Many companies have a blind spot when it comes to serving women. In fields from health care to financial services, they often treat women just like men—even though their needs are very different. BCG’s Alex Friedman and Trish Stroman share tangible steps leaders can take today to better serve women—who are responsible for up to 80% of spending. Organizations that are best positioned won't guess what women want—they’ll co-create with them and design for real needs.

Learn More:

Alex Friedman: https://on.bcg.com/3XW4lry

Trish Stroman: https://on.bcg.com/3KSkJWU

Closing the Menopause Care Gap: The Next Frontier in Women’s Health https://on.bcg.com/4oWSkNo

BCG’s Latest Thinking on the Healthcare Industry: https://on.bcg.com/3KXXCdH

BCG’s Innovate Her: https://on.bcg.com/3KSqiVs

Chapters:

00:00-00:57 Introduction

00:58-02:26 Why don't businesses successfully target and serve women?

02:27-03:30 Why is women's health still underinvested in?

03:31-05:04 Why has momentum shifted?

05:05-06:06 How big of an economic opportunity is this?

06:07-07:06 Where are the most immediate areas businesses can create value?

07:07-08:30 How can you scan your business for opportunities?

08:31-09:21 What do leaders say are the biggest opportunities and stumbling blocks?

09:22-11:50 Upcoming innovations that could solve problems for female consumers

11:51-12:58 What sectors have the most to gain from targeting female consuemrs?

12:59-14:13 What businesses are excelling?

14:14-16:03 Is there enough investment in this space?

16:04-17:52 What's the productivity and talent cost when women aren’t supported?

17:53-19:38 How to persuade a board that this is worth investing resources in

19:39-21:04 The ‘Now What’

21:05-21:15 Outro

Help us celebrate our very own Georgie Frost, who earned the Bronze Lovie Award for Best Podcast Host thanks to her outstanding work on The So What from BCG!

Georgie was also a finalist for the People’s Lovie Award for Best Podcast Host.

The Lovie Awards are the European cousin of the Webby Awards, celebrating the best of the best across the continent.

If you’d like to send a warm note, a congratulatory message, or simply an email full of emoji confetti, please send an email to thesowhat@bcg.com.

Congratulations to Georgie and thank you all for making the podcast a success!

What happens when AI meets your most human processes like hiring, feedback, and development? Alicia Pittman, BCG’s global people chair, shares how the firm uses AI to amplify human strengths, not replace them. From building trust to rethinking management roles, she offers a roadmap for leaders navigating AI-powered change.

Learn More:

Alicia Pittman: https://on.bcg.com/4pcZ2Qs

BCG’s Latest Thinking on People Strategy: https://on.bcg.com/43X5rGT

A Promise That Brings AI to Life Responsibly: https://on.bcg.com/4anxsLC

Chapters:

00:00-00:56 Introduction/Alicia’s ‘So What’

00:57-02:18 Lessons from BCG’s AI journey

02:19-05:24 Where is AI being used at BCG in people management?

05:25-07:08 What challenges has BCG faced?

07:09-08:04 What didn’t work at first?

08:05-09:43 How do you measure success with AI?

09:44-13:10 What are the biggest concerns for leaders at other companies?

13:11-14:56 What has to stay human?

14:57-15:40 What does a human in the loop look like for BCG?

15:41-18:50 Should you act now or wait and see how AI plays out?

18:51-21:38 How is AI reshaping how we learn?

21:39-21:59 Advice for leaders

22:00-22:50 Alicia’s ‘Now What’

22:51-23:06 Outro