The So What from BCG

Boston Consulting Group
  • 4.8 (219)
  • BUSINESS
  • UPDATED BIWEEKLY

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. The Untapped Market Opportunity Hiding in Plain Sight

    DEC 17

    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

  2. DEC 10 · 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
  3. How BCG Is Rewriting Its Talent Playbook in the Age of AI

    DEC 3

    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
  4. What Sweatpants Can Teach Us about Generational Differences and Segmentation

    NOV 19

    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
  5. What’s Next in Medtech Matters to Us All

    NOV 5

    What’s Next in Medtech Matters to Us All

    Medtech is a $900 billion industry transforming how we treat, diagnose, and prevent disease—but its innovation engine is slowing. Vikram Aggarwal, global leader of BCG’s medical technology work, explains what’s behind the slowdown and how leaders can rethink regulation, software, and talent to re-accelerate breakthroughs.    Learn More:  Vikram Aggarwal: https://on.bcg.com/4osjpc6  BCG on Medtech: https://on.bcg.com/3LlJ6MC  How Medtech Leaders Are Revving Up Their Innovation Engines: https://on.bcg.com/4op2Rl8  Chapters  00:00-01:25 Introduction/Vikram’s ‘So What’  01:26-02:10 What is medtech?  02:11-03:46 Where are some of the most exciting innovations happening in medtech?  03:47-05:36 What areas get the most attention?  05:37-07:33 What are the barriers to innovation?  07:34-08:36 How do software and hardware innovation compare?  08:37-09:58 Software in a medical device vs software as a medical device  09:59-11:40 Is there a lag between innovation in software vs hardware?  11:41-13:41 What is the ideal innovation environment for medtech?  13:42-15:13 How do we fix the STEM skills shortage?  15:14-17:46 What will bring the most value over the next decade?  17:47-19:04 What is happening at startups vs established companies?  19:05 – 20:01 Vikram’s ‘Now What’  20:02-20:15 Outro  This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podtrac - https://analytics.podtrac.com/privacy-policy-gdrp

    20 min
  6. BCG Presents: The CEO Radar

    OCT 29 · BONUS

    BCG Presents: The CEO Radar

    AI is rising on the agendas of global CEOs, according to the latest edition of the CEO Radar. But a surprising number of chief executives are still struggling to embed the technology into their businesses. On this episode of the CEO Radar Podcast, Edward Adams of Bloomberg Media Studios is joined by BCG Global Chair Rich Lesser and Vlad Lukić, BCG Global Leader of Tech and Digital Advantage, to explore how CEOs can compare themselves to their peers when it comes to corporate integration of AI. Presented by BCG. Listen to The CEO Radar: https://sponsored.bloomberg.com/immersive-story/bcg/the-ceo-radar-q4-2025  This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podtrac - https://analytics.podtrac.com/privacy-policy-gdrp

    16 min
  7. Your Next Business Move Should Be in Orbit

    OCT 22

    Your Next Business Move Should Be in Orbit

    Space isn’t just for rockets and research anymore. Satellite technology drives precision navigation, automation, and connectivity—quietly powering everything from farming to finance. Troy Thomas, BCG’s global lead for space business, explains why CEOs need a deliberate space strategy to stay ahead of disruption and unlock new growth.     Learn More:  Troy Thomas: https://on.bcg.com/4qhq5ea  BCG on the Space Sector: https://on.bcg.com/4hohjqS  Space Services Are the Next Frontier for Industrial Companies: https://on.bcg.com/47zs3za  GAIA: A Foundation Model for Operational Atmospheric Dynamics: https://arxiv.org/abs/2505.18179  GAIA Foundation Model is available for download: https://huggingface.co/bcg-usra-nasa-gaia  Chapters  00:00- 01:16 Introduction/Troy’s ‘So What’  01:17-01:57 What would a day look like without space?  01:58-04:02 How big is the space industry?  04:03-06:01 The three pillars of space  06:02-08:05 What pillar is the most significant for growth?  08:06-10:40 What can space tech really do for a company?  10:41-12:50 Does every company need a space strategy?  12:51-14:22 What does a good space strategy look like?  14:23-15:52 How do you manage risks?  15:53-16:55 Why would you own your own space assets?  16:56-19:13 Is there enough space in space?  19:14-20:33 BCG’s work with NASA  20:34-22:21 How will space impact the future?  22:22-23:04 Troy’s ‘Now What’  23:05-23:18 Outro  This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podtrac - https://analytics.podtrac.com/privacy-policy-gdrp

    23 min
  8. The Button That Broke the Internet (and Built It Too)

    OCT 8

    The Button That Broke the Internet (and Built It Too)

    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-hosts Chapters:  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 book 14:32-16:44 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

    20 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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