The So What from BCG

Listen as BCG AI conversational agent GENE and editor in chief Paul Michelman highlight the opportunities and obstacles ahead for CEOs, as outlined in BCG’s most recent thought leadership. The duo share which steps to take now before an expected M&A resurgence, the lessons to be learned from fintech, and how to advance carbon dioxide reduction. 

LEARN MORE 

After you listen, dive deep into the details in these bcg.com publications: 

AI at Work 2024: Friend and Foe (https://www.bcg.com/publications/2024/ai-at-work-friend-foe) 

M&A Insights H1 2024: The Recovery Continues (https://www.bcg.com/publications/2024/m-and-a-market-insights-series-h1-2024) 

Prudence, Profits, and Growth (https://www.bcg.com/publications/2024/global-fintech-prudence-profits-and-growth) 

Boosting Demand for Carbon Dioxide Removal (https://www.bcg.com/publications/2024/boosting-demand-for-carbon-dioxide-removal) 

Subscribe to CEO Digest: https://link.chtbl.com/ceo-digest-bcg-show

For more insight from BCG on the CEO Agenda, visit https://on.bcg.com/4cSLtiu. 

Hear more of GENE on Imagine This… at https://link.chtbl.com/imagine-this-show-link, BCG’s future-focused podcast series. 

One in every three people will likely find their jobs significantly disrupted by AI in the next decade. Sagar Goel, leader of BCG’s work in digital reskilling and leadership development, talks about the role of the public and private sectors in preparing employees for this exciting, uncertain, and sometimes frightening world.   

Learn More: 

Sagar Goel: https://on.bcg.com/46D3O12 

Sagar’s TED Talk: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qC1QlUr5mCE 

BCG on AI: https://on.bcg.com/3SClDaT 

Reskilling in the Age of AI: https://hbr.org/2023/09/reskilling-in-the-age-of-ai

In a world of microtargeted ads and niche audiences, sports remain one of the few remaining opportunities for brands to capture the attention of the masses. Dan Wald, global lead of BCG’s sports business, talks about how the Olympics works to stay relevant in a fragmented world. How can businesses and sports leagues incorporate this success into their current strategies?  

Learn More: 

Dan Wald: https://on.bcg.com/4dfqw1g 

Marketing and Sales: https://on.bcg.com/46jJ7Hx 

The average US consumer belongs to around 14 loyalty programs. Edward Crouch, BCG’s global leader for loyalty and membership, explains how unique experiences and personalization can convert everyday customers into loyal fans.  

Learn More: 

Edward Crouch: https://on.bcg.com/3zgpaF0 

Loyalty Programs Need Next-Generation Design: https://on.bcg.com/4chjlWy 

Travel and Tourism: https://on.bcg.com/3KXgJ3X 

One in every three US adults has a criminal record that follows them like a lead weight as they look for work. Lina Bankert, managing director and partner in BCG’s Chicago office, and Kathleen St. Louis Caliento, president and CEO of Cara Collective, explain that formerly incarcerated people can be model employees. Hiring always involves risk. By partnering with government agencies and nonprofit organizations, companies can set up fair-chance hires for success in the workplace. Many of them, for example, also need help with housing and transportation that agencies can provide.

Learn More: 

Lina Bankert: on.bcg.com/4c7gm2Q 

Kathleen St. Louis Caliento: Kathleen St. Louis Caliento - Cara Collective 

Three Roads to Equitable and Inclusive Talent Development: on.bcg.com/3xifUQa 

Cara Collective: Home - Cara Collective 

Brian Collie, BCG’s global leader for the automotive and mobility sector, explains that price and range anxiety remain as barriers to adoption of electric vehicles. Even so, recent BCG research in the US found that nearly 40% of surveyed consumers are considering a switch to electric for their next vehicle. To tap into that demand, manufacturers need to lower their cost structure—they currently lose $6,000-$30,000 per car—and work with partners. 

Learn More: 

Brian Collie: on.bcg.com/3XnvKTX 

Automotive Industry: on.bcg.com/4ejyMid 

Can OEMs Catch the Next Wave of EV Adopters?: on.bcg.com/3KJ9UCS 

Banks and other financial systems are the lifeblood of the economy. But most of them trade at less than book value, constrained by regulation, the growth of private credit, and tech startups. Kilian Berz, global vice chair of BCG’s financial institutions practice, explains how traditional banks can regain their footing through leadership and transformation.

Learn More:

Kilian Berz:https://on.bcg.com/4bDKQcj 

Financial Institutions: https://on.bcg.com/3wLmFK5 

To Seize a $7 Trillion Opportunity, Banks Need Bolder Strategies for Serving Customers and Society: https://on.bcg.com/4byWlSm 

Current economic models are not up to the challenge of capturing the real-world complexities of climate change. But better models are on the horizon. Sophia Davies, BCG’s lead for climate tech partnerships, explains how AI can supercharge these models to predict how public policies will motivate the private sector. Early returns suggest we may be vastly underestimating the effect of policy on climate change.  

Learn More: 

Climate and Sustainability: on.bcg.com/3QOGjeX 

AI: on.bcg.com/3K69aHS 

“Deep Design” Could Take On the World’s Big Systemic Challenges: https://on.bcg.com/3K6oFPV 

If cybercrime were a country, it would be the third largest economy in the world. Paul O’Rourke, BCG’s global cybersecurity leader, explains how organizations can protect themselves and their supply chains: Start by recognizing that the elimination of all risks is impossible. Instead focus security efforts on an organization’s “crown jewels”—its most critical digital assets. Leaders don’t need to be cyber experts. But regulators may hold them responsible for some breaches, so they better understand and address the risks.

Learn More:

Paul O’Rourke: https://on.bcg.com/3QAoPCN

Cybersecurity and Digital Risk: https://on.bcg.com/3UwRTwg

Every C-Suite Member Is Now a Chief AI Officer: https://on.bcg.com/3UJ7ry9