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
Jul 5, 2018 • 28min
Why do companies do bad things?
Social media giants mishandle data, banks mis-sell PPI insurance, engineers arrange for cars to cheat emissions tests. Why do companies sometimes do bad things? Evan Davis and guests discuss whether it's by accident or deliberate. Coverage of business wrongdoing often focuses on bad individuals but how far can a company's culture be blamed?
Guests:
Nick Leeson, the original 'rogue trader'
Sara George, Partner, Stephenson Harwood
Adrian Furnham, Professor of Psychology, Norwegian Business School.
Jun 28, 2018 • 28min
Should CEOs have term limits?
In some countries politicians have fixed term limits. What would happen if the same principle applied to CEOs? On average bosses in the UK stay for just under six years. But founder chief executives stay much longer. Evan Davis and guests discuss whether chief executives know when their time is up? Guests:Martin Gilbert, co-ceo, Aberdeen Standard Investments.
Margaret Heffernan, author and entrepreneur
Catherine Bright, a leadership consultant with Spencer Stuart.
Jun 21, 2018 • 28min
Franchising
Is becoming a franchisee a good way to start your own business? Evan Davis and guests discuss the ups and downs of franchising. GUESTSKen Deary, Franchisor Right at HomeRachana Pancholi, Franchisee, SubwayRoz Goldstein Goldstein LegalProducer: Julie Ball.
Jun 14, 2018 • 28min
Is any company ever invulnerable?
Facebook, Apple, Google, or Amazon. Dominant companies that today look unassailable. But similar claims were made about MySpace, Tesco, Microsoft, Kodak and Polaroid. However, these companies turned out to be more vulnerable than anyone thought. Evan Davis and guests discuss invulnerability, complacency and hubris in corporations. Guests:Sean Percival, entrepreneur and former Vice President for Online Marketing at MySpace
Dr Kamal Munir, Reader in Strategy and Policy at the Judge Business School, University Of Cambridge
Martin Franklin, Head of Global Marketing at Polaroid Originals.
Jun 8, 2018 • 28min
Co-working Spaces
Evan Davis hosts the business conversation show.
Jun 8, 2018 • 24min
Will 5G revolutionise our lives?
The next generation of mobile technology - 5G - will be rolled out from 2019. It will enable faster streaming on our mobile phones and tablets and speed up the 'internet of things', allowing thousands of computers to 'talk' to each other. The fifth generation mobile network also has applications that could be used in public safety and healthcare. But will the UK build the infrastructure - installing more fibre and small communications masts - to benefit from this new technology? Joining Evan Davis for the debate will be:Derek McManus, Chief Operating Officer at Telefonica UK, which owns O2.
Professor Dimitra Simeonidu, Director of the Smart Lab at Bristol University
and Kyle Brown, Head of Technology at Samsung Electronics.
Apr 10, 2018 • 28min
Teenage Business Entrepreneurs
As children few of us have had experience of running a business. But this week we'll be hearing from four teenage entrepreneurs who have been honing their business skills in one case, since the age of 6. Evan Davis hears their stories.GUESTSKate and Annie Madden, Co-founders, FenuHealthHenry Patterson, Founder and Director, Not Before Tea Rebecca Patterson, Not Before TeaAkshay Ruparelia, Founder and CEO, Doorsteps.co.uk.
Mar 29, 2018 • 55min
The EU after Brexit – A special programme together with The Briefing Room
Radio 4’s Bottom Line and Briefing Room will combine in a special hour-long programme examining the economic and political future of the EU once Britain has left. Evan Davis meets Jean-Claude Trichet – former president of the European Central Bank – and is joined by a panel of business leaders from across the EU. David Aaronovitch will look at the politics of the EU and its future direction. France’s President Macron has outlined a vision of a profoundly transformed and more unified EU. But do all the EU’s members support such a vision? And what might a more integrated bloc on its doorstep mean for Britain?
Producers: Tim Mansel, Serena Tarling and Lesley McAlpine
Mar 15, 2018 • 28min
Do corporate headquarters still matter?
Explore the purpose and trends in corporate headquarters, including the competition to attract top talent with luxurious and attractive designs. Learn about the significance of understanding building design and creating adaptable structures. Discover the importance of wellness and a good experience beyond aesthetics in corporate headquarters design.
Mar 9, 2018 • 28min
Is strategy necessary for success?
What is strategy and why do businesses need it? What distinguishes a good strategy from a bad one or a non-strategy? Not to be confused with goals or a company's ambition, strategy is a word that is often mis-used and misapplied. But in reality it can make the difference between success and failure - especially if it's adaptable to changes in the market. Evan Davis looks at where companies have got strategy right and where it's gone badly wrong.GUESTS:Michael Jacobides - Associate Professor of Strategy and Entrepreneurship at The London Business School.Jacqueline de Rojas, President of Tech UKAnn Cairns, President of International Markets, MasterCard.
