BCG in the News

The Edge Malaysia

Malaysia’s Moment to Shine

Writing in The Edge Malaysia, BCG’s Nurlin Salleh and Anis Mohd Nor reflect on how Malaysia has evolved since gaining its independence in the 1950s, and look ahead to the country’s future. With its progressive energy transition policies, Malaysia can serve as a model for peer nations seeking to advance their own just transition. As the upcoming ASEAN Chair in 2025, Malaysia has the chance to drive regional progress in digital growth and sustainability. “The nation’s potential for greatness has also never been more apparent,” they add.

Fortune

What to Expect for Inflation, Employment, and Trade in the ‘Tight 20s’  

Writing for Fortune, BCG’s Philipp Carlsson-Szlezak and Paul Swartz explain that additional stress on the “good macro” environment—the economic system that has supported businesses and investors for decades—isn’t necessarily bad news for companies. Despite supply chain disruptions, economic volatility, and weakening global institutions, the authors believe the next decade will feature a good—but tighter—macroeconomic backdrop. “Those with the right analytical tools will be prepared for it,” they write.

The Economic Times

India’s Quest for a Key Spot on Global Manufacturing Map

Writing in The Economic Times, BCG’s Rich Lesser and Rahul Jain discuss India’s goal of raising manufacturing’s GDP contribution from 17% to 25% stressing the need for public-private sector collaboration. They highlight that “India, with a large yet relatively young population, is an attractive market for global majors, homegrown world-class companies, and startups to set up manufacturing hubs that can serve the world.” Recent infrastructure investments underscore India’s potential to be a cost-competitive manufacturing powerhouse amid shifting global supply chains.

Fortune

Fractional CFOs: A Hot Topic in the C-Suite

In Fortune, BCG’s Hardik Sheth highlights the growing interest in “fractional CFOs”—contract-based financial experts—amid high CFO turnover. Fractional CFO roles are increasingly appealing to retired executives and mid-career professionals seeking diverse experiences, improved work-life balance, and strategic opportunities. Sheth adds that fractional CFO roles at smaller companies enable the opportunity for financial professionals to “bring about more impact and influence” and “speak their mind more easily and more often.”

Fortune

More CEOs Are Enjoying Remote-Work Models

In Fortune, BCG’s Deborah Lovich stresses that with the growth of remote work, it’s important for CEOs to be “with their people where the work is happening,” whether that’s in a manufacturing plant or out in the stores. CEOs who work remotely can find themselves facing heightened scrutiny over employee perceptions and company performance. Lovich asserts that the real debate is: “How do we create working models where people can be in it together and deliver their best?”

CNBC

Young Consumers Drive Alcohol-Free Trend

In CNBC, BCG’s Nicol Zhou unpacks the growing trend of a reduction in alcohol consumption in the US. This shift is increasing the popularity—especially among younger consumers—of nonalcoholic “functional beverages,” many of which are marketed as having specific health or cognitive benefits. “People are drinking [functional beverages] because they want more choices,” Zhou notes. “They want to be able to socialize and look cool, feel part of the group, but not necessarily have to consume alcohol.”

Axios

The Rise of Retail Media and GenAI in Marketing

In Axios, BCG’s Lauren Wiener highlights that three out of five CMOs consider themselves the driving force behind GenAI initiatives within their organizations. When it comes to GenAI usage within marketing functions, she notes that “the first sets of use cases have really been around efficiency, like improving the speed and pace of content creation.” Wiener also discusses the challenges posed by the decline of third-party cookies, emphasizing the growing importance of first-party data and strategic partnerships for future success.

Fast Company

The Top 3 Skills You Need to Succeed in an AI-Driven World

Writing for Fast Company, BCG’s Mark Abraham and David Edelman urge young employees to develop three crucial skills to succeed in an AI-driven workplace: curiosity, data savvy, and accountability. In their forthcoming book, Personalized: Customer Strategy in the Age of AI, Abraham and Edelman explain that with AI at the forefront of many business operations, asking thought-provoking questions, analyzing data, and taking responsibility for AI outputs are crucial in this quickly changing landscape.

Fortune

4 Potential Scenarios—and 1 Map—Showing How the World Will Trade Goods for the Next Decade

Writing in Fortune, BCG’s Nikolaus Lang, Marc Gilbert, and Michael McAdoo call for a new approach to navigating the shifting geopolitical landscape. “In this fast-changing world, geopolitics must become a strategic priority for all companies—their future depends on it,” they write. To assess the potential business impact of geopolitical events, the authors advocate for scenario-based planning over traditional predictive methods.

Nikkei Asia

Southeast Asia’s EV Surge

In an interview with Nikkei Asia, BCG’s Alex Dolya and Fahad Anwar highlight Southeast Asia’s growing interest in the electric vehicle (EV) industry as the region seeks to take advantage of shifting global supply chains. In the face of new Western tariffs, EV manufacturers must adopt more advanced technologies, enhance their manufacturing processes, and improve their supply chains. “The focus on cost will be even more significant than it was before,” Dolya says.

Forbes

When Change Is Needed, Your Employees Become Your Customers

In her column for Forbes, BCG’s Julia Dhar highlights the heightened anxiety employees can experience during times of organizational change and how leaders can help their workforce overcome it. “Change isn’t something leaders can demand; rather, it’s something they must earn,” she adds. Dhar urges leaders to treat employees like customers by selling the idea of change, rather than demanding it.

Business Day

Building a Green Future: Upskilling Africa’s Workforce

A report by FSD Africa and BCG, featured in Business Day, outlines how to mobilize Africa’s workforce to accelerate the growth of its green industries. According to the study, Africa’s green economy is predicted to create up to 3.3 million new jobs by 2030. Building Africa’s green workforce will require targeted investments in high-potential sectors and fostering cross-sectional relationships between educational institutions, investors, and the private sector.