Fortune

Recession or Resilience? Here’s How the US, Europe, and Asia Stack Up

Writing in Fortune, BCG’s Philipp Carlsson-Szlezak and Paul Swartz weigh the risk of a global recession by examining the challenges facing the US, Europe, and Asia. They explain that the US is battling its highest inflation levels since the early 1980s, and Europe and Asia are experiencing unique economic headwinds such as an energy crisis and a continuation of COVID shutdowns, respectively. Though the authors believe a global recession is possible, they assert that these regions are far too idiosyncratic, in terms of both risks and resilience, to succumb to recession all at once.

Forbes

Employers Should Measure Performance, Rather Than Showing Up

Writing in Forbes, BCG’s Deborah Lovich discusses the “mouse jiggler”—a new product that some employees are using to keep their computers online and active—and what its popularity says about the current state of work. With a decreased level of oversight in the remote workplace, some employers have struggled to trust that their employees are remaining on task. Even a quick lunch break or a walk around the block could be misperceived as idling, so employees have turned to mouse jigglers to ensure they appear productive at any given moment. To restore transparency and trust, Lovich suggests that employers set clear remote work expectations and allow for greater flexibility.

Arabian Business

Bridging the Gender Gap in Cybersecurity

In Arabian Business, BCG’s Leila Hoteit addresses the widening gender gap in the cybersecurity field. According to a BCG study, conducted in partnership with the Global Cybersecurity Forum, 94% of undergraduate women studying STEM disciplines in the Middle East would be interested in pursuing a degree in cybersecurity. However, the field remains at a deficit for talent, with 57% of organizations reporting unfilled cybersecurity positions. As cyber-threats continue to escalate, Hoteit urges employers and institutions to empower this key cohort of women to work in cybersecurity.

Business Insider

Labor Day Travel Surpasses Pre-Pandemic Levels

In Business Insider, BCG’s Adam Gordon reflects on the summer travel surge that culminated in a busy Labor Day weekend exceeding pre-pandemic flight numbers from 2019. As COVID-19 case counts decline and restrictions ease in the US, Gordon points out that travel demand has recovered to somewhere between 80% and 95% of its 2019 volume. Though he expects these numbers to dwindle after people fulfill their “pent-up” travel plans, he “...doesn’t see any reason why the upcoming holiday season won't continue to see robust demand, spiking above 2019 levels on key travel dates.”

Channel News Asia

How “Shoppertainment” Can Turn Browsing into Buying

In an episode of ‘Money Mind’ on Channel News Asia, BCG’s Aparna Bharadwaj discusses how brands throughout Southeast Asia are experimenting with “shoppertainment,” which seeks to engage consumers and drive online sales through educational and entertaining content. According to a recent BCG report, technology has developed and consumption patterns have evolved to the point that the e-commerce market is oversaturated—and digital consumers are losing steam. Bharadwaj explains how shoppertainment can capture the attention of digitally exhausted consumers, creating an immersive shopping experience that appeals to both functional and emotional demands.

Bloomberg

Forging a Cashless Future in South Africa

Bloomberg zeroes in on BCG’s joint report with Discovery Bank titled “The Future of Retail Banking in South Africa,” which assesses the feasibility of the country’s digital banking transition. The report found that South Africans maintain a high reliance on physical currency due to the expenses of online banking, with almost all surveyed customers withdrawing cash at least once a month. According to the report, regulatory changes will be needed in South Africa to increase both the accessibility and attractiveness of a cashless system.

Forbes

Asset Management Continues Upward Trajectory

Forbes spotlights BCG’s 20th annual “Global Asset Management” report, which saw the industry continue its unprecedented growth trajectory in 2021, rising by 12% to reach more than $112 trillion in global assets under management (AuM). The report also revealed that investors can maximize their returns by engaging with two particularly promising arenas: alternative investing, which is projected to account for more than half of all industry revenues in the next five years, and sustainable investing, which could support over $25 trillion of equity and bond investments by 2050.

The Edge Malaysia

Digital Economy Agreements Can Boost Foreign Direct Investment

Writing in The Edge Malaysia, BCG’s Ching Fong Ong and Nurlin Mohd Salleh discuss the strong foreign direct investment (FDI) flows observed in Malaysia in 2021. Following a pandemic-induced recession, the country saw record levels of FDI, which boosted the economy in key sectors such as manufacturing, electrical and electronics services, and mining. To build on this progress, Salleh and Ong explain how Malaysia can leverage digital economy agreements to attract innovative companies, top talent, and continual investment in the region.

Arabian Business

Dubai Cements “Global Tech Hub” Appeal

In Arabian Business, BCG’s Faisal Hamady, Jürgen Eckel, and Rami Mourtada examine Dubai’s emergence as a dynamic digital hub. According to a BCG report, the global shortage of tech workers has pushed countries to scout talent beyond their borders—a practice familiar to the United Arab Emirates as immigrants comprise 96% of the country’s tech workforce. Through a series of incentives, including long-term business and residence visas, Hamady, Eckel, and Mourtada outline how Dubai is attracting and retaining essential digital talent.

The Economic Times

Family Businesses Are Important Contributors to GDP

In The Economic Times, BCG’s Janmejaya Sinha discusses the importance of family businesses through the lens of his new book, Untangling Conflict: An Introspective Guide for Families in Business, coauthored with BCG’s Carol Liao, Ryoji Kimura, and BCG alumna Brittany Montgomery. He explains that 300 of India’s top 500 companies are family run, making them significant drivers of GDP for the emerging economic powerhouse. Citing insight and analysis from the book, Sinha shares how families can navigate business complexities and mitigate family conflicts while preserving business value.

The Business Times

Rising Cyber Threats Demand a New Approach to Cybersecurity

Writing in The Business Times, BCG’s Paul O’Rourke and Michael Tan weigh the rising threat of cyber attacks in an increasingly digitized world. With over 75 billion devices expected to be in use globally by 2025, the number of channels that hackers can exploit is multiplying and pushing countries to reexamine their cybersecurity efforts. O’Rourke and Tan explore how Singapore, one of the most connected and high-tech nations in the world, can secure its cyber future.

Fortune

How Much Damage Will the Housing Market Do to the Economy?

Writing in Fortune, BCG’s Philipp Carlsson-Szlezak and Paul Swartz examine what a weakening housing market may signal for the US economy. They explain that while high interest rates are expected to slow inflation and quiet fears of recession, they are also slowing activity in the once-booming housing market. As sales slump and refinancing plummets, Carlsson-Szlezak and Swartz assess whether a housing bust will tip the teetering economy over the edge and increase the risk of a recession.