C-Suite Perspectives

The Conference Board Consumer Confidence Index® fell in February to 106.7, down from 110.9 in January. Consumers are more pessimistic—putting a halt to the rising optimism of the past few months. Yet business leaders are cautiously optimistic and poised for growth. How do interest rates, inflation, labor markets, supply chains, and the US political environment affect these different viewpoints? In this episode of CEO Perspectives, Dana Peterson, Chief Economist, joins Erin McLaughlin, Senior Economist, both of The Conference Board, to discuss our latest indicators—and what they reveal about market dynamics and potential shifts.  

Tune in to find out:   

·       What specific factors are driving renewed consumer pessimism? 

·       How should businesses interpret the signals consumers are sending about their expectations and buying plans? 

·       What are the key upsides and downside risks for the US economic outlook? What about for Europe, China, and emerging economies? 

·       What might bring on a redux of the banking crisis? 

For more Trusted Insights for What’s AheadTM:     

Read: Global Forecast Update  

Read: Consumer Confidence Survey® 

Read: The Conference Board Economic Forecast for the US Economy  

Watch: Economy Watch: The C-Suite Outlook 2024 

The US government is $34 trillion in debt and counting; in 10 years, interest payments alone are projected to be $1.6 trillion per year. These astronomical sums are leading to a crisis that could see the end of the US dollar as the “world’s currency.” 

In this episode of CEO Perspectives, Joseph E. Kasputys, PhD, former US Navy Commander, CEO of Economic Ventures, and CED Trustee, joins President and CEO Steve Odland to discuss solutions to the US debt crisis and what the business landscape might look like if US debt continues to grow unchecked. 

Tune in to find out:  

·                How will the US debt situation affect the world economy over the next decade? 

·                How do Medicare and Social Security fit into this intricate puzzle, and what policy changes could bring the debt back down to an acceptable level? 

·                What happens when markets lose faith in the dollar and the US can't finance its debt?  

For more Trusted Insights for What’s AheadTM:    

·                Read: US National Debt and Federal Budget Negotiations

·                Read: Record Debt Servicing Costs Weigh on US Fiscal Outlook  

·                Watch: CED Policy Watch: Debt Matters: Finding an Affordable Way to Build Back Better 

As the US labor shortage continues, organizations struggle to attract and retain talent. Those that leverage baby boomers—who still make up 20% of the workforce—tap into a valuable pool of experience. Organizations that write them off may lose competitive advantage. In this episode of CEO Perspectives, Robin Erickson, Vice President, Human Capital, joins President and CEO Steve Odland to discuss how to make the most of boomer talent in an age-diverse workforce. 

Tune in to find out: 

• How are baby boomers influencing current corporate strategies and work cultures? 
• What innovative approaches are companies taking to retain and engage boomer talent? 
• How can generational diversity be managed for business success? 
• What strategies should CEOs employ to address age diversity and ageism in the workplace? 

For more Trusted Insights for What’s AheadTM:   

• Read: Baby Boomers Still Striving 
• Listen: CEO Perspectives: The Generations, A View from a Baby Boomer

The Conference Board measure of CEO Confidence is at its highest level since 2019, marking a significant shift in business sentiment. In this episode of CEO Perspectives, Dana Peterson, Chief Economist, joins President and CEO Steve Odland, both of The Conference Board, to discuss the latest results of the Measure of CEO Confidence™ and the C-Suite Outlook. They discuss why CEOs are positive and whether their concerns, including inflation, cost of debt, and interest rates, track with the economic outlook.  

Tune in to find out: 

·       Why are CEOs more optimistic about the current economic climate? 

·       How do they view the dynamics of the current labor market? 

·       Despite optimism, why are some companies “standing in place,” waiting to see what happens before mobilizing capital? 

·       What are the key economic concerns and opportunities CEOs are focusing on? 

For more Trusted Insights for What’s AheadTM:  

·       Read: US CEO Confidence 

·       Read: The C-Suite Outlook 

·       Watch: Economy Watch: The C-Suite Outlook 2024  

·       Access: The C-Suite Outlook 2024 Data Tool 

What’s top of mind for world leaders, and do their priorities sync with what CEOs are thinking?  In this episode of CEO Perspectives, Lori Esposito Murray, President of the Committee for Economic Development, joins President and CEO Steve Odland, The Conference Board, to report on the insights from Davos forum and how those dovetail with CEO views from our latest research.  

Tune in to find out:  

·       How are world leaders thinking about the rise of generative AI and what are their concerns?    ·       How are structural changes in the global economy, such as aging labor markets and deglobalization, affecting inflation rates and risk of recession worldwide?  

·       What geopolitical risks could disrupt global trade and economic stability, and how might they be navigated? 

For more Trusted Insights for What’s AheadTM:   

Read: Policy Backgrounder: Insights from Davos   

Read: C-Suite Outlook: Leading for Tomorrow: Winning Through Change and Disruption  

Read: 2024 Policy Priorities 

Listen: What Are CEOs’ Top Priorities for 2024? 

Despite turbulence in geopolitics and the economy, in January the US Consumer Confidence Index® soared to its highest level since 2021, marking a significant uplift in consumer sentiment. In this episode of CEO Perspectives, Dana Peterson, Chief Economist, joins Markus Schomer, Senior Global Economist, both of The Conference Board, to discuss the latest consumer views on inflation and recession—and what they reveal about market dynamics and potential shifts. 

Tune in to find out: 

· How is consumer confidence and spending being affected by inflation, price levels, and the rate of price increases? 

· How does the future of the US economy stack up against global economic trends, particularly in Europe and China? 

· What are the key upside and downside risks in the global economy, and how can CEOs navigate these challenges? 

For more Trusted Insights for What’s AheadTM:  

Read: US Consumer Confidence Increased in January 

Read: Global Overview 

The world economy has not yet reached peak GHG emissions. Achieving net zero by 2050 will require dramatic reductions in emissions, but carbon removal technology is in its infancy and still too costly. What advancements could help get us to net zero, and what’s at stake for business? 

In this episode of CEO Perspectives, Alex Heil, Senior Economist, joins President and CEO Steve Odland, both of The Conference Board, to discuss carbon removal technology and implications for the C-Suite. 

Tune in to find out:   

·       How do carbon removal, direct air capture, and sequestration technologies work? 

·       What are the implications for businesses and CEOs in the context of carbon reduction and carbon capture technologies? 

·       What are the costs and energy demands of these carbon capture technologies—Are they feasible for businesses now? 

·       How can we quickly scale up carbon removal? 

·       How does buying carbon offsets work? What do leaders need to know about the process? 

For more Trusted Insights for What’s AheadTM: 

·       Read: Biodiversity as a Cornerstone of Corporate Environmental Strategy 

·       Read: Too Much Sun? Heavy Focus on Solar Might Create Volatile US Electricity Markets   

Our latest C-Suite Outlook 2024 survey results show that an economic downturn is still a top concern for both CEOs and CMOs. Yet, CMOs are optimistic, saying they can still drive growth in this environment. What strategies and investments are CMOs planning to use to achieve this—and do they differ from the CEO view? 

In this episode of CEO Perspectives, Ivan Pollard, Center Leader, Marketing & Communications, joins President and CEO Steve Odland, both of The Conference Board, to discuss the survey results and the implications for the marketing & communications landscape in 2024.  

Tune in to find out:  

• What’s the CEO perspective on driving growth in 2024—and what role will marketing play?  
• What investments do CEOs and CMOs believe are needed to drive this growth?  
• How are the CEO and CMO envisioning AI’s role in these efforts?  
• What impact do they foresee for their organizations? 

For more Trusted Insights for What’s Ahead:  

• Read: C-Suite Outlook 2024: Leading for Tomorrow 
• Access our hub: AI—Marketing & Communications 

What’s keeping CEOs and CHROs up at night these days? More than 1,200 C-Suite executives told us in the annual C-Suite Outlook survey by The Conference Board.  

In this episode of CEO Perspectives, Diana Scott, Center Leader of the US Human Capital Center, joins President and CEO Steve Odland, both of The Conference Board, to discuss the results—and the implications for human capital. For 25 years, the C-Suite Outlook survey has served as a pulse-check on the challenges and opportunities the world’s top business leaders are facing—and their strategies for addressing them. 

Tune in to find out:  

• Where are CEOs and CHROs aligned on the issues impacting business in 2024? And where are they not?  
• Attracting and retaining talent remains the number-one internal focus for both CEO and CHROs. What’s different in 2024—and what strategies will CEOs and CHROs use to meet this challenge? 
• How is the economic climate influencing CEOs' and CHROs' focus on human capital, especially regarding labor shortages and higher labor costs? 
• Where do CEOs and CHROs want to invest to ensure growth in 2024?  

For more Trusted Insights for What’s Ahead:  

• Read: Leading for Tomorrow: Winning Through Change and Disruption  
• Attend: 2024: A Year in Preview  

What’s keeping CEOs up at night these days? More than 1,200 C-Suite executives told us in the annual C-Suite Outlook survey by The Conference Board. 

In this episode of CEO Perspectives, Dana Peterson, Chief Economist and Leader of the Economy, Strategy & Finance Center, joins President and CEO Steve Odland, both of The Conference Board, to discuss the C-Suite Outlook 2024. For 25 years, the C-Suite Outlook survey has served as a pulse-check to understand what challenges and opportunities the world’s top business leaders are facing—and their strategies for addressing them.  

Tune in to find out: 

· What are the biggest issues for CEOs going into 2024? 

· Geopolitics was a key theme in the survey -- what were the greatest concerns among CEOs globally? 

· How prepared are CEOs and C-Suite executives for the next big crisis?  

· What do CEOs plan to do to encourage growth this year? 

For more Trusted Insights for What’s Ahead: 

· Read: Leading for Tomorrow: Winning Through Change and Disruption 

· Attend: 2024: A Year in Preview