Business & Beyond

In a world of constant change, what should leaders hold on to?​ In this episode, Phillip Benedetti, Former Managing Director & Partner at BCG and now Consultant at Spencer Stuart, joins Sanjay Chari to explore how strategy is changing in an era of AI, geopolitical uncertainty and constant disruption.​ Drawing on his experience helping organisations navigate growth and innovation, Phillip shares why purpose should guide every strategic decision, how leaders can balance long term thinking with continuous adaptation, and why trust and psychological safety remain the foundations of high-performing teams. Chapters: 00:00 Introduction​ 01:30 From Scientist to Strategy Consultant​ 03:55 The End of Set-and-Forget Strategy​ 07:00 Purpose Before Growth​ 10:35 Navigating AI Without Losing Focus​ 14:50 The Competitive Advantage of Time​ 18:03 Innovation, Risk and Long-Term Value​ 25:07 Building Teams That Thrive on Trust​ 30:17 Going Beyond Client Expectations​ 31:23 Sustaining High Performance​ 35:07 Final Reflections

In this episode of Business & Beyond , Sanjay Chari sits down with Caryn Katsikogianis, former Chief People Officer at Woolworths, for a conversation on leadership, culture, and the future of work.​ Drawing on her decades-long career in people leadership, Caryn reflects on what it takes to build trust, lead with purpose, and navigate change in complex organisations.​ The conversation also explores how AI is reshaping the way work gets done — and why the next wave of transformation will depend not just on technology, but on the teams closest to the work. Chapter markers: 00:00 Introducing Caryn Katsikogianis​ 04:24 Leading through challenge and what great leadership lookslike in a crisis​ 09:14 Can empathy and connection be learned?​ 10:32 Calling out poor leadership and finding courage​ 13:48 How business culture has changed​ 15:40 Why AI is fundamentally changing work​ 18:47 Building AI confidence across teams​ 20:58 Why AI needs to start with strategy​ 22:51 From top-down change to team-led transformation​ 23:51 Balancing AI speed, risk and governance​ 24:45 How successful organisations will scale AI​ 25:40 What AI means for talent and future skills​ 27:10 Why Caryn is optimistic about the future of work​ 28:09 Caryn’s next chapter​ 29:18 Advice for the next generation​ 30:19 Final reflections

In this episode, Sanjay sits down with Nisha Karna to explore what it really takes to scale brands across markets.​ From her early career at BCG to roles in global beauty like Frank Body and Estee Lauder, Amazon-first businesses and now as co-founder of GLOWPATH, Nisha has seen firsthand why international expansion requires more than replicating what worked at home. The conversation also covers Nisha’s career journey from consulting to operating, what she learned building brands in the US, the role of Amazon in reshaping retail, how AI is changing the brand playbook, and how she is navigating entrepreneurship and family life. Topics covered: Differences between the Australian and US markets The importance of understanding local customers, channels and operating models Why founders need to be clear on the problem they are solving before pursuing growth offshore. Chapter markers: 00:00 — Introducing Nisha Karna​ 01:28 — Early lessons in retail, pricing and customers​ 04:34 — Finding her way into BCG​ 06:52 — Moving to New York and joining global beauty​ 11:02 — From business school plans to a startup opportunity​ 12:22 — Why international expansion is not copy-paste​ 15:40 — Building a brand in the US from the ground up​ 16:59 — The underestimated challenge of hiring the right team​ 20:06 — Why focus matters in brand building​ 21:39 — Understanding Amazon-first brands and marketplace growth​ 29:12 — How Amazon can level the playing field for challenger brands​ 33:09 — Returning to Australia and launching GLOWPATH​ 38:07 — AI, humanity and the future of brand building​ 41:51 — Launching a business while seven months pregnant

In this episode of Business & Beyond, Bunnings Managing Director Mike Schneider shares what it really takes to lead at scale — and why the best leaders leave ego at the door.​ From a modest upbringing in Sydney to leading one of Australia’s most trusted brands,Mike reflects on the experiences that shaped his leadership philosophy — including moments of failure, tough decisions, and the pressure of leading through uncertainty.​ Topics covered:​ Why great leaders focus on the work, not the title ​ How to build high-performing teams grounded in trust and accountability ​ Lessons from Bunnings’ most challenging periods — and what they revealed ​ Why culture is a long-term advantage (and easy to get wrong) ​ Practical advice for the next generation of leaders​ BCG maintains a professional relationship with the company represented by this episode’s guest. Chapter markers: 00:00:00 Resilience, Setbacks and Fresh Starts​ 00:01:19 Upbringing, Family and Early Adversity​ 00:06:43 Leadership Philosophy and Tough Conversations​ 00:10:39 Humble Starts in Retail and Finding Direction​ 00:18:47 From Retail to Banking and Finding the Calling​​ 00:28:50 Joining Bunnings and Cultural Alignment​ 00:32:24 Becoming CEO During Major Change​ 00:37:04 Bunnings UK Lessons and Personal Resilience​ 00:41:52 How Bunnings Wins on People​​ 00:44:13 Growth Through Categories and Curiosity​ 00:46:30 Digital Strategy Before COVID​ 00:50:24 Culture, Innovation and Brand Trust​ 00:58:10 New Competition and Consumer Reality​ 01:09:33 Leadership Advice for the Next Generation

AI is already writing code. The question is no longer what it can do, but how organisations use it.​ In this episode of Business & Beyond , Rohin Wood (Managing Director & Partner, BCG X ANZ) shares a practical view on what’s changing, what’s working, and where most organisations are getting stuck.​ As execution becomes easier, the real challenge shifts to framing problems, redesigning workflows, and applying judgement.​ They explore: ​ Why many AI initiatives stall at the pilot stage​ How to move from use cases to transformation​ The rise of agentic systems and what they mean for business​ Where organisations are already seeing real value​ Links: ​ Scheduling the World’s Largest Fully-Owned and Integrated Iron Ore Supply Chain with Rio Tinto:​ https://www.bcg.com/x/mark-your-moment/how-an-iron-ore-producer-modernized-mining-operations-with-ai ​ AI Radar Report: https://www.bcg.com/publications/2026/as-ai-investments-surge-ceos-take-the-lead ​ Rohin's PhD Thesis: https://digital.library.adelaide.edu.au/dspace/bitstream/2440/59390/8/02chapters1-4.pdf Chapter markers: 0:00 – Abstraction and Leadership in AI 1:18 – From PhD to BCG X 5:32 – Scaling BCG X Globally 7:20 – Algorithms, Neural Networks and GPT Breakthroughs 8:51 – AI Writing Code and Maths 9:15 – The Cost of Work Dropping to Near Zero 10:23 – Agentic Commerce Explained 12:43 – AI as an Operating System 15:25 – From Pilots to Transformation 22:13 – Democratising AI Agents 24:00 – AI Capability Doubling Rapidly 29:08 – Mining, Pharma, Pricing Use Cases 32:31 – Superhuman Engineers Emerging 35:06 – Cyber Risk in AI Era

Richard Lesser reflects on leading BCG through a decade of disruption that saw the firm triple revenues while expanding into digital, advanced analytics and AI.​ He shares why CEOs must balance short-term earnings with long-term vitality, why engagement with governments has shifted from optional to essential, and why complacency is the real threat in an era defined by generative AI, geopolitical tension and declining institutional trust. For Rich, the defining leadership advantage was not prior expertise, but the capacity to learn faster than the world was changing.​ In this episode, Rich also discusses:​ How BCG invested early in digital and AI before the generative AI inflection point​ The firm’s expansion into climate and sustainability advisory​ The rapid scaling of private capital into a multibillion-dollar platform​ What the Edelman Trust Barometer signals for CEOs​ Whether consulting remains relevant in the age of AI Chapter Markers: 00:00:00 – The Leadership Lesson He Didn’t See Coming​ 00:00:50 – Richard Lesser’s 40-Year BCG Journey​ 00:01:57 – Leading in an Age of Disruption: What’s Changed​ 00:03:03 – Balancing Short-Term Performance and Long-Term Vitality​ 00:04:13 – Why CEOs Must Become Learners, Not Just Experts​ 00:05:00 – The CEO as Statesman: Trust, Government and Polarisation​ 00:07:26 – Scaling BCG: Digital, AI and Strategic Inflection Points​ 00:09:32 – Climate, Sustainability and Private Capital Expansion​ 00:11:26 – Stepping Into the CEO Role: Responsibility and TeamBuilding​ 00:14:27 – Building Trust Through Authentic Leadership​ 00:16:56 – AI, Generative Tools and the Future of Consulting​ 00:21:15 – Energy, Sleep and Self-Awareness at the Top​ 00:26:21 – Three Career Lessons for the Next Generation

In this episode of Business & Beyond, Sanjay Chari sits down with Rich Lesser, Global Chairman of BCG and former CEO, immediately following a week at the World Economic Forum in Davos.​ Rich reflects on why this year felt fundamentally different, describing it as “a tale of four Davos” - four conversations unfolding at once. Leaders were debating the global economic outlook with cautious optimism, shifting the AI discussion from hype to value at scale, grappling with rising geopolitical tension, and continuing quieter but determined work on climate and sustainability.​ The conversation explores what a difficult decade has taught business leaders about resilience, how AI is moving from experimentation to real-world impact, what growing geopolitical fragmentation means for companies operating globally, and why climate action is increasingly driven by business fundamentals rather than public rhetoric. Chapter markers 00:00 Welcome & reflections after Davos​ 01:18 A tale of four Davos explained​ 04:20 Davos on the ground: the economic outlook​ 06:42 Global perspectives​ 08:48 How institutions and businesses build resilience​ 14:44 Davos in the cloud: AI moves from hype to value​ 19:43 Why CEOs are taking ownership of AI​ 22:44 Managing risks as the AI agenda scales 25:21 Davos to the north: geopolitics & trade tensions​ 30:59 Navigating uncertainty in a fragmented world​ 34:32 Davos underground: climate beyond the headlines​ 36:57 The green economy as a growth opportunity​ 44:02 Final reflections: optimism in a decade of change Resources: Read Rich's article on A Tale of Four Davos here: https://on.bcg.com/4ryqZD8 The Widening AI Value Gap: https://www.bcg.com/publications/2025/are-you-generating-value-from-ai-the-widening-gap AI Radar: https://www.bcg.com/publications/2026/as-ai-investments-surge-ceos-take-the-lead

In this episode of Business & Beyond, Sanjay Chari speaks with John Gualtieri, Managing Director of Officeworks Australia, about leadership, authenticity, and navigating change at scale.​ John shares reflections from a long career in retail, from his early days on the shop floor to leading major transformations. He shares lessons shaped over time — often learned by getting things wrong first — and how those experiences influenced the way he leads today.​ The conversation explores ​ why simplifying choices builds trust​ the importance of genuinely listening to frontline teams and acting on what you hear​ how leaders can stay effective even when they don’t have all the answers​ A thoughtful discussion on leadership shaped by experience, and what really matters over the long run.​ BCG maintains a professional relationship with the company represented by this episode’s guest. ​ ​Chapters: 00:00 Why diversity of thought really matters​ 00:26 Introducing John Gualtieri​ 01:00 Growing up, family, and early influences​ 04:31 First steps into retail​ 06:46 Early leadership roles and career choices​ 11:56 Joining Kmart and the journey of transformation​ 14:23 Simplifying complexity to rebuild customer trust​ 19:13 Big decisions and the Kmart turnaround​ 20:05 Leadership lessons: the power of listening ​ 26:43 Throwing out the script during COVID​ 28:31 Leading Officeworks today​ 30:08 The pace of change in modern retail​ 32:58 Future opportunities: Tech, B2B​ 37:36 Purpose beyond profit​ 39:03 Staying grounded as a leader

In this episode of BCG Business & Beyond, Sanjay Chari sits down with Fiona Hayes, CEO and MD of 7-Eleven Australia, to unpack how one of the country’s most recognisable convenience brands is reinventing itself. Fiona discusses the shift from fuel-led missions to a food and beverage-led offer, why supermarkets and convenience retailers are converging, and how 7-Eleven is reshaping customer perception through store upgrades, product innovation and its new “Anytime is 7-Eleven time” brand platform.​ She shares practical examples of what customers are demanding today, the rise of delivery as a core channel, and how Gen Z trends are reshaping drinks and snacking. Fiona also dives into AI use cases already live in stores, including automated stock ordering and agentic AI tools that support 8000 frontline team members.​ Finally, she opens up about her 30-year career from call centres to the CEO role, how she stays energised at 5:30 am training sessions, and the leadership habits that help her build resilient teams and navigate major transformation.​ BCG maintains a professional relationship with the company represented by today’s guest. Chapters: 00:34 - Introducing Fiona Hayes and the modern 7-Eleven​ 02:09 - How convenience has evolved in Australia​ 04:03 - Intensifying competition and sector convergence​ 05:31 - What today’s ANZ customers expect​ 07:08 - Inside 7-Eleven’s purpose, ambition and growth strategy​ 10:01 - Food and beverage as the future of convenience​ 12:08 - Changing customer perception of 7-Eleven​ 15:49 - Product innovation, testing and global inspirations​ 20:11 - Localisation, franchisees and store-level agility​ 23:46 - Digital engagement, loyalty and the rise of delivery​ 27:34 - Partnerships, people and the success ecosystem​ 29:02 - How 7-Eleven is applying AI across the business​ 37:42 - Fiona’s career journey, adaptability and growth​ 55:23 - Personal sustainability, leadership and career advice

What does leadership look like when the playbook doesn’t exist?​​ In our first episode, Grant McCabe, Managing Partner of BCG ANZ, joins Sanjay Chari to talk about leading through uncertainty, building trust, and staying grounded under pressure.​ They explore habits that sustain focus and resilience, the evolving role of AI in business, and what it really means to lead with both clarity and care. Chapters: 00:00 - 02:39 Introducing Grant McCabe 02:40 - 04:14 Why This Podcast Exists 04:15 - 10:09 What CEOs Are Talking About 10:10 - 14:19 Productivity & Growth Challenges 14:20 - 25:59 The Rise of AI in Australia 26:00 - 28:04 Will AI Replace Consultants? 28:05 - 32:59 Grant's Leadership Journey 33:00 - 37:59 Leading High Performing Teams 38:00 - 40:11 Sustainable High Performance at Work 40:12 - 44:49 Lessons from Geelong Football Club 44:50 - 45:44 How Grant Uses AI to Aid His Life 45:45 - 49:30 Personal Productivity & How You Can Turn Up to Your Job Sustainably 49:31 - 50:57 Advice for Leaders in 2026 50:58 - 53:09 Advice for Early-Career Talent in 2026 53:10 - 54:02 Closing Reflections

Hosted by Sanjay Chari , Managing Director and Partner at BCG Australia & New Zealand, each episode dives into how today’s decision-makers navigate pressure, build trust, and turn ideas into action. ​ From boardrooms to startups, topics span leadership habits, purpose, AI in banking, retail media, loyalty and personalisation, and the art of execution.​ Expect practical insights, honest stories, and clear takeaways you can apply in your own work — minus the jargon.