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 Confe...
Oct 29, 2024•27 min•Season 1Ep. 228
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 recalibrat...
Oct 28, 2024•31 min•Season 1Ep. 227
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 pla...
Oct 24, 2024•23 min•Season 1Ep. 226
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 Th...
Oct 21, 2024•43 min•Season 1Ep. 225
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...
Oct 17, 2024•32 min•Season 2Ep. 224
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 Pet...
Oct 14, 2024•35 min•Season 1Ep. 223
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 C...
Oct 07, 2024•34 min•Season 1Ep. 222
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 lea...
Sep 30, 2024•30 min•Season 1Ep. 221
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...
Sep 24, 2024•33 min•Season 1Ep. 220
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 o...
Sep 23, 2024•28 min•Season 1Ep. 219
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 ...
Sep 19, 2024•28 min•Season 1Ep. 218
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 benef...
Sep 16, 2024•29 min•Season 1Ep. 217
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...
Sep 09, 2024•36 min•Season 1Ep. 216
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 nee...
Sep 02, 2024•35 min•Season 1Ep. 215
The latest survey results from The Conference Board Consumer Confidence Index ® show consumers in the US have positive views about current and future business conditions, but their overall feelings about the economy remain mixed, and they are still worried about high prices, inflation and unemployment. Join Erik Lundh, Senior Economist, Global at The Conference Board and Stephanie Guichard, Senior Economist, Global Indicators at The Conference Board, to find out how US consumer sentiment could s...
Aug 27, 2024•34 min•Season 1Ep. 214
2024 Distinguished Leadership Award recipient Raj Subramaniam explains how FedEx thinks about sustainability, data, culture and much more. FedEx aims to have carbon-neutral operations by 2040, and that will require careful management of 5,000 facilities and 200,000 motorized vehicles. How can FedEx do this while making millions of deliveries every day, continuing to innovate, and leveraging its data to improve supply chains globally? Join Dr. Lori Esposito Murray and guest Raj Subramaniam, Presi...
Aug 26, 2024•25 min•Season 1Ep. 213
With temperatures rising and countries trailing on net zero goals, how can the private and public sectors adapt? Global temperatures are well on their way to rising 2.6 degrees Celsius by 2100, and we’re already seeing deleterious effects. How can humanity adapt to climate change—and what happens if we don’t? Join Steve Odland and guest Alex Heil, Senior Economist at The Conference Board, to discuss the most pressing risks, where we stand on 2050 emissions goals, and how the private and public s...
Aug 19, 2024•30 min•Season 2Ep. 12
The next five to 10 years could yield unprecedented, life-changing innovation in artificial intelligence (AI). Can industry and governments capitalize on this moment by finding the right balance of business innovation, AI regulation, and cybersecurity best practices? Join Dr. Lori Esposito Murray and guest Nikesh Arora, CEO of Palo Alto Networks, to find out why consistent AI regulation is important, how Arora built an innovation culture at Palo Alto, and why cybersecurity is more important than...
Aug 12, 2024•25 min•Season 2Ep. 11
The latest Conference Board Measure of CEO Confidence™ in collaboration with The Business Council reveals cautious optimism among US CEOs, with only 30% expecting a recession in the next 12 to 18 months. What do CEOs expect in terms of hiring and wages, and what are the biggest risks they see in the marketplace? Join Steve Odland and guest Dana Peterson, Chief Economist at The Conference Board, to find out why recession has faded as an immediate fear, whether CEOs plan to reduce headcount, and w...
Aug 08, 2024•21 min•Season 2Ep. 10
With 40% of the US living in coastal areas, the risk of flooding from stronger storms and rising sea levels isn’t just an inconvenience; it’s a looming crisis for businesses, insurers, and governments. How can businesses and governments assess the risks, update their strategies, and balance the needs of all stakeholders, including residents? Join Steve Odland and guest Alex Heil, PhD, Senior Economist at The Conference Board, to explore the rising costs of more severe flooding, the challenges of...
Aug 05, 2024•31 min•Season 1Ep. 209
Consumers are happy to be working, but they’re still concerned about elevated prices and interest rates. That’s according to The Conference Board Consumer Confidence Index® for July. Join Markus Schomer, Senior Economist at The Conference Board, and 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 it fits into the bigger picture of economic growth around the world. (00:36) Key Insights...
Jul 30, 2024•32 min•Season 1Ep. 208
Most workers and leaders believe in the benefits of hybrid work, but they're struggling to measure these effects or find an approach that serves all employees. How can human capital leaders create a compelling vision for new hybrid policies? Join Diana Scott and guest Matt Rosenbaum, Principal Researcher in the Human Capital Center at The Conference Board, to find out about the shortcomings of existing metrics, why hybrid policies require a clear vision, and the benefits of training people on ho...
Jul 29, 2024•35 min•Season 1Ep. 207
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 ES...
Jul 22, 2024•30 min•Season 1Ep. 206
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 co...
Jul 15, 2024•30 min•Season 1Ep. 205
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:...
Jul 08, 2024•33 min•Season 1Ep. 204
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...
Jul 01, 2024•30 min•Season 1Ep. 203
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 gl...
Jun 25, 2024•24 min•Season 1Ep. 201
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 ...
Jun 24, 2024•29 min•Season 1Ep. 200
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...
Jun 17, 2024•29 min•Season 1Ep. 199
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 ...
Jun 10, 2024•26 min•Season 1Ep. 198
