C-Suite Perspectives – Details, episodes & analysis

The latest survey results from The Conference Board Consumer Confidence Index® show consumers in the US have positive views about current and future business conditions, but their overall feelings about the economy remain mixed, and they are still worried about high prices, inflation and unemployment. 

Join Erik Lundh, Senior Economist, Global at The Conference Board and Stephanie Guichard, Senior Economist, Global Indicators at The Conference Board, to find out how US consumer sentiment could soften spending in the second half of 2024. 

(00:30) U.S. Consumer Confidence Overview
(01:33) Factors Influencing Consumer Confidence
(02:33) Labor Market and Recession Risks
(06:14) Inflation and Interest Rates
(08:04) Consumer Financial Sentiments
(12:20) Buying Plans and Durable Goods
(16:45) Global Economic Forecast
(33:00) Conclusion and Final Thoughts

For more on this topic from The Conference Board:  

• Consumer Confidence Survey 

• Economic Forecast for the US Economy 

• Economy Watch: United States  

2024 Distinguished Leadership Award recipient Raj Subramaniam explains how FedEx thinks about sustainability, data, culture and much more. 

FedEx aims to have carbon-neutral operations by 2040, and that will require careful management of 5,000 facilities and 200,000 motorized vehicles. How can FedEx do this while making millions of deliveries every day, continuing to innovate, and leveraging its data to improve supply chains globally? 

Join Dr. Lori Esposito Murray and guest Raj Subramaniam, President & CEO of FedEx, to find out the three principles today’s leaders need, how FedEx leverages physical networks and proprietary data, and its plans for meeting ambitious sustainability goals. 

(01:51) Leadership and Risk Management
(03:58) Navigating the Pandemic
(05:55) FedEx's World-Class Culture
(08:49) Innovation at FedEx
(13:50) Global Economic Insights: China and India
(17:57) The Importance of Trade Policy
(20:47) Sustainability Goals and Future Challenges

For more from The Conference Board: 

• 2024 Distinguished Leadership Awards 

• Organizing for Success in Corporate Sustainability 2.0 

• Silos to Synergy: Building a Cohesive Sustainability Strategy 

This Leadership in Challenging Times discussion is featured as a C-Suite Perspectives podcast and a special CED Policy Watch Webcast. Leadership in Challenging Times features timely and insightful discussions with the outstanding CEOs who are recipients of CED’s Distinguished Leadership Awards. Business leader honorees discuss the unprecedented challenges facing the nation and how they are helping chart a path forward for both their companies and communities in which they operate. 

Many large economies across the globe are experiencing or will experience labor shortages over the next decade. How can countries address these gaps, and to what extent can artificial intelligence (AI) and immigration solve the workforce crisis?

Join Steve Odland and guest Dana Peterson, Chief Economist and Leader, Economy, Strategy & Finance Center, to find out about the current state of global labor markets, the impact of an aging population, and potential solutions to labor shortages. 

00:40 Welcome to C Suite Perspectives  

01:11 Global Labor Market Outlook  

02:12 Aging Population and Labor Shortages  

05:23 Impact of Immigration on Labor Markets  

08:30 AI and Automation in the Workforce  

10:15 Regional Labor Market Differences  

15:43 Solutions to Labor Shortages  

18:21 Engaging the Domestic Workforce  

29:49 Final Thoughts and Conclusion 

Hybrid work works, according to The Conference Board Reimagined Workplace 2024 report, with 84% of human capital leaders reporting higher job satisfaction and 79% citing better worker attraction and retention. But can HR leaders continue to demonstrate the ROI of flexibility and employee well-being, or are we headed for a Great Resignation 2.0? 

Join Diana Scott and guest Robin Erickson, Vice President, Human Capital, at The Conference Board, to find out about the tightening job market, trends in employee well-being and flexibility, and how human capital leaders are exploring AI. 

(00:58) History and Methodology of the Reimagined Workplace Study
(02:30) Demographics and Trends in the Workplace
(03:45) Recruiting and Retaining Employees: Trends and Challenges 
(07:59) The Impact of Flexibility on Employee Retention 
(10:25) Current Rates and Benefits of Hybrid Work
(13:49) Economic Impact of Remote Work on Cities 
(16:51) Employee Well-being: Current Trends and Strategies 
(20:12) AI in HR: Opportunities and Challenges
(28:51) Future Predictions and Concluding Thoughts

Consumer confidence has pulled back in June, according to The Conference Board Consumer Confidence Index®. The index dipped to 100.4, down from 101.3 in May, with consumers expressing mixed feelings on the labor market and short-term business outlook. 

Join Markus Schomer, Senior Economist with The Conference Board, and Dana Peterson, Chief Economist and Leader of the Economy, Strategy & Finance Center, to find out why consumer confidence continues to decline—and what that means for US and global economic growth.  

(00:31) June Consumer Confidence Survey Insights

(00:53) Factors Influencing Consumer Confidence 

(02:04) Age and Income Differentiation in Confidence

(02:58) Present Situation and Expectations Indices

(06:09) Consumer Views on Recession and Inflation

(07:49) Interest Rates, Stock Market, and Finances

(10:16) Consumer Spending and Buying Plans

(13:50) Outlook for the U.S. Economy

(17:04) Global Economic Outlook

The Measure of CEO Confidence™ for China suggests CEOs are cautiously optimistic about current and future conditions, even as hiring slows and demand remains below pre-COVID levels. How should CEOs respond to the new competitive reality of economic, regulatory, and geopolitical risk factors? 

Join Steve Odland and guest Alfredo Montufar-Helu, Head of the China Center at The Conference Board, to find out how multinational corporations are managing the risk landscape, rethinking supply chains, and continuing to leverage innovation. 

(00:09) Welcome to C Suite Perspectives
(00:47) Introducing the CEO Confidence Index 
(01:40) Current CEO Sentiment in China
(02:27) Challenges Facing Multinationals in China
(06:46) Impact of Chinese Policies on Business
(09:08) CEO Expectations on Sales, Investment, and Employment
(10:19) Risks and Concerns for CEOs in China
(11:40) Geopolitical Tensions and Business Strategy
(27:47) Final Thoughts and Conclusion

In the post-pandemic new world of work, how can leaders keep their employees engaged, motivated and, most of all, productive? Learn how skills development, management capabilities and organizational agility can influence strategies to drive productivity and success. 

Join Steve Odland and Marion Devine, Principal Researcher, Human Capital, Europe, to uncover the six key initiatives to boost productivity across the board. 

(00:35) Understanding Productivity
(02:22) Current State of Productivity
(03:05) Key Drivers of Productivity
(04:35) The Importance of Skilling and Leadership
(11:40) Agility and Resilience in Organizations
(13:12) Diversity and Its Impact on Productivity
(15:00) Employee Well-being and Productivity
(16:35) AI's Role in Enhancing Productivity
(21:02) The CHRO's Role in Driving Productivity

Find out why the 2024 elections present multiple challenges for businesses — and why the regulatory environment is potentially more onerous. 

As the 2024 elections approach, research by The Conference Board reveals that companies face more challenging political and regulatory environments than they did four years ago. How can businesses manage these multilayered, interconnected challenges, including employees demanding that companies speak up on social and political issues? 

Join Steve Odland and guest Merel Spierings, Senior Researcher in the ESG Center, to find out how companies can navigate a hyper-polarized environment, promote democracy, and prepare for possible regulatory shifts. 

(01:09) Key Findings from the Research
(01:38) Challenges of the 2024 U.S. Elections
(02:56) Impact of Polarization on Workplace Dynamics
(03:56) Strategies for Companies to Address Political Issues
(07:30) Encouraging Civic Engagement
(12:24) Navigating the Legal and Regulatory Environment
(19:14) Scenario Planning for Regulatory Changes
(22:14) Corporate Political Activities and Lobbying

Generative AI could create trillions of dollars in impact across multiple waves of innovation and productivity gains. But how can we create the conditions for AI to thrive while helping businesses build systems of scale that are also inclusive? 

Join Dr. Lori Esposito Murray and guest Robert Smith, founder, chairman, and CEO of Vista Equity Partners, to find out how Smith expects generative AI to jump-start productivity, why businesses and communities need greater access to capital, and how he’s working to expand broadband access, especially for students. 

This Leadership in Challenging Times discussion is featured as a C-Suite Perspectives podcast and a special CED Policy Watch Webcast. Leadership in Challenging Times features timely and insightful discussions with the outstanding CEOs who are recipients of CED’s Distinguished Leadership Awards. Business leader honorees discuss the unprecedented challenges facing the nation and how they are helping chart a path forward for both their companies and communities in which they operate. 

The latest Consumer Confidence Index® indicates that overall confidence has improved after three consecutive months of decline, but consumers’ feelings may be more mixed than positive. 

Join Erik Lundh and guest Dana Peterson, Chief Economist and Leader of the Economy, Strategy & Finance Center, to find out what’s affecting US consumer attitudes and spending—and how they fit into the bigger picture of economic growth around the world.