Successful CEOs Know That Growth Isn’t Magic. It’s Management.
The So What from BCG
Outro
Georgie thanks Tuukka and points listeners to the linked report for further reading.
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
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