The So What from BCG

Alicia Pittman, BCG's Global People Chair and talent strategist, dives into how AI is transforming hiring, performance management, and learning. She highlights the importance of using AI to enhance human strengths while tackling challenges in ethical AI use. Alicia shares insights on maintaining human-centric roles, emphasizing creativity and collaboration over routine tasks. She also discusses the urgency for leaders to embrace AI, advocating for pilot programs and employee involvement to navigate this tech-driven landscape.

Justin Vincent, a BCG leader specializing in consumer and fashion trends, discusses the evolution of sportswear from performance to everyday comfort, accelerated by the pandemic. He highlights the slowing growth in athleisure and the importance of brands adopting a ‘for-purpose’ mindset to remain relevant. Different generations show distinct preferences, with Gen Z favoring trends while older consumers seek functionality. Digital discovery and influencer marketing are key strategies for brands aiming to thrive in this competitive landscape.

Vikram Aggarwal, a global leader in medical devices at BCG, sheds light on the $900 billion medtech industry. He discusses the slowing pace of innovation and how rethinking regulation and talent can accelerate breakthroughs. Vikram highlights AI in diagnostics and the rise of robotics as key trends. He also addresses the STEM talent shortage and emphasizes the need for collaborative partnerships to strengthen the innovation ecosystem. The conversation reveals insights on how to navigate the changing landscape of medtech and drive future advancements.

Rich Lesser, Global Chair of Boston Consulting Group, discusses the urgent need for CEOs to embrace AI amidst ongoing challenges in its implementation. Vlad Lukić, BCG's Tech and Digital Advantage leader, highlights the disparity between CEO intentions and ground-level execution, advising firms to focus on ROI and strategic pilots. They delve into essential CEO traits like resilience and adaptability, the implications of tariffs, and the emerging role of agentic AI—all while emphasizing the importance of transparent communication about AI initiatives to gain competitive advantage.

Troy Thomas, BCG's global lead for space business, dives into the transformative potential of satellite technology. He emphasizes how space has become crucial for economic growth and operational efficiency across various sectors, from agriculture to finance. Troy explains that every company will eventually need a tailored space strategy to harness these advancements. He also addresses the challenges of satellite congestion and the importance of resilience in leveraging space services. Ultimately, he urges businesses to seize space opportunities as a vital part of their future.

The like button is more than a symbol — it’s a case study in how innovation really happens. Martin Reeves, chairman of the BCG Henderson Institute and co-author of Like: The Button That Changed the World, unpacks the messy, social, and often surprising process behind major breakthroughs — and what leaders can learn from it as they navigate the AI era. Learn More:  Martin Reeves: https://on.bcg.com/4pWlAph Like: The Button That Changed the World: https://www.amazon.com/Like-Button-That-Changed-World/dp/B0D8XM8GZT What the Like Button Can Teach Us About Innovation: https://on.bcg.com/48MmONK Vote for Georgie Here: https://vote.lovieawards.com/PublicVoting#/2025/podcasts/features/best-hostsChapters: 00:00-01:18 Introduction 01:19-02:50 The Story of ‘Like’ 02:51-03:42 Was the like button an invention? 03:43-05:00 Why do we like to ‘like’? 05:01-05:31 Is online liking the same as real world liking? 05:32-06:38 What has been the economic impact? 06:39-08:01 How to get innovation right 08:02-08:28 How do you foster an innovative environment? 08:29-09:33 What role does storytelling play? 09:34-12:10 The like button and regulation  12:11-13:21 What lessons can be applied to new tech? 13:22-14:31 The structure of the book14:32-16:44 Surprises when researching for the book 16:45-17:57 The business of thought leadership 17:58-18:46 What is the future of thought leadership? 18:47-19:34 What is next for innovation? 19:35-20:01 Outro This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podtrac - https://analytics.podtrac.com/privacy-policy-gdrp

Lauren Taylor, the global leader of BCG’s Center for Customer Insight, unpacks the complexities of consumer behavior. She emphasizes the significance of understanding not just what consumers say, but the motivations behind their actions. Lauren explores the emotional drivers influencing purchases and the importance of segmenting customers based on context and needs. With insights on the power of AI in revealing patterns, she cautions against relying solely on data without human context, urging businesses to listen deeply to their customers for actionable strategies.

Daniel Friedman, BCG’s global leader of transactions and integrations, shares his insights on the revitalizing M&A landscape. He emphasizes the importance of taking bold actions now to seize rare opportunities that could emerge in a recovering market. Friedman dives into the advantages of pursuing deals during downturns, citing higher potential returns. He discusses how AI is changing due diligence and the proactive strategies needed for success. Finally, he highlights regional and sector trends, particularly the resurgence in Asia Pacific, as companies navigate uncertainty.

Kristy Ellmer, a leader at BCG Transform and co-author of a book on the science of change, delves into successful business transformations. She argues that involving employees is crucial and discusses the challenges of the 'messy middle' phase. Kristy emphasizes balancing structured approaches with flexibility, highlighting the need for behavior changes and storytelling to sustain motivation. She also warns about the disconnect between leaders' and employees' perceptions of change, advocating for deeper employee engagement to bridge that gap.

What happens when people live decades longer than before—but not necessarily healthier? Iana Kouris, customer experience leader at BCG X, explores how companies can help people live longer healthier. Businesses can jumpstart the longevity economy by leveraging CX, behavioral design and change management to develop new products for prevention and customized for the growing elderly population, as well as supporting their employees on this journey. Learn More: Iana Kouris: https://on.bcg.com/4fvFrXv BCGX: https://on.bcg.com/4ltCU1A How Digital and AI Will Reshape Health Care in 2025: https://on.bcg.com/4mEGBCu This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podtrac - https://analytics.podtrac.com/privacy-policy-gdrp