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
Mar 6, 2025 • 35min
Running a Business: The Bottom Line Answers Your Questions
How would you invest £100k? Do entrepreneurs have super-human levels of optimism? How can you keep ownership of a great idea? In a first for The Bottom Line, Evan Davis puts questions like these - sent in by listeners - to a panel of business experts.Evan is joined by:
Sir Kenneth Olisa - chairman, Restoration Partners, and formerly founder and CEO, Interregnum;
Richard Farleigh - angel investor and former Dragon's Den 'dragon';
Jessica Spungin - adjunct professor of strategy and entrepreneurship, London Business School.Production team:
Producers: Simon Tulett and Eleanor Harrison-Dengate
Sound: Rod Farquhar
Production Coordinator: Katie Morrison
Editor: Matt Willis
Feb 27, 2025 • 29min
Self-checkouts: Have Shops Reached Peak Self-Scan?
Self-checkouts have become a staple in supermarkets, fast food chains and other shops, but now some companies are reconsidering their use. Evan Davis explores the technology's role in the retail landscape and asks whether we’ve reached peak self-checkout, or if they’re just a step on the way to an even more digitised shopping future. With insights from industry leaders and experts, he examines the economics behind un-manned tills, generational differences in consumer acceptance, and their links to a recent rise in shoplifting. Plus, is automation actually making our lives easier, and what's lost if the personal touch disappears from shopping?Guests:
Julian Metcalfe, founder, Itsu;
Robert Elsey, chief digital and information officer, Co-op
Natalie Berg, retail analyst and host of the Retail Disrupted podcastPresenter: Evan Davis
Producers: Simon Tulett and Eleanor Harrison-Dengate
Sound: Rod Farquhar
Production Coordinator: Katie Morrison
Editor: Matt Willis
Feb 20, 2025 • 37min
London's Stock Exchange: why aren't companies listing in Britain anymore?
Julia Hoggett, Chief Executive of the London Stock Exchange, and Charles Hall, Head of Research at Peel Hunt, delve into why companies are increasingly opting for U.S. listings. They discuss the decline in UK IPOs, global market dynamics, and tax revenue impacts on the UK economy. The duo also explores the role of executive pay in attracting companies and the need for a robust domestic investment culture. With an eye on regulatory reforms, they share insights into how the UK could become a more appealing growth hub for businesses.
Feb 13, 2025 • 33min
Repairs: How Can Businesses Make Money From Fixing Things?
With the success of the BBC programme The Repair Shop, Evan Davis examines the business opportunities of companies which offer to repair things from clothes through to electronics. Is it easier to try and fix something yourself or pay for it to be done professionally? Do we still have the skills that previous generations had to do even relatively simple things like sewing on buttons? With Kyle Wiens, CEO of Ifixit, Katharine Beacham, Head of Sustainability, Clothing & Home at Marks and Spencer and upholstery repair expert and Repair Shop presenter Sonnaz Nooranvary.
Feb 6, 2025 • 30min
DEI: Are Businesses Dumping Workplace Diversity?
Major US businesses have begun ditching or scaling back their diversity initiatives. Will UK firms be next? Evan Davis is joined by three guests who specialise on diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) schemes, as well as environmental and sustainability issues. Do they see signs of UK companies shifting their stance? And to what extent is the DEI industry - and their jobs - under threat? Guests: Daniel Fellows, General Manager of Diversio UK and EU
Erinch Sahan, busines and enterprise lead at Doughnut Economics Action Lab
Chris Turner, Executive Director of B Lab UK Production team
Producers: Farhana Haider, Simon Tulett and Eleanor Harrison-Dengate
Sound: James Beard
Production Coordinator: Katie Morrison
Editor: Matt Willis
Jan 30, 2025 • 35min
Robots On the Doorstep: Is This The Future Of Food Delivery?
Evan Davis talks to the Estonian Ahti Heinla, co-founder of robot delivery firm Starship Technologies, which is hoping to expand across the UK. Evan hears about Ahti's early life in Estonia, how he competed in a Nasa competition, the start of the delivery system in Milton Keynes and how he thinks robot deliveries will grow in the future in Britain and worldwide.
Jan 23, 2025 • 35min
Unbossing: Can We Work Without Managers?
Can businesses operate without managers? It's an idea Amazon, Meta and Citigroup are exploring. Evan hears from the leaders of three companies who've already tried working that way, but with varying degrees of success.Guests:
Chris May: Founder of Mayden
Hazel Brown: CEO of Cornerstone
Luke Kyte: Operations Director of ReddicoPresenter: Evan Davis
Producers: Nick Holland and Bob Howard
Sound: James Beard
Production Coordinator: Katie Morrison
Editor: Matt Willis
Jan 16, 2025 • 47min
A Four Day Week: Less Work for More People?
Evan Davis explores if working the traditional five day week could be replaced by working four, eight hour days. Could working more efficiently benefit employees and bosses? With Joe Ryle, director of the 4 Day Week Campaign, Claire Daniels, CEO of Trio Media and Jen Thompson, managing director of the Crate Brewery.
Jan 12, 2025 • 14min
Decisions That Made Me: Sir John Hegarty (The Garage Soho, Founder)
The advertising exec behind some of the most successful adverts of recent decades shares some of the decisions that have influenced his career, including an early decision to accept a lower salary and instead pursue and opportunity that would bring him more opportunities. Sir John would go out to co-found successful agencies Bartle Bogle Hegarty, and Saatchi and Saatchi. Today, Sir John says he shuns five year plans, instead focusing on 'five minute plans' and says he tries to make each day as interesting as it can be. Production team:
Producer: Drew Hyndman
Editor: Matt Willis
Sound: Rod Farquhar
Production co-ordinator: Katie Morrison
14 snips
Jan 9, 2025 • 34min
Networking: Will It Actually Help Me Get a Job?
In this insightful discussion, guests include Sophie O'Brien, CEO of Pollen Careers, a recruitment platform for early professionals; Depesh Nathwani, CEO of The Consumer Helpline Group; and Shan Saba, Director of Brightwork Staffline. They explore the evolving landscape of job searching, emphasizing the balance between traditional networking and modern digital strategies. The experts share innovative job-seeking tactics like QR codes and proactive approaches. They also discuss the critical role of authenticity and mentorship for young job seekers in today’s competitive market.
