The So What from BCG – Details, episodes & analysis

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 

The Global South isn’t standing still as tariffs and uncertainty roil financial markets and business plans. Aparna Bharadwaj, leader of BCG’s Global Advantage practice, explains how these nations are forming smart partnerships and moving from low-cost production to innovation-powered impact. 

Learn More: 

Aparna Bharadwaj: https://on.bcg.com/4cIKW3V 

In a Multipolar World, the Global South Finds Its Moment: https://on.bcg.com/42UhQLn

BCG on Emerging Markets: https://on.bcg.com/4cMJ9e4

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

[00:00] Aparna's 'So What'

[02:18] The Global South From Its Own Perspective

[04:12] Common Themes In The Global South

[07:43] Climate And Sustainability

[08:47] How Countries Are Navigating Their Own Paths

[11:08] China's Role In The Global South

[13:28] How Leaders In The Global North Can Flip The Narrative

[14:53] Emerging Industries In The Global South

[17:15] The Global South Is A Positive Story

[18:31] The Future Of Global Commerce

[20:21] Advice To Leaders In The Global South

[21:26] The 'Now What'

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 

Harvard Business Review Article: https://hbr.org/2023/09/reskilling-in-the-age-of-ai 

This podcast gets straight to the point of ideas that will shape and disrupt the future. Award-winning British journalist Georgie Frost interviews the leading thinkers and doers at BCG on topics ranging from global warming, COVID-19, business resilience, and social inequity to the influence of digital technology on everything. Look for it every two weeks, starting November 3.

Home to over half of the world’s supply chain activity, Asia is a complex powerhouse. Bitan Datta, BCG’s Asia Pacific leader in manufacturing and supply chains, describes how to balance cost, resilience, and geopolitics in this lively market.  

Learn More:

Bitan Datta: https://on.bcg.com/49IlBW0 

BCG on Supply Chain Management: https://on.bcg.com/3VHFYwN 

How GenAI Reimagines Supply Chain Management: https://on.bcg.com/49FwAj3 

CEO Moments of Truth: https://on.bcg.com/TSWMoT 

The consumer goods industry is facing threats from new competitors, inflation, and changes in consumer behavior. Rohan Sajdeh, global leader of BCG’s consumer practice, outlines how companies can adapt through portfolio reshaping, advanced pricing strategies, and personalized customer experiences. He also discusses how AI and sustainability are shaping the future of the industry.  

Learn More: 

Rohan Sajdeh: https://on.bcg.com/4ggm0RL 

Consumer Products Industry: https://on.bcg.com/4f2DyQe 

CEO Moments of Truth: https://on.bcg.com/TSWMoT 

More than half of M&A deals fail, while winning deals can deliver five times the average payoff. Daniel Friedman, BCG’s global leader of transactions and integrations, explains the importance of a clear plan, thoughtful choice of targets, and strong teamwork. Finally, if company cultures don’t mesh, even the strongest financial deals won’t create lasting value. 

Learn More: 

Daniel Friedman: https://on.bcg.com/3V2Wlnp 

M&A Activity by Year: The BCG M&A Report Collection: https://on.bcg.com/3OdAV3j 

BCG on M&A: https://on.bcg.com/4hYkp4y 

CEO Moments of Truth: https://on.bcg.com/TSWMoT 

Hubertus Meinecke, BCG’s global climate and sustainability lead, and Axel Reinaud, CEO of NetZero, discuss what climate startups can learn from large corporations and vice versa. Corporations have capital that startups need but take a long time to make decisions. Startups are fast moving and have strong technical skills but are short on the capital that large corporations can provide.  

Learn More: 

Hubertus Meinecke: https://on.bcg.com/3AqhSzp 

Axel Reinaud: https://netzero.green/en/team/ 

NetZero: https://netzero.green/en/ 

Green Growth Accelerator: https://on.bcg.com/4furqrQ 

CEO Moments of Truth https://on.bcg.com/TSWMoT 

Judith Wallenstein, leader of BCG’s CEO Advisory, explains how chiefs of staff help CEO’s succeed and identify the characteristics that matter most in this role. The best chiefs of staff have integrity, confidence, and a selfless commitment to their boss —becoming part of a CEO’s inner circle by staying out of the spotlight. 

Learn More: 

Judith Wallenstein: https://on.bcg.com/402EekT 

CEO Agenda: https://on.bcg.com/400T1MM 

How CEOs Can Find the Right Chief of Staff: https://on.bcg.com/3NowT7K 

CEO Moments of Truth https://on.bcg.com/TSWMoT 

Mark Abraham, leader of BCG’s Marketing, Sales & Pricing practice in North America, explains how organizations can combine the physical and digital to create powerful customer experiences. As co-author of the new book Personalized: Customer Strategy in the Age of AI, Abraham explains that few actually hit the mark—wasting resources and leaving customers disappointed. 

Learn More: 

Mark Abraham: https://on.bcg.com/3NdACFc 

Read Personalized: Customer Strategy in the Age of AI: https://on.bcg.com/3zVUEAN 

BCG on Personalization: https://on.bcg.com/4eRv1QK 

CEO Moments of Truth: https://on.bcg.com/TSWMoT