C-Suite Perspectives

Explore our C-Suite Outlook 2025 report with key insights from David Young of the Committee for Economic Development (CED).  The US debt stands at more than $36 trillion, and it’s no surprise that US CEOs cite the US national debt and deficits as the biggest risk totheir business and business strategy in 2025. What other risks are the C-Suite monitoring, and how can they work with governments to mitigate them?  Join Steve Odland and guest David K. Young, president of the Committee for Economic Development, the public policy center of The Conference Board, to find out how the priorities of US CEOs differ from their global counterparts, what to expect with tariffs and immigration, and why energy and security are essential for US leadership on AI.     (01:04) Fiscal Health Concerns of CEOs (01:44) Regulation and Corporate Tax Rates (05:38) Protectionism and Trade Issues (09:25) Executive Orders and Immigration (13:52) Geopolitical Risks and Global Concerns (15:52) Artificial Intelligence and Digital Transformation (19:34) Energy, Climate, and Sustainability (24:39) Social Priorities and Final Thoughts   For more from The Conference Board:  C-Suite Outlook 2025: Seizing the Future  Committee for Economic Development (CED)  America in Perspective: Policy Priorities for 2025 

Consumer confidence is down for the second month in a row, with assessments of the present situation, current labor market conditions and business conditions all having deteriorated. Pessimism over future employment prospects seen in December continued into January, according to the latestConsumer Confidence Index® from The Conference Board, but the overall index remained in the same narrow range it has since 2022.    Join Erik Lundh, Senior Global Economist,and Stephanie Guichard, Senior Economist of Global Indicators, both at The Conference Board, for their full conversation abouthow consumer sentiment could weigh on US economic growth and the global economy in 2025.    (00:32) Consumer Confidence Index Overview (01:37) Detailed Analysis of January's Consumer Confidence (05:00) Inflation and Consumer Expectations (06:00) Positive Insights from the Survey (11:02) Consumer Spending and Buying Plans (16:08) Global Economic Outlook (16:36) US Economic Forecast (19:20) European Economic Conditions (20:03) Emerging Markets Focus: India and China (21:21) Risks and Final Thoughts   For more from The Conference Board:  US Consumer Confidence Retreated in January  Download the full Consumer Confidence Survey Report 

Learn what the C-Suite Outlook 2025 tells us about priorities for marketing and communications leaders.     Nearly all marketing and communications leaders (95%) are already using AI, but there remain concerns about AI output quality and a lack of internal expertise. How can CMOs and CCOs continue to embrace AI in 2025, and what are the top priorities for these functional leaders?     Join Denise Dahlhoff, PhD, and guest Ivan Pollard, Center Leader for Marketing & Communications at The Conference Board, to learn about CMO/CCO investment priorities for 2025, the role of AI in change management, and the continued importance of sustainability.    (01:45) Global Perspectives on AI (02:25) AI Adoption and Usage Statistics (04:45) Marketing and Communication Investments (11:04) Internal Priorities and Change Management (14:11) External Pressure Factors (17:21) Skills for Future CMOs and CCOs (21:34) Sustainability and Regional Differences   For more from The Conference Board:  C-Suite Outlook 2025: Seizing the Future  2025: A Year In Preview  Marketing & Communications Skills Needed to Win in 2025 

Join Ivan Pollard and guest Sean Murray, chief product officer at Barclays US Consumer Bank, to find out how companies can use generative AI, the benefits of adopting agile methodology and design thinking, and how companies across industries can approach product development.     (01:44)    Evolution of Product Development (03:24)    Emerging Trends in Financial Service (06:49)    Impact of AI on Banking Product (16:59)    Ensuring Compliance in Rapid Tech Change (19:58)    Customer Centricity and Digital Experience (30:04)    Future-Proofing and Adaptation   For more from The Conference Board:  AI and Investor Relations: Practical Insights and Real-World Applications  Leading Through the AI Transformation: Event Insights  OpenAI's Game-Changer: ChatGPT Pro Takes the AI Assistant to New Heights 

Dive into our annual C-Suite survey and discover how leaders plan to grow revenue, use AI, and more.  The two biggest geopolitical risks for C-Suite leaders in 2025 are intensified trade wars and foreign cyberattacks. How do these business leaders plan to grow revenue and embrace AI while safeguarding against these active threats?  Join Steve Odland and guest Dana M. Peterson, chief economist and leader of the Economy, Strategy & Finance Center at The Conference Board, to learn about internal and external company risks, how the C-Suite think about AI implementation, and why business leaders remain worried about a recession.     (00:29) Overview of the C Suite Outlook Survey (01:36) Top Line Results and CEO Concerns (04:05) Geopolitical and Economic Challenges (08:29) Regional Differences in Economic Sentiment (16:57) Strategies for Growth and Innovation (23:06) Leadership and Talent Retention (25:01) AI Implementation and Challenges (29:15) Human Capital and Workforce Productivity   For more from The Conference Board:  C-Suite Outlook 2025: Seizing the Future  2025: A Year In Preview  Global Economic Outlook 2025 to 2039: Opportunities, Caveats, and Uncertainties 

Did you know that 86% of junior and midlevel marketers already use AI at work each week? What are the top use cases for AI in marketing, and how should CMOs incorporate AI into strategy?     Join Steve Odland and guest Ivan Pollard, Marketing & Communications Center leader at The Conference Board, to find out how marketers are currently using AI tools, what “agentic AI” means, and how AI will impact each of the 4 P’s of marketing.     (00:40) AI in Marketing: A Historical Perspective (01:44) AI as a Tool, Not a Solution (03:08) Current AI Usage in Marketing (05:31) Generative AI in Creative Processes (09:24) Agentic AI: The Next Frontier (12:15) AI's Impact on the Four P's of Marketing (17:40) AI in Traditional and Social Media (26:01) Challenges and Future of AI in Marketing   For more from The Conference Board:  Leading Through the AI Transformation: Event Insights  AI for Marketing & Communications—the Update  Learning for the Future: Preparing Organizations and Workers for AI Disruption 

What is the biggest takeaway from the December Consumer Confidence Index® from The Conference Board? In short, the recent rebound in consumer confidence was not sustained in December, as consumers expressed discontent with inflation and future business conditions.    Join Mitchell Barnes and guest Dana Peterson, Chief Economist and Leader of the Economy, Strategy & Finance Center at The Conference Board, for their full conversation about how consumer sentiment could weigh on US economic growth and what’s ahead for the labor market.    For more from The Conference Board:  US Consumer Confidence Pulled Back in December  Download the full Consumer Confidence Survey Report 

For three years running, CEOs and CHROs have rated employee attraction and retention as a top internal priority. How can employers optimize their total rewards programs to attract top talent while meeting business goals?     Join Steve Odland and guest Rita Meyerson, EdD, principal researcher for human capital at The Conference Board, to discover the many elements of total rewards, why employee recognition can enhance engagement, and how leaders should think about total rewards strategy.    (00:45) Defining Total Rewards (01:35) Components of Total Rewards (02:07) Importance of Attraction and Retention (05:50) Role of Flexibility in Total Rewards (09:14) Recognition as a Key Reward (15:20) Integrating Culture with Total Rewards (20:00) Diversity and Changing Workforce Needs (25:47) Leadership's Role in Total Rewards   For more from The Conference Board:  The Paramount Value of Total Rewards: Forward Strategies for CEOs and CHROs  The Evolving Total Rewards Landscape: Tactics to Attract and Retain Talent  US Salary Increase Budgets 2024-2025 

The price of bitcoin recently hit $88,000, yet it remains a speculative currency with few present-day commercial uses. Why is bitcoin so compelling to certain investors, and what is its potential for everyday use?      Join Steve Odland and guest Hollis Hart, former president of international franchise management at Citi and a senior fellow at The Conference Board's ESF Center, to learn why there’s a finite amount of bitcoin available, the differences between bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies, and how governments have responded to this new technology.     (00:22) Introduction to Cryptocurrencies (02:15) Bitcoin's Mechanics and Decentralization (05:26) Bitcoin's Supply and Market Dynamics (07:13) Commercial Use and Speculation (15:48) Ethereum and Other Cryptocurrencies (20:30) Blockchain Technology and Its Potential (27:25) Regulatory Concerns and Conclusion

President-elect Donald Trump is already breaking norms with his unusual transition process. What will be his domestic priorities in 2025, and how much can he get done without Congress?      Join Steve Odland and guest John Gardner, vice president of public policy at the Committee for Economic Development (CED), the public policy center of The Conference Board, to find out what to expect for the federal budget, immigration enforcement, and tariff and tax policies.     (00:45) Transition Challenges for the New Administration (02:57) Key Domestic Policy Priorities (04:56) Tax Policy and Legislative Strategy (08:33) Tariffs and Trade Policy (10:13) Immigration and Border Control (13:08) Energy Policy and Environmental Regulations (16:11) Geopolitical Tensions: Russia and Ukraine (18:28) Geopolitical Tensions: China and Taiwan (23:41) Judicial Appointments and Conclusion   For more from The Conference Board:  US Election, Transition, and Early Actions of the New Administration  2024 Election Implications for the US Labor Market  The Future of Greening and Industrial Policies Post Election