The So What from BCG

AI Costs a Fortune. Mismanaging AI Will Cost You More.

Vlad Lukic, BCG’s global leader for tech and digital advantage, and Paul Goydan, global leader of BCG’s cost offer, explain why so many companies spend more on AI than they get back. What is the fix? They argue it isn’t simply cutting AI spend, but assigning clear ownership, categorizing costs correctly, and tying every dollar to a business outcome. You’ll Learn: Business owners, not IT, should be accountable for AI’s return, like any other investment. Many companies give routine tasks to their most powerful and expensive AI models, when a simpler tool could do the job. Instead of focusing on banning unauthorized AI tools, leaders should turn towards educating employees on sanctioned options. Learn More: How Leaders Build an AI-First Cost Advantage: https://on.bcg.com/4c3KrSW Why We Still Need a CIO in the AI-First Era: https://on.bcg.com/46bBbIV Chapters 0:00 AI's Bottom-Line Problem 1:01 Why Your AI Costs Don't Add Up 2:16 Can Promoting AI Use Promote Waste? 4:02 Are AI Costs an IT Problem? 4:48 How to Prioritize AI Spend 6:18 How Do CEOs Pay for AI? 7:14 How to Categorize AI Costs? 8:02 Who Owns the AI Budget? 8:30 How Leaders Know AI Is Paying Off 10:50 Strategy vs. FOMO 13:49 Turning FOMO Into Action 14:27 Winners in the AI Era 16:28 Handling Hidden AI Risk 18:05 Now What: Next Steps Listen to Other Episodes of The So What from BCG podcast YouTube | https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLMJgyXjV5gMI9JV-GcF_D1Y6zyf1Eab_0&si=plXqe7-YNzbG56U8 Apple | https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-so-what-from-bcg/id1591194141 Spotify | https://open.spotify.com/show/2NSVR7qrAyZ4CaGsnknbBk?si=1d846c2af8784923 Other platforms | https://lnk.to/so-what-general-show12 Follow BCG https://www.bcg.com/ LinkedIn | https://www.linkedin.com/company/boston-consulting-group This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podtrac - https://analytics.podtrac.com/privacy-policy-gdrp

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Is Your AI Rollout Built to Fail?

Kristy Ellmer and Julia Dhar, co-authors of How Change Really Works and founders of BCG’s Behavioral Science Lab, explain why so many transformations fail and what the science says separates success from failure. They break down the “messy middle,” why people resist being changed rather than change itself, and how giving employees real agency turns resistance into momentum. What You’ll Learn: Why “false alignment” among leaders, not resistance from employees, derails most transformations before they start. Why giving employees real ownership, not just participation, turns resistance into momentum. What makes AI transformations distinct from other kinds of organizational change Learn More: Read How Change Really Works: https://on.bcg.com/3SpBPzd Your AI Change Is Actually a People Change: https://on.bcg.com/3RKUp4J The False Alignment Trap: https://on.bcg.com/45R9ULH CEOs Are Betting Big on AI Transformations. Science Is How They Win: https://on.bcg.com/4bGy1jG We Found the Real Reason 70% of Transformations Fail: https://on.bcg.com/4xqmOMq Chapters (0:00) What Is Transformation? (1:54) Why Leaders Need a New Playbook for Change (3:42) Where Do Most Transformations Fail? (5:37) What Does the “Messy Middle” Look Like? (6:28) What Makes AI Transformations Different? (9:25) Where Is the "End Point" in an AI Transformation? (11:51) Why “Just Get on the Bus” Isn’t Good Advice for AI Change (13:03) When to Walk Away from a Change Effort (15:42) What Should Leaders Do When Momentum Fades? (16:49) Why Giving Employees Ownership Matters (21:06) What Should Leaders Do in the “Messy Middle”? (22:37) How Do You Make Change Successful? Meet the Experts Kristy Ellmer: https://on.bcg.com/4xvpgBg Co-Author, How Change Really Works BCG Managing Director & Partner North American Leader, BCG’s Transform Practice Co-Founder, BCG’s Behavioral Science Lab: https://on.bcg.com/4z9WhVs Julia Dhar: https://on.bcg.com/45ec8Vj Co-Author, How Change Really Works BCG Managing Director & Partner North American Leader, People and Organization Practice Co-Founder, BCG’s Behavioral Science Lab: https://on.bcg.com/4z9WhVs Listen to Other Episodes of The So What from BCG podcast YouTube | https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLMJgyXjV5gMI9JV-GcF_D1Y6zyf1Eab_0&si=plXqe7-YNzbG56U8 Apple | https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-so-what-from-bcg/id1591194141 Spotify | https://open.spotify.com/show/2NSVR7qrAyZ4CaGsnknbBk?si=1d846c2af8784923 Other platforms | https://lnk.to/so-what-general-show12 Follow BCG https://www.bcg.com/ LinkedIn | https://www.linkedin.com/company/boston-consulting-group This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podtrac - https://analytics.podtrac.com/privacy-policy-gdrp

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Retailers Are Drowning in Data. Is AI a Life Preserver?

Nick Goad, BCG's global co-leader for retail merchandising, argues that retail's biggest problem isn't a lack of data, it's the gap between data and real customer understanding. He explains how AI and large language models are finally bridging that divide, making it possible to localize assortment, sharpen pricing, and accelerate product innovation at scale. For leaders wondering where to start, he makes the case for codifying the knowledge already in merchants' heads. What You’ll Learn: Retailers have more data than ever, but AI finally gives them the tools to turn it into action merchants can actually trust. The biggest near-term opportunities are in assortment localization, smarter pricing, and AI-accelerated product innovation. The new data advantage for retailers isn't raw data — it's codifying the knowledge already in their merchants' heads. Learn More: BCG’s Latest Thinking on the Retail Industry: https://on.bcg.com/4bYoe8x Merch AI by BCGX: https://on.bcg.com/3RxTfJF Chapters (0:00) Has Retail Lost Its Personal Touch? (1:13) Serving Customers Before the Digital Age (2:33) The Internet’s Impact on Retail (3:11) Does More Data Mean Better Customer Understanding? (4:12) Why Are Retailers Drowning in Complexity? (5:32) What Can AI Do to Help Retailers? (7:02) Will AI Create a New Data Overload? (7:54) What Are Retail Leaders Hopes and Fears for AI? (9:02) Will AI Get Products to the Shelf Faster? (9:57) Will AI Influence Product Design? (10:37) Can AI Create More Personalized Loyalty Programs? (11:34) How Will AI Shape the Shopping Experience? (12:02) Is Physical Retail Here to Stay? (13:36) Will AI Make All Our Shopping Decisions for Us? (14:23) Where Can Retailers Make the Biggest Changes? (15:00) Where Should Retailers Apply AI First? (15:48) What New Data Advantage Can AI Create? Meet the Expert: Nick Goad, BCG Managing Director & Senior Partner: https://on.bcg.com/4wuIlU0 Listen to Other Episodes of The So What from BCG podcast Punch Cards, Frequent Flyers, and the Future of Loyalty: https://lnk.to/so-what-BCG-Crouch-Loyalty09 YouTube | https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLMJgyXjV5gMI9JV-GcF_D1Y6zyf1Eab_0&si=plXqe7-YNzbG56U8 Apple | https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-so-what-from-bcg/id1591194141 Spotify | https://open.spotify.com/show/2NSVR7qrAyZ4CaGsnknbBk?si=1d846c2af8784923 Other platforms | https://lnk.to/so-what-general-show12 Follow BCG https://www.bcg.com/ LinkedIn | https://www.linkedin.com/company/boston-consulting-group This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podtrac - https://analytics.podtrac.com/privacy-policy-gdrp

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LLM or MD: Who Owns the Patient Journey?

Ben Keneally, BCG’s Asia Pacific health care services leader, explains why AI is now many patients’ first stop — often before they see a doctor. He argues that pairing AI with personal health records improves outcomes and equity, and that health leaders, not LLMs, must shape how this shift unfolds. You’ll Learn: Why AI is becoming the default first step in care, especially in markets with limited access to clinicians How pairing AI with personal health records improves treatment compliance and catches errors earlier Why driving AI into end-to-end care pathways takes leadership, not just frontline experimentation Learn More: BCG’s Latest Thinking on the Health Care Industry: https://on.bcg.com/4w2MmPt Consumers Are Ready for AI-Enabled Health Care. Health Systems Need to Be, Too.: https://on.bcg.com/4vo2ZDX Chapters (0:00) The Biggest Health Care Shift in Centuries (1:47) How Is AI Being Used in Health Care Today? (2:23) Where Is AI Adoption Highest, and What Does That Tell Us? (3:29) Does AI Create a Two-Tier Health System? (4:55) What's Next for AI Agents? (6:51) Where Are the Biggest Opportunities: Diagnosis, Navigation, or Appointments? (8:13) The Health Care System AI Could Build (9:56) Does Your Health System Need Its Own AI? (11:36) The Danger of Inaccurate Health Advice (12:53) What Role Does Trust Play? (13:52) How Are Health Care Organizations Shaping This Shift Today? (14:47) AI Alone Won't Transform Health Care (15:49) Who Is Responsible When AI Gets Health Care Wrong? (17:22) Who Owns the Patient Relationship? (18:29) Is the Shift to AI in Health Care Inevitable? (19:49) Is It AI Plus Clinicians or AI Replacing Clinicians? Meet the Expert Ben Keneally, BCG Managing Director & Partner: https://on.bcg.com/4woTTbc Listen to Other Episodes of The So What from BCG podcast YouTube | https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLMJgyXjV5gMI9JV-GcF_D1Y6zyf1Eab_0&si=plXqe7-YNzbG56U8 Apple | https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-so-what-from-bcg/id1591194141 Spotify | https://open.spotify.com/show/2NSVR7qrAyZ4CaGsnknbBk?si=1d846c2af8784923 Other platforms | https://lnk.to/so-what-general-show12 Follow BCG https://www.bcg.com/ LinkedIn | https://www.linkedin.com/company/boston-consulting-group This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podtrac - https://analytics.podtrac.com/privacy-policy-gdrp

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AI Is Ready for Government. Is Government Ready?

Governments are racing to deploy AI. Most have the foundations, but struggle to translate them into faster, smarter execution without losing public trust. BCG's Miguel Carrasco and Daniel Selikowitz break down what separates the countries getting this right from those still stuck — and what every leader can take from their example. You’ll Learn: Why AI governance frameworks are quietly becoming the biggest barrier to AI deployment How to tell the difference between necessary caution and unnecessary bureaucracy How and why some countries are already getting AI governance right Learn More: Trust Imperative 5.0: https://on.bcg.com/3QO3fOm BCG’s Latest Thinking in Public Sector: https://on.bcg.com/4f69kis Meet the Experts Miguel Carrasco, BCG Managing Director & Senior Partner: https://on.bcg.com/4gGH8Uz Daniel Selikowitz, Managing Director & Partner: https://on.bcg.com/4oMRKTY Watch The So What from BCG on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLMJgyXjV5gMI9JV-GcF_D1Y6zyf1Eab_0 Chapters (0:00) AI Is Already in Government. Here's Where You'll Find It. (3:12) Public vs. Private: Why the Stakes Are Different (4:40) What Leaders Are Saying Across Industries (6:15) What Role Does Fear Play in AI Adoption? (8:14) Inside Governments Deploying AI (9:55) How Are Governments Governing AI? (11:56) How Do Countries Compare on AI Adoption? (13:37) Useful Caution Vs. Unnecessary Bureaucracy in AI Implementation (15:42) Who Is Keeping Pace with AI Innovation? (16:46) What Private Sector Leaders Can Learn from Governments (19:34) What Should Leaders Do Now? This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podtrac - https://analytics.podtrac.com/privacy-policy-gdrp

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Industry 4.0 Moves to the Great Outdoors

Industry 4.0 is moving beyond factory walls and into farms, forests, and fields. David Potere, a senior tech leader in BCG’s Industrial Goods and Climate Change and Sustainability practices, explores AI’s move into the outdoor world. Robotics and connected systems are changing how farming and other outdoor activities get done. You’ll Learn: Outdoor automation requires AI systems that can operate with constant uncertainty. Leaders should rethink long-held operating models as AI and robotics reshape how physical work gets done. The most valuable AI systems may be the ones that simplify complexity rather than add more dashboards. Learn More: David Potere: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidpotere/ What 1,000 Farmers Told Us About Tech Adoption: https://on.bcg.com/4euA76V Climate-Smart Agriculture Needs a Better Yardstick: https://on.bcg.com/4ejIfH6 David on the Climate Rising Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/david-potere-at-bcg-x-using-ai-satellites-in-climate/id1482781075?i=1000767537614 AI Foundation Model for Extreme Weather: https://on.bcg.com/4vKiwyz Chapters 00:00 – How Will AI Impact Outdoor Industries? 04:26 –The Challenges of Taking Tech Outside 06:11– What Would a Farm That Thinks for Itself Look Like? 08:27 – Is AI Rescuing Agriculture? 10:55– Will AI Only Help Big Farms? 14:39 – Who Owns the Data? 16:16 – What Can Leaders Learn from the AI Outdoors? 18:51 – Next Steps to Truly Benefit from AI This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podtrac - https://analytics.podtrac.com/privacy-policy-gdrp

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Why Doomsayers Are Wrong About AI Job Loss

AI isn’t replacing jobs the way headlines suggest, but it is changing who keeps them. Greg Emerson, BCG’s global leader of technology and AI investing, explains why AI will reshape three to four times more jobs than it replaces. He argues that fears of mass unemployment are overblown and the real challenge for leaders is redesigning roles, workflows, and mindsets. You’ll Learn: The real risk: workers who don’t adopt AI will be replaced by those who do. How top performers will get more work, not less. Why leaders must move beyond tool adoption and fully reshape how work gets done. Learn More: Greg Emerson: https://on.bcg.com/43yhARM AI Will Reshape More Jobs Than It Replaces: https://on.bcg.com/4uxhTs5 BCG’s Latest Thinking on AI: https://on.bcg.com/4wWwHC9 Latest Thinking from the BCG Institute: https://on.bcg.com/4fdjG0I Watch The So What on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLMJgyXjV5gMI9JV-GcF_D1Y6zyf1Eab_0 Chapters (0:00) AI Panic vs Reality (1:01) Is AI Replacement Imminent? (2:14) Where Are the Mass Unemployment Headlines Coming From? (4:28) Are AI Layoffs Really About AI? (7:51) AI Will Reshape More Jobs Than It Replaces (10:00) AI Is Creating More Work, Not Less (12:57) The Difference Between Replacing Jobs & Replacing People (14:47) The “Soft Resistance” Problem Inside Companies (16:00) The Biggest Career Risk Right Now (17:08) Why Businesses Struggle to Deliver AI ROI (19:05) The AI Adoption Trap (20:58) The AI Mindset Every Leader Needs This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podtrac - https://analytics.podtrac.com/privacy-policy-gdrp

CEOs Gamble When They Plan for Just One Future

Navigating uncertainty means one thing: flexibility beats prediction. Nikolaus Lang, global leader of the BCG Henderson Institute, looks 25 years into the future, breaking down what four plausible scenarios mean for GDP growth, work hours, and defense spending. He explains what CEOs can do today to prepare for the faraway future. You’ll Learn: How scenarios connect uncertainty to revenue, risk, and strategy How to stress-test your strategy with data-driven foresight What separates resilient companies from fragile ones How to identify no-regret moves — from supply chain resilience to AI readiness to talent transformation Learn More: Nikolaus Lang: https://on.bcg.com/43abruY Beyond Tomorrow: Four Scenarios for the World of 2050: https://on.bcg.com/49RMhVF Latest Thinking From the BCG Henderson Institute: https://on.bcg.com/4uHtDbc Chapters: (00:00) Why Planning for One Future Won’t Work (01:04) The Benefit of Planning for Plausible Futures (03:19) Should You Ignore Extreme Scenarios? (04:41) Future #1: AI Abundance (05:34) Future #2: Battling Blocs (06:09) Future #3: Climate Coalition (06:45) Future #4: Digital Darwinism (07:30) What KPIs Help Predict the Future? (09:09) What Scenario Is the Most Surprising? (13:50) Is 2050 Too Far to Plan for CEOs? (15:03) The “No-Regret Moves” That Matter for Leaders This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podtrac - https://analytics.podtrac.com/privacy-policy-gdrp

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How AI is Transforming Sales—and What To Do

Sales teams are no longer defined by a few superstar performers. Japjit Ghai, who leads BCG’s AI efforts for sales globally, explains how AI is reshaping the entire sales workflow—from lead prioritization to real-time coaching and closing the deal. Winners won’t bolt on tools. They’ll integrate AI and agents from end to end. Learn More: Japjit Ghai: https://on.bcg.com/48IzJiV How AI Agents Will Transform B2B Sales: https://on.bcg.com/4dnWPOr How AI Can Reshape Distributed Sales Channels in Emerging Markets: https://on.bcg.com/4tSL0pu BCG’s Latest Thinking on Marketing and Sales: https://on.bcg.com/4utKWMJ Imagine This... on the future of sales: https://lnk.to/imagine-this-Andersen-sales09 Chapters (0:00) The End of Superstar Salespeople? (1:26) Is AI Moving Into the Sales Frontline? (1:57) Is This Shift Across the Board? (3:01) What Happens to Top Sales Performers? (4:08) Where AI Still Falls Short in Sales (4:47) Why Talent Is Choosing AI-First Companies (5:06) What Augmented Selling Looks Like (6:07) Real-Time AI Sales Assistant Demo (10:13) The ROI of AI in Sales (11:00) What Sellers Gain (and Fear Losing) (11:40) How Performance Is Measured (12:26) Misconceptions Leaders Have About Using AI In Sales (13:14) Will Customer Relationships Suffer? (14:59) When You Should NOT Use AI (16:22) What Great AI Sales Looks Like (17:18) Is There an AI Blueprint to Follow for Sales? (17:58) What Will the Future Look Like in AI Sales? (18:39) Next Steps for Leaders This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podtrac - https://analytics.podtrac.com/privacy-policy-gdrp

What’s Keeping CEOs Up at Night?

BCG CEO Insomnia Index–Understanding CEO Pressure: More than 70% of CEOs are under chronic stress—but the real sources might surprise you. Drawing on BCG’s CEO Insomnia Index, Judith Wallenstein and Christine Barton unpack what’s driving the pressure, why it’s coming from closer than expected, and how it’s starting to impact decision-making at the top. While performance, growth, and cost pressures remain constant, the real weight is coming from much closer to home: boards, leadership teams, and employees. You’ll learn: The surprising stakeholders creating the most pressure How stress narrows creativity, judgment, and strategic thinking Why the CEO role is becoming more isolating What leaders can do to manage energy, time, and expectations more effectively Learn More: Christine Barton: https://on.bcg.com/4twIHs8 Judith Wallenstein: https://on.bcg.com/4vCcMrr The BCG CEO Insomnia Index: https://on.bcg.com/492jygq What Boards Expect of CEO Candidates: https://on.bcg.com/48hfzwd The CEO’s Guide to Bolder Bets and Fewer Regrets: https://youtu.be/bbhZl3WRYdo?si=OQ1g_pgHtNXpPUUk BCG’s Latest Insights for CEOs: https://on.bcg.com/3QQrlaS Who Wants to Be a CEO: https://lnk.to/so-what-Barton-CEOs09 Chapters (0:00) Why CEO Stress Is Spiking (0:56) What Stress Does to Performance (1:41) What Factors Are Driving Stress (4:05) Why Companies Are Impacted Differently (4:44) Develop Your C-Suite for Higher Performance (5:49) Why Being CEO Feels Lonely (9:31) The Problem with Feedback at the Top (12:22) Rising Expectations from Employees (14:27) The CFO Dynamic Explained (17:37) How CEOs Navigate the Board (18:47) How Should CEOs Spend Their Time This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podtrac - https://analytics.podtrac.com/privacy-policy-gdrp

Leading Through Scarcity: Purpose Over Panic

CEO lessons for navigating constant change: When resources are tight and uncertainty is high, what keeps organizations moving forward? New Jersey Performing Art Center CEO John Schreiber and BCG’s Rishi Varma share how purpose-led strategy, prioritization, and the right partnerships drive growth. Clear, actionable plans grounded in mission give leaders a north star, helping them stay focused and make hard calls with confidence. Learn More John Schreiber, President and CEO, New Jersey Performing Arts Center https://www.njpac.org/about/our-people/ Rishi Varma, Managing Director & Senior Partner, BCG https://www.bcg.com/about/people/experts/rishi-varma When Strategy Follows Purpose: The Art of Revival, https://www.bcg.com/publications/2025/when-strategy-follows-purpose-art-of-revival BCG's CEO Agenda, https://www.bcg.com/executives/ceo-agenda/insights Chapters 00:00 Intro 00:57 The role of NJPAC 02:33 Why did the organization need to reshape? 05:47 How BCG partnered with NJPAC 07:52 Leading change in a legacy organization 11:16 CEO lessons for navigating constant change 13:28 Building resilience without abundant resources 14:25 How do leaders lead with less? 15:42 When does expanding mission become overreach? 17:36 What should leaders consider before expanding beyond the core? 18:44 How do you build coalitions that unlock real value? 19:54 What impact are you most proud of beyond Newark? 21:23 How do you think about legacy and long-term impact? 23:06 What stands out from disruption and change? 24:45 Outro Subscribe to BCG’s YouTube channel: https://goo.gl/hsFsVT Visit us at https://www.bcg.com This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podtrac - https://analytics.podtrac.com/privacy-policy-gdrp

How Asia Is Rising as an AI Superpower

AI innovation no longer flows in one direction. Jeff Walters, who leads the AI topic in Asia Pacific, explains why companies across China, India, and Southeast Asia are moving at speed—and in some cases pulling ahead. For CEOs, the real differentiator isn’t geography. It’s leadership ambition, organizational change, and the willingness to rethink knowledge work from the ground up. Learn more: Jeff Walters, Managing Director & Senior Partner, https://www.bcg.com/about/people/experts/jeff-walters AI at Work: Is Asia Pacific Leading the Way? https://www.bcg.com/publications/2025/ai-at-work-is-asia-pacific-leading-the-way The Widening AI Value Gap, https://www.bcg.com/publications/2025/are-you-generating-value-from-ai-the-widening-gap Latest Thinking on AI, https://www.bcg.com/capabilities/artificial-intelligence/insights Chapters: 00:00 Introduction 00:59 AI Evolution Across Asia 03:15 Factors Driving AI Adoption in Asia 04:20 How Do AI Attitudes Differ Globally? 06:00 CEOs’ Priorities to Unlock Value from AI 08:45 Asia’s AI Role vs. Silicon Valley 10:03 Information Asymmetry in AI: East vs. West 10:58 What to Learn from Asia’s AI Ecosystems 11:49 Which Asian Sectors Are Deploying AI Fastest? 13:36 What Are Dark Factories–and Why Do They Matter? 14:04 Who Will Lead AI Transformation over the Next Decade? 15:35 Why Is AI Adoption Slower in Some Asia Pacific Markets? 16:26 Asia Pacific Innovation by Region 17:30 Which Sectors Lead AI Transformation? 19:52 What Steps Should Leaders Take to Accelerate AI Impact? 21:47 The "Now What" 22:35 Outro (edited) Subscribe to BCG’s YouTube channel: https://goo.gl/hsFsVT Visit us at https://www.bcg.com This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podtrac - https://analytics.podtrac.com/privacy-policy-gdrp

AI Profit, Not Pilots: Lessons from Tech, Media and Telecom

AI is no longer a technology experiment—it’s a business imperative. Val Elbert, a member of BCG’s Technology, Media & Telecommunications practice, explains why CEOs must shift from AI pilots to profit, demand quarterly results from all AI initiatives, and lead cross-functional AI transformations that deliver real bottom-line impact. The winners will scale fast. The rest will be left explaining themselves to investors. Learn More Val Elbert, BCG Managing Director and Senior Partner, https://www.bcg.com/about/people/experts/val-elbert As AI Investments Surge, CEOs Take the Lead, https://www.bcg.com/publications/2026/as-ai-investments-surge-ceos-take-the-lead Turning AI Disruption into a Telco's Growth Engine, https://www.bcg.com/publications/2026/turning-ai-disruption-into-telcos-growth-engine Driving Growth and Innovation at Verizon Consumer Group, https://www.bcg.com/publications/2025/driving-growth-innovation-leading-telco Chapters 00:00 Introduction 00:44 Where TMT companies stand on AI adoption 02:32 The boardroom shift from AI pilots to scale 03:11 Building AI into business agendas 03:49 AI adoption patterns across industries 0 4:37 Leaders need to see quarterly results 05:22 Why AI can't run as a three-year program 05:59 What separates AI winners 07:22 Why structure needs to change 07:52 Where friction blocks AI value creation 09:19 How to focus amid technology noise 10:00 The mindset shift to move from AI pilots to P&L 10:30 What scaling AI in telecom looks like 12:08 The role of humans in an AI-driven operating model 13:28 What the next 18 months will look like 13:55 Will AI drive mergers? 15:10 Is It harder for legacy companies to compete in AI? 15:36 How AI-driven change will impact consumers 16:44 If you're stuck in the pilot phase 17:45 Physical AI at MWC Barcelona 18:11 Outro Subscribe to BCG’s YouTube channel: https://goo.gl/hsFsVT Visit us at https://www.bcg.com This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podtrac - https://analytics.podtrac.com/privacy-policy-gdrp

High-Performing Leadership Teams Are Built, Not Bought

What makes a leadership team truly high performing, and why does it matter for the entire organization? Judith Wallenstein, CEO Advisory Global Lead of BCG, and Khadija Ben Hammada, Chief People Officer of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, explore this topic and more. They share how CEOs can build executive teams grounded in trust, purpose, and psychological safety. When the top team clicks, the whole company moves faster and with more clarity. Learn more: https://lnk.to/so-what-general-show32 Learn More: Judith Wallenstein, Managing Director & Senior Partner, Global Lead, CEO Advisory https://www.bcg.com/about/people/experts/judith-wallenstein Khadija Ben Hammada, Member of the Executive Board and Chief People Officer for Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany https://www.emdgroup.com/en/company/management/executive-board/khadija-ben-hammada.html Subscribe to BCG’s YouTube channel: https://goo.gl/hsFsVT Visit us at https://www.bcg.com Chapters (00:00) Intro (00:17) How do you build a high-performing leadership team? (01:36) What makes a team work? (02:12) What does a high-performing team feel like? (03:45) How much of team success depends on the CEO’s behavior and decisions? (05:55) When hiring, what are you looking for — what’s the secret sauce? (08:47) What should the CEO–Chief People Officer relationship look like? (09:50) What did you learn as chief of staff that you apply on an executive team? (11:42) How do team members to elevate collective performance? (13:01) How should leadership adapt in an era of uncertainty? (16:35) How do you keep a team successful when key people move on? (19:27) What's steps should leaders take now to create a top-performing team? (21:03) Outro This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podtrac - https://analytics.podtrac.com/privacy-policy-gdrp

Whatever Happened to the Energy Transition?

The global energy transition is growing in complexity with shifting economics, soaring electricity demand, and competing national priorities. Maurice Berns and Asheesh Sastry from BCG’s Center for Energy Impact lay out how leaders can keep up by focusing on the economics, creating strategies for individual markets, and staying ahead of policy shifts. Learn More: Maurice Berns, Chair, BCG Center for Energy Impact https://www.bcg.com/about/people/experts/maurice-berns Asheesh Sastry, Managing Director & Senior Partner https://www.bcg.com/about/people/experts/asheesh-sastry The Energy Transition’s Next Chapter https://www.bcg.com/publications/2025/global-energy-landscape-next-chapter BCG Center for Energy Impact https://www.bcg.com/industries/energy/center-for-energy-impact/default About the Energy Transition https://www.bcg.com/industries/energy/energy-transition This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podtrac - https://analytics.podtrac.com/privacy-policy-gdrp

Special Episode: Davos Wrap-up

Join several BCG senior partners as they share their insights from their time on the ground at the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting in Davos. BCG invites you to an exclusive look at the forces shaping the CEO agenda in 2026. BCG’s Judith Wallenstein, Aparna Bharadwaj, and Vlad Lukic discuss what they learned from their personal conversations with CEOs and global leaders at Davos. They share practical guidance for organizations preparing for the year ahead in AI, geopolitics, and other areas. Chapters Learn more: BCG at Davos, https://www.bcg.com/about/partner-ecosystem/world-economic-forum/davos BCG’s CEO Agenda, https://www.bcg.com/executives/ceo-agenda Judith Wallenstein, Global Leader, CEO Advisory https://www.bcg.com/about/people/experts/judith-wallenstein Aparna Bharadwaj, Global Leader, Global Advantage Practice https://www.bcg.com/about/people/experts/aparna-bharadwaj Vlad Lukic, Global Leader, Tech and Digital Advantage https://www.bcg.com/about/people/experts/vladimir-lukic This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podtrac - https://analytics.podtrac.com/privacy-policy-gdrp

Successful CEOs Know That Growth Isn’t Magic. It’s Management.

CEOs must pursue growth transformation with the same rigor that they bring when they tackle costs. Tuukka Seppä, BCG’s global chair of transformation, explains why CEOs need bold targets, smart incentives, and relentless follow-through to scale effectively. He unpacks the common misconceptions that hold companies back, the impact of a chief transformation officer, and why this is the moment to shift from reacting to rebuilding. Listen on podcast platforms: https://lnk.to/so-what-general-show12 Learn More: Tuukka Seppa: https://www.bcg.com/about/people/experts/tuukka-seppa BCG’s Latest Thinking on Business Transformation: https://www.bcg.com/capabilities/business-transformation/insights CEO’s Guide to Growth in 2026 article: https://www.bcg.com/publications/2026/the-ceos-guide-to-growth-seizing-opportunity BCG at Davos 2026: https://www.bcg.com/about/partner-ecosystem/world-economic-forum/davos Chapters: 00:00 Introduction 00:28–00:55 What’s Your “So What” on Growth? 00:55–01:50 If Growth Is a Strategic Choice, What Does It Take to Succeed? 01:50–03:16 Why Do Some Companies Grow During Extreme Volatility? 03:16–04:13 What Does Structured Growth Leadership Look Like in Practice? 04:13–05:12 Can Too Much Discipline Limit Growth in a Volatile World? 05:12–06:03 How Do You Build Flexibility and Adaptability into Growth? 06:03–07:36 Is It Obvious Where Growth Should Come From? How Do Leaders Decide What Good Growth Is? 07:36–10:20 Why Do Two-Thirds of Companies Miss Growth Targets? 10:20–11:05 What Does “Growing from a Strong Base” Mean? 11:05–12:35 How Do You Measure Growth Without Killing It Too Early? 12:35–13:55 How Important Is a Chief Transformation Officer? 13:55–14:37 What Buffers Matter for Growth — and Why Now? 14:37–16:06 What’s the Typical Timeline for a Growth Transformation? 16:06–17:54 What Unlocks the Shift from Efficiency to Growth? 17:54–19:48 What Role Can AI Play in Accelerating Growth? 19:48–20:41 When Is the Right Time to Start a Growth Program? 20:41–21:33 The ‘Now What’ 21:21–21:33 Outro This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podtrac - https://analytics.podtrac.com/privacy-policy-gdrp

From the Archive: Winning the Rest of the 20s

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 This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podtrac - https://analytics.podtrac.com/privacy-policy-gdrp

The Untapped Market Opportunity Hiding in Plain Sight

Many companies have a blind spot when it comes to serving women. In fields from health care to financial services, they often treat women just like men—even though their needs are very different. BCG’s Alex Friedman and Trish Stroman share tangible steps leaders can take today to better serve women—who are responsible for up to 80% of spending. Organizations that are best positioned won't guess what women want—they’ll co-create with them and design for real needs. Learn More: Alex Friedman: https://on.bcg.com/3XW4lry Trish Stroman: https://on.bcg.com/3KSkJWU Closing the Menopause Care Gap: The Next Frontier in Women’s Health https://on.bcg.com/4oWSkNo BCG’s Latest Thinking on the Healthcare Industry: https://on.bcg.com/3KXXCdH BCG’s Innovate Her: https://on.bcg.com/3KSqiVs Chapters: 00:00-00:57 Introduction 00:58-02:26 Why don't businesses successfully target and serve women? 02:27-03:30 Why is women's health still underinvested in? 03:31-05:04 Why has momentum shifted? 05:05-06:06 How big of an economic opportunity is this? 06:07-07:06 Where are the most immediate areas businesses can create value? 07:07-08:30 How can you scan your business for opportunities? 08:31-09:21 What do leaders say are the biggest opportunities and stumbling blocks? 09:22-11:50 Upcoming innovations that could solve problems for female consumers 11:51-12:58 What sectors have the most to gain from targeting female consuemrs? 12:59-14:13 What businesses are excelling? 14:14-16:03 Is there enough investment in this space? 16:04-17:52 What's the productivity and talent cost when women aren’t supported? 17:53-19:38 How to persuade a board that this is worth investing resources in 19:39-21:04 The ‘Now What’ 21:05-21:15 Outro This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podtrac - https://analytics.podtrac.com/privacy-policy-gdrp

Special Announcement: Georgie Frost Wins Lovie Award

Help us celebrate our very own Georgie Frost, who earned the Bronze Lovie Award for Best Podcast Host thanks to her outstanding work on The So What from BCG! Georgie was also a finalist for the People’s Lovie Award for Best Podcast Host. The Lovie Awards are the European cousin of the Webby Awards, celebrating the best of the best across the continent. If you’d like to send a warm note, a congratulatory message, or simply an email full of emoji confetti, please send an email to thesowhat@bcg.com. Congratulations to Georgie and thank you all for making the podcast a success! This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podtrac - https://analytics.podtrac.com/privacy-policy-gdrp