Regional Insights

Welcome to "Regional Insights," a Roland Berger podcast. In this series we explore perspectives on key business trends, challenges, and opportunities from regions around the world. Our local market specialists provide in-depth analysis, exploring how global developments play out at a regional level and what that means for businesses operating there.What are the economic and regulatory shifts shaping different markets? How do industries adapt to local dynamics? And where are the biggest opportunities for growth? Join us as we break down the latest insights and strategic implications from across the globe.

Regional Insights is a business podcast hosted by Roland Berger, with 16 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80. PitchCentric scores this show on Booking Probability, Listen Score, and live audience signals refreshed every 24 hours.

Roland Berger hosts Regional Insights, a business show with 16 episodes published.

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  Regional Insights

  Transformation as Strategy: The Data Center Race: Can Nuclear Meet America's Energy Demand?

  Jul 16, 202636 min

  The rapid growth of AI and data centers is reshaping America's energy landscape—and creating unprecedented demand for reliable power. In this episode, Mike Granowski, Partner and Head of Energy & Utilities in North America at Roland Berger, explores why nuclear energy has re-emerged as a leading solution to support the next wave of digital infrastructure. Mike breaks down how hyperscalers and data center operators are securing power today, why major technology companies are investing in nuclear partnerships, and what makes small modular reactors (SMRs) and next-generation nuclear technologies different from the reactors of the past. He also discusses the key challenges facing nuclear deployment—from fuel supply and workforce shortages to regulation and financing and shares his perspective on what the U.S. energy mix could look like by 2050. Whether you're tracking AI growth, energy markets, infrastructure investment, or the future of clean power, this conversation offers a timely look at one of the most important trends shaping the economy. Listen now to learn why the future of AI may depend on the future of nuclear energy, and what leaders should be watching next.

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  Regional Insights

  Transformation as Strategy: From Data to Dollars: Unlocking AI’s True Value in Procurement

  Jun 22, 202623 min

  AI is rapidly transforming procurement—but most organizations are still just scratching the surface. In this episode, Max Gustafson shares a practical, insider’s perspective on where AI is delivering real value today, from spend analytics to automation, and where the biggest opportunities lie next, including agentic solutions and autonomous decision-making. He also breaks down the common pitfalls that hold companies back, like poor data readiness and over-reliance on quick wins, and outlines a clear, step-by-step roadmap for moving beyond pilots to scalable impact. Whether you’re just starting your AI journey or looking to accelerate it, this conversation offers actionable insights to help you turn AI from a buzzword into a true competitive advantage.

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  Regional Insights

  Transformation as Strategy: Smoothing the Surge: Powering the Next Generation of AI Data Centers

  May 28, 202618 minS0

  AI data centers are redefining the limits of energy demand—and exposing new vulnerabilities in how power is generated, managed, and stabilized. As AI training workloads create highly variable, high-intensity power profiles, traditional infrastructure is struggling to keep pace. In this episode, Spencer Gore explores why these “AI factories” behave fundamentally differently from conventional data centers, how their unique load patterns create challenges for utilities and on-site generation alike, and why energy storage is emerging as a critical enabler of growth. From rapid power ramping and checkpoint-driven fluctuations to evolving grid requirements and the rise of battery solutions, the conversation unpack...

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  Regional Insights

  Transformation as Strategy: Inside the Shift: How New Mobility Is Rewriting the Aftermarket

  Mar 23, 202639 minS0

  In this episode of Transformation is Strategy, Neury Freitas, Head of the Aftermarket practice in North America, breaks down the dramatic forces reshaping the automotive aftermarket, from autonomous mobility to the mixed reality of EV adoption in 2026. He explains why CES surprised the industry this year, how large autonomous fleets like Waymo are fundamentally shifting aftermarket power dynamics, and why servicing models will look more like commercial fleet operations than neighborhood garages. Neury also dives into findings from the Aftermarket Pulse 2025 study, revealing how consumer behavior, rising costs, and the shift toward convenience are rapidly changing both the B2B a...

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  Regional Insights

  Transformation as Strategy: CES 2026: Beyond the Show Floor — What Executives Are Really Talking About

  Feb 4, 202624 minS0

  CES 2026 may have dazzled less on the show floor, but behind the scenes, it delivered something far more important: clarity. In this episode, Roland Berger’s Stephan Keese and Philipp Leutiger unpack the real story of this year’s CES — a dramatic shift from flashy, futuristic prototypes to grounded conversations on AI, robotics, autonomous systems, and the volatile global business landscape. They reveal why transformation now depends on smaller, self‑funded innovation cycles, how executives are using AI to build flexibility and transparency, and what companies must do to turn global uncertainty into competitive advantage. If you want to understand where te...

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