The So What from BCG

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

Private equity is under pressure to deliver returns in a tougher environment. Clark O’Niell, BCG’s global lead for AI infrastructure and cyber in the private investors & private equity practice, shares how the smartest investors are using AI to move beyond hype, drive impact at scale, and future-proof their portfolios. It’s about focus over fragmentation—and combining judgment with new tools.  Learn More: Clark O’Niell: https://on.bcg.com/46tTmep BCG’s Latest Thinking on Private Equity: https://on.bcg.com/4598Fa5 IT Spending Pulse: AI Agents and GenAI Reshape Priorities: https://on.bcg.com/4mmjVXG The So What from BCG on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLMJgyXjV5gMI9JV-GcF_D1Y6zyf1Eab_0This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podtrac - https://analytics.podtrac.com/privacy-policy-gdrp

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

Sylvain Duranton, the global leader of BCG X, brings insights on Europe's critical economic landscape. He discusses the collaboration necessary for streamlining regulations and boosting innovation in the region. The conversation dives into the challenges faced by the tech sector and the importance of establishing a unified digital market. Sylvain emphasizes the urgency for reforms to enhance Europe’s competitiveness against global giants and the need to attract talent in tech fields, all while fostering a spirit of optimism among business leaders.

Christine Barton, BCG’s CEO Advisory lead in North America, delves into what makes a fulfilling CEO role amid its inherent challenges. She discusses the importance of clarity of purpose, building an effective leadership team, and reducing time-wasting activities. The conversation touches on the evolving responsibilities of CEOs, the need for authenticity, and tackling executive burnout. Barton also emphasizes fostering team collaboration and external market awareness as keys to long-term success in leadership.

In this enlightening discussion, Justin Manly, BCG’s lead on growth and innovation, shares his expertise on crafting effective growth strategies. He emphasizes the importance of understanding a company’s starting point and offers insights from two decades of data on successful business growth. The conversation touches on case studies of Fujifilm and Kodak, revealing the risks of missteps. Justin also highlights the transformative role of AI in business strategies and the need for resilience amidst market disruptions.