C-Suite Perspectives

When it comes to ESG, most companies feel better about their progress on “E” — environmental — than on the “S” or the “G,” according to a new report by the ESG Center at The Conference Board. How can companies reset their ESG agendas and make meaningful progress in the face of economic, political, and other tailwinds?      Join Steve Odland and guest Andrew Jones, Senior Researcher, ESG Center, at The Conference Board to find out about the political and economic factors creating a backlash against ESG investing, the role of regulation in achieving ESG goals, and the business opportunities available in the “S” and “G” pillars of ESG.    (00:47) Understanding ESG: A Brief Overview (01:38) The Evolution of ESG and Stakeholder Capitalism (02:52) Challenges and Backlash in ESG (03:48) The Importance of Hitting the Reset Button (10:29) Deep Dive into Environmental (E) Changes (14:53) Social (S) Aspects and Corporate Citizenship (18:00) Governance (G) and Its Role in ESG (28:16) Emerging Trends and Future Outlook   For more from The Conference Board:  Hitting the Reset Button on ESG: Setting Strategy in a Time of Uncertainty  Climate Lawsuits: A Rising Threat for Business  EU 2024 ESG Regulatory Outlook: Q2 Update 

The countries of the Global South comprise 88% of the world’s population but only 40% of GDP. How is this bloc’s growing economic and geopolitical influence manifesting, and what role does Russia play in all of this?      Join Steve Odland and guest Dr. Lori Esposito Murray, former president of the Committee for Economic Development (CED), the public policy center of The Conference Board, to learn about the evolution of the Global South, how the pandemic and the war in Ukraine have empowered these countries, and what China and Russia’s closer ties mean.   (00:13) Understanding the Global South (01:04) Geopolitical and Economic Definitions (02:20) Countries in the Global South (04:41) Origins of the Term 'Global South' (10:09) Friction Points Between Global South and North (13:29) Impact of COVID-19 and Ukraine on Global South (22:00) The Role of BRICS (24:27) Military Coordination and Exercises

    Many large economies across the globe are experiencing or will experience labor shortages over the next decade. How can countries address these gaps, and to what extent can artificial intelligence (AI) and immigration solve the workforce crisis?   Join Steve Odland and guest Dana Peterson, Chief Economist and Leader, Economy, Strategy & Finance Center, to find out about the current state of global labor markets, the impact of an aging population, and potential solutions to labor shortages.  00:40 Welcome to C Suite Perspectives   01:11 Global Labor Market Outlook   02:12 Aging Population and Labor Shortages   05:23 Impact of Immigration on Labor Markets   08:30 AI and Automation in the Workforce   10:15 Regional Labor Market Differences   15:43 Solutions to Labor Shortages   18:21 Engaging the Domestic Workforce   29:49 Final Thoughts and Conclusion 

Hybrid work works, according to The Conference Board Reimagined Workplace 2024 report, with 84% of human capital leaders reporting higher job satisfaction and 79% citing better worker attraction and retention. But can HR leaders continue to demonstrate the ROI of flexibility and employee well-being, or are we headed for a Great Resignation 2.0?     Join Diana Scott and guest Robin Erickson, Vice President, Human Capital, at The Conference Board, to find out about the tightening job market, trends in employee well-being and flexibility, and how human capital leaders are exploring AI.     (00:58) History and Methodology of the Reimagined Workplace Study (02:30) Demographics and Trends in the Workplace (03:45) Recruiting and Retaining Employees: Trends and Challenges  (07:59) The Impact of Flexibility on Employee Retention  (10:25) Current Rates and Benefits of Hybrid Work (13:49) Economic Impact of Remote Work on Cities  (16:51) Employee Well-being: Current Trends and Strategies  (20:12) AI in HR: Opportunities and Challenges (28:51) Future Predictions and Concluding Thoughts

Consumer confidence has pulled back in June, according to The Conference Board Consumer Confidence Index®. The index dipped to 100.4, down from 101.3 in May, with consumers expressing mixed feelings on the labor market and short-term business outlook.    Join Markus Schomer, Senior Economist with The Conference Board, and Dana Peterson, Chief Economist and Leader of the Economy, Strategy & Finance Center, to find out why consumer confidence continues to decline—and what that means for US and global economic growth.     (00:31) June Consumer Confidence Survey Insights (00:53) Factors Influencing Consumer Confidence  (02:04) Age and Income Differentiation in Confidence (02:58) Present Situation and Expectations Indices (06:09) Consumer Views on Recession and Inflation (07:49) Interest Rates, Stock Market, and Finances (10:16) Consumer Spending and Buying Plans (13:50) Outlook for the U.S. Economy (17:04) Global Economic Outlook

The Measure of CEO Confidence™ for China suggests CEOs are cautiously optimistic about current and future conditions, even as hiring slows and demand remains below pre-COVID levels. How should CEOs respond to the new competitive reality of economic, regulatory, and geopolitical risk factors?     Join Steve Odland and guest Alfredo Montufar-Helu, Head of the China Center at The Conference Board, to find out how multinational corporations are managing the risk landscape, rethinking supply chains, and continuing to leverage innovation.    (00:09) Welcome to C Suite Perspectives (00:47) Introducing the CEO Confidence Index  (01:40) Current CEO Sentiment in China (02:27) Challenges Facing Multinationals in China (06:46) Impact of Chinese Policies on Business (09:08) CEO Expectations on Sales, Investment, and Employment (10:19) Risks and Concerns for CEOs in China (11:40) Geopolitical Tensions and Business Strategy (27:47) Final Thoughts and Conclusion

In the post-pandemic new world of work, how can leaders keep their employees engaged, motivated and, most of all, productive? Learn how skills development, management capabilities and organizational agility can influence strategies to drive productivity and success.    Join Steve Odland and Marion Devine, Principal Researcher, Human Capital, Europe, to uncover the six key initiatives to boost productivity across the board.    (00:35) Understanding Productivity (02:22) Current State of Productivity (03:05) Key Drivers of Productivity (04:35) The Importance of Skilling and Leadership (11:40) Agility and Resilience in Organizations (13:12) Diversity and Its Impact on Productivity (15:00) Employee Well-being and Productivity (16:35) AI's Role in Enhancing Productivity (21:02) The CHRO's Role in Driving Productivity  

Find out why the 2024 elections present multiple challenges for businesses — and why the regulatory environment is potentially more onerous.    As the 2024 elections approach, research by The Conference Board reveals that companies face more challenging political and regulatory environments than they did four years ago. How can businesses manage these multilayered, interconnected challenges, including employees demanding that companies speak up on social and political issues?     Join Steve Odland and guest Merel Spierings, Senior Researcher in the ESG Center, to find out how companies can navigate a hyper-polarized environment, promote democracy, and prepare for possible regulatory shifts.      (01:09) Key Findings from the Research (01:38) Challenges of the 2024 U.S. Elections (02:56) Impact of Polarization on Workplace Dynamics (03:56) Strategies for Companies to Address Political Issues (07:30) Encouraging Civic Engagement (12:24) Navigating the Legal and Regulatory Environment (19:14) Scenario Planning for Regulatory Changes (22:14) Corporate Political Activities and Lobbying

Generative AI could create trillions of dollars in impact across multiple waves of innovation and productivity gains. But how can we create the conditions for AI to thrive while helping businesses build systems of scale that are also inclusive?     Join Dr. Lori Esposito Murray and guest Robert Smith, founder, chairman, and CEO of Vista Equity Partners, to find out how Smith expects generative AI to jump-start productivity, why businesses and communities need greater access to capital, and how he’s working to expand broadband access, especially for students.    This Leadership in Challenging Times discussion is featured as a C-Suite Perspectives podcast and a special CED Policy Watch Webcast. Leadership in Challenging Times features timely and insightful discussions with the outstanding CEOs who are recipients of CED’s Distinguished Leadership Awards. Business leader honorees discuss the unprecedented challenges facing the nation and how they are helping chart a path forward for both their companies and communities in which they operate. 

The latest Consumer Confidence Index® indicates that overall confidence has improved after three consecutive months of decline, but consumers’ feelings may be more mixed than positive.    Join Erik Lundh and guest Dana Peterson, Chief Economist and Leader of the Economy, Strategy & Finance Center, to find out what’s affecting US consumer attitudes and spending—and how they fit into the bigger picture of economic growth around the world.