BCG in the News

Bloomberg

Investing in the Care Economy

In Bloomberg, BCG’s Suchi Sastri urges leaders to prioritize eldercare support for employees as more and more workers struggle to balance their jobs and caring for aging parents. BCG research found that the US’s caregiver shortage, compounded by its aging population, will cost the country $290 billion annually starting in 2030. “I don’t think it’s top of mind right now, but it has to be on the agenda of CEOs,” Sastri says.

Forbes

Reimagining Childcare for Frontline and Hourly Workers

Writing in Forbes, BCG’s Deborah Lovich explains that when rigid work schedules collide with sick children or ill caregivers, “deskless” workers—those who cannot work remotely—are often left to choose between jobs and family. But, when companies start to think creatively about care offerings, employees feel more supported, unplanned absences decrease, and business outcomes improve. “There are so many ways we can improve work for all employees and create value for the organization, the worker, and their families,” Lovich says.

Fortune

Spiking Long-Term Interest Rates: Bad Omen or Sign of Strength for US Economy?

Writing in Fortune, BCG’s Philipp Carlsson-Szlezak and Paul Swartz explain that rising long-term interest rates are not necessarily a sign of imminent recession and may instead be a sign of economic strength for the US economy. Despite signs that the financial system is vulnerable to shifts in the interest rate environment, monetary policy works via channels of financial stress and business failure. “Real and present microeconomic stress and pain should not obscure the fact that high long rates are a result—and a sign—of macroeconomic strength,” note the authors

Reuters

Carbon Removal Aims to Shed Its “Wild West” Reputation

In Reuters, BCG’s Global Chair Rich Lesser explains that carbon removal techniques such as direct air capture must be a part of net-zero strategies to ultimately achieve reasonable temperature ranges. Despite some doubt about the efficacy of carbon removal, an increasing number of companies are purchasing carbon removal credits to help reach their carbon emissions goals. “If we don’t think removals are important, then I don’t think we’re looking at the science,” Lesser says.

The Wall Street Journal

Bringing the Office to Remote Workers

In The Wall Street Journal, BCG’s Brian Gross and Caroline Giese explain how opening satellite offices to accommodate employees who relocated during the pandemic can help companies attract and retain talented workers. A BCG survey underscored the importance of flexible work options, revealing that employees who are dissatisfied with their work flexibility are more than twice as likely to consider leaving their organization in the next year. Although employees in satellite offices often don’t work on the same teams, staff members are exposed to company culture and have opportunities to collaborate, Gross says.

Fortune

Flexible Working Models Increase Productivity

In Fortune, BCG’s Nick South asserts that flexible working models are key to maximizing productivity. A BCG survey of more than 1,500 global office workers found that when individuals are involved with structuring their return-to-office plans, they feel more satisfied at work. “If organizations are smart, they recognize employees want flexibility and will try and make that work,” South explains.

Live Mint

India’s National Capital Region Is Witnessing a World-Class Mobility Transformation

Writing in Live Mint, BCG’s Yashi Tandon, Nitima Malhotra, and Rajat Modwel explain how the growing population of India’s National Capital Region (NCR) puts a strain on infrastructure and worsens environmental problems. The NCR is the largest single contributor to India’s GDP. As it expands economically, a comprehensive mobility plan is needed to ensure sustainable development. “Growth centers like the NCR must expand their focus beyond intra-city transport systems and encompass neighboring cities with which they have a symbiotic relationship,” note the authors.

Fortune

Why Collaboration with Generative AI Is So Tricky—And How to Make It Work

Writing in Fortune, BCG’s François Candelon, Lisa Krayer, Saran Rajendran, and David Zuluaga Martínez explain that as GenAI rapidly evolves month to month, executives should focus on formulating lasting principles to guide their employees’ use of the technology, rather than perfecting near-term use cases. Given GenAI’s ever-shifting capabilities, companies must continuously experiment to determine how the technology can be best used to build competitive advantage, note the authors.

EL PUBLICISTA

Marketing y GenAI

La inteligencia artificial clásica y el aprendizaje automático llevan muchos años siendo una parte esencial de la actividad de marketing. La verdadera diferencia ahora reside en la popularización de nuevos modelos de IA llamados Large Language Models (LLM) que representan la Inteligencia Artificial Generativa, abriendo múltiples posibilidades para el marketing.

Bloomberg

Europe’s Battle Against Carbon Goes Global

In Bloomberg, BCG’s Tim Figures explains that the EU’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) will have strategic and financial implications for businesses around the world—even those who are not impacted right away. CBAM, which requires importers from six carbon-intensive industries to start reporting on their emissions, marks the first step in the EU’s accelerated push to become the first climate-neutral continent. Even during the transitional phase before any taxes are put in place, CBAM will force producers in exporting countries to put a bigger focus on their carbon footprint, says Figures.

The Business Times

Healthier SG: From Enrollment to Execution

Writing in The Business Times, BCG’s Prasanna Santhanam and Alan Ong explain how Singapore can realize the full potential of its new “Healthier SG” program, which aims to shift the health care system’s focus from treatment to prevention. To deliver the best value to patients, Santhanam and Ong assert that public health care clusters must holistically transform their clinical and operational processes and implement adjustments to back-end functions like technology and finance. “The potential benefits of Healthier SG are significant, in terms of both more sustainable health care spending and better health outcomes,” note the authors.

CNN International

Economic Uncertainty Puts a Premium on Resilience

On CNN International’s Quest Means Business, BCG’s Global Chair Rich Lesser explains that increased uncertainty caused by geopolitical tensions and inflation have put a premium on resilience. Although he believes that the US is headed toward a soft economic landing, Lesser says that business leaders must be prepared to deal with the hard challenges that come along with it.