The Bottom Line
BBC Radio 4
The definitive business podcast from the BBC. Each week, the BBC's Evan Davis is joined by bosses, entrepreneurs and industry experts, to lift the lid on how their businesses work, and what it’s like to be in charge. They discuss a big issue, a big challenge, or a big question facing their industry. From managing AI to managing millennials, from supermarkets to supercharging a new product.And our guests will share their stories of success and failure along the way. Podcasts are published every Thursday. And as well as being a podcast, we are also available every Thursday afternoon and Tuesday evening on BBC Radio 4. You can now also listen to The Bottom Line on a smart speaker. If you want to listen, just say "Ask BBC Sounds to play The Bottom Line”. It works on most smart speakers.The Bottom Line has published a spin off series - Decisions That Made Me - where Evan asks entrepreneurs and business leaders about the most crucial moments in their lives and careers. You can watch these episodes here: https://t.ly/oJ8lW. Got a question or a comment? Get in touch with Evan and the team on email at bottomline@bbc.co.uk.The Bottom Line is produced in partnership with The Open University and is an EcoAudio certified production.
Episodes
Mentioned books
Oct 20, 2022 • 29min
Dealing in Defence
Evan Davis looks at the UK's defence industry to find out how it is responding to the war in Ukraine and whether socially conscious investors are beginning to change their minds about the sector.Guests:
Dean Rosenfield, Head of Saab UK
Kevin McNamee, CEO of Denroy Group Ltd
Kevin Craven, CEO of ADS GroupPresenter: Evan Davis
Production Coordinators: Siobhan Reed & Helena Warwick-Cross
Producer: Julie Ball & Nick Holland
Editor: Tara McDermott
Oct 13, 2022 • 29min
Changing Tack
What happens when your business vision doesn't stack up or your long-standing business needs to make changes to keep up with a changing market and customer taste? Do you make a U-turn or a pivot as it's known in business. How do you know when is the right time and how do you get your employees and managers to go with you? Evan Davis and guests discuss.GUESTSMatthew Bannister, Broadcaster and Presenter, Folk on Foot podcastLiz Earle, Beauty and Wellness Entrepreneur, Editor-in-Chief, Liz Earle Wellbeing magazineand Jessica Spungin, Adjunct Professor of Strategy and Entrepreneurship, London Business School PRESENTER: EVAN DAVISPRODUCTION TEAMProducers: Julie Ball and Nick Holland
Editor: Tara McDermott
Sound: Neil Churchill/Rod Farquhar
Production Co-ordinators: Siobhan Reed & Helena Warwick-Cross
Oct 6, 2022 • 28min
Has Britain stopped working?
Evan Davis asks why there are more job vacancies in Britain than there are people looking for work. Unemployment used to be a big problem, but now businesses say they're struggling to recruit enough staff.Guest list:
Jane Townson: CEO of The Home Care Association
Will Beckett: CEO of Hawksmoor restaurants
Jane Gratton: Head of People Policy at the British Chambers of Commerce
Jon Wilson: CEO of TotalJobs online recruitment agency.Production Coordinator: Helena Warwick-Cross and Siobhan Reed
Sound production: Neil Churchill & Graham Puddifoot
Research: Louise Byrne
Producer: Nick Holland
Editor: Richard Vadon
Presenter: Evan Davis
Sep 29, 2022 • 29min
Excess Profits, Windfall Taxes and Incentives
Is it right that businesses making what look like windfall profits pay windfall taxes? And do the recent announcements from the government to lower taxes in general lead to economic growth? Evan Davis and guests discuss.GUESTSIrem Guceri, Associate Professor Economics and Public Policy, Blavatnik School of Government, OxfordProfessor Michael Jacobs, Professor of Political Economy, Sheffield UniversityCharlie Mullins, Businessman and Founder, Pimlico PlumbersDan Neidle, Founder, Tax Policy Associates Ltd. PRODUCTION TEAMProducer: Julie Ball
Editor: Richard Vadon
Sound Engineers: Graham Puddifoot/James Beard
Production Co-ordinators: Siobhan Reed and Helena Warwick-Cross
Jul 28, 2022 • 30min
Little Boxes?
The government target for building houses in the UK is 300,000 a year, but over the past few years only around 60 per cent of that number have been constructed. The sector faces many challenges; labour and skills shortages and rapidly rising prices for raw materials, not to mention uneven planning laws and green building commitments. Are they building the homes the country needs and where it needs them? Evan Davis and guests discuss. GUESTSBen Dimson, Partner, Property Sector, McKinseyPeter Truscott, CEO, Crest Nicholson Rico Wojtulewicz, Head of Housing and Planning, National Federation of BuildersPresenter: Evan Davis
Producers: Julie Ball and Lucinda Borrell
Editors: Hugh Levinson and Jon Bithrey
Sound: James Beard, Rod Farquhar
Production Co-ordinators: Siobhan Reed and Helena Warwick-Cross
Jul 21, 2022 • 28min
Russian Exodus
Hundreds of western businesses have decided to stop operating in Russia as a result of the invasion of Ukraine. But what does leaving Russia actually mean in practical terms – how do you go about it and who bears the cost? Can you end up hurting your own company and your Russian workers more than the Russian state? Evan Davis debates with his guests, one of whom leads a global automotive dealer that has just sold its business in Russia to its local managers.GUESTS:
James Alexander, Chief Executive of the UK Sustainable Investment and Finance Association
John Morrison, CEO of the Institute for Human Rights and Business
Duncan Tait, CEO of automotive dealer Inchcape Producer: Lucinda Borrell
Sound: Rod Farquhar
Editor: Jon Bithrey
Production Co-Ordinators: Siobhan Reed and Helena Warwick-Cross
Jul 14, 2022 • 29min
Woke or Broke?
From Disney to the Halifax bank, companies are increasingly willing to take a stance on everything. But what is driving this trend and will it continue? Ultimately isn't it the job of a business to make money for its shareholders and not get involved in politics and contentious social issues? Evan Davis and guests discuss. GUESTSNina Bhatia, Executive Director, Strategy and Commercial Development, John Lewis PartnershipIan Leslie, Journalist and Author of 'Conflicted' Becky Willan, CEO and Co-founder, Given AgencyNicola Kilner, CEO and Co-founder of DeciemProducer: Julie Ball
Sound: James Beard
Editor: Jon Bithrey
Production Co-Ordinators: Siobhan Reed and Helena Warwick-Cross
Jul 7, 2022 • 29min
'Sorry, all our agents are busy right now'
Why does it seem so hard to contact a business these days? It's almost like they deliberately hide their phone numbers from us. When we do manage to ring, they often make us sit through an endless list of 'caller options' before allowing us to speaking to anyone. Are they deliberately trying to dissuade us from getting in touch or are we expecting too much too soon from customer services? Evan Davis speak to the people managing our calls.Guests:
Leigh Hopwood: Chief Executive of the Call Centre Management Association
Dave Mills: NHS specialist at EVAD
Tim Callington: Director of technology firm FlipsideProducer: Nick Holland
Studio Managers: James Beard & Rod Farquhar
Production Coordinators: Siobhan Reed & Iona Hammond
Editor: Hugh Levinson .
Jun 30, 2022 • 28min
Employment Tribunals
What to expect when a workplace dispute ends up in court. Thousands of people lodge grievances relating to their jobs directly with their employers, and that's often where they remain. But if you think you have been unfairly dismissed, or suffered unfair discrimination on the grounds of sex, race of age, the case may end up at an employment tribunal. Dramatic cases - complete with lurid accusations and sometimes huge payouts - are regularly reported on by the media. Evan Davis asks his expert guests about what really goes on during this generally painful process, and whether anybody ever really wins at a tribunal. Guests:
Chris Hadrill, Head of Employment Law, Redmans Solicitors
Sian Keall, Partner, Employment Law, Travers Smith LLP
Martin Tiplady, Director, Chameleon People SolutionProducer: Julie Ball
Editor: Hugh Levinson
Sound: James Beard
Production Coordinators: Siobhan Reed and Helena Warwick-Cross
Jun 23, 2022 • 29min
How to run a petrol station
As petrol and diesel prices hit record highs, Evan Davis looks at the economics of running a petrol station. There's an allegation motorists are being ripped off at the pumps. However, the actual amount of profit some forecourts make from selling fuel may come as a surprise.
Guests:
Kirsty Waddingham, RKW Plumbing
David Charman, Parkfoot Garages
James Lowman, Association of Convenience Stores
David Fyfe, Argus MediaProducer: Nick Holland
Sound: Neil Churchill and Rod Farquhar
Production Coordinators: Sophie Hill and Siobhan Reed
Editor: Hugh Levinson
