The So What from BCG Boston Consulting Group

Banks and other financial systems are the lifeblood of the economy. But most of them trade at less than book value, constrained by regulation, the growth of private credit, and tech startups. Kilian Berz, global vice chair of BCG’s financial institutions practice, explains how traditional banks can regain their footing through leadership and transformation.

Learn More:

Kilian Berz:https://on.bcg.com/4bDKQcj 

Financial Institutions: https://on.bcg.com/3wLmFK5 

To Seize a $7 Trillion Opportunity, Banks Need Bolder Strategies for Serving Customers and Society: https://on.bcg.com/4byWlSm 
 

Current economic models are not up to the challenge of capturing the real-world complexities of climate change. But better models are on the horizon. Sophia Davies, BCG’s lead for climate tech partnerships, explains how AI can supercharge these models to predict how public policies will motivate the private sector. Early returns suggest we may be vastly underestimating the effect of policy on climate change.  
  
  
Learn More: 

Climate and Sustainability: on.bcg.com/3QOGjeX 

AI: on.bcg.com/3K69aHS 

“Deep Design” Could Take On the World’s Big Systemic Challenges: https://on.bcg.com/3K6oFPV 

If cybercrime were a country, it would be the third largest economy in the world. Paul O’Rourke, BCG’s global cybersecurity leader, explains how organizations can protect themselves and their supply chains: Start by recognizing that the elimination of all risks is impossible. Instead focus security efforts on an organization’s “crown jewels”—its most critical digital assets. Leaders don’t need to be cyber experts. But regulators may hold them responsible for some breaches, so they better understand and address the risks.


Learn More:

Paul O’Rourke: https://on.bcg.com/3QAoPCN

Cybersecurity and Digital Risk: https://on.bcg.com/3UwRTwg

Every C-Suite Member Is Now a Chief AI Officer: https://on.bcg.com/3UJ7ry9

Joe Davis, BCG’s former regional chair for North America, says you can make tough decisions without being a “tough guy.” In the executive suite, empathy and authenticity are in, according to Davis, the author of the new business book, The Generous Leader.  Even as tech skills dominate the headlines, Davis celebrates the enduring value of mastering people skills. 

Learn More: 
 
The Generous Leader: A Leadership Book by Joe Davis | The Generous Leader 

Joe Davis: https://on.bcg.com/3Q9pMlw 

Do Not Stop Asking Questions and Listening Carefully to the Answers: https://on.bcg.com/3Jx5LBy  

Turning Superheroes into a Super Leadership Team: https://on.bcg.com/4d2fnlk 

Responsible investing goes back decades or even longer if pronouncements in the Old Testament and Qur’an are considered. Environment, social, and governance goals have become embedded in corporate strategy, even if the acronym ESG has become polarizing. Tim Mohin, director of climate and sustainability at BCG, discusses this evolution and what the next iteration might look like. One thing is clear: these goals aren’t going away even if companies stop talking about them.  
  
  
Learn More: 

Tim Mohin: https://on.bcg.com/3TK47kE 

Climate Change and Sustainability: https://on.bcg.com/3xl1QoG 

The original BRIC acronym came to life in 2001 to describe the untapped economic potential of Brazil, Russia, India, and China. This informal grouping of nations has since coalesced into a rising economic force, especially since the entry of South Africa in 2010 and Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, and the United Arab Emirates at the start of this year. Daniel Azevedo—leader of BCG’s global advantage practice in Europe, the Middle East, South America, and Africa —explains how global companies can navigate a world in which economic power is heading south. 
  
Learn More: 

Daniel Azevedo: https://on.bcg.com/3vli2Wc 

Jobs, National Security, and the Future of Trade: https://on.bcg.com/3TLkE9o 

These 9 Forces Are Reshaping the Global Business Landscape: https://on.bcg.com/3VrSwJr