Why Leaders Need to Prioritize Employee Well-Being

Consumer confidence saw the strongest monthly gain since March 2021, according to the latest The Conference Board Consumer Confidence Index®. The index registered 108.7 in October, up from 99.2 in September, after consumers’ assessment of current business conditions and job availability, plus future business conditions, income and job availability all climbed this month.    Join Erik Lundh and guest Dana Peterson, Chief Economist and Leader of the Economy, Strategy & Finance Center at The Conference Board, to find out where consumers stand on the labor market, spending and inflation ahead of next week’s US elections.    (00:32) October Consumer Confidence Insights (01:35) Demographic Breakdown of Confidence (02:19) Expectations for Employment and Recession (03:36) Inflation and Interest Rates (06:31) Impact of Elections and Hurricanes (08:34) Holiday Buying Plans (11:42) Consumer Confidence and Economic Outlook (16:34) Global Economic Overview (25:42) Emerging Markets and Interest Rates   For more from The Conference Board:  US Consumer Confidence Bounced Back in October  Download the full Consumer Confidence Survey Report 

We're in a backlash against diversity, equity, and inclusion policies, with over 60% of senior executives calling the environment “very” or “extremely” challenging right now. How can businesses critically evaluate their DEI programs without necessarily abandoning these efforts?     Join Steve Odland and guest Andrew Jones, senior researcher at The Conference Board ESG Center, to explore The Conference Board's new report, the rise in DEI-related shareholder proposals, and how companies can recalibrate DEI in their workplace policies and marketing.     (00:49) Understanding DEI: Basics and Definitions (03:24) The Evolution of DEI in Corporate America (05:15) DEI Under Pressure: Challenges and Backlash (06:56) The Supreme Court Decision and Its Impact (09:16) Navigating the Pendulum Swing in DEI (10:31) Balancing Stakeholder Interests in DEI (16:16) Adapting DEI Strategies in a Changing World (23:40) Philanthropy and DEI: Legal Challenges (29:09) Terminology and Future of DEI   For more from The Conference Board:  A New Era of Scrutiny for Diversity, Equity & Inclusion  2024 Proxy Season Review: Corporate Resilience in a Polarized Landscape 

Top CEOs remain wary about the economy despite a strong Q3. What's holding them back?     CEO confidence dipped in Q4, as measured by The Conference Board, with most CEOs saying conditions have worsened in the past six months. Why hasn’t recent economic data buoyed CEOs’ spirits, and what concerns them most as we head into 2025?      Join Steve Odland and guest Dana M. Peterson, Chief Economist at The Conference Board, to find out what we can learn from the latest Measure of CEO Confidence™, how CEOs plan to address headcount and wages next year, and why cybersecurity and geopolitics remain the top two risks.    01:02 Current CEO Confidence Levels 02:44 Economic Forecasts and CEO Sentiments 04:04 Consumer Behavior and Housing Market Insights 06:46 Business Investment and Election Uncertainty 09:09 Labor Market Conditions and Skill Shortages 11:17 Labor Shortages and Wage Increases 12:24 Economic Adjustments Post-Pandemic 13:16 Consumer Spending and CEO Confidence 15:43 Remote Work Trends 18:45 Key Risks for CEOs      For more from The Conference Board:  CEO Confidence Survey  The Conference Board Economic Forecast for the US Economy  US Consumer Confidence     

Russia and Ukraine. China and Taiwan. The Middle East. As the US approaches Election Day, international relations – and how each Presidential candidate would approach them – are more important than ever.    Join Steve Odland and Lori Esposito Murray, former president of the Committee for Economic Development and current senior fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations, to find out where the presidential candidates stand on US engagement around the world, alliances and immigration.    For more from The Conference Board:  The Presidential Candidates on Trade  Where Candidates Stand on Debt, Deficits and Labor  Trade, Taxes and Tariffs – An Overview of Presidential Positions 

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.