In this episode of The Boardroom Daily Brief (August 28, 2025), host Ash Wendt, founder of Cowen Partners Executive Search, dives into the critical AI fluency gap threatening corporate profitability and competitiveness. With Microsoft’s $80 billion FY2025 AI push under shareholder scrutiny and Google’s leaner models gaining traction, Ash explores how strategic discipline outperforms unchecked spending. China’s rare earth export curbs spike prices, exposing supply chain vulnerabilities, while jobless claims (229,000) and retail trends signal selective consumer spending. Merck KGaA’s $3.9 billion SpringWorks acquisition underscores M&A risks, with 70-90% of deals failing to deliver ROI. The deep dive unpacks the AI Profit Paradox—why 95% of AI pilots fail to scale (MIT, 2025)—and offers a roadmap for building fluency through leadership training, vendor partnerships (67% success rate), and ROI-focused scorecards. Ash shares insights from placing AI strategists and supply chain leaders who drive 15-20% efficiency and risk reductions, urging executives to prioritize fluency to avoid regulatory fines (EU AI Act, 2026) and stay ahead in 2025.

On August 27, 2025, The Boardroom Daily Brief with Ash Wendt dives into pivotal headlines: U.S.-EU trade talks eyeing $200B tariff cuts spark market optimism (S&P 500 at 6,384.45), DOJ’s Nvidia probe (stock down 2.3% to $1,190.27) signals AI risks, consumer confidence holds at 70.1 amid selective spending, and Cisco’s 7% workforce cut fuels a $1B AI pivot. The deep dive explores building stakeholder trust to navigate volatility, with lessons from Peloton’s $4B trust collapse, Starbucks’ 85% retention success, and United’s 15% churn recovery. Discover five actionable strategies to boost loyalty by 15% (Edelman, 2025), with frameworks at boardroomdailybrief.com.

On August 22, 2025, The Boardroom Daily Brief with Ash Wendt unpacks critical headlines: a potential U.S.-Russia-Ukraine summit spiking oil prices (Brent +1.3%), DOJ’s Nvidia probe shaking AI reliance, resilient U.S. retail sales (+0.6%) amid tariff warnings, and India’s political stabilization unlocking $2B in trade. The deep dive explores building resilient succession pipelines, with lessons from General Motors’ stumbles, Accenture’s triumphs, and Kohl’s redemption. Discover five actionable strategies to retain talent and gain a 15% competitive edge, plus a Week in Review framing this week’s volatility for future leadership. Download frameworks at boardroomdailybrief.com to act now.

This conversation delves into the complexities of navigating market uncertainty and the critical role of effective crisis communication in leadership. It highlights the importance of strategic planning in the face of financial volatility, regulatory risks, and the need for clear communication to maintain organizational culture and employee morale. Through real-world examples, the discussion emphasizes how leaders can turn challenges into opportunities by mastering communication strategies that align teams and stakeholders during crises.

In this episode of the Boardroom Daily Brief, Ash Wendt discusses the impact of policy volatility on business strategy, emphasizing the need for agility and adaptability in leadership. He introduces the 48-hour tariff drill framework to help organizations respond effectively to sudden policy changes, highlighting the importance of quick decision-making and proactive management. The conversation also explores consumer behavior trends and the necessity for companies to build resilience in uncertain times, ultimately framing policy volatility as a new operating environment that requires different strategic capabilities.

In today’s Boardroom Daily Brief, we unpack the hidden risks behind today’s inflation data—and what they mean for executive decision-making. Headline CPI looks calm at 0.2%, but core inflation’s sharp 0.3% rise signals deeper cost pressures that could reshape your strategy. We break down the gap between political calls for aggressive Fed rate cuts and market expectations, the structural inflation risks posed by tariffs, and why market optimism might not match economic fundamentals.

This episode delivers four actionable frameworks for building leadership resilience in an era where data is noisy, sentiment moves faster than policy, and pricing transparency can make—or break—your brand. Perfect for CEOs, board members, and aspiring executives looking to turn uncertainty into a competitive edge.

In this episode of the Boardroom Daily Brief, Ash Wendt discusses the evolving landscape of workplace culture, the implications of economic indicators on strategic planning, the impact of climate risk on operational margins, and the growing concern of financial stress among employees. The conversation emphasizes the need for leaders to adopt a systems thinking approach, recognizing the interconnectedness of these challenges and the importance of proactive strategies to foster resilience and adaptability in organizations.

This conversation explores the evolving landscape of leadership in response to significant policy shifts, market dynamics, and governance trends. It highlights the need for executives to adapt their strategies in light of new regulations, particularly in the semiconductor industry, and the implications of rising bond yields and commodity prices. The discussion also emphasizes the importance of executive security and the changing nature of risk in emerging markets, ultimately advocating for strategic agility as a core competency for leaders.

The conversation delves into the complexities of navigating geopolitical uncertainty in business, emphasizing the need for executives to adopt a layered approach to risk management. It highlights the impact of recent tariffs on various industries, the importance of proactive strategic planning, and the necessity for dynamic decision-making models to adapt to rapidly changing political landscapes. The discussion also underscores the significance of aligning talent strategy with risk exposure and treating executive visibility as a structured asset in managing corporate reputation.

In this episode, Ash Wendt discusses the evolving landscape of executive risk management, highlighting the implications of geopolitical tensions, personal branding, and the necessity for strategic foresight in leadership. The conversation emphasizes the importance of adapting to uncertainties and managing exposure effectively in a rapidly changing environment.