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 This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podtrac - https://analytics.podtrac.com/privacy-policy-gdrp
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21:40
Navigating the New World of Tariffs and Trade
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 This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podtrac - https://analytics.podtrac.com/privacy-policy-gdrp
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21:52
Rethinking Global Trade from the South Up
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/42UhQLnBCG on Emerging Markets: https://on.bcg.com/4cMJ9e4BCG'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'This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podtrac - https://analytics.podtrac.com/privacy-policy-gdrp
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23:18
AI Agents: The Truth Behind the Hype
Nicolas de Bellefonds, BCG’s global AI leader, unpacks the myths, challenges, and real potential of AI agents. They can transform how work gets done if companies stop chasing shortcuts, rethink outdated processes, and prepare for the costs and complexity that come with real change. Learn More: Nicolas de Bellefonds: https://on.bcg.com/4lr0Dkh BCG’s Latest Thinking on AI: https://on.bcg.com/3Y1NHaq The CEO’s Workout for Peak AI Performance: https://on.bcg.com/44opFtV From Potential to Profit: Closing the AI Impact Gap: https://on.bcg.com/3XZBGSL Chapters:[0:25] Nico’s So What[1:16] What Are Agents?[3:57] What Problems Do Agents Solve?[5:56] How Do Agents Affect Processes?[7:50] What Should Leaders Focus On?[9:06] How Do You Start Improving Data and Infrastructure?[10:24] What Are the Biggest Challenges?[13:48] What Is Next?[14:49] How Close Are We to AGI?[15:43] What Are the Risks?[17:13] Now What?This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podtrac - https://analytics.podtrac.com/privacy-policy-gdrp
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19:07
BCG PRESENTS: Imagine This...: Preparing for an Uncertain Future…in the Future
By the year 2035, we will likely be able to utilize AI to crunch complex data sets and produce far more accurate predictions of the future, for everything from stock market fluctuations to consumer trends. Already, meteorologists are using AI to improve weather forecasting—for instance, by more accurately predicting when a hurricane will make landfall. But BCG’s Alan Iny says this does not mean that business leaders will be able to dispense with planning for multiple scenarios. Predictions will never be perfect—and everyone will have access to the same tools—so strategic planning will remain critical even as it evolves in new ways. Learn More: Imagine This: https://lnk.to/imagine-this-general-show09Alan Iny: https://on.bcg.com/4fCNDo5 Are Leaders as Prepared for Strategic Risks as They Think They Are?: https://on.bcg.com/3AXqw8J BCG on Corporate Finance and Strategy: https://on.bcg.com/496c3Ek CEO Moments of Truth: https://on.bcg.com/ITMoT This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podtrac - https://analytics.podtrac.com/privacy-policy-gdrp
This podcast from Boston Consulting Group looks around the corner of today’s big business and social issues. The goal–the so what–is to make sense of today and prepare busy leaders and executives for the day after tomorrow.
Award-winning British journalist Georgie Frost interviews the leading thinkers and doers at BCG on the trends, developments, and ideas that will shape and disrupt the future. This is not your typical business strategy podcast.
This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis:
Podtrac - https://analytics.podtrac.com/privacy-policy-gdrp
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