Core Insights - The Hackett Group, Inc. has reported that SG&A costs have reached their highest level in five years, with median SG&A cost as a percentage of revenue increasing from 13.7% to 14.3% [1] SG&A Cost Analysis - The increase in SG&A costs is primarily attributed to slowing revenue growth, indicating a potential challenge for companies in managing operational expenses [1] - The findings are based on an analysis of 1,000 large companies, providing a comprehensive view of the current SG&A landscape [1]

Group 1 - Accenture and Anthropic have expanded their partnership by creating a new business group [1] - Approximately 30,000 employees of Accenture will receive training on Anthropic's AI technologies [1]

Core Insights - FTI Consulting has appointed Rike Rabl as Chief Human Resources Officer, effective January 1, 2026, succeeding Holly Paul who held the position since 2014 [1][3]. Company Leadership Transition - Rike Rabl joined FTI Consulting in 2020 and will lead the global human capital strategy, focusing on talent acquisition, workforce planning, and total rewards [2][5]. - Holly Paul, the outgoing Chief Human Resources Officer, significantly transformed the HR function during her tenure, enhancing recruiting, talent development, and employee engagement initiatives [3][4]. - The transition aims to maintain the company's organic growth trajectory by competing effectively in the markets for clients and talent [4]. Rike Rabl's Background - Prior to her new role, Rabl served as Deputy Chief Human Resources Officer, overseeing global HR operations and strategy [5]. - Rabl has extensive experience in transformation, having led initiatives at Fannie Mae and spent nearly a decade at Boston Consulting Group [5]. Company Overview - FTI Consulting is a global expert firm with over 8,100 employees across 32 countries, generating $3.70 billion in revenues for fiscal year 2024 [7].

Core Insights - Korn Ferry reported second quarter fee revenue of $721.7 million, a 7% increase year-over-year, with diluted earnings per share at $1.36 and adjusted diluted earnings per share at $1.33 [1][3][6] Financial Performance - Fee revenue for Q2 FY'26 was $721.7 million, up from $674.4 million in Q2 FY'25, reflecting a 7% increase (6% at constant currency) [3][6] - Total revenue for the quarter was $729.8 million, compared to $682.0 million in the previous year, marking a 7% increase [3][6] - Net income attributable to Korn Ferry was $72.4 million, with a margin of 10.0%, up from $60.8 million and a margin of 9.0% in the prior year [3][6] - Adjusted EBITDA for Q2 FY'26 was $124.8 million, compared to $117.0 million in Q2 FY'25, with an adjusted EBITDA margin of 17.3% [3][7] Segment Performance - Consulting segment fee revenue was $172.8 million, a 4% increase from $166.8 million in Q2 FY'25, driven by a 10% increase in average bill rates [10][11] - Digital segment fee revenue decreased to $91.0 million from $92.9 million, a 2% decline [12][13] - Executive Search segment fee revenue increased to $226.0 million, up 10% from $206.0 million, attributed to growth in engagements billed and average fees [14][18] - Professional Search & Interim segment fee revenue rose to $141.1 million, a 17% increase from $121.1 million, primarily due to higher revenue from Interim services [19][21] - Recruitment Process Outsourcing (RPO) fee revenue increased to $90.8 million, up 4% from $87.6 million, driven by new business in North America [22][24] Outlook - For Q3 FY'26, Korn Ferry expects adjusted diluted earnings per share to be in the range of $1.19 to $1.25, with fee revenue projected between $680 million and $694 million [25][30]

Core Insights - CFOs are increasingly using terms like "uncertainty" and "unprecedented" to describe the current economic landscape, reflecting a sense of fatigue with ongoing unpredictability [1] - The focus for CFOs is on taking actionable steps to build resilience in the face of uncertainty, rather than succumbing to inaction [1][2] - There is a significant shift in resource allocation towards technology functions within companies, although uncertainty remains regarding AI's full impact on financial performance [3][4] Financial Strategies - Key questions for CFOs include improving liquidity, operational efficiency, and determining essential versus non-essential investments [2] - Despite uncertainty, it is crucial for companies to review long-standing strategies and seize competitive opportunities, particularly in AI investments [2] - The recommended focus for AI efforts is 80% on productivity for growth and 20% on productivity for efficiency, emphasizing better time utilization rather than headcount reduction [5] Future Outlook - McKinsey's research suggests that by 2030, profound changes in work processes will necessitate a reorganization of value creation and activities [4] - Managing uncertainty effectively involves planning for both positive and negative scenarios, highlighting the importance of a cross-functional approach within the C-suite [6] - The global economic outlook indicates that AI-driven investments are supporting better-than-expected growth, despite underlying demand remaining soft [9]

Core Insights - Riyadh Air has been unveiled as the world's first AI-native airline, designed from the ground up without legacy systems, aiming to transform guest and employee experiences in aviation [1][4][9] - The collaboration with IBM Consulting has integrated AI into the airline's operations, leveraging a broad partner ecosystem to create a seamless technology strategy [2][4][9] Company Overview - Riyadh Air is a full-service airline owned by the Public Investment Fund (PIF) of Saudi Arabia, launched in March 2023, with plans to connect over 100 destinations globally by 2030 [10] - The airline is focused on sustainability and safety, featuring advanced aircraft with state-of-the-art cabin interiors and digital in-flight entertainment systems [10] AI Integration and Operational Efficiency - The airline's operations are built on a completely blank digital slate, allowing for the creation of new revenue opportunities and reinvestment in innovation [6][8] - AI capabilities are embedded into workflows to enhance employee engagement and improve the travel experience for guests [5][7] Employee and Customer Experience - Riyadh Air will introduce a personalized digital workplace powered by AI agents, simplifying HR workflows and enhancing employee self-service capabilities as the workforce is expected to double in the next 12 months [7] - AI-powered mobile applications will facilitate a connected journey for employees and guests, enabling tailored services and proactive support [7][8] Future Aspirations - The airline aims to redefine aviation standards and set a new benchmark for modern enterprises, with a vision to serve millions of travelers by 2030 [4][9]

Core Insights - FTI Consulting has appointed Jason Leow as a Senior Managing Director in its Strategic Communications segment, emphasizing the firm's commitment to expanding its capabilities in Southeast Asia [1][2]. Group 1: Appointment and Role - Jason Leow brings over 25 years of experience in financial communications and stakeholder engagement across Asia, Europe, and the United States [2]. - In his new role, he will collaborate with the Asia Leadership Team and the global Senior Managing Director group to drive growth in Southeast Asia and enhance alignment within the international Strategic Communications network [2][3]. Group 2: Strategic Focus - Leow's leadership is expected to accelerate FTI Consulting's insights and analytics offerings in Asia, focusing on data-driven strategies for reputation management and strategic decision-making [3]. - He will also work with various business segments, including Forensic and Litigation Consulting, Economic Consulting, and Corporate Finance & Restructuring, to provide integrated support to clients [3]. Group 3: Industry Context - Leow highlighted the increasing scrutiny and complexity faced by boards and CEOs in Southeast Asia, indicating a growing demand for strategic counsel combined with data analytics [4]. - FTI Consulting, with over 8,100 employees in 32 countries, generated $3.70 billion in revenues during fiscal year 2024, positioning itself as a leading expert firm for organizations in crisis and transformation [5].

Core Insights - The event "Global AI Innovation Summit" at Xpeng Technology Park highlighted the importance of AI-driven innovation in future mobility and smart living, emphasizing the need for companies to achieve differentiation through category innovation in the AI era [1][3]. Industry Overview - The AI sector is experiencing a dichotomy, with IDC forecasting the global AI application market to exceed $500 billion by 2025, while China's mobile AI application market user growth is projected at 101% [3]. - As of April 2025, over 4,500 AI-related companies exist in China, indicating intense competition in the sector [3]. Company Strategy - Xpeng has redefined its strategic positioning from a traditional car manufacturer to a "global AI driving technology company," focusing on AI capabilities as core features rather than optional add-ons [8][10]. - The launch of the new P7+ model is positioned as the "world's first AI car," featuring comprehensive AI driving capabilities without additional costs, showcasing a unique business model [8][10]. Market Performance - Xpeng achieved significant milestones, including the production of its one-millionth vehicle at the 2025 Guangzhou Auto Show, marking it as the first pure electric new force company to reach this scale [10]. - From January to November 2025, Xpeng delivered 391,937 vehicles, reflecting a 156% year-on-year increase and surpassing its annual targets [10]. Innovation and Challenges - The discussion among entrepreneurs at the summit focused on converting technological advantages into sustainable business success, with emphasis on category innovation as a means to build competitive barriers [11]. - The principles of AI category innovation include optimizing existing categories, identifying new problems to create new categories, and focusing on category design rather than merely launching new products [11]. Future Outlook - As AI technology integrates into various industries, identifying the next growth category will be crucial for companies' futures, with Xpeng's strategic collaboration with Ries Consulting serving as a potential model for other Chinese enterprises in the AI era [14].

Core Insights - Accenture and OpenAI have announced a collaboration aimed at integrating agentic AI systems into business operations to drive innovation and growth [1] - The partnership will leverage ChatGPT Enterprise to enhance consulting, operations, and delivery work, positioning Accenture as a key player in AI transformation for enterprises [1] Collaboration Details - Accenture will provide professionals with ChatGPT Enterprise, enabling faster workflows and generating economic value for clients [1] - An AI program will be launched that combines OpenAI's enterprise products with Accenture's industry expertise, offering implementation playbooks and security insights [1] - The program targets industries such as financial services, healthcare, public sector, and retail, focusing on transforming legacy processes into AI-powered workflows [1] Implementation and Impact - The collaboration will focus on AI-first solutions for critical corporate functions including customer service, supply chain, finance, and HR [1] - Accenture will utilize OpenAI AgentKit to design, test, and deploy custom AI agents that automate workflows and enhance decision-making [1] - The partnership aims to create a large group of upskilled professionals through OpenAI Certifications, enhancing AI capabilities within Accenture [1] Strategic Vision - The collaboration is designed to help OpenAI scale its business and bring AI technologies to organizations [1] - By embedding OpenAI technologies into its operations, Accenture aims to redefine how companies manage intelligent business functions at scale [1] - This partnership positions Accenture as the preferred AI partner for enterprises, focusing on both front- and back-office functions [1]

Core Insights - FTI Consulting has appointed four senior hires to enhance its Transformation practices in London, focusing on operational performance and transformation capabilities for Private Equity and Financial Services clients [1][2] Group 1: New Appointments - Jan Timmermann, Malvinder Singh, Rakhi Williams, and Irina Bakanova have joined FTI Consulting, with Timmermann and Singh as Senior Managing Directors and Bakanova as a Managing Director [1][2] - Timmermann brings over 25 years of experience and has led more than 80 private equity assignments, specializing in operational and carve-out due diligence [2][3] - Singh has extensive experience in technology and operational transformation projects for private equity firms, focusing on post-deal value creation [4][5] - Williams has led transformation programs for private equity and listed companies, focusing on value creation and operational performance [6][7] - Bakanova has expertise in strategy and digital transformation within financial institutions, previously serving as Head of Strategy at Zing, a fintech of HSBC [7] Group 2: Strategic Focus and Goals - The new hires will enhance FTI Consulting's capabilities in financial, operational, carve-out, and technology due diligence, positioning the firm to better support clients throughout the investment cycle [2] - Timmermann will lead the expansion of integrated operational due diligence solutions and post-deal value creation services for private equity clients [3] - Singh aims to help clients leverage advanced digital technologies to improve operational performance [5] - Williams will focus on expanding transformation and value creation solutions for private equity portfolio companies in the consumer and TMT sectors [6] - Bakanova's role will involve driving strategy and innovation within financial institutions [7] Group 3: Company Overview - FTI Consulting is a leading global expert firm specializing in crisis and transformation, with over 8,100 employees in 32 countries as of September 30, 2025 [8] - The company generated $3.70 billion in revenues during fiscal year 2024 [8]