Why CEOs in China Are Cautiously Optimistic

Consumption represents nearly 70% of US GDP, making trade policy integral to economic growth. But each US presidential candidate has expressed different trade policies that would affect American consumers in myriad ways.    (00:39) Understanding Trade Policy (02:03) Evolution of Trade Agreements (04:58) Comparing Presidential Candidates on Trade (07:35) Tariffs and Their Implications (15:58) The Weaponization of Trade (16:23) China's Competitive Edge and Global Impact (20:21) Political and Security Concerns (24:31) Future Trade Policies and Implications   Join Steve Odland and guest Susan Schwab, former US trade representative and a strategic advisor on public policy and trade at Mayer Brown, for the third installment in our series reviewing the US presidential candidates’ positions on topics that relate directly to business.    For more from The Conference Board:  Election 2024: Trade, Taxes and Tariffs  Election 2024: Debt, Deficits and Labor 

The Presidential candidates have spoken about their policies, but what is the possible impact of those policies on the US’s fiscal health?     What is each candidate’s position on tax cuts, and how are they thinking about revenue-generating policies? How can the next President enact these policies with and without Congress? Should we be worried that neither candidate has mentioned the debt ceiling? And how could their immigration policies impact the labor market?    Join Steve Odland and guest Dana Peterson, Chief Economist at The Conference Board, as they discuss these questions and more in the signature nonpartisan approach of The Conference Board.    (00:35) Understanding Fiscal Policy (01:53) Personal Taxation and Candidate Positions (06:21) Corporate Tax Policies (09:05) Global Minimum Corporate Tax (10:57) Revenue Generating Policies and Deficit Concerns (17:14) Tariffs and Trade Policies (22:54) Immigration and Labor Market Impact (25:38) Industrial Policies and Economic Growth (33:03) Conclusion and Fiscal Responsibility   For more from The Conference Board:  Economic Forecast for the US Economy  Labor Markets Research  Economy, Strategy and Finance Center 

There are 28 days until the US presidential election, as of today. Do you know where the candidates stand on economic and geopolitical issues?    Join Steve Odland and guest David Young, President of the Committee for Economic Development, the public policy center of The Conference Board (CED), as they hold a nonpartisan discussion on the presidential candidates’ positions on trade, taxes and tariffs.    (01:00) Tax Policies of the Presidential Candidates (04:33) Regulation and Deregulation: A Stark Contrast (06:48) Tariffs and Trade: A Complex Landscape (11:48) USMCA and International Agreements (13:14) NATO and Defense Spending (19:14) Immigration and the Southern Border (22:40) Geopolitical Hotspots: Russia, Ukraine, and China (29:45) Middle East Tensions and Closing Thoughts   For more from The Conference Board:  The US Presidential Candidates’ Positions on Trade  Letter to Presidential Candidates Regarding US Fiscal Health  The Presidential Candidates’ Fiscal Policies 

How has inflation changed consumer attitudes and behaviors—and how should marketers respond in this crucial moment?     The price of eggs increased 19.1% in July on an annual basis, which is precisely the type of inflation that shocks and worries consumers. What are the opportunities for marketers who can successfully address not only consumers’ behaviors but also their attitudes?    Join Steve Odland and guest Ivan Pollard, Center Leader, Marketing & Communications, at The Conference Board, to learn about the latest Consumer Confidence Index®, how marketers can entice unhappy consumers to switch, and why brands that market effectively during tough times will create loyal customers for years to come.     (00:45) Historical Context of Inflation (01:38) Current Inflation Trends and Consumer Impact (03:31) Consumer Behavior and Income Disparities (05:31) Debunking Price Gouging Myths (06:47) Marketing Strategies During Inflation (09:08) Creating and Communicating Value (18:05) Service Industry Challenges and Opportunities   For more from The Conference Board:  Consumer Confidence Index®   Quantifying Consumer Reactions to Inflation Is Critical to Success  Threading the Needle: Fed Offers Something for Everyone 

Consumer sentiment on jobs, income and overall business conditions dropped in September, the latest survey results from The Conference Board Consumer Confidence Index® show. Fewer hours, slower payroll increases and fewer job openings – even amid a relatively healthy labor market – are likely behind falling consumer optimism.    Join Alex Heil, Senior Economist, Energy, Infrastructure, and Environment at The Conference Board and Dana M. Peterson, Chief Economist and Leader of the Economy, Strategy & Finance Center at The Conference Board, to find out what impact lower US consumer sentiment could have on the wider economy.    (00:33) Understanding the Consumer Confidence Index (01:00) Labor Market Insights (04:12) Consumer Confidence by Age and Income (05:46) Present Situation vs. Expectations (09:03) Consumer Spending Trends (17:36) Global Economic Outlook (19:24) European Economic Challenges (24:19) Interest Rates and Central Bank Policies   For more on this topic from The Conference Board:   Consumer Confidence Survey  Economic Forecast for the US Economy  Economy Watch: United States  

Accenture is investing billions of dollars in AI capabilities and employee training and development, with CEO Julie Sweet seeing those as pivotal challenges for every enterprise company. Why is Gen AI “the new digital,” and how can other companies prepare for these changes?    Join Dr. Lori Esposito Murray and guest Julie Sweet to find out how Accenture lives through its values and purpose, why Gen AI will touch every part of the enterprise, and how Accenture ensures every employee is “net better off” in terms of their skills.     (01:30) Leadership Values in Challenging Times (04:48) The Impact of Gen AI on Business (06:44) Responsible AI and Risk Management (08:45) Talent Development and Training (12:43) Public-Private Collaboration on AI (15:33) Sustainability and AI (18:19) Accenture's Commitment to Giving Back   For more from The Conference Board:  2024 Distinguished Leadership Awards  Learning for the Future: Preparing Organizations and Workers for AI Disruption  Future-Proofing the Workforce for the AI Era    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 Conference Board annual Salary Increase Budget has dropped -- and so have interest rates. To what extent are companies planning to increase employee base pay next year, and how do those plans differ across industries?    Diana Scott and guest Rita Meyerson, Principal Researcher in the Human Capital Center, spoke yesterday about what this year’s survey data show, and how the Fed’s first interest rate cut in four years could affect budgets for salary increases in 2025.    (00:34) Overview of Salary Budget Planning (00:45) Details of the Annual Survey (03:59) Survey Results and Trends (08:00) Industry-Specific Insights (11:03) Economic Factors and Wage Impact (18:30) Equity and Recognition in Compensation (24:53) Pay Equity and Transparency (26:30) Conclusion and Final Thoughts   For more from The Conference Board:  Salary Increase Budgets 2024-25  Reimagined Workplace  Global Labor Market Outlook 

Mexico became the top importer to the US in 2023, surpassing China for the first time. Can Mexican President-Elect Claudia Sheinbaum deliver on her goals of building 100 industrial parks and making the country more attractive to manufacturers?     Join Steve Odland and guest Erin McLaughlin, Senior Economist at The Conference Board ESF Center, to find out about Sheinbaum’s pro-worker approach to economic development, the opportunities and risks for US manufacturers, and how the CHIPS Act might benefit Mexico.     (00:21) Mexico's New Infrastructure Focus (00:54) Claudia Scheinbaum's Vision (01:27) Economic Implications of Reshoring (03:36) USMCA and Trade Benefits (04:42) Reshoring Trends and Challenges (08:59) Risks and Considerations for Companies (11:59) Smart Manufacturing and Technology (24:08) Industrial Parks and Future Growth   For more from The Conference Board:  Mexico Prioritizes Industrial Parks, Infrastructure to Attract Manufacturing  LEI for Mexico Dropped Sharply in June  Policy Backgrounder: Mexico’s Election 

Hamdi Ulukaya took Chobani to a billion dollars in sales "without raising a penny in capital.” How did he develop a thriving yogurt maker while emphasizing ethical business practices, protecting the environment, and creating a positive impact in the broader community?      Join Dr. Lori Esposito Murray and guest Hamdi Ulukaya, founder and CEO of Chobani and founder of Tent Partnership for Refugees, to learn about Ulukaya’s journey from Turkey to upstate New York, how he lives his core values, and why improving society is a growth engine for business rather than a distraction.    (02:28) Hamdi's Early Life and Business Philosophy (05:54) Founding Chobani (08:25) Chobani's Growth and Success (09:39) Leadership and Business Values (17:20) Philanthropy and Social Impact (24:56) Refugee Employment and Tent Partnership (34:39) Closing Remarks and Future Vision   For more from The Conference Board:  2024 Distinguished Leadership Awards  Corporate Strategies to Enhance Economic Opportunity  Corporate Citizenship: A Safe Haven from Political Uncertainty    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. 

Clearly defining what successful employee well-being looks like—and then measuring, rewarding, and communicating these behaviors—is essential for business growth. How can business leaders support employee well-being at work, and why does it matter?    Join Steve Odland and guest Rita Meyerson, a principal researcher in The Conference Board Human Capital Center, to find out how well-being affects our lives, why organizations must be deliberate in their well-being initiatives, and why the C-Suite needs to set the tone.    (00:54) Well-Being Beyond the Workplace (01:59) Impact of COVID on Well-Being (02:38) Leaders' Role in Employee Well-Being (04:19) Empathy and Leadership (08:08) Generational Differences in Well-Being (09:35) Building Trust and Relationships (15:35) Strategies for Enhancing Well-Being (31:50) Conclusion and Future Outlook   For more from The Conference Board:  Addressing the Employee Well-Being Crisis: A Leadership Opportunity  The Next Frontier for Employee Well-Being  The Reimagined Workplace 2024: Leading in the Transformed World of Work