also bonuses, stock awards, stock options, and perks. What does the latest report on executive compensation from The Conference Board tell us about pay trends — and the boards that set compensation levels? 

Join Steve Odland and guest Dana Etra, managing director and head of the Boston office at FW Cook, to dispel public misconceptions about CEO pay, discuss the latest trends and regulations, and explain why corporate jets are suddenly so popular. 

(01:14) Understanding CEO Compensation
(04:08) Market Dynamics and Executive Pay
(06:22) Components of Executive Compensation
(07:32) Evolution of Compensation Practices
(14:12) The Role of Independent Directors
(17:48) Trends in Non-Financial Metrics
(19:04) Perks and Pay Ratios

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Join Steve Odland and guest Denise Dahlhoff, PhD, Director of Marketing & Communications Research at The Conference Board, to discover where CEOs and CMOs differ on expectations, what metrics matter most, and how CMOs can communicate marketing's value to key stakeholders. 

(00:57) Understanding the Roles of CEO and CMO
(03:55) The Critical CEO-CMO Relationship
(05:15) Challenges in CEO and CMO Tenure
(08:02) Expectations and Gaps Between CEOs and CMOs
(12:23) Aligning Marketing with Financial Goals
(16:40) Risk Management in Marketing Strategies
(18:36) The Multi-constituency Approach in Corporations
(21:12) Fostering Collaboration Across the C Suite

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Consumer confidence saw the strongest monthly gain since March 2021, according to the latest The Conference Board Consumer Confidence Index®. The index registered 108.7 in October, up from 99.2 in September, after consumers’ assessment of current business conditions and job availability, plus future business conditions, income and job availability all climbed this month. 

Join Erik Lundh and guest Dana Peterson, Chief Economist and Leader of the Economy, Strategy & Finance Center at The Conference Board, to find out where consumers stand on the labor market, spending and inflation ahead of next week’s US elections. 

(00:32) October Consumer Confidence Insights
(01:35) Demographic Breakdown of Confidence
(02:19) Expectations for Employment and Recession
(03:36) Inflation and Interest Rates
(06:31) Impact of Elections and Hurricanes
(08:34) Holiday Buying Plans
(11:42) Consumer Confidence and Economic Outlook
(16:34) Global Economic Overview
(25:42) Emerging Markets and Interest Rates

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Join Steve Odland and guest Andrew Jones, senior researcher at The Conference Board ESG Center, to explore The Conference Board's new report, the rise in DEI-related shareholder proposals, and how companies can recalibrate DEI in their workplace policies and marketing. 

(00:49) Understanding DEI: Basics and Definitions
(03:24) The Evolution of DEI in Corporate America
(05:15) DEI Under Pressure: Challenges and Backlash
(06:56) The Supreme Court Decision and Its Impact
(09:16) Navigating the Pendulum Swing in DEI
(10:31) Balancing Stakeholder Interests in DEI
(16:16) Adapting DEI Strategies in a Changing World
(23:40) Philanthropy and DEI: Legal Challenges
(29:09) Terminology and Future of DEI

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Top CEOs remain wary about the economy despite a strong Q3. What's holding them back? 

CEO confidence dipped in Q4, as measured by The Conference Board, with most CEOs saying conditions have worsened in the past six months. Why hasn’t recent economic data buoyed CEOs’ spirits, and what concerns them most as we head into 2025?   

Join Steve Odland and guest Dana M. Peterson, Chief Economist at The Conference Board, to find out what we can learn from the latest Measure of CEO Confidence™, how CEOs plan to address headcount and wages next year, and why cybersecurity and geopolitics remain the top two risks. 

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