Lessons in Executing Strategy from General Mills’ CEO
C-Suite Perspectives
Learn how General Mills takes strategy from concept into reality—all while standing for good. General Mills CEO Jeff Harmening had the company pick 10 areas where it would “stand for good” and deliver meaningful impact, including regenerative agriculture and packaging reductions. What can other businesses learn about executing a strategy that delivers sustainable results for shareholders, customers, and the planet? Join David Young and guest Jeff Harmening, CEO of General Mills, to find out why General...
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The State of the Economy for June 2025
C-Suite Perspectives
After a brief rebound in May, consumer confidence slipped again. What changed in June—and what might it mean for the economy this summer? The Consumer Confidence Index dropped to 93.0 from 98.4, wiping out half the gains seen last month. Consumers are feeling less optimistic across the board: both their assessment of current business and labor market conditions and their short-term expectations for income, jobs, and the economy have weakened. Pessimism about job availability and business conditions is also more pronounced than it was in May. In this episode, Stephanie...
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Employer Branding Delivers ROI—If You Get the Strategy Right
C-Suite Perspectives
Employer branding reflects your organization’s public perception—and you can measure its effectiveness. In a world where any job candidate can see your reputation at a glance online, employer branding is essential. How is employer branding different from other branding, and how can companies measure the ROI? Join Steve Odland and guest Erka Amursi, principal researcher in the Human Capital Center at The Conference Board, to find out the history of employer branding, the challenges in measuring ROI, and why...
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Leadership Lessons from Johnson & Johnson CEO Joaquin Duato
C-Suite Perspectives
Science and technology will bring more change to health care over the next decade than we saw in the past century, says Joaquin Duato, Chairman and CEO, Johnson & Johnson, and a 2025 Distinguished Leadership Award honoree. What drives his confidence, and how is the company creating this future? Join David K. Young and Duato to discover what he has learned in 36 years at J&J, how the company innovates in science and technology, and how the company supports employees and communities. This Leadership in Challenging Times discussion is featured as a C-Suite...
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10 Priorities for Sustainability Leaders to Close Out 2025
C-Suite Perspectives
If you work in sustainability or ESG, you’re already grappling with a rapidly evolving regulatory and policy landscape, all while proving the ROI of your sustainability strategy. What other crucial issues should sustainability executives prioritize for the remainder of 2025? Join Steve Odland and guest Andrew Jones, PhD, principal researcher at The Conference Board Governance & Sustainability Center, to find out how AI is affecting sustainability work, the importance of supply chain sustainability and water stewardship, and why policy changes shouldn't affect your...
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Zscaler’s Secret to Success: Be Obsessed with Customers
C-Suite Perspectives
Cybersecurity has become top of mind for Fortune 500 companies, and yet attacks, breaches, and other incidents keep happening. Can companies really prevent cyber risks, and what approach should they be taking? Join David Young and guest Jay Chaudhry, CEO, chairman, and founder of Zscaler, to find out the three lessons his parents taught him, why Zscaler has a customer obsession, and why zero trust architecture is critical for today's cyber approach. This Leadership in Challenging Times discussion is featured as a C-Suite Perspectives podcast and a special CED Policy Watch...
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The State of the Economy for May 2025
C-Suite Perspectives
Tariffs and stock market movements remained top of mind for consumers in May. The Expectations Index—based on consumers’ short-term outlook for income, business, and labor market conditions—showed modest improvement overall. Expectations for business conditions and the labor market inched up but stayed in pessimistic territory. The key bright spot was income expectations, which moved into positive territory, supported by a stronger stock market and early signs of progress on a trade deal with China. Dana Peterson, Chief Economist and Leader of the Economy, Strategy...
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What New Polling Says About Tariffs, Immigration and More
C-Suite Perspectives
Get insights on the President’s polling 100 days in and how Americans view crucial domestic issues. The Administration’s approval rating has declined from 51% to 45% since Inauguration Day, but that's relatively in line with historical precedent. What does the President’s polling tell us about the American public today—and how they might vote in the 2026 midterms? Join Steve Odland and guest Clifford Young, president of polling and societal trends at Ipsos, to explore the President’s polling versus his first...
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What’s Russia’s Next Move in Ukraine—and in Europe?
C-Suite Perspectives
Can President Trump get Ukraine and Russia to agree on a peace deal? If so, what happens next? The US administration is pushing for a ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine, but progress has been slow, and success remains uncertain. How likely is a long-term cessation of hostilities, and how could that affect Russia’s military ambitions in Europe? Join Steve Odland and guest Dr. Lori Esposito Murray, senior fellow for national security and managing director of CEO programs at the Council on Foreign Relations, to find out the major issues...
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What's on the White House Agenda for the Next 100 Days?
C-Suite Perspectives
As the Trump presidency enters its second 100 days, what should we expect next? The Trump administration has had arguably the busiest first 100 days since President Franklin Roosevelt’s first term. How will the White House handle the challenges of the next hundred days, including tax legislation, the next phase of DOGE, and pivotal court cases regarding the executive branch’s autonomy? Join Steve Odland and guest David K. Young, president of the Committee for Economic Development, the public policy center of The Conference...
info_outlineLearn how recessions are defined and the current risk of the US economy entering one.
If your GDP growth slows to a mere 1%, history tells us to watch out—negative growth is on the way. How likely is the US to face a recession this year, and how can we tell if that’s happening?
Join Steve Odland and guest Yelena Shulyatyeva, Senior US Economist at The Conference Board Economy, Strategy & Finance Center, to find out the "official" definition of a recession, why inflation and growth patterns could diverge, and why uncertainty remains a key risk.
(01:21) Indicators of a Recession
(02:46) Official vs. Unofficial Views on Recession
(04:44) Current Economic Situation
(06:02) Impact of Layoffs and Employment
(15:36) Stagflation Concerns
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