Podcasts about The Conference Board

Every generation has the responsibility to continue the Founding Fathers' vision, says Rep. Brad Schneider.   If the Founding Fathers materialized in 2026, they'd likely worry about polarization and threats to checks and balances, but they'd also be amazed by the breadth of American innovation. How can today's leaders reinvigorate civic values and political courage as we enter America's next 250 years?   Join David Young and guest Rep. Brad Schneider, D-Illinois, to find out why every generation has a responsibility to the republic, why today's environment punishes civility and political courage, and what gives him hope about American political and civic life looking forward.   For more from The Conference Board: 250 Years Forward: Strengthening an American Future America at 250: How Can We Move Past Political Deadlock? The CEO Center Q2 2026 Impact Report  

Shutterstock Track 1219389 Monetization ID TFGEPGEI0LHEIJAI Kia ora. Welcome to Tuesday's Economy Watch where we follow the economic events and trends that affect Aotearoa/New Zealand. I'm David Chaston and this is the international edition from interest.co.nz. Today we lead with news the Yemeni Houthis have announced a naval blockade against Saudi Arabia but effectively closing the Red Sea. Elsewhere new mediation efforts are underway again. In the US, the Conference Board's leading indicator tracking turned negative in June. The shift down isn't a lot because it wasn't very positive in earlier months. But it is consistent with the Atlanta Fed's GDPNow tracking showing an exhaustion of the pace of the US expansion. Off balance sheet debt at the big US tech giants is exploding, making investment assessments harder to make. It is now an estimated US$1.65 tln as artificial intelligence investments ballooned, a Nikkei study shows, and now exceeds actual reported debt. The problem is particularly acute at Meta. These companies are about to report Q2-2026 results and these debt levels are sure to become an issue. The main way these debt obligations stay off balance sheets is via "innovative" lease transactions centered around timing issues. And US Big Tech valuations are also under threat from Chinese alternatives, especially the relatively new Moonshot K3 version. It is hard not to to get a sense that financial markets are facing a revaluation crisis in the tech sector. In Canada, their CPI inflation rate came in at 2.8% in June, with a core rate of 2.1%. Both these measures were lower than in May and slightly lower than expected. The Malaysian export boom is carrying on (+45% from June a year ago), especially for electronics (+57%) and petroleum (+56%), and especially to the US (+109%). But they needed all of that because imports surged sharply too, up 44% from a year ago. The People's Bank of China kept its key lending rates at record lows for a 14th straight month in July, as widely expected. The one-year loan prime rate (LPR), the benchmark for most corporate and household borrowing, was held at 3.0%, while the five-year LPR, a reference rate for mortgages, remained at 3.5%. However, rate cut expectations are rising there as their domestic economy slows. German producer prices were up a modest +1.8% in June from a year ago, similar to the prior two months. But this new level is in contrast to the PPI deflation they had reported for the earlier twelve consecutive months. A number of major countries are struggling to contain the devaluation of their currencies against the US dollar. Japan is seeing its currency at its weakest level since 1996. India is seeing levels back to near the record lows they had in mid-May. And Indonesia is battling record low levels as well. All these are major economies and all are trying to work what level of higher interest rate differential is needed to stabilise their situation. This is just part of a rising interest rate background, not helped by the prospect of higher US interest rates from their inability to tackle inflation effectively. The UST 10yr yield is now just on 4.60%, up +4 bps from this time yesterday.  The price of gold has slipped to US$4003/oz, down -US$14 from yesterday. Silver is now just under US$56.50/oz, up +50 USc from yesterday. Oil prices are +50 USc firmer from yesterday at just under US$83/bbl in the US, while the international Brent price is now just under US$89/bbl. Hormuz transits are still just a trickle There have been just 1 crude tanker and 5 cargo ships exiting over the past 24 hours (4 dark with transponders off) and 8 entering for new loads (8 dark) and all this traffic is Iran-linked. The Kiwi dollar is marginally firmer from yesterday at just under 58.5 USc. Against the Aussie we are down -20 bps at 83.5 AUc. Against the euro we are up +10 bps at just on 51.2 euro cents. That all means our TWI-5 starts today at 62.3 which is unchanged from this time yesterday. The bitcoin price starts today at US$65,541 and up +1.6% from this time yesterday. Volatility over the past 24 hours has been modest at just over +/-1.4%. You can get more news affecting the economy in New Zealand from interest.co.nz. Kia ora. I'm David Chaston and we'll do this again tomorrow. Track 1219389 Monetization ID TFGEPGEI0LHEIJAI Audio soundtrack opening is licensed from Shutterstock, Track 1219389 Monetization ID TFGEPGEI0LHEIJAI

In this episode of C-Suite Perspectives, Barbara Mendes George, sustainability communications expert and guest host, speaks with Edvin Lindgren, Global Circular Economy Lead at Hitachi Energy, about how the company is embedding circular economy principles into its strategy, operations and customer offering. Together, they explore the shift from a linear value chain to a value cycle; how circularity can create customer value through longer product life, resource efficiency and new service models; and why data, regulation, collaboration and a clear business case are critical to accelerating progress. More from The Conference Board:  The EU's Circular Economy Test: Creating Demand at Scale How Business Can Turn Sustainability Ambition into Commercial Opportunities Why Reliable Supplier Data Is Now Key to Supply Chain Transparency

In this era of polarization, how can Americans embrace statesmen who find common ground and move the country forward?     The United States has thrived for 250 years despite constant and evolving political differences. But does today's political and civic environment reward the leadership qualities essential to a robust democracy?     Join David Young and guest Rep. Don Bacon, R-Nebraska, to explore how the Founding Fathers would react to America in 2026, why politicians should spend less time on social media and more time with constituents, and why we need more statesman willing to compromise for the common good.     For more from The Conference Board:  250 Years Forward: Strengthening an American Future  America at 250: How Can We Move Past Political Deadlock?  The CEO Center Q2 2026 Impact Report 

In this episode of C-Suite Perspectives, Sara Murray, Managing Director International at The Conference Board and guest host, speaks with Alejandro Fiorito, Economist at The Conference Board Europe, about the economic impact of the war in Iran and the broader geopolitical forces influencing markets and business.  Together, they explore the outlook for global growth; the evolving policy response in Europe and beyond; and why resilience, scenario planning, and adaptability are becoming essential capabilities for business leaders.  More from The Conference Board:   European Consumer Confidence  CEO Confidence Diverges Globally, With Europe Lagging the US and China  What Consumer Confidence Reveals About Europe's Recovery  2 Years Below Neutral: European CEO Confidence Falls as Outlook Deteriorates 

Board effectiveness is rising, but so are expectations, according to the latest research.     In 2026, 41% of executives rated their boards as "excellent" or "good," the highest percentage seen by The Conference Board and PwC. What does board effectiveness look like today, and where do boards still need to improve?     Join Brian Campbell and guests Ariane Marchis-Mouren, senior researcher for corporate governance at The Conference Board, and Arielle Berlin, director of the Governance Insights Center at PwC. Find out about why boards struggle with adapting to change, three ways to improve board assessments, and why top board trends have only intensified in the first half of 2026.     For more from The Conference Board:  Board Effectiveness 2026: A Survey of the C-Suite  Director Bandwidth Is Becoming a More Visible Test of Board Effectiveness  Modernizing Board Governance for Today's Risk Environment 

In this episode of C-Suite Perspectives, Barbara Mendes-Jorge, Sustainability Communications Expert and guest host, is joined by Arnaud Marqui, Chief Sustainability and Safety Officer at Tarkett, to explore how the circular economy is transforming business models and helping companies build long-term resilience.   Together, they discuss Tarkett's circular economy journey, the role of product design and take-back programs in reducing waste, and how business leaders can balance sustainability investments with commercial success while preparing for a more resource-constrained future.  More from The Conference Board:   EU Regulatory Outlook: The Way Ahead for 2026  Corporate Governance in an Era of Sustained Disruption  Europe 2026: Competitiveness, Clean Industrial Policy, and Institutional Reform  How Businesses Can Turn Sustainability Ambition into Commercial Opportunities  

Kevin cover and discusses the following stories: Adobe reported the results of last week's online spending during Amazon's Prime event, as well as overlapping promotions by Walmart and Target; Nestle announces major changes to their ingredients across all products worldwide; Aviation Expert, Jay Ratliff, joins the show to talk about airline news and summer travel tips; The Conference Board released their Consumer Confidence Index; the U.S. Labor Department reported Job Openings, Hires and Quit Rates; oil prices react to Peace Talk host Qatar reported that "high level" talks will not take place in Doha but "technical talks" will and analyst's estimates of crude inventory inventories; Phil Flynn, Senior Analyst, PRICE Futures Group, has some interesting comments in his Energy Report, Kevin has the details, digs into the data, puts the information into historical perspective, offers his insights and a few opinions along the way. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

El primer trimestre del año, que ha sido muy positivo, llega a su fin. Se van al descanso índices estadounidenses con poco movimiento en preapertura. Más ganas compradoras en renta variable europea. Hay referencias económicas, como informe JOLTS sobre ofertas de empleo y el índice de confianza del consumidor del Conference Board. En Europa, destacan precios en Alemania y Francia. Nos hacemos eco del último informe de Citi en el que advierten de una creciente presión bajista sobre Nasdaq. Pendientes también de comentarios de banqueros centrales en Sintra. Analizamos mercados con José Basagoiti, de Trading Pro. Desde Team Lewis nos presentan el primer ranking de visibilidad de empresas Ibex en plataformas de IA generativa. En Bolsa española, y dentro del Ibex35, lideran las subidas ArcelorMittal, Fluidra y Acerinox.

How are US consumers feeling as summer begins — and what should business leaders know about the growing economic impact of extreme heat? In this episode of C-Suite Perspectives, Dana M. Peterson, Chief Economist and Leader of the Economy, Strategy & Finance Center at The Conference Board, is joined by Alex Heil, Senior Economist. They begin by examining the latest US Consumer Confidence Survey, discussing why confidence improved modestly in June, how consumers are thinking about inflation, interest rates, employment, and recession risks, and what those expectations could mean for spending in the months ahead. In the second half of the conversation, the focus shifts to one of the defining business challenges of our time: extreme heat. Alex explains how rising temperatures are affecting workers, productivity, energy systems, supply chains, and business operations around the world, while highlighting practical considerations for executives looking to build resilience.   For more from The Conference Board: US Consumer Confidence Forecast for the US Economy Global Economic Outlook

In this Daily Editorial, Craig Hemke, Founder and Publisher of the TF Metals Report, joins me to analyze the peak hawkishness in the precious metals market since last week.  We dive into the macroeconomic backdrop as it relates to interest rates and Fed policy and the fallout after Kevin Warsh chaired his first FED meeting 2 weeks ago and addressed the markets focused on price stability.   Craig wrote an article last week titled: “Peak Hawk” outlining some of the topics we dove into during this discussion, and there is a link to that here:   https://www.tfmetalsreport.com/blog/13750/peak-hawk     Technical Levels to Watch:   Craig comments on the break-down in gold, silver, and PM ETF breaking below the 200-day moving average, and 50-week moving averages as just a ‘piling on' effect from this peak hawkishness in the markets.  He believes most of the corrective move has happened at this point, and is anticipating 2026 to end somewhere around flat on the year; which he notes wouldn't be too bad after the outsized gains in gold and silver in 2024 and 2025 on a percentage basis.  He points out we may need that last capitulation move this summer to wash out any remaining weak hands, and to then base and bring in the new buyers that cause shorts to cover and begin a new upleg. Craig also points to the flattening yield curve, and where the 2-year and 10-year treasury yields have been trending as a factor worth paying attention to.   Kevin Warsh Will Be Speaking In Europe this Wednesday:   Kevin Warsh is participating in a policy panel at the European Central Bank Forum on Central Banking. Craig will be watching to see if he emphasizes the hawkish hold or dials it back a little at this meeting. The Fed funds futures are now anticipating 1-2 rate hikes this year versus the initially market anticipated rate cuts, coming into this year.  We discuss the likelihood of the market has now swung so hawkish, that it may be excessive and misplaced. Even if we see an initial hawkish rate hike, Craigs sees that as posturing, and doesn't anticipate that we'd have long to wait after that before the economic data on inflation softens with lower energy prices now, and that monetary policy will adjusts course in the opposite direction, in a more dovish playbook… like it has over and over again historically.   We'll Get The Jobs Data on Thursday This Week:   The June BLS jobs report will be released on July 2, 2026, which is expected to show the creation of 172,000 new jobs.  We are getting this data on Thursday, due to the observance of Independence Day on Friday. Additionally, the Conference Board's Consumer Confidence Index and the Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey (JOLTS) will also be reported this week.   The Macroeconomic Fundamentals Haven't Changed:   Sovereign debt remains at record levels and most nations can not endure interest rates that go up to drastically.  Craig highlights that “The Math is the math.” Throughout history, central banks have opted for printing more money and driving interest rates meaningfully lower, to inflate their way out of economic challenges, and to pay off higher interest debt with lower-rate debt.  Overall, central banks continue to add gold to their balance sheets versus adding more US or foreign treasuries.   Click here to visit Craig's website – TF Metals Report – https://www.tfmetalsreport.com/   For more market commentary & interview summaries, subscribe to our Substacks:   The KE Report: https://kereport.substack.com/ Shad's resource market commentary: https://excelsiorprosperity.substack.com/     Investment disclaimer: This content is for informational and educational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice, an offer, or a solicitation to buy or sell any security. Investing in equities and commodities involves risk, including the possible loss of principal. Do your own research and consult a licensed financial advisor before making any investment decisions. Guests and hosts may own shares in companies mentioned.    

Kia ora. Welcome to Wednesday's Economy Watch where we follow the economic events and trends that affect Aotearoa/New Zealand. I'm David Chaston and this is the international edition from interest.co.nz. Today we lead with news the Persian Gulf situation is settling into a chronic stalemate after the acute hot conflict. US allies in the region are confused, Qatar's role in negotiations is questioned as to whether it can actually do anything, and Iran and Oman are moving forward with their plans for 'fees' and 'management' of the waterway. The US is getting sidelined. One outcome seems clear however; Chinese EV's are dominating world car sales so demand for crude oil is likely to be much less in the future, and that will limit oil price pressures. But first today, there was another dairy Pulse auction overnight, bringing lower prices again. AMF fell -2.5% from last week's event, butter was down -0.5%, SMP was down a chunky -6.2% and WMP slipped -0.6%. These build on trends we have seen since mid-May and given the rise in global milk production by the main exporters (New Zealand included), it is a trend likely to continue for a while yet. In the US, labour market data for May about job openings was little-changed from April even if it still is near a two year high, which was slightly better than was expected. But the June PMI report for the important Chicago manufacturing hub was quite a bit weaker than for May and what was expected. But it is only back to February levels which isn't bad at all. It was a fall away in new orders that drove the easing. Meanwhile the Dallas Fed's regional services survey became positive - just - for the first time in five months. They reported that selling price pressures increased slightly, while input price and wage pressures grew at a faster pace. The Conference Board sentiment survey barely moved in June from May, which actually was a result that disappointed analysts because a more marked improvement was anticipated. And that was because respondents turned negative about job prospects, with almost a quarter of them unexpectedly saying jobs are 'hard to get', the highest level sine early 2021. And we should perhaps note that the deadly screwworm cattle disease is still spreading in Texas and New Mexico, spreading to other animals too. Even though the number of animals reported as having contracted the disease remains small, the risks to cattle herds in these states in very large. In Canada, the expectation that it was falling into recession has proven not to be the case. Canada's GDP rebounded from a first-quarter contraction to record a +0.5% monthly gain in April making this their largest economic expansion in nine months. Their May estimate points to a further if minor + 0.1% growth. Across the Pacific in Japan, the yen slipped into the 162-per-US dollar range yesterday for the first time in 39 years,and extending a slide that has accelerated in the past few months. A two month intervention effort isn't working, raising fresh questions about what is driving the yen's renewed weakness. China's official PMIs posted some marginal improvements in June, actually very marginal but at least they are not contracting. Their factory PMI is expanding, just. New orders picked up slightly. And their services PMI is now not contracting. But it isn't expanding either. New orders in this version are still negative, but the overall index was bolstered by expectations for improvement and lower lead times. All other more direct elements are negative to some degree. We should note that the unofficial PMIs by S&P Global/RatingDog have tended to be more expansionary in 2026. These unofficial results will come later today (Wednesday) and Friday. German inflation came in at 2.3% in June, down from 2.6% in May, 2.9% in April, and softer than anticipated, mainly because energy prices retreated there. Back in the US, Rocket Lab has agreed to buy Iridium Communications, a pioneer in satellite telephones, in a broadening attempt to compete with Starlink. It combines their launch capabilities and satellite manufacturing with Iridium's network in low-Earth orbit and valuable radio frequencies for satellite communication. Yesterday we reported a +6% rise in May air cargo activity. But today the May air passenger travel data was released showing a declined -2.2% from a year ago, down -3.1% for international travel. The main diver of the pullback was international travel through the Middle East (-28.8%). But it is also worth noting that domestic air travel in China fell (-6.2%) as well as in the US (-1.9%). The UST 10yr yield is now just on 4.43%, up +6 bps from this time yesterday. The price of gold has risen to US$4026/oz, up a net +US$4/oz from yesterday. Silver is now under US$59.50/oz, up +US$1.50 from a day ago. Oil prices are down -US$1.50 from yesterday at just on US$69.50/bbl in the US, while the international Brent price is unchanged at just on US$73/bbl. Hormuz transits have stayed at their lower level after the recent volatility & uncertainties with just 19 crude or product tankers exiting over the past 24 hours (5 dark with transponders off) and 23 entering for new loads (5 dark). Over the past two days, almost 70% of the exiting vessels have been headed to China. The Kiwi dollar is up +30 bps from this time yesterday at just under 56.8 USc. Against the Aussie we are unchanged at 82.1 AUc. Against the euro we are up +20 bps at just on 49.7 euro cents. That all means our TWI-5 starts today at just on 60.6 which is up another +20 bps from this time yesterday. The bitcoin price starts today at US$58.325 and down -3.3% from this time yesterday. Volatility over the past 24 hours has been moderate at just under +/- 2.0%. You can get more news affecting the economy in New Zealand from interest.co.nz. Kia ora. I'm David Chaston and we'll do this again tomorrow. Track 1219389 Monetization ID TFGEPGEI0LHEIJAI Audio soundtrack opening is licensed from Shutterstock, Track 1219389 Monetization ID TFGEPGEI0LHEIJAI

El primer trimestre del año, que ha sido muy positivo, llega a su fin. Se van al descanso índices estadounidenses con poco movimiento en preapertura. Más ganas compradoras en renta variable europea. Hay referencias económicas, como informe JOLTS sobre ofertas de empleo y el índice de confianza del consumidor del Conference Board. En Europa, destacan precios en Alemania y Francia. Nos hacemos eco del último informe de Citi en el que advierten de una creciente presión bajista sobre Nasdaq. Pendientes también de comentarios de banqueros centrales en Sintra. Analizamos mercados con José Basagoiti, de Trading Pro. Desde Team Lewis nos presentan el primer ranking de visibilidad de empresas Ibex en plataformas de IA generativa. En Bolsa española, y dentro del Ibex35, lideran las subidas ArcelorMittal, Fluidra y Acerinox.

Carbon reporting gives you data but isn't a strategy. How do businesses like DuPont put that data into context so they can make better, smarter business decisions?  Join Steve Odland and guest Scott Collick, chief sustainability officer and vice president of sustainability and regulatory compliance at DuPont. Learn how Collick defines "carbon fluency," why companies should switch from spend-based models to activity-based models, and why sustainability needs to be fully integrated with the rest of the business.  For more from The Conference Board:  Measuring Sustainability ROI in an Era of Risk & Resilience  Did US Companies Pull Back from Sustainability Reporting in 2025?  Corporate GHG Emissions Progress: Scope 1 and Scope 2 in Focus 

Las bolsas comienzan la semana pendientes de la evolución del alto el fuego entre Estados Unidos e Irán, después del intercambio de ataques durante el fin de semana que ha vuelto a elevar la tensión y ha impulsado el precio del petróleo. Los mercados también miran a Sintra, donde arranca el encuentro anual de bancos centrales y que contará con la participación de Christine Lagarde y Kevin Warsh, en plena atención sobre el futuro de los tipos de interés. Además, Corea del Sur anuncia una mega inversión en inteligencia artificial impulsada por el Gobierno junto a gigantes tecnológicos como Samsung y SK Hynix, en una nueva carrera por liderar el desarrollo de la IA. Y en la agenda económica de la semana, la gran cita será el informe de empleo de Estados Unidos que conoceremos el jueves, ya que Wall Street permanecerá cerrado el viernes por festivo. También se publicará el IPC preliminar de junio de la eurozona, datos de inflación de Alemania, Italia y Francia, el PIB final del primer trimestre de Reino Unido, los PMI manufactureros de junio, la encuesta JOLTS y la confianza del consumidor del Conference Board en EEUU. En el plano empresarial, presentarán resultados compañías como Nike, General Mills, Constellation Brands y Prosus. En la tertulia de mercados de Capital Intereconomía, Pilar García-Germán, directora de ventas de Fidelity International; Isabel de Liniers, jefa de ventas para España de DWS; Pilar Vila, Sales Manager en Schroders; e Irene López, Sales Director de Flossbach Von Storch analizan si la renta variable tecnológica todavía tiene recorrido o si las valoraciones empiezan a acercarse a niveles de burbuja; qué puede ocurrir con los tipos de interés en Estados Unidos y qué están anticipando los bonos tanto en los tramos largos como en los cortos; y cómo afecta la fortaleza del dólar a las carteras con exposición a EEUU.

CHROs have more responsibility than ever but less structural power than the role requires. In Part 2 of The CHRO Paradox series, Stacie explores the "C-suite gap"—the disconnect between where the CHRO sits and where real decisions are made. Drawing on data from The Conference Board, the Harvard Law School Forum on Corporate Governance, Protiviti, and the Josh Bersin Company, this episode maps the four derailers keeping the authority gap open, illustrates what success looks like when organizations close it, and provides five concrete moves for HR leaders operating inside the gap right now. Stacie For more episodes, visit StacieBaird.com.

In this episode of C-Suite Perspectives, Sara Murray, Managing Director, International at The Conference Board, is joined by Matei Farcas and Konstantinos Panitsas of The Conference Board Europe to analyze the latest Consumer Confidence Index findings for the Euro Area.  Together, they discuss the factors shaping consumer sentiment; explore how inflation expectations, labor market concerns, and geopolitical developments are influencing household behavior; and consider what business leaders should watch as they navigate a more cautious consumer environment.  More from The Conference Board:   Euro Area Consumer Confidence Stabilized in Early 2026 but Remains Weak  European Consumer Confidence database  2 Years Below Neutral: European CEO Confidence Falls as Outlook Deteriorates  Where to Hire: Europe 2026 

As the United States approaches its 250th birthday, there are questions about the future of leadership, citizenship, and civic life in a country that seems increasingly polarized. How can higher education develop young people to be the citizens and leaders we need?  Join David Young and guest Katherine A. Rowe, president, William & Mary, to learn about the university's role in educating American founders, why students should develop civic leadership skills, and how William & Mary encourages better arguments.  For more from The Conference Board:  250 Years Forward: Strengthening an American Future  America at 250: How Can We Move Past Political Deadlock?  A Stable Democracy at 250: Trusted Elections as the Foundation 

Kevin covers and discusses the following stories: soccer fans from around world are discovering the REAL America; the U.S. Labor Department reported Weekly Jobless Claims; the Conference Board released the May Leading Economic Index; the Philadelphia Fed reported business activity in the Mid-Atlantic region; coffee linked to significant new side effect; Smucker announced a coffee price adjustment in 2027; oil prices react to U.S. - Iran 14-point agreement extending the ceasefire for 60 days and escalation in the Ukraine-Russian war; gas prices hit a milestone; Kevin has the details, digs into the data, puts the information into historical perspective, offers his insights and some opinions along the way.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This episode was recorded on June 15 as part of the Policy Talks series hosted by The Conference Board.  Up to 330,000 companies could receive tariff refunds because of the Supreme Court ruling that invalidated a swath of tariffs. How can communication leaders tell a story about the tariff refunds that builds trust across stakeholders, including employees, customers, and investors?  Join Ivan Pollard and guests Davy Young, president of The CEO Center, John Gardner, head of public policy and research at The CEO Center, and Denise Dahlhoff, head of research at the Marketing & Communications Center at The Conference Board. They discuss why the court battles over tariff refunds aren't fully resolved, why new tariffs are likely to be issued, and why communications has become a central, collaborative function across the enterprise.  For more from The Conference Board:  The Tariff Refund Process  Intersections: Communications + Government Relations  CCOs Have a Seat at the Table. Now What? 

The Federal Reserve held its first meeting Wednesday since Kevin Warsh succeeded Jerome Powell as chair. What can we learn from Warsh's statements and the Fed's unanimous decision to leave rates unchanged?  Join Dana M. Peterson and guest Yelena Shulyatyeva, senior US economist at The Conference Board, to hear about the potential impact of Warsh's task forces, why we're likely to see less Fed communication, and whether the Fed will prioritize inflation over the labor market.  For more from The Conference Board:  FOMC Decision: There's a Task Force for That  June FOMC Preview: Meet the Warsh Fed: Rates on Hold, Communication in Focus  What Could the Fed Look Like Under Kevin Warsh? 

Companies are increasingly focused on employee performance, which is challenging but also gives CHROs and CFOs an opportunity to collaborate. How can these key functions work together to reinforce culture, drive organizational change, and influence the CEO and board?   Join host Diana Scott and guests Henry Artalejo, SVP of global human resources at Griffith Foods, Matt Corker, EVP and chief financial officer at Griffith Foods, and Maria Colacurcio, CEO of Syndio. Find out what defines a people-first organization in 2026, how the CHRO-CFO partnership can drive culture and compensation conversations, and why AI transformation is an opportunity for HR to rebrand itself.   This special episode was recorded on June 3 at the 2026 CHRO Summit, hosted by The Conference Board in Chicago.   For more from The Conference Board: CHRO Summit: Turning Uncertainty into Growth The Conference Board to Honor S&P Global and UL Solutions at 2026 People First People First: Elevating Talent for the Future (Event)  

Americana Partners LLC Market Commentary is a financial podcast for investors, clients, and market-focused listeners who want clear perspective on the economy, investing, and portfolio strategy. Hosted by Melissa Giles and based on the market views and special reports of David M. Darst, Chief Investment Officer at Americana Partners, the show breaks down monthly market commentary, economic conditions, investment strategy, asset allocation themes, and the forces shaping today's financial markets. Each episode is designed to help listeners better understand market trends, long-term investing, and how to think clearly in changing environments. If you are looking for a smart, approachable source for market updates, economic outlook, wealth management insight, portfolio positioning, and investment commentary, subscribe to stay informed with timely perspectives from Americana Partners.   Join Our Distribution List – For a full copy of our report. 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The CBOE Volatility Index (VIX) is a measure of expected price fluctuations in the S&P 500 Index options over the next 30 days. The VIX is calculated in real time by the Chicago Board Options Exchange (CBOE). P/E or Price to Earnings ratio is indicates the dollar amount an investor can expect to invest in a company in order to receive one dollar of that company's earnings. The Consumer Confidence Survey® reflects prevailing business conditions and likely developments for the months ahead. The Manufacturing Business Outlook Survey is a monthly survey of manufacturers in the Third Federal Reserve District; Participants indicate the direction of change in overall business activity and in the various measures of activity at their plants: employment, working hours, new and unfilled orders, shipments, inventories, delivery times, prices paid, and prices received. The ISM manufacturing index, also known as the purchasing managers' index (PMI), is a monthly indicator of U.S. economic activity based on a survey of purchasing managers at more than 300 manufacturing firms. The Composite Index of Leading Indicators, otherwise known as the Leading Economic Index (LEI), is an index published monthly by The Conference Board. It is used to predict the direction of global economic movements in future months. A bond rating is a letter-based credit scoring scheme used to judge the quality and creditworthiness of a bond. The option adjusted spread (OAS) measures the difference in yield between a bond with an embedded option, such as an MBS or callables, with the yield on Treasuries. Mean reversion, in finance, suggests that various phenomena of interest such as asset prices and volatility of returns eventually revert to their long-term average levels. A meme stock is a security that has seen an increase in trading volume after going viral on social media or an online forum. This document may contain forward-looking statements relating to the objectives, opportunities, and the future performance of the U.S. market generally. Forward looking statements may be identified by the use of such words as; “believe,” “expect,”“anticipate,”“should,”“planned,”“estimated,”“potential”and other similar terms. Examples of forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, estimates with respect to financial condition, results of operations, and success or lack of success of any particular investment strategy. 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In this episode of C-Suite Perspectives, Sara Murray, Managing Director, International at The Conference Board Europe, is joined by Alejandro Fiorito, Economist at The Conference Board Europe, to unpack the latest results from the Measure of CEO Confidence for Europe survey.  Together, they examine the factors weighing on CEO confidence; explore signs of resilience at the industry level; and discuss how European business leaders view geopolitical risks, long-term competitiveness, and growth opportunities both within and beyond Europe.  More from The Conference Board:   2 Years Below Neutral: European CEO Confidence Falls as Outlook Deteriorates  Measure of CEO Confidence for Europe Dashboard  CEO Confidence Still Wavering, Investments Stalled, EU Reforms in the Spotlight  The 2026 Agenda for Business Leaders: Reimagining the Future in Europe 

The Conference Board's president and CEO sees AI as less a technological challenge than a managerial one, exacerbated by increasing global volatility. Drawing parallels to the introduction of the personal computer, he argues that governance, workflow redesign, and organizational trust matter more than the technology itself.

Amid polarization and deadlock, how can people in the United States better understand the habits and responsibilities that sustain a free society?      The United States has practiced the same type of government since the late 1700s, enduring through vast societal and technological changes. What are the biggest political challenges facing America as it turns 250, and how can citizens lead the country forward?     Join David Young and guest Yuval Levin, director of social, cultural, and constitutional studies at the American Enterprise Institute, to find out why today's era reminds Levin of the Gilded Age, why political leaders must embrace coalition-building, and why today's challenges are numerous but far from insurmountable.     For more from The Conference Board:  250 Years Forward: Strengthening an American Future  A Stable Democracy at 250: Trusted Elections as the Foundation  Trusted Elections Are the Foundation of Economic Growth and Business Confidence 

This ICYMI episode takes you back to October of 1990 - a moment when Canadians were staring down soaring interest rates, spiking oil prices, and waves of layoffs at CN Rail, Imperial Oil and Air Canada. The Conference Board of Canada had just declared a recession, while Prime Minister Brian Mulroney and Finance Minister Michael Wilson hesitated to say the word. Checkup callers share how they were surviving tough economic times with host Dale Goldhawk.

The big things you need to know:First, earnings sentiment (the rate of upward EPS estimate revisions) is now improving broadly within the equity market, which we think opens the door for a short-term pause in mega cap Growth leadership within the US and US leadership within global developed markets equities.Second, the Growth/Value trade within Large Cap has turned choppy again, which we think may reflect the broadening out of improving earnings sentiment and valuations that have started to look frothy for mega cap Growth on some metrics.Third, stock market optimism improved in the latest Conference Board survey, a bright spot in the consumer narrative and a data point that alleviates some of our near-term pullback concerns.

The US is still the premier investment opportunity. Marc S. Cooper of Solomon Partners explains why.     This special episode was recorded on May 6 at the 2026 M&A Summit, hosted by The Conference Board in New York.    After last year's strong M&A market, 2026 is being powered by corporate strategic acquisitions. What's the overall health of M&A and of the US as an investment opportunity?     Join Steve Odland and guest Marc S. Cooper, chairman and CEO of Solomon Partners, to find out the state of the deals market, the challenges facing middle market private equity, and why the US remains the world's top destination.    For more from The Conference Board:  2026 M&A Summit - New York  Reshaping Strategy: Navigating M&A in the Next Era  Deregulation Reshapes Financial Oversight 

In this episode of C-Suite Perspectives, Sara Murray, Managing Director International at The Conference Board, speaks with Max Zenglein, Center Leader for Economy, Strategy & Finance in Asia at The Conference Board, about how economic security and geopolitical rivalry are reshaping global trade and business strategy across Asia. They discuss the erosion of the rules-based trading system; the growing intersection of trade, national security, and industrial policy; and why companies must rethink efficiency, resilience, and risk in a more fragmented global economy. The conversation also explores supply chain vulnerabilities, shifting trade alliances, and how business leaders can navigate uncertainty while identifying new opportunities for growth. More from The Conference Board: Economic Security Reshapes Trade in Asia Amid Rising Volatility C-Suite Outlook 2026: Asia-Pacific Edition Asia's Manufacturing Pivot: Competing for Talent in the New Supply Chain Era Beyond Tariffs: Structural Changes to Trade Are Underway in Asia

This podcast episode delineates the prevailing dynamics within the furniture industry, elucidating the pivotal finding that consumer confidence remains an essential determinant in the sector's recovery trajectory. The latest consumer confidence index has exhibited a modest decline, underscoring the sensitivity of furniture purchases to economic fluctuations and geopolitical tensions, particularly those related to energy prices. Furthermore, we explore the recent unveiling of the Furniture Today Top 100 report, revealing that, despite previous hardships, a significant number of major retailers have begun to experience sales growth, an encouraging signal amidst a landscape of mergers and acquisitions that further consolidate market share. The discussion also highlights emerging consumer trends, particularly the burgeoning interest in tactile textures and nostalgic room concepts, which present both challenges and opportunities for retailers. As we navigate this complex milieu, the overarching theme persists: the most successful operators will be those who strategically position themselves for future growth rather than merely striving for survival. The current landscape of the furniture industry is characterized by intricate dynamics influenced by macroeconomic factors and evolving consumer sentiments. Recently released data from the Conference Board indicates a slight decline in consumer confidence, with the index dropping by approximately 0.7 points to 93.1 for May 2026, reflecting mounting concerns regarding inflationary pressures, particularly stemming from geopolitical tensions in the Middle East. These pressures have engendered a palpable sense of caution among consumers, making furniture purchases—often deemed as deferable—subject to postponement when economic anxieties loom large. Retailers must therefore brace themselves for a marketplace where price sensitivity prevails, necessitating a strategic pivot towards enticing financing options and doorbuster deals that resonate more profoundly with consumer apprehensions than aspirational marketing strategies. The subtle uptick in the forward-looking Expectations index, albeit still below the recession-risk threshold, suggests a potential resurgence in consumer engagement should energy prices stabilize—a crucial consideration for retailers in the upcoming quarter.Takeaways:The recent downturn in consumer confidence highlights the critical relationship between economic conditions and furniture purchasing decisions, particularly in a deferable purchase market.The Furniture Today Top 100 report reveals a significant shift where over half the retailers experienced sales growth, indicating a potential recovery in a previously beleaguered industry.Noteworthy acquisitions, such as Tempur Sealy's merger with Mattress Firm, exemplify a trend towards consolidation that could reshape market dynamics and competitive landscapes.Emerging consumer trends suggest a preference for warm earth tones and tactile textures, compelling retailers to adapt their merchandising strategies to align with evolving aesthetic preferences.The rise of digital-first brands transitioning to brick-and-mortar stores signifies a pivotal moment in retail, necessitating traditional retailers to enhance their service offerings and customer experiences.The overarching theme throughout the episode emphasizes that companies must strategically position themselves for future growth rather than merely survive the current economic challenges.

In this episode of C-Suite Perspectives, Marion Devine, principal researcher at The Conference Board's European Human Capital Center, speaks with James Williams, head of global total rewards at Ericsson, about the realities of preparing for the EU Pay Transparency Directive and what it means for organizations across Europe. They discuss the opportunities and challenges of greater pay transparency, how organizations are balancing compliance with culture change, and why manager readiness will be critical to success. The conversation also explores fairness, employee trust, pay equity, and the practical complexities of implementing transparency across multiple countries and evolving local regulations. More from The Conference Board: ·         The Reimagined Workplace 2026 ·         Reimagine 2025: Human Capital Leadership in an Era of Disruption ·         Where to Hire: Europe 2026 ·         Europe's Pay Transparency Law: Companies Scramble to the Finish Line

A torn Meniscus – that is what they say… now what? The beginning of UBI as a response from the AI boom? Black in packaging – byproduct of war Markets – – Up up and away! – New inflation data is in… – The Circular Economy – Great chart…. – Some inflation facts PLUS we are now on Spotify and Amazon Music/Podcasts! Click HERE for Show Notes and Links DHUnplugged is now streaming live - with listener chat. Click on link on the right sidebar. Love the Show? Then how about a Donation? Follow John C. Dvorak on Twitter Follow Andrew Horowitz on Twitter Warm-Up - Torn Meniscus - that is what they say... now what? - The beginning of UBI as a response from the AI boom? - Black in packaging - byproduct of war - Insights into consumer confidence reports Markets - Up up and away! - New inflation data is in... - The Circular Economy - Great chart.... - Some inflation facts - From the TACO trade to the NACHO trade The new CTP for Salesforce is open for entries! From TACO to NACHO - Not A Chance Hormuz Opens - - New phrase being used in the oil pits and trading floors Life Support - President Trump tells reporters that ceasefire with Iran is on "massive life support"; says Iran's peace proposal was a "piece of garbage" Going to CHYNA - President Donald Trump has invited executives from some of the biggest U.S. companies — including Tesla CEO Elon Musk, Apple CEO Tim Cook, BlackRock's CEO Larry Fink and Boeing CEO Kelly Ortberg — to join his trip to China this week, according to a White House official. - Also expected to join Trump's delegation for meetings with Chinese President Xi Jinping are Blackstone's Stephen Schwarzman, Cargill's Brian Sikes, Citigroup's Jane Fraser, Coherent's Jim Anderson, GE Aerospace's H. Lawrence Culp Jr., Goldman Sachs's David Solomon, Illumina's Jacob Thaysen, Mastercard's Michael Miebach, Meta Platforms executive Dina Powell McCormick, Micron Technology's Sanjay Mehrotra, Qualcomm's Cristiano Amon and Visa's Ryan McInerney, the official said, speaking on condition of anonymity because the list has not been announced. - Jensen Huang supposedly not invited Inflation Report Today - Total CPI increased 0.6% month-over-month in April, as expected, following a 0.9% increase in March. That left total CPI up 3.8% year-over-year versus 3.3% in March. - Core CPI, which excludes food and energy, jumped 0.4% month-over-month (Briefing.com consensus: 0.4%) following a 0.2% increase in March. That left core - CPI up 2.8% year-over-year versus 2.6% in March. ----Key Factors - The food index was up 0.5% month-over-month and up 3.2% year-over-year. - The energy index was up 3.8% month-over-month and up 17.9% year-over-year. - The shelter index was up 0.6% month-over-month and up 3.3% year-over-year. - The used cars and trucks index was flat month-over-month and down 2.7% year-over-year. - The apparel index was up 0.6% month-over-month and up 4.2% year-over-year. - The services index was up 0.6% month-over-month and up 3.4% year-over-year (services less rent of shelter was up 3.5% year-over-year). - The all items index less food, shelter, and energy was up 0.2% month-over-month and up 2.3% year-over-year. Consumer Confidence - Surging gas prices due to the Iran war sent consumer sentiment to a new low in the early part of May, according to a University of Michigan survey Friday. “Taken together, consumers continue to feel buffeted by cost pressures, led by soaring prices at the pump,” the survey's director, Joanne Hsu, said. - The latest University of Michigan Consumer Sentiment preliminary reading for May came in at 48.2, below the 50.5 consensus estimate and below the prior 49.8 final reading for April. ---Note: Conference board's consumer confidence reading was actually better than last month so there is a discrepancy in reports. - Conference Board measure as highly important because it is widely followed and often tied closely to labor-market perceptions, while the Michigan survey is also closely watched for inflation-sensitive consumer attitudes. Thwarted! - Google's Threat Intelligence Group said hackers are using AI models such as OpenClaw to uncover and exploit zero-day software vulnerabilities. - GTIG said it has “high confidence” that it recorded hackers using an AI model to find and exploit a zero-day vulnerability, or a software flaw unknown to developers, creating a way to bypass two-factor authentication. -The group said in a report that it had uncovered and likely thwarted an AI-developed attack. - Anthropic delayed its Mythos model rollout due to cybersecurity concerns, but current models are being used by hackers. - How are we going to stop the hackers from using powerful AI models to hack? Circular Economy - Great Graphic Circular Always Money to be made... - US derivatives exchange CME Group Inc. and index provider Silicon Data are teaming up to create a futures market for computing power. - The futures will help traders, financial firms, AI builders and cloud providers manage volatility and price swings, according to a statement. - CME CEO Terry Duffy said compute is "the new oil of the 21st century" and creating a futures market can help make the costs more transparent. ----- One more way to pump this as now there is ways to further inflate costs through a leveraged futures market Private Credit Transparency? - Faster mark-to-market plans - Apollo Global Management Inc. has been stepping up efforts to provide liquidity and price transparency in the private-credit market, where assets don't typically change hands. - Last week, the firm said more than $830 billion of its credit assets will be priced daily by the end of September. " - Others in the industry are not so happy about this. - Most say that this is little more that lipstick on a pig No Problem - Congress is looking to suspend the federal gas tax for a few months - Trump backing - $0.18 per gallon tax in a effort to reduce gas prices that are now approx $4.40 average per gallon higher than before the war - War not changed, Iran still stringing us along. - Under/Over how long it will take until next Ceasefire bombings start? - Will a sprinkle of warfare prior to China visit be in the cards as a show of strength? AI Jobs - Kevin Hassett says that AI isn't costing anybody their jobs rights now - EVEN THOUGH TECH CONTINUES LAYOFFS - Why bother even listening to these guys? - Major deep discussion on this on TDI Podcast this week -- WORTH THE LISTEN Asian Markets - Continuing to brush off any worries about oil prices, escalation or valuations that are in the stratosphere - Korea - as we discussed this would be the case is up a staggering 78% last year and already up 81% this year - Market cap has increased $2.7 trillion over the past year - The massive wealth increase has been heavily concentrated. Tech giants Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix accounted for the vast majority of the gains, with individual rallies of up to 382% over the year. Strange - The retail trades added nearly 22,000 jobs in April, accounting for almost one-fifth of total job growth. - In March, retailers posted their largest number of monthly job openings since 2023. - Retailers are more confident after seeing consumers keep their wallets open in the face of an uncertain economy and higher gas prices. - Nearly 15.5 million employees now hold retail industry jobs, the most since July 2024. - What is strange is the UMich confidence hit another all-time low last Friday for the latest prelim reading for the month ANALlysts - The earnings upgrades for tech are not just incremental - Examples: -  Seagate Tech target raised to $1000 from $750 at Evercore ISI, cites HAMR-driven multi-year HDD growth, pricing power, and strong AI/data center demand backdrop - AMD - Goldman Sachs upgraded to Buy and raised its price target dramatically (e.g., to $450 from $240). Other firms like Bernstein (to $525), Barclays, KeyBanc, TD Cowen, and Baird also hiked targets significantly (many by $200+) - Several other names upgrades with big ranges of price increases UBI Starting...? - South Korea should consider institutional ways to redistribute potential excess tax revenue generated by the AI infrastructure boom to help ease inequalities that could deepen in an AI-driven era, a top presidential policy aide said. - President Kim proposed the principle, tentatively named a “national dividend,” underlining that gains from AI infrastructure should be understood as the product of South Korea's collectively built industrial foundation. - In his Facebook post on Monday, Kim explained that "the central question of the AI era is not simply about growth rates, but about how to socially stabilize excess profits." Black ink - Calbee to switch its brightly colored packaging to black and white because war has disrupted supply of certain raw materials used in ink - Calbee, whose potato chip brands in particular are known for brightly colored bag designs, said 14 of its products would switch to monochrome branding by the end of May. - Printing ink requires naphtha, an oil derivative for which Japan relies on imports from the Middle East for about 40% of its consumption. Black Ink Printing HantaVirus - Tristan da Cunha, home to only around 200 people, is halfway between South Africa and South America. It is the world's remotest inhabited island, more than 2,400 km and a six-day boat ride from St Helena, its nearest inhabited neighbor. - It usually relies on a medical team of two people for its health needs, and is normally only accessible by boat as it has no airstrip. - A British man was dropped from the death ship was there and has the symptoms - so "out of an abundance of caution...." - "The arrival of paratroopers, medical personnel and medical supplies from the sky has hopefully reassured the people of Tristan da Cunha," said Brigadier Ed Cartwright, Officer Commanding 16 Air Assault Brigade. - Does this give comfort that paratroopers dropping in with hazmat suits?     Love the Show? Then how about a Donation? Announcing the THE CLOSEST TO THE PIN for SALESFORCE (CRM)   Winners will be getting great stuff like the new "OFFICIAL" DHUnplugged Shirt!     FED AND CRYPTO LIMERICKS   See this week's stock picks HERE Follow John C. Dvorak on Twitter Follow Andrew Horowitz on Twitter

AI is a powerful accelerant for performance systems, but only when employees trust the system. Here's how Microsoft does it.     Artificial intelligence is helping enterprises improve their performance systems and incentives. How can companies capitalize on this opportunity while also instilling trust, governance, and clarity that motivates employees and improves their decision-making?     Join Diana Scott, Human Capital Center Leader at The Conference Board, and guest Nandini Ramaswamy, corporate vice president of seller incentives at Microsoft, to find out how Microsoft uses AI to improve performance-based decision-making, why trust is the crucial differentiator, and how to measure whether your AI strategy is working.     For more from The Conference Board:  Important Human Skills in the Age of AI  How Leaders Can Close the AI Readiness Gap  The Reimagined Workplace 2026 

In this episode of C-Suite Perspectives, Martin Wiese, leader of the European Governance & Sustainability Center at The Conference Board, speaks with Dr. Márcia Balisciano, chief sustainability officer and global head of corporate responsibility at RELX, about how companies can move from sustainability ambition to measurable impact. They discuss the shift from reporting to execution, how sustainability drives financial performance, and what it takes to embed sustainability into commercial strategy and innovation. More from The Conference Board: ·         What's Next for ESG Legislation in Europe? ·         Europe 2026: Competitiveness, Clean Industrial Policy, and Industrial Reform ·         EU Regulatory Outlook: The Way Ahead for 2026 ·         Corporate Governance in an Era of Sustained Disruption

How are companies translating their AI principles into practice?  In this episode of C-Suite Perspectives, Steve Odland, President and CEO of The Conference Board, speaks with Andrew Jones, PhD, Principal Researcher at The Conference Board Governance & Sustainability Center, about how companies are putting AI governance into practice.  They discuss how AI is rapidly moving into core business operations and what that means for risk management, accountability, and leadership. The conversation explores how organizations are shifting from high-level AI principles to formal governance structures; the rise of cross-functional oversight; and the growing role of boards in AI strategy. The discussion also covers emerging challenges, including regulatory complexity, cybersecurity threats, and workforce disruption.  More from The Conference Board:   From Principles to Practice: Governing AI in the Corporation  Top 5 Corporate Governance Priorities for 2026  Governing Through Uncertainty: US Boardroom Priorities for 2026  AI and Environmental Sustainability: Risks, Opportunities, and What Comes Next  AI Risk Disclosures in the S&P 500: Reputation, Cybersecurity, and Regulation 

These episodes of #thePOZcast, live from Transform 2026 in Las Vegas, are proudly brought to you by our friends at Overalls What if your employees had one central hub to handle real life? Meet Overalls. A smarter way to support your team, combining expert human LifeConcierges™ with AI to solve everyday challenges across healthcare, caregiving, benefits, insurance, finances, life admin, and more. From start to finish, Overalls handles the details — using existing benefits where they fit, and filling in the gaps where they don't. So employees save time, reduce stress, and stay focused at work, while employers boost engagement and get more value from their benefits. Overalls is redefining how work supports life, helping employee teams from Reddit, Patreon, BeatBox, and more cross pesky to-dos off their lists every day. Learn more at https://getoveralls.com/?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=pozcast Thanks for listening, and please follow us on Insta @NHPTalent and www.youtube.com/thePOZcast For all episodes, please check out www.thePOZcast.com TANYA E. MOORE As Chief People Officer, Tanya drives initiatives that empower West Monroe's employees and foster a high-performing, supportive culture. Tanya partners with leadership to develop the next generation of leaders, ensuring our people are fulfilled and our employee experience remains a key differentiator. Before joining West Monroe in 2023, Tanya was Chief People Officer at M.C. Dean and spent two decades with IBM, where she led award-winning programs that shaped the company's transformation. She holds an MBA in organizational development from the College of William and Mary. Outside of work, she serves on several advisory boards, including The Conference Board's CHRO Council, the William and Mary Consulting Board of Directors, and the She-Suite Board of Advisors. She is also a sought-after speaker on topics such as workforce transformation, the evolving role of HR, and leveraging AI to advance people and organizational transformation. Key Takeaways 1. Senior Candidates Should Run a Due Diligence Process, Not Just an Interview Tanya's 18-interview process wasn't excessive — it was intelligence gathering. She was evaluating CEO relationship dynamics, board influence, team readiness, and organizational appetite for change. Candidates at any level should approach interviews as a two-way assessment. 2. Know What You're Actually Looking For Before You Start As Tanya put it: smart, kind, humble people. Work she enjoys. Some fun. The clearer you are about your non-negotiables before you start a job search, the better your decision-making will be when offers come in. 3. Employee Ownership Changes the Employment Relationship With 74% of West Monroe employees holding equity in the company, the ownership mindset isn't a metaphor — it's structural. This is a genuine differentiator in total rewards and shapes how employees engage with the business and with clients. 4. Benefits Signal Culture, Not Just Compensation Tanya's view: the specific benefits matter less than what they reveal about a company's values. Organizations that invest in comprehensive, thoughtful benefits are signaling that they see employees as whole people — and that signal is what candidates are actually responding to. 5. COVID Permanently Raised the Floor on Benefits Expectations The pandemic gave people permission to stop and ask what actually matters. Flexibility, mental health support, and personalized benefits have moved from nice-to-have to expected — and companies that haven't caught up are losing candidates to those that have. 6. Open Roles Are a Hidden Employee Retention Risk Every unfilled position means someone else on the team is absorbing that work. The longer a role stays open, the more likely you are to lose another employee as a result. Time to fill is a culture and retention metric, not just a talent acquisition metric. 7. AI in Recruiting Should Eliminate Low-Value Steps, Not Human Connection West Monroe's approach to AI was surgical: identify every step in the recruiting process where technology could add value, and use it there — so recruiters can spend more time on the high- touch, high-judgment work that actually moves candidates. Automated scheduling and AI- assisted interview feedback are the easy wins. 8. Feedback Loops Are the Biggest Bottleneck in Consulting Firm Hiring Getting busy managers to interview isn't the hard part — it's getting their structured feedback afterward. Tools like BrightHire that record interviews (with consent) and auto-generate notes and scoring against the job description are solving a real, expensive problem. 9. Burnout Needs Programmatic Solutions, Not Just Resources Pointing employees to an EAP or mental health benefit isn't enough when burnout is systemic. West Monroe is exploring more customized, structured support for employees who are struggling — moving from reactive to proactive people care. 10. AI Is the Internet — Embrace It or Fall Behind Tanya's optimism about AI isn't naive — it's grounded in historical perspective. Just as nobody predicted what the internet would become, nobody fully knows where AI is going. Her advice: use it, test it, let it make you smarter. "F around and find out."   00:00 – Introduction Adam introduces Tanya Moore, CPO at West Monroe, and sets up a conversation about benefits, candidate experience, and the modern people function. 01:30 – Meet West Monroe & Tanya Tanya describes West Monroe's differentiators — quality, speed to value, client NPS — and traces her career from 20 years at IBM to her current CPO role. 04:00 – Being the Candidate: 18 Interviews Tanya shares what it was like to go through 18 interviews as a senior exec, why she didn't quit, and what she was actually evaluating along the way. 07:00 – What Senior Candidates Should Really Ask The questions Tanya asked that most candidates don't: CEO relationship dynamics, board influence and hands-on vs. hands-off style, team readiness, and what really happens when things go wrong. 10:00 – Modernizing People Ops at West Monroe, walking into an org with no succession planning and no workforce planning, and the systematic approach Tanya took to rebuild people functions from the ground up. 13:00 – Redesigning the Candidate Experience How West Monroe overhauled its recruiting workflows after adopting Greenhouse, dramatically improving time to hire, reducing cost, and elevating both candidate and manager experience. 16:00 – Time to Fill as an Employee Retention Metric Why open roles aren't just a talent problem — they're a burnout and satisfaction risk for the employees left picking up the slack. 18:30 – Employee Ownership as a Total Rewards Differentiator How West Monroe's half employee-owned model and 74% equity participation rate changes how people show up — and how it's positioned as a benefit in the recruiting process. 21:00 – Benefits Beyond the Basics From childcare and dog walking to expanded mental health support, Tanya breaks down what West Monroe offers and why COVID permanently shifted candidate expectations around benefits. 24:00 – Flex Benefits & the Future of Personalization Tanya's vision for benefits that let employees choose what matters to them — gym memberships, yoga, wellness stipends — rather than a one-size-fits-all package. 26:30 – Tackling Burnout Proactively West Monroe's evolving approach to burnout: moving beyond standard mental health appointments toward more customized, programmatic support for employees who need it most. 29:00 – AI in Recruiting: Where It's Actually Working From automated interview scheduling to BrightHire's AI-powered feedback tools, Tanya walks through specific efficiency gains that are giving recruiters more time for high-value human work. 32:00 – Getting Feedback from Busy Hiring Managers The real bottleneck in consulting firm recruiting isn't getting managers to show up — it's getting their feedback afterward. How BrightHire is solving that. 34:30 – An Optimist's Take on AI & the Future of Work Tanya closes with her big-picture view on AI — likening it to the early internet — and her direct advice to anyone still on the fence: "F around and find out."

The Conference Board's April 28 release showed that adults under 35 are the only group with rising confidence. If you're looking for some optimism for multifamily, this provides a promising outlook for the sector's vital demographic, even as they balance challenges in the labor market and an uptick in inflation. However, this optimism faces a "white-collar cooling" in the job market driven by AI according to a recent article by The Wall Street Journal. While Q1 private-sector layoffs fell 1% overall, tech-specific cuts surged 40% in Q1 2026 as firms pivoted toward automation. The following details are for all role types, not just tech. Layoffs by the Numbers: AI Restructuring: Meta (8,000 roles) and Snap (16% of staff) are cutting jobs specifically to fund AI infrastructure.High-Earner Impact: Significant April cuts at Nike, Morgan Stanley, and Disney (5,675 combined) target roles spanning technology, marketing, management, and operations. Largest Cuts: The sheer volume of cuts from giants like Oracle (projected 30,000) and UPS (30,000) signals a deep "right-sizing" of corporate operations nationwide. While resilient sentiment among younger renters supports steady renewal rates, the concentration of massive AI-driven layoffs in tech and corporate sectors creates a significant headwind for new-lease absorption. It also casts doubt on a strong surge in the labor market in time to benefit this leasing season for multifamily. Explore our webpage for more insights and resources:https://bit.ly/Radix_Website

Kevin covers and discusses the following stories: recently, the University of Michigan released their final consumer sentiment reading for April; The Conference Board released their Consumer Confidence Index; the American Trucking Associations released their March For-Hire Truck Tonnage Index; the Cass Freight Index and the Logistics Managers' Index were also released; PepsiCo's report their 1st Quarter results; Kevin has the details, digs into the data, puts the information into historical perspective, offers his insights and a few opinions along the way. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Kevin covers and discusses the following stories: recently, the University of Michigan released their final consumer sentiment reading for April; The Conference Board released their Consumer Confidence Index; the American Trucking Associations released their March For-Hire Truck Tonnage Index; the Cass Freight Index and the Logistics Managers' Index were also released; PepsiCo's report their 1st Quarter results; Kevin has the details, digs into the data, puts the information into historical perspective, offers his insights and a few opinions along the way.

Kevin covers and discusses the following stories: recently, the University of Michigan released their final consumer sentiment reading for April; The Conference Board released their Consumer Confidence Index; the American Trucking Associations released their March For-Hire Truck Tonnage Index; the Cass Freight Index and the Logistics Managers' Index were also released; PepsiCo's report their 1st Quarter results; Kevin has the details, digs into the data, puts the information into historical perspective, offers his insights and a few opinions along the way. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of C-Suite Perspectives, Steve Odland, President and CEO of The Conference Board, speaks with Gillian Riley, President of The Conference Board of Canada*, about what business leaders need to know when operating in and with Canada.  They discuss how CEOs are navigating heightened volatility, evolving US-Canada trade tensions, and a shifting economic landscape. The conversation explores Canada's resilience; the need for trade diversification; and the country's opportunities in energy, AI, and global finance. They also examine talent challenges, productivity gaps, and how leaders can build organizational resilience in an increasingly uncertain environment.  More from The Conference Board:   The Conference Board of Canada  Global Economic Outlook  *The Conference Board of Canada and Signal49 Research are separate, unaffiliated entities.

In this episode of C-Suite Perspectives, Diana Scott, leader of the Human Capital Center at The Conference Board, is joined by Robin Erickson, head of human capital research, and Matt Maloof, human capital researcher, to discuss insights from The Reimagined Workplace 2026: Adopting AI Today, Poised for Tomorrow.    They explore how organizations are assessing and accelerating AI maturity, why most remain in early stages of adoption, and what it takes to build AI fluency across the workforce. The conversation also examines the evolving balance between hybrid and onsite work; the growing importance of flexibility in total rewards; and how leaders can address talent, retention, and well-being challenges while reimagining the workplace.    More from The Conference Board:   The Reimagined Workplace 2026: Adopting AI Today, Poised for Tomorrow  CHROs Navigating Uncertainty to Drive Growth  Enhancing Employee Engagement: 5 Often-Forgotten Fundamentals  Off-Site, Out of Mind? Overcoming the Downsides of Hybrid Work 

Steve Odland, CEO of the Conference Board, warns that stagflation risks are rising as geopolitical tensions and high borrowing costs weigh on growth. He explains why GDP may slow toward 1%, consumer confidence remains strained, and corporations are prioritizing cost control over expansion. Odland also discusses how A.I. investment and frozen capital spending are reshaping executive decision‑making amid stalled global trade.======== Schwab Network ========Empowering every investor and trader, every market day.Options involve risks and are not suitable for all investors. Before trading, read the Options Disclosure Document. http://bit.ly/2v9tH6DSubscribe to the Market Minute newsletter - https://schwabnetwork.com/subscribeDownload the iOS app - https://apps.apple.com/us/app/schwab-network/id1460719185Download the Amazon Fire Tv App - https://www.amazon.com/TD-Ameritrade-Network/dp/B07KRD76C7Watch on Sling - https://watch.sling.com/1/asset/191928615bd8d47686f94682aefaa007/watchWatch on Vizio - https://www.vizio.com/en/watchfreeplus-exploreWatch on DistroTV - https://www.distro.tv/live/schwab-network/Follow us on X – https://twitter.com/schwabnetworkFollow us on Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/schwabnetworkFollow us on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/schwab-network/About Schwab Network - https://schwabnetwork.com/about

What if water -- not energy or labor -- becomes your biggest business constraint?    In this episode of C-Suite Perspectives, Steve Odland, president and CEO of The Conference Board, sits down with Alex Heil, senior economist at The Conference Board, to examine the rising business risks tied to water scarcity.    They discuss how limited freshwater supply, aging infrastructure, and inefficient use are creating new pressures on industries, and why leaders need to factor water risk into strategy and operations.    More from The Conference Board:   A Global Water Crisis—Mitigation and Adaption in a World of Water Shortages  Till the Well Runs Dry: How Companies Can Shore Up Against Global Water Scarcity  Running Dry: The US Southwest Water Crisis  At the Climate Crossroads: US Corporate Commitments 10 Years After Paris Accord  Rising Stakes: Climate Impacts Worsen as World Set to Miss Paris Agreement Goals 

In this episode of C-Suite Perspectives, Sara Murray, managing director, international at The Conference Board, speaks with Robin Maillard, researcher in the Human Capital Center at The Conference Board, Europe, about where multinationals should hire in today's shifting European labor market. They explore how the Where to Hire Index helps leaders balance skills, cost, productivity, and long-term competitiveness when making strategic workforce decisions. More from The Conference Board: ·         Where to Hire: Europe 2026 ·         Reimagine 2025: Human Capital Leadership in an Era of Disruption ·         Five EU Directives CHROs Must Prepare for in 2025 ·         Navigating Europe's Tight Labor Market ·         Steady Hands in Stormy Seas: Human Capital as the Anchor of Business Resilience

Send us Fan MailEpisode Summary: In this episode of the PIO podcast, Shel Holtz discusses the evolving landscape of organizational communication, emphasizing the importance of storytelling, measurable outcomes, and the integration of emerging technologies like AI. He highlights the unique challenges faced by government communicators, the necessity of crisis preparedness, and the role of internal communications in shaping organizational culture. Holtz also addresses the balance between automation and authenticity, the significance of building trust, and the strategic value of communication in achieving organizational goals.Shel's BIO: BIO:Shel Holtz is senior director of communications at Webcor, a commercial builder in California. He brings nearly 50 years of experience to the job in employee communications, corporate public relations, crisis communications, media relations, financial communications, investor relations, marketing communications, and compensation and benefits communications. Since the mid-1980s, Shel has been focused on the role that emerging digital technologies will play in organizational communication. He has been a thought leader on the application of email, the internet, the web, visual media, social media, chatbots, and other technologies to the practice of communication. Today, he is applying his critical eye to the use of Artificial Intelligence in communication. Before joining Webcor in 2017, he had consulted independently for more than 20 years as principal of Holtz Communication & Technology, working with organizations worldwide to employ technology in their communications. Earlier in his career, Shel was director of corporate communications for Allergan and Mattel, assignments that focused on internal communications, and he also spent time at two global human resources consulting firms in their internal communications practices. His first job in the field of organizational communication was with the energy company ARCO in Los Angeles, where he served as an internal communications representative. He has written six communication-themed books, including the internal communication primer, Corporate Conversations, and is co-host of the first and longest-running communication-focused podcast, “For Immediate Release,” which debuted in early January 2005. Shel has been a regular global speaker on topics related to internal communication and the application of online technology to strategic communication. He is a Fellow of the International Association of Business Communicators (IABC), a Senior Fellow of the Conference Board's Marketing and Communication Center, and a Founding Research Fellow at the Team Flow Institute. He is a certified Strategic Communication Management Professional and an Accredited Business Communicator. He is currently a member of the Global Communication Certification Council and is set to become Vice Chair with automatic succession to Chair. Shel served six years on IABC's international executive board and is a five-time winner of IABC's Gold Quill award. Support the showOur premiere sponsor, Social News Desk, has an exclusive offer for PIO Podcast listeners. Head over to socialnewsdesk.com/pio to get three months free when a qualifying agency signs up.

In this episode of C-Suite Perspectives, Steve Odland, president and CEO of The Conference Board, sits down with Jennifer Eggers, founder and president of LeaderShift Insights, to explore what it truly takes to succeed at the highest levels of leadership.    They discuss why transitioning to the C-Suite is more challenging than many expect, the mindset shifts required to lead at an enterprise level, and the most common mistakes new executives make. Jennifer shares practical insights on stakeholder management, building influence, and preparing for the complexities of senior leadership.    More from The Conference Board:   What Drives CEO Succession—And Are Boards Ready?  CEO Succession Practices in the Russell 3000 and S&P 500: 2025 Edition  The Conference Board Measure of CEO Confidence  From Talent Democratization to Differentiation: The CHRO's Next Balancing Act 

Kevin covers the following stories: the U.S. Conference Board released the Consumer Confidence Index; while at the Mid-America Trucking Show, Karin Haumann, Shell's OEM Technical Manager and chairperson of the API team developing the next generation of heavy-duty diesel engine oil standards, stopped by to talk about the rollout set for Jan. 2027; oil and gas prices continue to react to the war in Iran, The Strait of Hormuz threats and mixed diplomatic signals; Kevin has the details, digs through the data, puts the information into historical perspective, offers his insights and opinions.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This encore presentation revisits our conversation with Natasha Miller Williams, a speaker and writer who brings data and insight together to advance the conversation about inclusion in the workplace. Together we explore a powerful idea: one person can challenge an established system.We talk about why systems inside organizations often continue long after they stop serving people well, and how leaders at every level can begin shifting them. Natasha introduces the S.E.E.R. approach: See, Expect, Express, Repeat. It offers a practical way to recognize unfair or unbalanced systems, speak up with clarity, and stay committed to change even when resistance appears.We also discuss the responsibility leaders have to create environments where people feel safe sharing perspectives that may be unpopular or overlooked. When leaders listen with empathy and act on what they hear, they strengthen trust and open the door for better decisions.This conversation reminds us that meaningful change often begins with one voice choosing to speak.Key HighlightsOne Voice Can Start Change – We explore how any leader, regardless of title, can challenge systems by speaking up and sharing a perspective that may not yet be represented in the room.Awareness Comes First – We learn why noticing whose voices are heard and whose are missing is the first step toward creating more balanced and inclusive systems.Clarity Drives Better Outcomes – We discuss the importance of knowing the outcome we expect when challenging a system so conversations stay focused on meaningful change.Communication Shapes Influence – We look at how understanding what others value helps us express ideas in ways that increase the chances they will be heard and acted on.Persistence Creates Momentum – We reflect on why challenging systems requires patience, support from others, and the courage to keep going when change takes time.About the Guest:Natasha Miller Williams is a speaker and a writer who brings data and insights together to advance the conversation on inclusion in the workplace. Her career has spanned many aspects of business, but what matters most to Natasha is finding ways to improve how we all relate to each other and the opportunities we can create for everyone.Natasha shares her perspective and research on belonging, self-expression, and organizational resilience at keynotes, panels and workshops. She's been a guest speaker for The Conference Board, Society for Human Resource Management, DiversityInc, DiversityMBA, Human Capital Institute, and many talent, inclusion and performance conferences.She is recognized as one of Crain's Notable DE&I Executives, DiversityMBA Magazine's Top 100 Executive Leaders and Top 100 Women of Influence. Natasha has been featured in several career and lifestyle magazines including Black Enterprise and SharpHeels. She sits on the editorial board for Training Industry Magazine and on the board of directors for the Village of Oak Lawn's Chamber of Commerce.About the Host:Amy L. Riley is an internationally renowned speaker, author and consultant. She has over 2 decades of experience developing leaders at all levels. Her clients include Cisco Systems, Deloitte and Barclays.As a trusted leadership coach and consultant, Amy has worked with hundreds of leaders one-on-one, and thousands more as part of a group, to fully step into their leadership, create amazing teams and achieve extraordinary results.Amy's most popular keynote speeches are:The Courage of a Leader: The Power of a Leadership LegacyThe Courage of a Leader: Create a Competitive Advantage with Sustainable, Results-Producing Cross-System CollaborationThe Courage of a Leader: Accelerate Trust with Your Team, Customers and CommunityThe Courage of a Leader: How to Build a Happy and Successful Hybrid TeamHer new book is a #1 international best-seller and is entitled, The Courage of a Leader: How to Inspire, Engage and Get Extraordinary Results.www.courageofaleader.comhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/amyshoopriley/Link mentioned in the podcastThe Inspire Your Team assessment (the courage assessment): https://courageofaleader.com/inspireyourteam/ Thanks for listening!Thanks so much for listening to The Courage of a Leader podcast! If you got inspired and/or got valuable leadership techniques you can use from this episode and think that others could benefit from listening, please share using the social media buttons on this page.Do you have questions or feedback about this episode? Leave a comment in the section below!Subscribe to the podcastIf you would like to get automatic updates of new The Courage of a Leader podcast episodes, you can subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts. You can also subscribe in your favorite podcast app.Leave us an Apple Podcasts reviewRatings and reviews from our listeners are extremely valuable to us and greatly appreciated. They help our podcast rank higher on Apple Podcasts, which helps us ignite The Courage of a Leader in more leaders! Please take a minute and leave an honest review on Apple Podcasts.Mentioned in this episode:The Inspire Your Team to Greatness Assessment (The Courage Assessment)https://courageofaleader.com/inspireyourteam/