Human Capital Watch

In this episode of Let's Talk Global Business, trailblazers Vinita Bali and Dr. Sandhya Karp explore breaking systemic barriers, redefining success, and creating inclusive cultures that elevate talent—regardless of gender. Listen now and be inspired by women who lead authentically.

What does a four-day work week really look like—and can it actually improve productivity? In this episode of Let's Talk Global Business, Sara Murray is joined by Joe O'Connor (Worktime Revolution) and Will Hedges (Meridia) to explore how organizations are rethinking work, performance, and well-being.

In this episode of Let's Talk Global Business, we explore the intricate world of digital currencies and their implications for global power dynamics. Join host Sara Murray as she engages with experts Josh Lipsky and Maria Demertzis to unpack the complexities of central bank digital currencies (CBDCs), cryptocurrencies, and the evolving landscape of international finance.

In this episode, we explore the transformative impact of AI agents on marketing with industry veterans Matthew Godfrey and Florian Klaass. Join Sara Murray as she delves into the changing landscape of persuasion, connection, and trust in marketing.

Join senior executives Amy Belcourt, Edvard Bergström, and Mats Lundberg as they share real-world insights into how to communicate sustainability authentically and effectively. From aligning internal values with external messaging to building trust through transparency, this episode is packed with practical advice for any organization navigating the complex landscape of environmental responsibility. Listen now and discover how to turn your eco narrative into an asset — not a liability.

Dive into the world of AI with experts Brian Evergreen and Christian Kromme! Are we nearing an AI bubble? What does the future hold? Find out in our latest episode! In this episode, we explore the rapid advancements and complexities of artificial intelligence (AI) with experts Brian Evergreen and Christian Kromme. From the sustainability of the AI bubble to the ethical implications of AI in the workforce, our guests provide deep insights into the current landscape. Join us as we unravel the future of AI and its potential impact on businesses and society.

In the opening episode of season 2 of Let's Talk Global Business, host Sara Murray explores the evolving investment landscape in China with Alicia Garcia Herrero, Chief Economist for Asia Pacific at Natixis, and Alfredo Montufar-Helu, Head of The Conference Board's China Center. From changing consumption patterns and economic uncertainty to the rising challenges faced by Western multinationals, the conversation dives deep into the real dynamics shaping business in China today

In Season 1 of Let's Talk Global Business, host Sara Murray took us on a tour of today's hot topics in business —exploring topics from the rise of AI and pay transparency to evolving workforce skills, the global energy landscape, and CEO confidence in Europe and China. We'd like to thank our guests who contributed their time and expertise: Thomas Krogh Jensen, Frederic Cho, Tojin Eapen, Claudio Truzzi, Isabelle Mateos y Lago, Ivan Pollard, Claudio Murri, Aaron Brown, Alan Riley, Alex Heil, Denis Pennel, Joshua Morley, Konstaninos Panitsas and Alfredo Montufar-Helu. We've got a brand new season coming soon with an exciting lineup of new guest speakers and topics subscribe and follow-us so you never miss an episode.

In this episode of Let's Talk Global Business, host Sara Murray delves into the latest CEO Confidence surveys for China and Europe. With confidence dipping into negative territory in both regions, Sara is joined by Alfredo Montufar-Helu, who lead the Conference Board's China Center, and Konstantinos Panitsas, economist at the Economy, Strategy and Finance Center in Europe. They explore the reasons behind the declines in confidence, the impact of geopolitical tensions, and the economic outlook for both regions.

Group Chief Economist at BNP Paribas, Isabelle Mateos y Lago joins Sara Murray and Maria Demertzis, The Conference Board's new ESF Center Leader, for a special end-of-year edition of "Let's Talk Global Business". They take a look back at 2024, and the elections that have shaped Europe's economic outlook. Is Europe in a better position after this festival of democracy? Despite the doom mongers, they end on an upbeat note. Listen in to find out more. 

In this special crossover episode of Let's Talk Sustainable Business and Let's Talk Global Business, hosts Sara Murray and Barbara-Mendez Jorge delve into the complexities of ESG reporting with The Conference Board's Anuj Saush and Andrew Jones. The conversation highlights the challenges of managing complex ESG data, the role of ESG controllers, and the cultural differences in ESG adoption between the US and Europe. 

In this episode of Let's Talk Global Business, host Sara Murray is joined by Denis Pennel, Managing Director for the World Employment Confederation Europe, and Joshua Morley, Global Head of Artificial Intelligence Data and Analytics at Akkodis. Together, they explore the evolving landscape of skills in business, especially in the context of AI and new technologies. They also discuss the regional differences in skill development between APAC and Europe, and the collaborative efforts needed between academia, government, and enterprises to bridge the skills gap.

In this episode of Let's Talk Global Business we explore the future of energy on both sides of the Atlantic. Sara Murray is joined by Alan Riley, Visiting Professor at the College of Europe, and Alexander Heil, Senior Economist at the Conference Board, to discuss the transition to renewable energy, the role of small modular reactors, and the challenges of energy security. Delve into the complexities of decarbonization, emerging technologies, and the geopolitical implications of energy policies. Don't miss this insightful discussion on shaping a sustainable energy future! You can find Alex Heil's full article at https://www.conference-board.org/publications/nuclear-renaissance-small-modular-reactors-could-meet-US-baseload-energy-demand

In our latest podcast episode, we explore the intricate world of pay transparency and its implications for businesses across the globe. As companies face increasing pressure from legislation to disclose pay information, the conversation around transparency is more relevant than ever. We speak with Aaron Brown, SVP of Total Rewards at Synchrony Financial, and Marion Devine, Principal Researcher  at the Conference Board Europe who provide valuable insights from their respective regions.

In today's episode of "Let's Talk Global Business," we delve into the social aspect of ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) with experts Paula Byrne and Andrew Jones. Join us as we explore the significance of the "S" in ESG, its impact on business practices, and how companies can effectively integrate social responsibility into their core strategies.

In this episode of Let's Talk Global Business, Sara Murray, Managing Director at The Conference Board International, delves into the recent CEO Confidence Survey results from Europe and China. Joining her are Konstantinos Panitsas, Economist at the European Economy Strategy and Finance Center, and Alfredo Montufar-Helu, Leader of the Conference Board's China Centre for Economics and Business. Together, they explore the cautious optimism among CEOs regarding the short-term global economic outlook and the underlying concerns that persist.

As the world braces for a pivotal year of elections, businesses are facing the challenge of navigating political landscapes that could dramatically shift economic and trade policies. In this episode of Let's Talk Global Business, Sara Murray, Managing Director International at the Conference Board, sits down with Claudio Murri, Senior Advisor at Rud Pederson Public Affairs, and Ivan Pollard, leader of the Conference Board's Marketing and Communications Centre, to dissect the potential impacts of two major political events looming on the horizon: the US presidential election and the European Parliament elections.

In this episode, we are joined by Claudio Truzzi, director of research and innovation activities at ULB, and Tojin Eapen, head of the global innovation centre at Inno Mantra to discuss the AI journey to date and the complexities we are facing in two distinct regions – Asia and Europe. We also dive into how AI might hinder developing economies, the EU AI Act, and the damage AI might inflict on creativity and innovation.

Marion Devine, Principal Researcher Human Capital, Europe sits down with Sara Murray to explores the findings of a recent survey on well-being, run in both Europe and the US. One of the significant takeaways from the survey was that employees expect their employers to invest in their well-being - but it's not translating into happier employees. The conversation also highlights the crucial role of the CHRO in building the business case for well-being, and the need for collaboration across the organization to embed it into strategy and culture.

Falling property prices, increased debt, and western hostility have led some observers to claim that the era of China's economic miracle is over, and a new age - characterized by low growth, an aggressive foreign policy and domestic repression – has begun.  If this is the case, what are the ramifications for businesses in Europe and China?  We are joined by Frederic Cho, founder and CEO of Frederic Cho Advisory, and Alfredo Montufar-Helu, Leader of the China Center for Business and Economics at The Conference Board, to delve into supply chains, building resiliency, and scenario planning for the future. 

Listen in to an insightful conversation with Jean-Marc Verbist, Center Leader for Human Capital in Europe, and Sandhya Karpe, Center Leader for Human Capital in Asia. In this episode, they'll share their expertise on how CHROs can drive growth and increase the competitiveness of their workforce in 2024. With the ever-changing AI landscape and challenges in communication, coordination, and cultural immersion, it's crucial for CHROs to stay ahead of the game. Don't miss out on this informative and enlightening discussion on the future of HR and the workplace.

This first episode of Let's Talk Global Business contrasts the evolution of financial technology currently underway in two very different regions: the GCC and the Nordics. Despite their differences, both regions have developed very vibrant ecosystems for financial innovation. What lessons can each region provide the other? And as banking moves into an era dominated by technology, including AI, what are the implications for how both regions innovate, capitalize and regulate their financial industries?

Anke Schrader and Konstantinos Panitsas join Sara Murray in this pilot episode to discuss the findings of our 2024 C-Suite Outlook survey, highlighting the top concerns of CEOs in Europe and China. For 25 years the C-suite Outlook survey has served as a pulse check to understand what challenges and opportunities the world's top business leaders are facing – and their strategies for addressing them.

Our host Sara Murray, Managing Director International at The Conference Board tells us what to look forward to on our new channel, Let's Talk Global Business. Each month we look at the economic and business trends connecting two different regions. We'll talk to researchers, senior executives across various industries and regions and to policy makers about how to lead in a complex world. 

After 5 series of the Insights Podcast channel, we have decided to launch a brand-new Podcast series titled: Let's Talk Global Business. The Insights Podcast will still be available to listen to on all platforms and on our website. Thank you for your continued support.

Inspiring People, Inspiring Journeys, is a podcast series, launched in 2023 and moderated by Sanja Haas, Chairwoman of the Advisory Board for the European Human Capital Center at The Conference Board. Each episode so far featured an informal conversation with a CHRO about their individual journeys and reflections on their role. In this last episode for the season, Sanja sits down with Steve Odland, CEO of The Conference Board, to talk about his journey and in particular his thinking on the CEO-CHRO Partnership today and in the future.  Steve talks about his own journey and explains how the CEOs role has changed in the past couple of decades. Unlike 10-15 years ago, today a successful CEO needs to manage and take care of multiple stakeholders (vs previously only shareholders). Steve explains that also the role of HR has pivoted from being transactional to that of a Human Resource function which is the “caretaker of human assets” crucial for the success of an organization. Steve shares with us that he has always relied on his CHROs as close and trusted business advisors, the one person a CEO can turn to and ask, “what do you think?”. When asked whether a CHRO can become a CEO, Steve says this is possible, however a crucial prerequisite is for the CHRO to also experience a line role before becoming CEO. Finally, he shares a very inspiring thought and suggestion to our audience: to think about our aspirations and about the concept that if they are big enough, we can never outperform them.

Inspiring People, Inspiring Journeys, is a new podcast series in 2023, moderated by Sanja Haas, Chairwoman of the Advisory Board for the European Human Capital Center at The Conference Board. Each episode features an informal conversation with a CHRO about their role & responsibilities, professional journey and perspectives about HR careers and the future of the function. In this eighth episode, Sanja sits down with Mieke van de Capelle, CHRO at dsm-firmenich. Mieke shares with us what it's like being a CHRO in a newly merged conglomerate (the B2B company touches 4 billion people on a daily basis indirectly) and how this is a daunting experience - both incredibly rewarding and challenging at the same time. Rewarding because of the opportunity to be building a company fit for purpose; challenging because everything is up for reevaluation. She tells us about her different professional experiences and journey which prepared her for the current role, including being part of a very long post-merger integration as her first role as CHRO in 2012. Mieke explains that she does not have a “recipe book” and that every situation is different with no “one size fits all”. Having experience is one thing, but not enough. Mieke shares that in order to make a difference as an HR Professional, experience needs to be coupled with a mindset of being open to listen, learn and understand what is needed for the business.

Inspiring People, Inspiring Journeys, is a new podcast series in 2023, moderated by Sanja Haas, Chairwoman of the Advisory Board for the European Human Capital Center at The Conference Board. Each episode features an informal conversation with a CHRO about their role & responsibilities, professional journey and perspectives about HR careers and the future of the function.  In this seventh episode, Sanja sits down with Khadija Ben Hammada, CHRO at Merck. In a very inspirational conversation, Khadija shares with us how her role is both a privilege and responsibility. She talks about her dual responsibility of driving and supporting Merck's business (focused on positively impacting peoples' lives) and of being the “People's People” in taking care of 66K employees, ensuring values such as fairness, inclusion and integrity are lived up to, and that the workforce has a sense of belonging. The privilege Khadija talks about is linked to this dual responsibility and to the pride in being part of a company with 353 years of legacy and passing this on to the next generations.  Among other key insights, Khadija also shares that for a fulfilling career, it is important to “say yes” as much as possible, focus on the impact one generates (vs titles or promotions), learn as much as possible from these experiences and to “pick a boss” one is inspired to work for.

Inspiring People, Inspiring Journeys, is a new podcast series in 2023, moderated by Sanja Haas, Leader of the Human Capital Center, Europe. Each episode features an informal conversation with a CHRO about their role & responsibilities, professional journey and perspectives about HR careers and the future of the function.  In this sixth episode, Sanja sits down with Jean-Luc Fleurial, CHRO at UCB. Jean-Luc shares with us how UCB is driven by the difference it can make for its patients and how this strong ‘Purpose' permeates all elements of his work and drives the differentiation of UCB's organizational culture. He discusses how his role is a true corporate (enterprise) role focused on building the right context and environment for people to thrive in.  Among other key insights, Jean-Luc also shares that when he was promoted to CHRO he went from being focused on functional leadership to becoming a corporate (enterprise) leader. Today his role consists of 1/3 Governance (including interaction with the Board, building trust), 1/3 Corporate leadership, and 1/3 Functional leadership.

Inspiring People, Inspiring Journeys, is a new podcast series in 2023, moderated by Sanja Haas, Leader of the Human Capital Center, Europe. Each episode features an informal conversation with a CHRO about their role & responsibilities, professional journey and perspectives about HR careers and the future of the function. In this fifth episode, Sanja sits down with Radoslava Anguelova, CHRO at Swarovski. Radoslava explains that because the most valuable assets at Swarovski are its Brand and people, the role of the HR function is intricately linked with the success of the business. She shares with us what it was like to be promoted to CHRO, her “baptism by fire” as she helped the business undergo a large transformation as of ‘day one' in her new role. Although challenging, she was able to quickly pivot and explains that “anything is possible” when working together with a strong and capable team. She advises our listeners to be curious, gain broad and deep experiences, and to reach outside of their comfort zone to continue to build themselves professionally.

Ensuring Europe has the labor force it needs to drive economic growth requires strategic cooperation between key stakeholders—but businesses can take practical steps to improve the supply and productivity of their workers. This podcast explores the themes of our recently released European Labor Market Outlook report. Listen in as our panel of experts explores insights, and focus points for what companies can do to increase labor force productivity.

Inspiring People, Inspiring Journeys, is a new podcast series in 2023, moderated by Sanja Haas, Leader of the Human Capital Center, Europe. Each episode features an informal conversation with a CHRO about their role & responsibilities, professional journey and perspectives about HR careers and the future of the function. In this fourth episode, Sanja sits down with Adriano Bruno, former Head of People & Culture at The Erste Group. Adriano shares his thoughts on the importance of staying close to the business, customers and consumers, but how it is equally important, to stay close to the employees to better understand and advocate for a great Employee Experience.  He advises our listeners to follow their passions, to think about how they want to change and shape their worlds and to choose wisely who they want to work for –  ensuring they end up in an environment (corporate culture) which brings out the best version of themselves.

Inspiring People, Inspiring Journeys, is a new podcast series in 2023, moderated by Sanja Haas, Leader of the Human Capital Center, Europe. Each episode features an informal conversation with a CHRO about their role & responsibilities, professional journey and perspectives about HR careers and the future of the function. In this third episode, Sanja sits down with Anne Stevens, Council Director Global CHRO Council and HR Executives, and ex- Global VP People & Organization Rio Tinto. Among other topics, Anne shares her thoughts on how positively the CHRO role has evolved in the past 10 years, becoming much more strategic and why COVID-19 catapulted HR to the forefront, solidifying a seat at the table. From her own professional journey, she shares useful insights on what it takes to transition (from industries, companies and roles). Understanding the business and ensuring trust and business relationships are built from day 1 is key. Anne also explains that “timing is everything” and how important it is to stay flexible, adaptable and open to step out of one's comfort zone and embrace the unexpected.

In this second episode, Sanja Haas, Center Leader, Human Capital, Europe, sits down with Feliciano Gonzalez , CHRO of Holcim. Among other topics, Feliciano shares his discovery & learning path as CHRO, the importance of continuous learning, of listening and understanding the needs and expectations of key internal and external stakeholders, and why “arrogance is a killer” for those aspiring to this role. Feliciano shares insights on what it's like to be a leader in the function today, some things to watch out for, what success is all about and why some of his most challenging experiences were also the most formative ones.

In this podcast John Metselaar hosts Alexander van ‘t Riet, until last month the CEO of Mai Dubai Water who took the brand from 5% to 20% market share and into a regional icon now served at Emirates Airlines over his tenure. Alexander shared his key priorities behind this amazing journey along the 5E framework of what leaders do – envisioning, enabling to execute, and engaging and empowering – and who leaders are, or should be – along mind, heart, and gut.  “Walk the talk” and “what you give attention gets done and grows” were just a couple of the many nuggets of wisdom pulled from the experience of “how a Dutchman from the canals succeeds in the exotic Gulf”. 

Inspiring People, Inspiring Journeys, is a new podcast series moderated by Sanja Haas, Leader of the Human Capital Center, Europe. Each episode features an informal conversation with a CHRO about their role & responsibilities, professional journey and perspectives about HR careers and the future of the function. In this first episode, Sanja sits down with Guergana Andreeva, CHRO of JTI. Among other topics, Guergana shares her discovery path during her first 100 days as a CHRO, and the importance of understanding the needs and expectations of both her own team and that of the business. She discusses what it's like to be a leader in the function, shares insights into her own professional journey and what is needed to be successful in HR today.

In this episode of Insights Jayshree Seth, Chief Science Officer at 3M sits down with John Metselaar to explore the broad space of innovation. They begin by discussing the human side to innovation, connecting it with the thrill of curiosity, the art of science, and the value derived from excellence in (technical and commercial) execution of the innovation. They conclude on the importance of STEM moving to SH(humanities)TEM for better results and a better world into 2023 and beyond.

To understand how the HR function is evolving to support new business demands in highly volatile conditions, The Conference Board has recently conducted a global survey of human capital leaders. Results highlight how, in order to act as a lead function, HR must align its priorities more closely with those of the business, and adopt new metrics to better evaluate its own strategic impact. In this podcast, coauthors Marion Devine, Principal Researcher, and Camilla Andretta, Research Analyst, share the main findings of the survey and provide key insights around the evolution of the HR function and of the profile of HR leaders from their report Next Generation HR 2022: Realigning HR's Priorities to Deliver Business Impact

With 163 million employed workers, employment in the Euro Area has reached record-high levels in Q2 2022. Although hiring expectations are on a downward trend since March across all industries, the labor market is currently incredibly tight. Marion Devine, Associate Director for Insights on Human Capital, and Bettina Schaller, Senior Vice President Public Affairs for Adecco, and President of the World Employment Confederation discuss with Conference Board Ilaria Maselli how companies can improve the mental and financial wellbeing of workers, how demographic change is transforming the labor force, and how Gen-Z will change the way we work.

In this second part of our “CTIO Perspectives” episode with Maria Velissariou, former CSO and Corporate R&D VP at Mars, we transfer the need of Ambidexterity from the leadership to that of the organization.  How to elevate your people into the capability to “perform AND transform” at the same time. Maria offers a trinity of principles as inspiration for your organization for both excellence in execution and generating those out-of-the-box creative ideas toward transformation ahead – illustrated by her real life experiences.

In this episode of “CTIO Perspectives” Maria Velissariou, outgoing Chief Science Officer at Mars, discusses the power, and need, of Ambidexterity in today's business world with John Metselaar.  This first (of two) sessions focuses on what it means to become an ambidextrous leader.  We cover five pillars toward creating an innovation culture of agility, speed, and scale – to be able to “perform AND transform”.

Read the report here To understand how organizations are continuing to react to the pandemic and the changing business environment in the context of their workplaces and workforces, The Conference Board has conducted four online surveys of human capital leaders in the past two years. As The Reimagined Workplace Two Years Later: Human Capital Responses to the COVID-19 Pandemic reveals, greater numbers of employees are expected to work remotely than they did before COVID. We anticipate that organizations will adapt to this new work reality with flexible hours and hybrid working locations, hoping these adjustments will sustain future success sourcing talent, retaining current employees, and increasing productivity levels. In this podcast, coauthors Robin Erickson, PhD, and Deb Cohen, PhD, share the survey findings about remote work and returning to the workplace, recruitment, retention, employee well-being, and organizational culture, as well as comparing findings to the April 2020, September 2020, and April 2021 surveys results.

The disruption of COVID-19 and other crisis has accelerated profound shifts in attitudes and expectations about the nature of work, and how, where and why people perform this function. Which dimensions of the future of work should companies consider to map out their own future-scape? What are the key trends connected to these dimensions? Listen to this podcast as Camilla Andretta, Research Analyst, and Marion Devine, Senior Researcher, discuss the report Future-scape: Reimagining the Who, What, How, Where of Work and share case examples of companies that are preparing for the future of work.

In the midst of a global talent shortage, CEOs, CHROs, and HC leaders recognize that simply doing talent acquisition better and faster will yield only marginal gains—it will not solve the current challenge of finding the right talent. In this podcast, Robin Erickson, PhD, Vice President, Human Capital is joined by Barbara J. Lombardo, PhD, Distinguished Principal Research Fellow, to discuss their most recent report: Navigating the Global Talent Tsunami. Their global research study found that organizations should fundamentally rethink some long-held assumptions about who can do the work; where, when, and how the work gets done; and the talent acquisition function itself. They believe that rethinking sourcing strategies will yield more candidates in the short term and more agile and diverse talent pools, and organizations, in the long term.

Sean Sheppard, Managing Partner of Corporate Venture Builder U+ shares with us the secrets behind his four pillars approach. Understanding how to do breakthrough innovation in a large corporation. How to organize yourself for successful Corporate Venturing and put in place the necessary and repeatable activity system to turn ideas into tangible new business models.