Podcasts about The Conference Board

A super El Niño is forecast to bring more than extreme weather—it could reshape the global economy. From supply chains and insurance markets to commodity prices and infrastructure, how should business leaders prepare before disruption strikes? In this episode of C-Suite Perspectives, Steve Odland is joined by Dr. Alex Heil, Senior Economist at The Conference Board, to examine the economic implications of a powerful El Niño event. Together, they discuss which industries face the greatest exposure, how climate volatility can affect enterprise risk and financial performance, and what practical steps organizations can take to strengthen resilience through scenario planning and strategic decision-making. More from The Conference Board: ·         El Niño's Global Reach: The Business Impact of Extreme Weather ·         The Global Water Crisis—Mitigation and Adaption in a World of Water Shortages ·         The Heat Is On! How Extreme Heat Is Reshaping Business Risk ·         At the Climate Crossroads: US Corporate Commitments 10 Years After Paris Accord

The big things you need to know:First, valuation opportunity is opening up in the US equity market from a variety of perspectives.Second, in the aftermath of Wednesday's Fed meeting, we highlight how the stock market tends to experience choppy performance in the first few months under a new Fed Chair.Third, other things that jump out in our updates this week include the return of high EPS quality outperformance as a factor in both the S&P 500 and Russell 2000, the modest uptick in stock market optimism in the Conference Board consumer survey that was out this week, and what we're watching on the midterms (which we continue to see as a risk factor in the months ahead).Fourth, we've gone through our monthly refresh of the models that feed into our 12-month S&P 500 price target and are sticking with our 8,150 forecast, though we continue to believe that the path for stocks will not be a linear one.

The predominant theme of this podcast episode revolves around the stark observation that growth within the furniture industry is increasingly derived from operational efficiencies rather than an influx of customers. Throughout our discussion, we meticulously examine the earnings reports of prominent companies, noting that many have managed to enhance their profit margins despite a decline in sales volume. For instance, Ethan Allen, a notable player in the market, experienced a reduction in net sales yet simultaneously improved its gross margin, demonstrating a strategic focus on operational excellence and customer service rather than reliance on volume sales. Furthermore, we delineate the broader market trends, including a shift in consumer purchasing behavior towards home remodeling rather than new home construction, indicating a recalibration of marketing and product strategies for furniture retailers. As we navigate these complexities, we emphasize the critical importance of structural adjustments and strategic foresight in fostering resilience within a challenging economic landscape. The current landscape of the furniture industry reveals a profound divergence in growth strategies among companies, as evidenced by the recent earnings reports. A salient observation is that a majority of industry players did not achieve revenue growth through increased sales volume; rather, growth appears to be predicated on operational efficiencies and margin improvements. For instance, Ethan Allen, despite witnessing a decline in net sales by approximately 5.7% to just under $580 million, successfully enhanced its gross margin to 61.2%. This achievement can be attributed to a strategic focus on manufacturing capabilities, as the company produces approximately 75% of its custom furniture in North American facilities, coupled with an emphasis on complementary interior design services over aggressive pricing strategies. Such operational discipline not only mitigates the adverse effects of declining sales but also showcases a robust business model that prioritizes quality and service over mere volume. In contrast, HNI's recent earnings, which reported a staggering 121% increase in net sales primarily due to the acquisition of Steelcase, presents a more complex narrative. While the headline figure is impressive, organic growth was virtually stagnant at a mere 0.1%. The subtleties of the earnings release reveal that while acquisitions can provide substantial short-term boosts, they do not necessarily correlate with underlying business vitality. The residential building products segment, for example, experienced a decline in sales yet saw a significant increase in operating margins, indicating that industry dynamics are shifting towards remodeling and retrofit work rather than new home construction. This pivot reflects broader economic trends and consumer behaviors that favor upgrades to existing homes, further complicating traditional metrics of success in the furniture sector. Moreover, the nuances of consumer sentiment are captured in the recent consumer surveys, which indicate a duality in purchasing intentions amidst economic uncertainty. Notably, despite a decline in the Conference Board's consumer confidence index, furniture remains one of the most desired durable goods for upcoming purchases. This paradox illustrates that while consumers may express hesitancy regarding the overall economic climate, their intent to acquire furnishings persists, underscoring the complexities that businesses must navigate in their strategic planning. As we analyze these trends, it becomes evident that companies that have proactively addressed structural challenges and operational efficiencies are the ones poised for success, while those reliant on traditional sales growth strategies may face significant headwinds in the evolving marketplace.Takeaways:In the current landscape of the furniture industry, growth is not principally derived from increased customer footfall, but rather from the structural capabilities and operational efficiencies of companies.Ethan Allen's financial performance illustrates that even amidst declining sales, a company can enhance its profit margins by focusing on operational discipline and maintaining a robust production infrastructure.The fluctuating dynamics between remodeling and new home construction expenditures indicate that furniture retailers must recalibrate their marketing strategies towards existing homeowners rather than solely targeting new buyers.Recent consumer sentiment studies reveal a paradox wherein, despite prevailing economic pessimism, furniture remains a highly desired purchase, suggesting an intriguing dichotomy in consumer behavior and economic outlook.The implications of trade dynamics, particularly with Canada, underscore that tariffs do not merely affect pricing but also fundamentally alter demand patterns for domestic manufacturers within the furniture sector.As companies navigate the complexities of execution, it is critical to address backend integration issues, as inefficiencies in data movement can severely hinder operational effectiveness and customer satisfaction.

A.M. Edition for July 29. Oil prices rise after Iran launches a surprise missile attack on U.S. forces. Plus, Europe's luxury brands try to move past years of sluggish demand. And as Meta spends big on its AI transformation—technology CEO Mark Zuckerberg says the U.S. should help to accelerate—Journal reporter Meghan Bobrowsky says a host of lawsuits could cost it billions. Luke Vargas hosts. Sign up for the WSJ's free What's News newsletter. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Kevin covers and discusses the following stories: some brief thoughts on the revelations from Dr. Anthony Fauci's diary; S&P Global U.S. Flash Purchasing Managers' Index, covering the Manufacturing Sector; the U.S. Commerce Department reported June Durable-Goods Orders; the Conference Board's July Consumer Confidence Index was released; oil reacts to Oman's proposal regarding the Strait of Hormuz, oil tanker vessel Bab el-Mandeb traffic, Saudi Aramco's production announcement and possible peace talks between Ukraine and Russia; gas prices follow the direction of oil prices; Kevin has the details, digs into the information, puts the information into historical perspective, offers his insights and opinions.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Kevin covers and discusses the following stories: some brief thoughts on the revelations from Dr. Anthony Fauci's diary; S&P Global U.S. Flash Purchasing Managers' Index, covering the Manufacturing Sector; the U.S. Commerce Department reported June Durable-Goods Orders; the Conference Board's July Consumer Confidence Index was released; oil reacts to Oman's proposal regarding the Strait of Hormuz, oil tanker vessel Bab el-Mandeb traffic, Saudi Aramco's production announcement and possible peace talks between Ukraine and Russia; gas prices follow the direction of oil prices; Kevin has the details, digs into the information, puts the information into historical perspective, offers his insights and opinions.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

US consumer spending has been remarkedly resilient. But will consumers' patience run out?     It's one of the questions on the minds of economists, including Allen Li, Associate Economist at The Conference Board. In this episode of C-Suite Perspectives, Erik Lundh, Global Senior Economist, The Conference Board talks with Allen about the US Consumer Confidence Index.    They begin by examining the latest US Consumer Confidence Survey, discussing why confidence declined in July, 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 the global economic forecast. Erik explains the reasoning behind the improved global outlook and the shift from consumption-led growth toward investment-led growth in the US.    For more from The Conference Board:  US Consumer Confidence  Forecast for the US Economy  Global Economic Outlook 

Shutterstock Track 1219389 Monetization ID TFGEPGEI0LHEIJAI 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 China's clear need for less oil has pushed its price sharply lower even as both the Gulf of Hormuz and the Red Sea remain effectively shut. As other sources raise their output, global demand is being undermined, essentially by this Chinese transition. But first up today, we should note the overnight dairy Pulse auction. Prices achieved were a bit more than -1% lower than the prior week's full auction in USD, but a bit less than that in NZD. In the US, the ADP weekly private payrolls monitoring recorded another easing, only +15,000 and extending the easing trend that has been in place since early May. The US merchandise trade deficit came in more than -US$100 bln in June, a second straight month of an unusually high negative level. Year-on-year, exports were up, but imports rose faster. Meanwhile both their retail (+3.1%) and wholesale inventories (+4.1%) rose in June, reflecting the stockpiling trend that has been in place for a while now. The expected improvement in the Richmond Fed factory survey didn't eventuate in July from June, but it remains modestly positive. New order flows edged lower while price and cost levels remained elevated. But there was a solid improvement in the Dallas Fed services sector recorded in their July survey. Nationally, the Conference Board's consumer sentiment survey in the US took a step lower in July. This extends its falling trajectory that started in early 2025. The auction for the US Treasury 7yr Note was well supported earlier today but again, investors are getting higher yields for the elevated risk they perceive. This latest one delivered a median yield of 4.41% (high of 4.47%) compared to 4.20% at the prior equivalent event a month ago. In Japan, a major 7.1 earthquake in the south has caused widespread damage and deaths. And Japan's parliament has approved a plan to create a "second capital" capable of keeping the country running if disaster strikes Tokyo. It is likely to be in Osaka. Malaysia said producer prices there were +9.2% higher in June than a year ago. This was an unexpected jump from the anticipated +7.7% which was similar to the May rise. Staying in the region, Singapore reported its birth rate for 2025 and for the first time since its independence, it has fallen below +30,000 in a year. It, like many places, is on a steep trajectory of lower fertility. Industrial production in India rose +7.3% in June from a year ago, more than expected and the sharpest pace of expansion in nearly two years. It seems to be bouncing back from the initial shocks from the Middle East conflict. Later today, we will be getting the June CPI result from Australia and a no-change 4.0% rate is anticipated. But yesterday Governor Michelle Bullock was out speaking and affirming that they are worried that these high levels are embedding, so their 1-3% target range is not likely in the medium term. Some are wondering if this was a signal that an unexpected hike is about to be delivered next week. The UST 10yr yield is now just on 4.60%, down -5 bps from this time yesterday. The price of gold has fallen to US$4030/oz, down -US$48 from yesterday. Silver is now just over US$57/oz, down -US$1.50 from yesterday. Oil prices have fallen another -US$3.50 from yesterday at now just over US$79/bbl in the US, while the international Brent price is now just over US$84.50/bbl and down -US$5. Hormuz transits are still basically halted. There have been no crude tankers and only 3 cargo ship exiting over the past 24 hours (1 dark with transponders off) and three entering for new loads (1 dark). The Red Sea is even less active than the prior day. The Kiwi dollar is up +20 bps from yesterday at just under 57.9 USc. Against the Aussie we are up +40 bps at 83 AUc. Against the euro we are holding at just on 50.8 euro cents. That all means our TWI-5 starts today at 61.8 which is up +20 bps from this time yesterday. The bitcoin price starts today at US$63,568 and down -2.1% from this time yesterday. Volatility over the past 24 hours has been modest at just on +/-1.7%. 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

Shutterstock Track 1219389 Monetization ID TFGEPGEI0LHEIJAI Kia ora. Welcome to Monday'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 that after more bellicose threats, Trump has backed off hitting Iran as he had signaled, another TACO twist. The region isn't quiet, but the threatened escalation by the US hasn't happened, not yet anyway. The oil price hasn't really eased back yet on this lull and is holding most of last week run-up towards US$100/bbl again. Trumps policy twerking has everyone unnerved. Away from that and looking ahead locally, this week will feature the big data dump of the June quarter RBNZ series. We will especially be watching household deposit growth, which stalled in May. In Australia, it will be all about Wednesday's CPI release (expect a small rise to 4.1%) and Friday's PPI (expect a rise to 3.5%). In the US, the spotlight will be on the Thursday Fed meeting. Analysts expect no-change at 3.75% even though CPI inflation was at 3.5% for June and rising, remaining well above the Fed's 2% target. Even their PCE inflation was running at 4.1% for May. We will get their June update on Friday. In the meantime, financial markets are pricing in more of a chance of a hike - if not at this meeting then two by the end of the year. There will be a lot of other US data out this week, including a Q2 GDP update, and the Conference Board's sentiment survey. The week will also feature some Big Tech profit results. In Japan, all eyes will be on Friday's central bank decision, especially on how they intend to respond to their currency problems. Not no change from their 1% rate is anticipated. In China, it will be all about a big set-piece Communist Party meeting. There will be a lot of interest to see if big new stimulus is announced there. Their PMI's may signal how urgent that is. Over the weekend in Japan, CPI inflation stayed low in June even if it did rose to a six month high. It came in at 1.7% in June from 1.5% in May, its highest since December. The pickup was largely driven by a slower decline in electricity and fuel prices as government energy subsidies were scaled back. Japan's private sector expanded to a five-month high in July via a sharp rise in manufacturing production and an improvement in their factory PMI which was driven mainly by the sharpest increase in manufacturing orders for five years. The July PMIs for India came in notably lower than for June as private sector growth receded and inflation pressure, especially for fuel, intensified. This is putting them in a tough spot with spreading social unrest. Their factory PMI dipped only marginally but their services PMI registered a notable easing. In the US the first of the July PMIs shows that business activity growth rose modestly but to an eight-month high in July although that isn't an especially high benchmark. However selling prices rose sharply and at their fastest rate for nearly four years. Input cost inflation was at a 14 month high. Their factory sector expansion was little-changed however from June with new orders little-changed. It was their services sector that expanded more, albeit modestly US new home sales were little-changed in June but maintained the modest level they have had all year. That makes then -5.6% lower than year-ago levels. Canadian producer price growth fell back slightly in June from May but are still +12.4% higher than year-ago levels. Raw material input costs by manufacturers were up more than +20% from a year go. Meanwhile, the Russian central bank trimmed -25 bps from its key policy rate, taking it to 14.0%. A year ago, this rate was 21%. They have CPI inflation officially at 6.0%, although this seems an unlikely level. In the EU, eurozone business activity has risen for first time in four months in July amid renewed expansion of new orders. Their factory PMI inched up, and their services PMI inched up too. But to be fair, these higher levels are not significant and the expansion is minor compared to other global regions. But at least it isn't a contraction. The German versions of these PMIs was generally better than the overall set. German consumer sentiment didn't budge however. In Europe, their ugly heat and worrying fire season isn't easing. In fact a new wave of extreme heat is forecast over the next few weeks. It is part of an accelerating trend that will likely extinguish European glaciers far faster than anticipated just ten years ago. Australia also got better new factory order levels in July, the first increase in new business in five months. Improved demand conditions underpinned a stronger expansion in output, led to upgraded recruitment activity and enabled greater protection of profit margins. This data confirms the good labour market data released yesterday. But overall Australian growth is likely to remain sluggish. Sydney, Melbourne and Canberra house prices actually fell in the June quarter, an unusual but necessary shift to make their housing more affordable. It takes serious political bravery to turn a frothy market where gains just fell from the sky. Bitumen prices are surging again on the closed Hormuz and Red Sea shipping lanes. They are back to levels that we had in mid-March and which lasted to mid-June. Interestingly, urea prices are staying low as are potash prices (minor rises) but sulphur prices never fell after the March spike. Naphtha (used for plastics manufacturing) is rising sharply again. The UST 10yr yield is now just on 4.68%, unchanged from this time Saturday but up +13 bps for the week. The price of gold has firmed to US$4052/oz, virtually unchanged from Saturday up +US$49 for the week. Silver is now just on US$58/oz, down -50 USc from Saturday, up +US$2 for the week. Oil prices have risen back +US$1.50 from Saturday at now just over US$90.50/bbl in the US, while the international Brent price is now just on US$98.50/bbl and up +US$2. A week ago these prices were US$82 and US$88/bbl respectively. Hormuz transits have almost halted entirely There have been no crude tankers and only 1 cargo ship exiting over the past 24 hours (0 dark with transponders off) and none entering for new loads (0 dark). The Red Sea is also now effectively blocked at Yemen although a small handful of ships are still getting through (less than 20 each way). Still almost 800 vessels are waiting for things to calm down. The Kiwi dollar is unchanged from Saturday at just on 57.9 USc but down -50 bps for the week. Against the Aussie we are still at 82.9 AUc. Against the euro we are holding at just over 50.9 euro cents. That all means our TWI-5 starts today at 61.8 which is unchanged from this time Saturday but down -50 bps from a week ago. The bitcoin price starts today at US$64,673 and up +0.7% from this time Saturday and up +1.0% from a week ago. Volatility over the past 24 hours has been low at just on +/-0.5%. 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 on Tuesday. Track 1219389 Monetization ID TFGEPGEI0LHEIJAI Audio soundtrack opening is licensed from Shutterstock, Track 1219389 Monetization ID TFGEPGEI0LHEIJAI

In this episode of C-Suite Perspectives, Sara Murray, Managing Director, International at The Conference Board, is joined by Nick Davis, Senior Fellow at The Conference Board, Chief Innovation Officer at Mid-Ohio Food Collective, CEO of Shopsight, and author of Future Ready, to discuss what it takes for organizations to thrive in an era of generative AI, accelerating technological change, and constant disruption.  Together, they explore what it means to become future ready; examine how leaders can move beyond isolated AI pilots to enterprise-wide transformation; discuss the operating models, leadership capabilities, and organizational cultures needed to adapt at speed; and share practical lessons on innovation, continuous learning, governance, and building organizations that can turn uncertainty into long-term strategic advantage.  More from The Conference Board:   Reinventing the Talent Pipeline in the AI Era  Upskilling and Reskilling for AI  Culture in Flux: Continuous Change and AI Transformation  The Reimagined Workplace 2026: Adopting AI Today, Poised for Tomorrow  

DRWarner Bros.' Zaslav Offers $68 Million to Buy Summer Campnew January 2026 employment agreement$96M: Make-Whole RSU award to CEO Daivd Zaslav of 1,963,465 shares; after January 2 Follow-On Option award of 3,052,734 options because share price is downUnder a new employment agreement executed on June 12, 2025, Zaslav received a special award of 20,898,776 stock options with an exercise price of $10.16 (~$400M). Additionally, on January 2, 2026, he was granted 3,052,734 follow-on stock options with an exercise price of $28.51 (~$40M). To address the higher exercise price of these options compared to the initial grant, Zaslav received 1,963,465 restricted stock units on January 5, 2026 (~$56M).The Compensation Committee: 23 meetings in 2025*Paul A. Gould, 80, 18 years tenureGould and Zaslav worked closely together at Discovery, Inc. for nearly 15 years.David Zaslav took the helm as President and CEO of Discovery, Inc. in January 2007.Paul Gould joined the Discovery, Inc. Board of Directors shortly after, serving as an independent director from 2007 until the company merged with WarnerMedia.Both men belong to the tight-knit professional circle surrounding cable pioneer and billionaire John Malone.Paul Gould has a long history as a trusted director across Malone's web of companies, serving for years on the boards of Liberty Global and Liberty Latin America.David Zaslav has publicly and frequently cited John Malone as his primary professional mentor.Their shared ties to Malone are so closely linked that in 2012, Zaslav partnered with other high-level executives to donate $1 million to the Cable Center specifically to build and name the John Malone Theater.Paul Gould has served as a Managing Director and Executive Vice President at Allen & Company, a premium boutique investment bank deeply embedded in the media and entertainment ecosystem. Through this avenue, Gould and Zaslav connect in two ways:Financial Advisory: Allen & Company has a long history of providing valuation opinions, advisory services, and market analysis for major transactions initiated by Zaslav during his career.The Sun Valley Conference: Allen & Company famously hosts the annual "Summer Camp for Billionaires" in Sun Valley, Idaho. As a prominent media mogul, Zaslav is a regular, high-profile attendee at this event, which is organized by Gould's firm.Kenneth W. LoweKen Lowe is the former Chair/CEO of Scripps Networks Interactive (the former parent company of massive lifestyle brands like HGTV, Food Network, and ID).The Link: In 2018—four years before the Warner Bros. deal even closed—Zaslav orchestrated Discovery's $14.6 billion acquisition of Scripps Networks. As a direct result of that blockbuster cable industry consolidation, Lowe joined Discovery Inc.'s board of directors. He and Zaslav had already been working together closely at the board level for years before the legacy company expanded into WBD.The board of AT&TRichard W. FisherOutside of WBD, Zaslav's connection to Fisher is rooted in Fisher's previous role as a member of the Board of Directors for AT&T. When Zaslav was hammering out the complex transaction to spin WarnerMedia away from AT&T, Fisher was one of the crucial board leaders on the other side of the table who evaluated and signed off on the deal. As part of the closing agreement, Fisher was designated by AT&T to transition directly over to the new WBD board.Debra L. LeeDebra Lee was the longtime Chair/CEO of BET Networks (Black Entertainment Television) from 2006 to 2018.Zaslav and Lee have long-standing commitments to The Paley Center for Media, sharing space as members of its highly prestigious Board of Trustees. Additionally, Lee served on the board of AT&T, meaning she was part of the corporate governance team that initially approved Zaslav's pitch to merge Discovery with WarnerMedia.Geoffrey Y. YangJust like Richard Fisher and Debra Lee, Yang's primary pre-WBD connection to Zaslav comes down to AT&T. Yang sat on AT&T's board during the high-stakes dealmaking window. Because of his background in digital media and venture capital, he was designated by AT&T leadership to transition to the WBD board to help Zaslav steer the newly formed company's streaming and direct-to-consumer technology strategies.The board that ignores Say on Pay votesAt our 2025 Annual Meeting held on June 2, 2025, we held an advisory vote on executive compensation, or "Say on Pay" vote, and a majority of the votes cast by stockholders were cast against our executive compensation program.Our executive compensation program is designed to pay for performance and effectively balance executive and stockholder interests. The Committee considered the outcome of the "Say on Pay" vote from the 2025 Annual Meeting, and while it continues to believe that our executive compensation structure, which includes long-term agreements with each of our NEOs and delivers a significant majority of NEO compensation in performance-based vehicles, is effective in meeting our compensation objectives, it took note of the negative 2025 "Say on Pay" vote when making compensation decisions after the 2025 Annual Meeting.The Dodd-Frank Act: "The shareholder vote … shall not be binding on the issuer or the board of directors of an issuer, and may not be construed as overruling a decision by such issuer or board of directors”Special meeting vote 4/23/26: Say on Pay 83% no6/9 AGM: ShareholdersPaul A. Gould 52% noRichard W. Fisher 31% noDebra L. Lee 32% noKenneth W. Lowe 31% noGeoffrey Y. Yang 31% noZaslav 3% noSay on Pay 84% noStill on boardPaul A. GouldRichard W. FisherDebra L. LeeKenneth W. LoweGeoffrey Y. YangZaslavThe SEC: "The Say-on-Pay … votes are advisory rather than binding ... Unlike a binding vote, advisory votes do not require the company or its board of directors to take a specific action. The company's board of directors may consider advisory votes and may follow up with other communications or dialogue with shareholders as part of its deliberative process in making policy decisions."The workers for being poor1,378 to 1 CEO pay ratio.Andrew M. Cuomo Joins the OKX Board of DirectorsThe worldMen GreedThe U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) In February 2025, OKX pled guilty in a U.S. federal court to operating an unlicensed money transmitting business and violating anti-money laundering (AML) laws.The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) revealed that despite OKX having an "official policy" banning U.S. users, the exchange actively pursued U.S. customers and generated hundreds of millions in fees from them.Internal logs showed OKX employees explicitly telling U.S. clients how to bypass the exchange's own blocks—even telling a customer to "just put a random country" during identity verification.The exchange was used to facilitate over $5 billion in suspicious transactions and criminal proceeds, resulting in a staggering $504 million penalty.TrumpTrump has normalized crypto. Is it the path to the next financial collapse?Jon Ossoff Rips RFK Jr.'s ‘Foolish' Cutback To Cyclosporiasis Monitoring: Sen. Jon Ossoff says a cyclosporiasis outbreak spreading nationwide could be harder to track because the Trump administration changed CDC surveillance last year. In a letter to Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Ossoff argues that the CDC's FoodNet program (a public health network that monitors infections from multiple pathogens across CDC, USDA, FDA, and 10 states) stopped requiring monitoring cyclospora, and that the administration later made data collection optional at FoodNet sites for most pathogens (except Salmonella and E. coli).Elon Musk"ESG is the devil"A "scam" weaponized by "phony social justice warriors"Vivek RamaswamyThe author of Woke, Inc.founded an entire asset management firm (Strive) designed explicitly to offer "anti-woke" investment options that ignore ESG metrics in favor of pure profit.Ron DeSantisSpearheaded a massive legislative pushback against ESG in Florida, signing bills that banned state and local governments from using ESG factors when investing public funds or issuing bondsArgues ESG is a way to bypass voters and enforce a political agenda through corporate power.Peter ThielCalled ESG a "hate factory" used to control capital and punish companies that don't fall in line with mainstream corporate ideologyTariq Fancy (Former Head of Sustainable Investing at BlackRock)“Whistleblower”Called ESG a "dangerous placebo" that does nothing to actually fix the planet but allows Wall Street to charge higher fees while greenwashing their portfoliosMike PenceArgues that major Wall Street firms use ESG to enforce a radical left-wing agenda on everyday Americans, forcing companies to adopt policies that hurt the domestic energy sector.Glenn Hegar (Texas Comptroller)Created a blacklist of financial companies (including BlackRock) banned from doing business with the state of TexasCalled ESG an "opaque and perverse system" that violates fiduciary dutyAndy Puzder (Former CEO of CKE Restaurants/Hardee's and Carl's Jr.)Argued that forcing companies to focus on social goals instead of profits violates shareholder capitalism and ultimately hurts the economySenator Tom CottonAttacked ESG from a legal and regulatory standpoint. He led a group of Republican senators in warning top U.S. law firms that advising companies to cooperate on ESG goals could open them up to massive federal antitrust violationsSanjai Bhagat (Finance Professor, University of Colorado)Argues that ESG funds don't actually deliver higher returns and that companies in ESG portfolios often have worse compliance records for labor and environmental rules than standard companiesMenI pay my employees $1,000 a month per child for day care. It's one of my ice cream company's best investments.A womanAll womenDEIMolly Moon Neitzelfounder and CEO of Molly Moon's Homemade Ice CreamHer business planwhich included living wages and free health insurance for everyone who worked at least 18 hours a weekMMC-suite promotions now come with three or more jobs - from the article: “When Target named Michael Fiddelke CEO in February 2026, the leadership changes he announced went beyond a standard promotion. Target eliminated its chief commercial officer role and consolidated merchandising authority into a single position, naming Cara Sylvester, previously chief guest experience officer, as the sole chief merchandising officer overseeing product development, assortment design, and partner collaborations.” - WHO DO YOU BLAME??AIIsn't “taking more jobs on” what the promise of AI has been? The article claims “Executives who excel in a specific function are increasingly entrusted with broader operating mandates spanning commercial, technology, operations, finance, or customer strategy” - but really, aren't we just admitting that marketing and sales can be done by a dopey robot?Executive ChairsAs the TOP boys realize they can offload their work by becoming Executive Chair (same salary, fewer hours, no responsibilities!), maybe the CEO class is realizing THEY can stop doing as much if they just give more jobs to underlings? It seems telling the prime example in the article is Target where Brian Cornell still lingers on the board like a boilPay committeesPay committees are handing out massive golden hellos, particularly to CFOs but all c-suite, and they can justify them by “rolling” pointless jobs into a single person, right? BoardsBoards aren't actually paying attention to executives anyway - the data suggests by and large boards in the US are either deferential to the executives (do whatever you want!) or entirely self dealing (highly connected horse trading jobs on other boards!). The result is an indifferent board to actual executive shakeups either way - and CEOs are using indifference to shake up the c-suitesGeneral Mills is recalling nearly 736,000 Pillsbury bread rolls over possible glass - WHO DO YOU BLAME??Public Responsibility Chair Jorge UribeEx “productivity” officer at P&G until he retired in 2015. MBA and bachelor's in “management engineering”, which confused our knowledge typing which pinged off “engineering” to give him Public Safety knowledge, but there's no ACTUAL EVIDENCE he did anything but sales/marketing10 year tenure - longer than the CEO, but not as long as…Longest tenured director and man on Public Responsibility committee Steve OdlandOdland is the CEO of the Conference Board, who does public policy and governance stuff - he was CEO of Office Depot and AutoZone, and came from food (Quaker Oats, Sara Lee)Been on the board 22 years!! Solid job if you can get itBut both Steve and Jorge are tagged as “deferential” in the data (this is an important gig for them), so maybe…CEO Jeff HarmeningWith General Mills since 1994, came from marketing, but was COO - maybe Jeff's job as a director at Toro Company made him too busy to notice the glass? Or, maybe it wasn't their fault at all…RFK Jr: It's not just Taco Bell lettuce and possible glass in Pillsbury rolls: Food and drink recall events reached a 6-year year-over-year high

The future (and current state) of ESG has been debated from every angle, but what is actually happening inside companies?In this episode, Emma Cox is joined by Andrew Jones, Principal Researcher at The Conference Board, to discuss new research on how organizations are responding to today's evolving ESG landscape. Together, they separate headlines from reality, examining how businesses are adapting their strategies, navigating shifting political and regulatory pressures, and integrating sustainability more deeply into core business decisions.The conversation highlights why many companies are rethinking how they communicate about ESG, what this means for climate commitments and long-term resilience, and how business leaders can stay focused on creating measurable value amid ongoing uncertainty.Disclaimer: This episode was recorded in August 2025. Some data and trends discussed may have evolved since the time of recording. Thank you to our sponsor, Amazon Sustainability, for supporting this episode. Amazon is known for speed and scale. That same approach drives their sustainability efforts. Guided by data and science, and powered by invention, Amazon works backward from ambitious targets to drive measurable progress. Every package delivered, every data center powered, every product designed is an opportunity to make tomorrow better.Learn more about Amazon SustainabilityAmazon's Energy spotlight: https://sustainability.aboutamazon.com/stories/spotlight-on-energyAmazon's Homepage: https://sustainability.aboutamazon.com/Episode ResourcesDid US Companies Pull Back from Sustainability Reporting in 2025? - https://www.conference-board.org/publications/did-US-companies-pull-back-from-sustainability-reporting-in-2025 Emission Impossible: Corporate Climate Goals Moving from Adoption to Execution - https://www.conference-board.org/publications/Emission-impossible-corporate-climate-goals-moving-from-adoption-to-execution -About ESG Decoded ESG Decoded is a podcast powered by ClimeCo to share updates related to business innovation and sustainability in a clear and actionable manner. Join Emma Cox, Erika Schiller, and Anna Stablum for thoughtful, nuanced conversations with industry leaders and subject matter experts that explore the complexities about the risks and opportunities connected to (E)nvironmental, (S)ocial and (G)overnance. We like to say that “ESG is everything that's not on your balance sheet.” This leaves room for misunderstanding and oversimplification – two things that we'll bust on this podcast.ESG Decoded Resource Links Site:  https://www.climeco.com/podcast-series/Apple Podcasts: https://go.climeco.com/ApplePodcastsSpotify: https://go.climeco.com/SpotifyYouTube Music: https://go.climeco.com/YouTube-MusicLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/esg-decoded/IG: https://www.instagram.com/esgdecoded/*This episode was produced by Singing Land Studio -Sponsored Episode Disclaimer: This episode of ESG Decoded is sponsored by Amazon. The views and opinions expressed are those of the host and guest(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of ESG Decoded, ClimeCo LLC, the Sponsor, or the guest's organization. Sponsorship provides financial support only and does not give the Sponsor any right to direct, review, or approve the editorial content of this episode, including topics discussed, questions asked, or opinions expressed by the host or guest(s). Views Expressed Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this episode are solely those of the host and guest(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views, policies, or positions of ESG Decoded, ClimeCo LLC, any Sponsor, or any organization with which a guest is affiliated. Participation by a guest or Sponsor does not constitute an endorsement of any product, service, or organization. This conversation is provided for informational purposes only and should not be construed as advice.

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.    

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 EAFE® Index is a stock index offered by MSCI that covers non-U.S. and Canadian equity markets. It serves as a performance benchmark for the major international equity markets as represented by 21 major MSCI indices from Europe, Australasia, and the Middle East. The EAFE® Index is the oldest international stock index and is commonly called the MSCI EAFE Index. The Russell 2500® is a market-cap-weighted index that includes the smallest 2,500 companies covered in the broad-based Russell 3000 sphere of United States-based listed equities. All 2,500 of the companies included in the Index cover the small- and mid-cap market capitalizations. The Russell 1000® Growth Index is an unmanaged index that measures the performance of the large-cap growth segment of the U.S. equity universe. It includes those Russell 1000® Index companies with higher price-to-book ratios and higher forecasted growth values. 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. All are subject to various factors, including, but not limited to general and local economic conditions, changing levels of competition within certain industries and markets, changes in interest rates, changes in legislation or regulation, and other economic, competitive, governmental, regulatory and technological factors affecting a portfolio' operations that could cause actual results to differ materially from projected results. Such statements are forward-looking in nature and involve a number of known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, and accordingly, actual results may differ materially from those reflected or contemplated in such forward-looking statements. Prospective investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance on any forward looking statements or examples. This material is proprietary and may not be reproduced, transferred, modified or distributed in any form without prior written permission from Americana Partners. Americana Partners reserves the right, at any time and without notice, to amend, or cease publication of the information contained herein. Certain of the information contained herein has been obtained from third-party sources and has not been independently verified. It is made available on an "as is" basis without warranty. Any strategies or investment programs described in this presentation are provided for educational purposes only and are not necessarily indicative of securities offered for sale or private placement offerings available to any investor. The mention of any individual security should not be construed as a recommendation to buy or sell that security.

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.

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.