Leadership in Challenging Times: A Conversation with Marillyn Hewson, Lockheed Martin. The CED discussion series, Leadership in Challenging Times, interviews business leaders about the unprecedented challenges facing the nation and how they are helping chart a path forward for both their companies and communities in which they operate.

The Conference Board’s Consumer Confidence Index increased 15.5 points for September.

The unemployment rate reached its highest level in 70+ years in April and, after a few months of sharp recovery, remains extraordinarily high. With the July expiration of enhanced benefits, a time-limited replacement coming to an end, and continued debate over additional support, Heidi Shierholz, Senior Economist and Director of Policy at the Economic Policy Institute, joins to discuss trends in unemployment, the current policy picture, and what it means for workers and our economy this fall.

Amidst the COVID-19 pandemic in early 2020, a special mid-year edition of the annual C-Suite Challenge Survey focused on the long-term impacts business executives expect as the likely legacy of the pandemic. In this podcast, we discuss how executives in Europe are more engaged in rethinking the role of business in society, the future of globalization, and the higher interest in the new normal of remote work.

Join innovation expert and co-author, Scott Anthony, to discuss his latest book, which offers a new guide for using the power of habit to build a culture of innovation.

An update on the state of labor markets in the US and Europe. How many people have lost their job and what is the outlook? In which occupations and industries have job losses been the largest? What are the main differences between labor markets in the US and Europe? A follow up on our previous podcast on international labor markets.

The economic hit from COVID-19 has been widespread across many businesses and families but the hit to small businesses, and particularly minority-owned small businesses, has been unprecedented. Dr. Chris Wheat, Director of Business Research for the JPMorgan Chase Institute, joins to discuss COVID-19’s effects on small businesses to date, their outlook for the months ahead, and why it matters for the economy and our eventual path to recovery.

We react to the August jobs report and then discuss compensation trends and why the wage crunch might be delayed. Since the outbreak of COVID-19, organizations have taken several workforce cost reduction measures, including cutting wages and salaries. In addition, with revenues under pressure and many people out of work, employers are entering a new era where wage growth may hit a historical low.

Kwon Ping Ho Executive Chairman of Banyan Tree describes their sustainability journey and how the company is developing sustainable tourism solutions. Kwon Ping Ho explains why regenerative tourism is required and how Banyan Tree is taking environmental and social aspects into account, ensuring communities profit from tourism income whilst maintaining their cultural identity.

In an interview with Lori Esposito Murray, president of the Committee of Economic Development of The Conference Board, Gary Norcross, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of FIS, shared how FIS is putting colleague safety first, transferring critical services to home offices, and leaning in on daily communication to share best practices with its global staff.