AI and data help tell us what people do, but not why. Lauren Taylor, global leader of BCG’s Center for Customer Insight, makes sense of the mixed signals that consumers give off. To truly understand what drives people, businesses of course value robust, real-time data. But they also must uncover the context, motivators, and human truth behind every choice. Learn More:Lauren Taylor: https://on.bcg.com/4nfwZ1A BCG’s Latest Thinking on Customer Insights: https://on.bcg.com/46iy6Yt The Paradox of Pessimism: Why Gloomy Consumers Keep Spending: https://on.bcg.com/3Ir7FH2 Unpacking the $15 Trillion Opportunity in Leisure Travel: https://on.bcg.com/4gGyCTI Mapping the Consumer Touchpoints That Influence Decisions: https://on.bcg.com/3IBLBcD GenAI’s Role in Customer Insights: Think "And" Not "Or": https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/genais-role-customer-insights-think-ajr3c/ Chapters 00:00-01:25 Introduction/Lauren’s ‘So What’ 01:26-02:39 How can businesses cut through the contradictions and truly understand what customers want? 02:49-03:18 Should we just ignore what people say? 03:19-04:37 What is consumer sentiment? 04:38-05:35 What can businesses really learn from consumers? 05:36-06:20 What factors play into the say-do gap? 06:21-07:45 How much does emotion shape what people buy? 07:46-09:08 How and why should businesses deaverage the customer? 09:09-10:17: How nuanced is motivation across different regions? 10:18-12:10 What parts of the customer journey actually shape what people choose? 12:11-12:52 Has AI helped us better understand customers or made things more confusing? 12:53-13:51 How can companies make sense of conflicting signals? 13:52-14:46 How is AI changing the way that we understand consumer behavior? 14:47-16:19 With data available, why is it critical for businesses to still talk to customers? 16:20-17:07 What mistakes are companies making when it comes to listening to their customers? 17:08-17:32 What should companies look for in sentiment signals? 17:33-18:04 Lauren’s ‘Now What’ 18:05-18:27 Do milestone moments matter? 18:28-18:42 Outro This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podtrac - https://analytics.podtrac.com/privacy-policy-gdrp
--------
18:42
--------
18:42
M&A Is Heating Up. Is Your Dealmaking Still on Ice?
M&A activity is waking up, but many companies are reluctant to leap into the fray. Daniel Friedman, BCG’s global leader of transactions and integrations, explains why bold moves now could pay off. Waiting may feel safe, but the cost could be forfeiting once-in-a-decade opportunities. Learn More: Daniel Friedman: https://on.bcg.com/4mWHyGW Mid-2025 M&A Insights: https://on.bcg.com/3V6ENGF BCG’s Latest Thinking on M&A: https://on.bcg.com/4ndP9QU BCG’s M&A Sentiment Index: https://on.bcg.com/3VEdBzb Chapters: 00:00-02:56 Intro/Daniel’s ‘So What’ 02:57-04:34 What is different now vs. the beginning of the year? 04:35-06:13 How quickly will the market recover? 06:14-08:20 What regions and sectors are particularly active? 08:21-09:01What are risks that could impede recovery? 09:02-10:26 What is wrong with waiting on the sidelines? 10:27-12:00 Do downturn deals tend to deliver more value than boom time deals? 12:01-13:25 What can a company to do ensure that it finds the right deal? 13:26-17:02 How has M&A changed in a more uncertain world? 17:03-18:03 How will AI evolve? 18:04-19:45 What are the winners doing right in this new environment? 19:46-21:16 The ‘Now What’ 21:17-21:33 OutroThis podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podtrac - https://analytics.podtrac.com/privacy-policy-gdrp
--------
21:33
--------
21:33
Don't Be a Statistic. Make Transformation Work.
Transformation isn’t a gamble—it’s science. Kristy Ellmer, a leader with BCG Transform, unpacks the research behind what really makes change work: involving employees in the journey, preparing for the “messy middle,” and building emotional and practical support into the process. Successful efforts focus equally on shifting behaviors and mindsets, not just strategy and structure. Learn More: Kristy Ellmer: https://www.bcg.com/about/people/experts/kristy-ellmer Preorder Kristy's Book: https://www.amazon.com/How-Change-Really-Works-Science-Based/dp/B0FHBXYSLZBCG’s Latest Thinking on Business Transformation: https://www.bcg.com/capabilities/business-transformation/insights To Keep Transformations on Track, Incentives Are Crucial: https://www.bcg.com/publications/2025/incentives-are-crucial-for-transformation-success The Transformation Paradox: How to Grow When the Growing Gets Tough: https://www.bcg.com/publications/2025/transformation-paradox-how-grow-when-growing-gets-tough This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podtrac - https://analytics.podtrac.com/privacy-policy-gdrp
--------
22:04
--------
22:04
Become the CEO of Your Health and Longevity
What happens when people live decades longer than before—but not necessarily healthier? Iana Kouris, customer experience leader at BCG X, explores how companies can help people live longer healthier. Businesses can jumpstart the longevity economy by leveraging CX, behavioral design and change management to develop new products for prevention and customized for the growing elderly population, as well as supporting their employees on this journey. Learn More: Iana Kouris: https://on.bcg.com/4fvFrXv BCGX: https://on.bcg.com/4ltCU1A How Digital and AI Will Reshape Health Care in 2025: https://on.bcg.com/4mEGBCu This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podtrac - https://analytics.podtrac.com/privacy-policy-gdrp
--------
20:51
--------
20:51
The Real ROI of AI in Private Equity
Private equity is under pressure to deliver returns in a tougher environment. Clark O’Niell, BCG’s global lead for AI infrastructure and cyber in the private investors & private equity practice, shares how the smartest investors are using AI to move beyond hype, drive impact at scale, and future-proof their portfolios. It’s about focus over fragmentation—and combining judgment with new tools. Learn More: Clark O’Niell: https://on.bcg.com/46tTmep BCG’s Latest Thinking on Private Equity: https://on.bcg.com/4598Fa5 IT Spending Pulse: AI Agents and GenAI Reshape Priorities: https://on.bcg.com/4mmjVXG The So What from BCG on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLMJgyXjV5gMI9JV-GcF_D1Y6zyf1Eab_0This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podtrac - https://analytics.podtrac.com/privacy-policy-gdrp
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
South Africa