The So What from BCG

Boston Consulting Group

This podcast from Boston Consulting Group looks around the corner of today’s big business and social issues. The goal–the so what–is to make sense of today and prepare busy leaders and executives for the day after tomorrow. Award-winning British journalist Georgie Frost interviews the leading thinkers and doers at BCG on the trends, developments, and ideas that will shape and disrupt the future. This is not your typical business strategy podcast. This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podtrac - https://analytics.podtrac.com/privacy-policy-gdrp

  1. Whatever Happened to the Energy Transition?

    3 DAYS AGO

    Whatever Happened to the Energy Transition?

    The global energy transition is growing in complexity with shifting economics, soaring electricity demand, and competing national priorities. Maurice Berns and Asheesh Sastry from BCG’s Center for Energy Impact lay out how leaders can keep up by focusing on the economics, creating strategies for individual markets, and staying ahead of policy shifts. Learn More: Maurice Berns, Chair, BCG Center for Energy Impact https://www.bcg.com/about/people/experts/maurice-bernsAsheesh Sastry, Managing Director & Senior Partner https://www.bcg.com/about/people/experts/asheesh-sastryThe Energy Transition’s Next Chapter https://www.bcg.com/publications/2025/global-energy-landscape-next-chapterBCG Center for Energy Impact https://www.bcg.com/industries/energy/center-for-energy-impact/defaultAbout the Energy Transition https://www.bcg.com/industries/energy/energy-transition This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podtrac - https://analytics.podtrac.com/privacy-policy-gdrp

    24 min
  2. Special Episode: Davos Wrap-up

    28 JAN

    Special Episode: Davos Wrap-up

    Join several BCG senior partners as they share their insights from their time on the ground at the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting in Davos. BCG invites you to an exclusive look at the forces shaping the CEO agenda in 2026. BCG’s Judith Wallenstein, Aparna Bharadwaj, and Vlad Lukic discuss what they learned from their personal conversations with CEOs and global leaders at Davos. They share practical guidance for organizations preparing for the year ahead in AI, geopolitics, and other areas. Chapters Learn more: BCG at Davos, https://www.bcg.com/about/partner-ecosystem/world-economic-forum/davos BCG’s CEO Agenda, https://www.bcg.com/executives/ceo-agenda Judith Wallenstein, Global Leader, CEO Advisory https://www.bcg.com/about/people/experts/judith-wallenstein Aparna Bharadwaj, Global Leader, Global Advantage Practice https://www.bcg.com/about/people/experts/aparna-bharadwaj Vlad Lukic, Global Leader, Tech and Digital Advantage https://www.bcg.com/about/people/experts/vladimir-lukic This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podtrac - https://analytics.podtrac.com/privacy-policy-gdrp

    23 min
  3. Successful CEOs Know That Growth Isn’t Magic. It’s Management.

    14 JAN

    Successful CEOs Know That Growth Isn’t Magic. It’s Management.

    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 This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podtrac - https://analytics.podtrac.com/privacy-policy-gdrp

    22 min

  4. 31/12/2025

    From the Archive: Winning the Rest of the 20s

    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

    26 min
  5. The Untapped Market Opportunity Hiding in Plain Sight

    17/12/2025

    The Untapped Market Opportunity Hiding in Plain Sight

    Many companies have a blind spot when it comes to serving women. In fields from health care to financial services, they often treat women just like men—even though their needs are very different. BCG’s Alex Friedman and Trish Stroman share tangible steps leaders can take today to better serve women—who are responsible for up to 80% of spending. Organizations that are best positioned won't guess what women want—they’ll co-create with them and design for real needs.    Learn More:  Alex Friedman: https://on.bcg.com/3XW4lry  Trish Stroman: https://on.bcg.com/3KSkJWU  Closing the Menopause Care Gap: The Next Frontier in Women’s Health https://on.bcg.com/4oWSkNo  BCG’s Latest Thinking on the Healthcare Industry: https://on.bcg.com/3KXXCdH  BCG’s Innovate Her: https://on.bcg.com/3KSqiVs  Chapters:  00:00-00:57 Introduction  00:58-02:26 Why don't businesses successfully target and serve women?  02:27-03:30 Why is women's health still underinvested in?  03:31-05:04 Why has momentum shifted?  05:05-06:06 How big of an economic opportunity is this?  06:07-07:06 Where are the most immediate areas businesses can create value?  07:07-08:30 How can you scan your business for opportunities?  08:31-09:21 What do leaders say are the biggest opportunities and stumbling blocks?  09:22-11:50 Upcoming innovations that could solve problems for female consumers  11:51-12:58 What sectors have the most to gain from targeting female consuemrs?  12:59-14:13 What businesses are excelling?  14:14-16:03 Is there enough investment in this space?  16:04-17:52 What's the productivity and talent cost when women aren’t supported?  17:53-19:38 How to persuade a board that this is worth investing resources in  19:39-21:04 The ‘Now What’  21:05-21:15 Outro  This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podtrac - https://analytics.podtrac.com/privacy-policy-gdrp

    21 min

  6. 10/12/2025 · BONUS

    Special Announcement: Georgie Frost Wins Lovie Award

    Help us celebrate our very own Georgie Frost, who earned the Bronze Lovie Award for Best Podcast Host thanks to her outstanding work on The So What from BCG! Georgie was also a finalist for the People’s Lovie Award for Best Podcast Host. The Lovie Awards are the European cousin of the Webby Awards, celebrating the best of the best across the continent. If you’d like to send a warm note, a congratulatory message, or simply an email full of emoji confetti, please send an email to thesowhat@bcg.com. Congratulations to Georgie and thank you all for making the podcast a success! This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podtrac - https://analytics.podtrac.com/privacy-policy-gdrp

    1 min
  7. How BCG Is Rewriting Its Talent Playbook in the Age of AI

    03/12/2025

    How BCG Is Rewriting Its Talent Playbook in the Age of AI

    What happens when AI meets your most human processes like hiring, feedback, and development? Alicia Pittman, BCG’s global people chair, shares how the firm uses AI to amplify human strengths, not replace them. From building trust to rethinking management roles, she offers a roadmap for leaders navigating AI-powered change.    Learn More:  Alicia Pittman: https://on.bcg.com/4pcZ2Qs  BCG’s Latest Thinking on People Strategy: https://on.bcg.com/43X5rGT  A Promise That Brings AI to Life Responsibly: https://on.bcg.com/4anxsLC  Chapters:  00:00-00:56 Introduction/Alicia’s ‘So What’  00:57-02:18 Lessons from BCG’s AI journey  02:19-05:24 Where is AI being used at BCG in people management?  05:25-07:08 What challenges has BCG faced?  07:09-08:04 What didn’t work at first?  08:05-09:43 How do you measure success with AI?  09:44-13:10 What are the biggest concerns for leaders at other companies?  13:11-14:56 What has to stay human?  14:57-15:40 What does a human in the loop look like for BCG?  15:41-18:50 Should you act now or wait and see how AI plays out?  18:51-21:38 How is AI reshaping how we learn?  21:39-21:59 Advice for leaders  22:00-22:50 Alicia’s ‘Now What’   22:51-23:06 Outro  This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podtrac - https://analytics.podtrac.com/privacy-policy-gdrp

    23 min
  8. What Sweatpants Can Teach Us about Generational Differences and Segmentation

    19/11/2025

    What Sweatpants Can Teach Us about Generational Differences and Segmentation

    Consumer companies are facing a new reality: demand is maturing, competition is intensifying, and generational preferences are diverging. Justin Vincent, part of BCG’s leadership team for consumer and fashion, explains how businesses can avoid fading into the background by choosing a durable purpose, serving real consumer needs, and mastering digital discovery.  Learn More:  BCG’s Latest Thinking on Consumer Products: https://on.bcg.com/4oLtmBB BCG on the Fashion Industry: https://on.bcg.com/4oJzSZh How Gen Z and Gen Alpha Are Rewiring the Fashion Industry: https://on.bcg.com/47LxcEH More on Fashion's Next Gen: https://www.linkedin.com/posts/christine-barton-486ab_retailleadership-genz-ai-activity-7395127354852839424-UpRu?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop&rcm=ACoAACCYnPQBE42Xbwt6tSxmjChbfZwsa6uBvxc Chapters:  00:00-01:19 Introduction/Justin’s ‘So What’  01:20-02:32 The evolution of athleisure  02:33-03:46 Why has growth slowed?  03:47-04:56 Who is winning and will they continue to?  04:57-06:06 What is a ‘for purpose’ mindset?  06:07-08:38 How are different generations served?  08:39-10:29 How do brands decide what markets to serve?  10:30-12:32 How can you make your brand stand out?  12:33-16:03 How should companies decide where to focus?  16:04-17:39 How do brands decide where to localize and where to stay consistent?  17:40-18:52 What can consumer companies learn from sportswear brands?  18:53-19:55 What are the biggest challenges the industry is facing?  19:56-21:24 Justin’s ‘Now What’  21:25-21:38 Outro  This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podtrac - https://analytics.podtrac.com/privacy-policy-gdrp

    22 min
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This podcast from Boston Consulting Group looks around the corner of today’s big business and social issues. The goal–the so what–is to make sense of today and prepare busy leaders and executives for the day after tomorrow. Award-winning British journalist Georgie Frost interviews the leading thinkers and doers at BCG on the trends, developments, and ideas that will shape and disrupt the future. This is not your typical business strategy podcast. This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podtrac - https://analytics.podtrac.com/privacy-policy-gdrp

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