The CEO Radar

Rich Lesser, BCG Global Chair, shares his expertise on navigating economic uncertainty as CEOs face rising tariffs and a potential downturn. He discusses the historical increase in CEO concerns about market stability and the evolving role of leadership in today’s complex environment. Lesser emphasizes the importance of supply chain resilience and the use of AI as a strategic advantage. The conversation also highlights how personalization can be a key differentiator in building stronger customer relationships during turbulent times.

Rich Lesser, BCG Global Chair, shares insights based on conversations with CEOs about the significant disparities in tariff discussions between financial analysts and CEOs. He highlights how tariffs impact corporate strategies, particularly in the automotive sector. The dialogue also addresses regional differences in tech and climate discussions, with European leaders focusing more on AI. Lesser emphasizes the importance of adapting to economic uncertainties and the challenges of mergers amid evolving market conditions.

In this engaging discussion, Christoph Schweitzer, CEO of BCG, and Judith Wallenstein, head of BCG’s CEO advisory practice, navigate the evolving global agenda following recent national elections. They reveal how trade and tax issues are currently overshadowing environmental concerns in CEO discussions. The role of AI in corporate strategies is analyzed, showing regional disparities in its adoption. The guests also touch on the complexities CEOs face in a divided society and how this is shaping corporate leadership and future M&A trends.

Welcome to The CEO Radar, a new podcast from BCG and Bloomberg Media Studios. Each episode will review Bloomberg’s quarterly earnings call data, providing an unprecedented look at what’s top-of-mind for CEOs at the world’s largest companies. BCG consultants will explore what’s driving the data, based on their one-on-one conversations with CEOs.