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Young people arent just the leaders of tomorrowtheyre leading right now. Theyre influencing culture, driving social movements, and embracing technology faster than most of us can keep up. They may not have a seat in the boardroom, but their influence is already being felt in every corner of societyincluding your bottom line. As a mother of three and a leader at UNICEF USA, Ive seen firsthand how this generation is stepping up. Ive also seen a growing appetite among business leaders to meet this moment by actively engaging young people in shaping what comes next. International Youth Day, observed on August 12, was a moment to reflect on how we do that with intention and imaginationbuilding systems, products, and workplaces that are inclusive of the next generation and resilient for the long haul. Engaging youth is a strategic advantage Young people aged 1524 make up 16% of the global population and are among the most values-driven, digitally fluent, and socially engaged generations weve ever seen. Theyre setting expectations for what brands stand for, how leaders show up, and what the future of work should look like. Engaging them responsibly offers a real competitive edgebut just as meaningfully, it creates space for them to help shape a future theyll actually want to inherit. At UNICEF USA, weve embraced this as an opportunity. Our National Youth Council and Youth Representatives (ages 1424) dont just advisethey lead. They drive campaigns, influence policy, and activate peers across the country. Through our Child Friendly Cities Initiative, they partner with local governments to advocate for policies that make communities better for all childrennot one day in the future, but right now. And when one of our Youth Reps, Charlotte, took the stage at the Social Innovation Summit alongside leaders from Pinterest, lululemon, and UNICEF, she didnt just speakshe delivered. Her reflections on a major youth mental health study brought the data to life and made the stakes more personal and urgent for those in the room. As she spoke about the pressures young people facefrom constant news cycles to the weight of global challengesyou could feel the room shift. It was a powerful reminder that when we make space for youth to speak for themselves, the insights are deeper, the solutions get sharper, and the work becomes more human. Charlotte didnt just make the case, she embodied it. Youth voices arent symbolic. Theyre catalytic. Young people are shaping tech Todays young people arent just adapting to new tools, theyre actively shaping how those tools are used. Theyre early adopters, creators, and cultural accelerants, often outpacing the very systems designed to support them. As a mom, I see it every daykids are teaching us grown-ups whats next. And as a self-proclaimed data and tech enthusiast, its exciting. The pace of innovation holds incredible promise for how we learn, work, and connect. The promise of innovation is realbut so are the risks. To unlock its full potential for children, we need to design with their well-being in mind. Thats why UNICEF developed policy guidance on AI for children, shaped through input from technologists, companies, policymakers, academics, civil society, and even young people themselves. Its meant to be a practical starting point that supports innovation while keeping childrens safety at the center. If technology is shaping the future of business, then business must help shape a digital landscape that protects and empowers every child. Every company has an impact on children Even if your work isnt centered on children, your impact reaches them through the products you build, the stories you tell, and the policies you set. Investing in children pays off. Research shows that the return on investment for high-quality childcare and preschool programs, for example, was 13% annually per child. Those outcomes include health, IQ, maternal income, the childs adult income, and crime involvement. The business case is clearand so is the opportunity. Whether its through ethical design, youth mentorship, inclusive community programs, or family-friendly policies, there are countless ways to help build a more child-friendly world. What matters most is doing it. A more resilient future, built together Business leaders across sectors are already asking sharper questions, bringing in new perspectives, and recognizing that sustainable growth depends on the well-being of future generations. Young people may not be in the boardroom, but theyre shaping the world were building. Their influence is already driving culture, shifting expectations, and transforming markets. When we embrace that influence, we unlock stronger business and societal solutionsand design growth strategies that are built to last. Michele Walsh is executive vice president and chief philanthropy officer of UNICEF USA.
Category:
E-Commerce
CEO Anjali Sud explains why the free streamer with the massive library of 275,000 movies and TV episodes is giving creators what Netflix and YouTube can’t.
Category:
E-Commerce
Travel is one of the fastest-moving and most complicated industries in the world. It crosses borders and systems, depends on constant innovation, and at its heart, relies on human connection. Over the past 25 years, Ive seen our business grow from the brink of collapse during the dot-com crash to a $180 billion company today. That journey has taught me a lot about leadership, including how to navigate rapid change, whether its new technology like AI, global disruptions, or evolving customer expectations. Here are my top three lessons to help power the next generation of leaders, in any industry, organization, or pursuit through the acceleration of advancement and unpredictable tides of the next 25 years. Adaptability required Successful leaders are forward-looking. They must recognize change before its needed. In an industry that demands constant adaptability, Booking has led with this mindset since inception. Over the years, we have seen many gradual shifts in travel, like the move from desktop to mobile booking, the emergence of the sharing economy, and early advancements in AI. In all of these, and many more, we began exploring and investing in these areas before we were certain of their importance. Each required a change, of course. This adaptability is a muscle that needs to be stretched daily for a business to survive and thrive and it requires clarity of purpose. In Bookings case, our missionTo make it easier for everyone to experience the worldserves as a steadying force, enabling teams to adjust their approach to stay aligned to what matters most. With the rapid advent of generative AI, and now, the emergence of agentic AI capable of acting autonomously to carry out complex tasks, we are entering the next epoch of change in every aspect of business and society. Now is the time to disrupt yourself before someone does it for you. Innovate or perish Innovation is built on the foundation of adaptable teams and businesses. The graveyard of failed companies is filled with once great names that did not foresee where the world was going. One of our values is a commitment to relentless innovation. That means constantly challenging the status quo. But the lesson isnt innovation for innovations sake. It is understanding that the most effective innovation always comes from solving customer needsnot assumptions. Dont build what you think customers want, or even what customers might say they think they want. Apply a relentless focus on data and conversion patterns, and treat every interaction with a customer as mission-critical information for the future. The companies that win are the ones that solve better, not build louder. Constantly listening, learning, and endlessly iterating with talented teams is the innovation journey. And it doesnt just live in your product teams. Encouraging everyone in your organization to think about how they can help drive the next improvement will pay generous returns. The connection factor My last piece of advice is to never lose sight of the power of human connection. In the travel industry, success depends on it. You can have the most advanced technology and the most ambitious growth strategy, but without genuine connections, it wont resonate or endure. Whether its earning trust with partners, understanding the needs of travelers, or building alignment across global teams, strong relationships matter. Theyre what turn good ideas into great outcomes. Travel also reminds us that when we bring together diverse perspectives, we find better answers, faster. And the same applies to any business. Leaders who invest in connectionwith and among their people, partners and customersunlock more creativity and sharper problem solving. This leads to more effective responses to both challenges and opportunities. In the end, connectionnot controldrives progress. The leaders who recognize this early will have the advantage in shaping the future; one built on trust, shared purpose and the ability to navigate complexity together. The coming era will be no different. Glenn Fogel is the CEO and president of Booking Holdings.
Category:
E-Commerce
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