C-Suite Perspectives

In this episode of C-Suite Perspectives, Sara Murray, managing director, international at The Conference Board, speaks with Robin Maillard, researcher in the Human Capital Center at The Conference Board, Europe, about where multinationals should hire in today's shifting European labor market.
They explore how the Where to Hire Index helps leaders balance skills, cost, productivity, and long-term competitiveness when making strategic workforce decisions.
More from The Conference Board:
·         Where to Hire: Europe 2026
·         Reimagine 2025: Human Capital Leadership in an Era of Disruption
·         Five EU Directives CHROs Must Prepare for in 2025
·         Navigating Europe's Tight Labor Market
·         Steady Hands in Stormy Seas: Human Capital as the Anchor of Business Resilience

In this episode of C-Suite Perspectives, Steve Odland, president and CEO of The Conference Board, sits down with Jennifer Eggers, founder and president of LeaderShift Insights, to explore what it truly takes to succeed at the highest levels of leadership. 

 

They discuss why transitioning to the C-Suite is more challenging than many expect, the mindset shifts required to lead at an enterprise level, and the most common mistakes new executives make. Jennifer shares practical insights on stakeholder management, building influence, and preparing for the complexities of senior leadership. 

 

More from The Conference Board:  

What Drives CEO Succession—And Are Boards Ready? 


CEO Succession Practices in the Russell 3000 and S&P 500: 2025 Edition 


The Conference Board Measure of CEO Confidence 


From Talent Democratization to Differentiation: The CHRO's Next Balancing Act

Consumer confidence has ticked up slightly but remains low in the face of tariffs, spiking prices and war. 

 

The Conference Board Consumer Confidence Index® edged up in March to 91.8 (1985=100), from 91.0 in February. The Present Situation Index—based on consumers' assessment of current business and labor market conditions—increased by 4.6 points to 123.3. The Expectations Index—based on consumers' short-term outlook for income, business, and labor market conditions—declined by 1.7 points to 70.9. 

 

While not obvious in the headline or its component indexes, the weight of rising costs due to tariff passthrough and spiking oil prices was evident among other measures in the survey like inflation expectations. 

 

Join Yelena Shulyatyeva and guest Allen Li, Associate Economist, The Conference Board, to find out what's behind consumers' current and future expectations. 

 

For more from The Conference Board: 

US Consumer Confidence 


Forecast for the US Economy 


Global Economic Outlook

In this episode, Dana Peterson, leader of the Economy, Strategy & Finance (ESF) Center at The Conference Board, speaks with Malala Lin, economic research associate at the ESF Center, about new research on shifting consumer habits. They explore the widespread move toward value seeking, how strategies differ across income groups, and what these changes signal for businesses planning in an uncertain environment. 

 

More from The Conference Board:  

Cutting Back and Making Trade-offs: How Consumers Are Managing Food Costs 


How Are Consumers Paying for Health Care? 


Will E-Wallets and Deferred Payments Overtake Cash and Credit Cards? 


Fur Babies: How Are US Consumers Financing Veterinary Care?

China remains one of the most essential -- and complex -- markets for global companies. In this episode of C-Suite Perspectives, host Steve Odland sits down with David Hoffman, Senior Advisor and China Center Leader at The Conference Board, to unpack what's really happening on the ground. 

Fresh from a three-week visit to Beijing and Shanghai, David shares a nuanced view of a market in transition: slower growth, ongoing real estate challenges, and a policy environment that is becoming less market driven. Yet, despite these headwinds, China continues to offer unmatched scale, a deeply capable supply chain, and increasingly rapid innovation cycles that make it indispensable for companies competing globally. 

The conversation also explores the rising strength of Chinese competitors, whose gains in design, quality, and cost are reshaping industries worldwide. Against a backdrop of geopolitical tension and trade frictions, companies are adapting through "China for China" strategies: localizing operations to build resilience while navigating a more fragmented global landscape. 

For more from The Conference Board: 

All China Center Research 


China Economy Watch 


China Consumption Quarterly Roundup