The So What from BCG

Transformation isn’t a gamble—it’s science. Kristy Ellmer, a leader with BCG Transform, unpacks the research behind what really makes change work: involving employees in the journey, preparing for the “messy middle,” and building emotional and practical support into the process. Successful efforts focus equally on shifting behaviors and mindsets, not just strategy and structure.  

Learn More: 

Kristy Ellmer: https://www.bcg.com/about/people/experts/kristy-ellmer 

Preorder Kristy's Book: https://www.amazon.com/How-Change-Really-Works-Science-Based/dp/B0FHBXYSLZ

BCG’s Latest Thinking on Business Transformation: https://www.bcg.com/capabilities/business-transformation/insights 

To Keep Transformations on Track, Incentives Are Crucial: https://www.bcg.com/publications/2025/incentives-are-crucial-for-transformation-success 

The Transformation Paradox: How to Grow When the Growing Gets Tough: https://www.bcg.com/publications/2025/transformation-paradox-how-grow-when-growing-gets-tough 

What happens when people live decades longer than before—but not necessarily healthier? Iana Kouris, customer experience leader at BCG X, explores how companies can help people live longer healthier. Businesses can jumpstart the longevity economy by leveraging CX, behavioral design and change management to develop new products for prevention and customized for the growing elderly population, as well as supporting their employees on this journey. 

Learn More: 

Iana Kouris: https://on.bcg.com/4fvFrXv 

BCGX: https://on.bcg.com/4ltCU1A 

How Digital and AI Will Reshape Health Care in 2025: https://on.bcg.com/4mEGBCu 

Private equity is under pressure to deliver returns in a tougher environment. Clark O’Niell, BCG’s global lead for AI infrastructure and cyber in the private investors & private equity practice, shares how the smartest investors are using AI to move beyond hype, drive impact at scale, and future-proof their portfolios. It’s about focus over fragmentation—and combining judgment with new tools. 

Learn More: 

Clark O’Niell: https://on.bcg.com/46tTmep 

BCG’s Latest Thinking on Private Equity: https://on.bcg.com/4598Fa5 

IT Spending Pulse: AI Agents and GenAI Reshape Priorities: https://on.bcg.com/4mmjVXG 

The So What from BCG on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLMJgyXjV5gMI9JV-GcF_D1Y6zyf1Eab_0

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 

Martin Reeves: https://on.bcg.com/4lXaAVX 

Winning in the 20s: https://on.bcg.com/4lpe1oo 

Winning the ’20s: A Leadership Agenda for the Next Decade: https://on.bcg.com/40iscDs 

Europe is at a tipping point after years of slow growth. Sylvain Duranton, BCG X’s global leader, explains how countries and companies can work together to simplify regulation, scale innovation, and build a truly unified, competitive Europe. 

Learn More: 

Sylvain Duranton:https://on.bcg.com/3T9QN9b 

Europe’s Business Leaders Are Ready for Action: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/global-trade-disruption-wake-up-call-europe-boston-consulting-group-lbnhe/ 

BCG’s Center for Geopolitics: https://on.bcg.com/4kJir8K 

The role of the CEO is both powerful and punishing. Christine Barton, BCG’s CEO Advisory lead in North America, explores how to make the job more fulfilling. It starts with clarity of purpose, building the right leadership team, and minimizing activities that are time and energy sinkholes.

Learn More: 

Christine Barton: https://on.bcg.com/4n4CyAk 

BCG’s Insights for CEOs: https://on.bcg.com/4l6jujg 

Moves Only a CEO Can Make: https://on.bcg.com/4kUtpJ2 

Balancing a Dynamic Career and a Rewarding Personal Life: https://on.bcg.com/3TfaYTz 

Justin Manly, BCG’s lead on growth and innovation, explains how businesses can choose the right growth strategy given their aspirations and position in the market. Whether a company is gaining or losing share, in a booming or sluggish industry, profitable growth depends on knowing your starting point. 

Learn More: 

Justin Manly: https://on.bcg.com/4kGYyPH 

BCG’s Latest Thinking on Growth and Innovation Analytics: https://on.bcg.com/4kjTEIB 

BCG’s Latest Thinking on Corporate Finance and Strategy: https://on.bcg.com/3ZeAMlX 

Your Growth Strategy Depends on Your Starting Point: https://on.bcg.com/43YpzZm 

The Vitality Code: How Growth Leaders Master Strategy, Technology, People, and Culture: https://on.bcg.com/4dMKjH1 

Financial analysts were far more prepared than most CEOs for the US tariffs announced on April 2. Analysts, who serve as a proxy for the financial markets, anticipated tariffs would soon be an enormous issue, mentioning the topic 62% more often than did CEOs during Q1 earnings calls. That’s the conclusion of the second edition of the CEO Radar—a tool to help CEOs determine which issues truly deserve their time and attention. It unpacks the leading topics discussed on almost 4,900 earnings calls worldwide in Q1 2025, enabling chief executives to compare their agendas to those of their peers, and to the market’s expectations. On this episode of the CEO Radar Podcast, Edward Adams of Bloomberg Media Studios is joined by BCG Global Chair Rich Lesser and Michael Brigl, Head of BCG’s Central European practice, to discuss how tariffs are likely to have a long-term effect on corporate operations. 

Listen to CEO Radar: https://sponsored.bloomberg.com/immersive-story/the-ceo-radar-q2-2025 

Global trade is entering a new phase marked by unpredictability. Marc Gilbert and Michael McAdoo discuss how companies can respond by building supply chain flexibility, strengthening scenario planning, and enhancing their understanding of geopolitical developments.

Learn More:

Marc Gilbert: https://on.bcg.com/3SpNytS 

Michael McAdoo: https://on.bcg.com/4iQA6Ku 

BCG’s Center on Geopolitics: https://on.bcg.com/3EA5A9A 

There’s Nowhere to Hide as Tariffs Reshape Global Trade: https://on.bcg.com/44RLO47 

How Tariffs Are Shaping Investor Expectations: https://on.bcg.com/4iQA5pU