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
Feb 15, 2024 • 41min
Navigating the Say-Do Gap
It’s easy for people to say they want to buy a particular product, perhaps in the name of sustainability. But how often do individuals actually follow through with these well-meaning intentions? Academics regularly observe a difference between what consumers say they want to do and what they actually do.
The gap can cause problems for businesses when they're trying to figure out how to serve their customers. Evan Davis is joined by a panel of business leaders to discuss how they bridge this divide. Guests:
Andreas Chatzidakis, professor of marketing in the centre for research into sustainability, Royal Holloway, University of London
Jake Pickering, senior manager for agriculture, Waitrose
Marsha Smith, deputy CEO, IKEA UK
Toby Clark, vice president of insights, MintelProduction team:
Producers: Simon Tulett, and Nick Holland
Researcher: Paige Neal-Holder
Editor: Matt Willis
Sound: Hal Haines
Production co-ordinator: Rosie Strawbridge
The Bottom Line is produced in partnership with The Open University.
Feb 8, 2024 • 35min
Feedback
It's useful to know how you're doing at work, but feedback from managers and colleagues can often be unhelpful, upsetting, or even non-existent. So what's the best way to give and receive it?Evan Davis and guests discuss some top techniques, particularly in the tricky area of negative feedback, and the importance of training managers in how to have these conversations. But feedback isn't just about managers - we learn the best ways for employees to receive and act on it. Plus, how frequently should an employee's performance be measured - we discuss the pros and cons of the annual appraisal - and whether technology helps or hinders.Evan Davis is joined by:Catherine Hearn, UK HR director, Amazon
Katie Obi, chief people officer, Advanced
Margaret Cheng, HR consultant, executive coach and author of 'Giving Good Feedback'PRODUCTION TEAM:Producer: Simon Tulett
Researcher: Paige Neal-Holder
Editor: Matt Willis
Sound: Graham Puddifoot and Hal Haines
Production co-ordinator: Rosie StrawbridgeThe Bottom Line is produced in partnership with The Open University.(Picture: A woman and a man talking at a desk. Credit: Vladimir Vladimirov, Getty Images)
Feb 1, 2024 • 34min
Meat
UK consumers are eating less meat than at any point since records began 50 years ago, according to the latest government figures, so how are farmers, processors and retailers responding?The cost of living crisis is part of the reason for a recent drop-off in demand, but warnings about meat's impact on the planet and our health might also play a role, and plant-based alternatives have been eating into meat’s market share in recent years. So does the industry feel under attack, or are they adapting their businesses and their products to meet these challenges? And what does it take to get an animal from a field to our plate anyway?Evan Davis is joined by:Anna Longthorp, of Anna’s Happy Trotters;
Phil Hambling, head of CSR at ABP Food Group;
Charlotte Mitchell, owner of Charlotte’s Butchery. PRODUCTION TEAM:Producer: Simon Tulett
Researcher: Paige Neal-Holder
Editor: Matt Willis
Sound: Rod Farquhar and Neil Churchill
Production co-ordinator: Rosie StrawbridgeThe Bottom Line is produced in partnership with The Open University.(Picture: A butcher arranging meat at store window in Leeds. Credit: Reza Estakhrian/Getty Images)
Jan 25, 2024 • 36min
Many unhappy returns
Major fashion brands are charging for returns or banning customers who frequently return products. The podcast explores the challenges and costs of handling returns in the retail industry, including the impact on profitability. It also discusses what happens to returned items, the issue of wardrobeing and returns fraud, and advocates for a fundamental change in return handling to address negative impacts on the environment and economy.
Jan 18, 2024 • 40min
Bringing your 'whole self' to work
The podcast explores the concept of bringing your authentic self to work and discusses the pros and cons. It delves into the legal aspects of discrimination in the workplace and highlights the importance of embracing individual complexities. The episode also discusses the need for proportionality in implementing workplace rules and explores the concept of headwinds and tailwinds in personal identity. It features the personal experiences of a childhood sexual abuse survivor and emphasizes the importance of supporting conversations and employee well-being.
Nov 16, 2023 • 29min
Meetings
On the agenda for the final programme of the current series is meetings. Virtual or in person, it's difficult to avoid a work meeting. So how do you ensure a good meeting? What should their purpose be, how many people should attend, who should speak and when? Evan Davis and guests discuss. GUESTSDave Brittain, Business Development Director, Amazon Fashion EuropePhil Jones, MD Brother UKDr. Sarah Woolley, Senior Research Fellow, Warwick Business School CLIPS Series 3 Episode 3 W1AWriter: John Morton Rob Mayhew
Brother Meeting Manifesto
Writer: Rob Mayhew PRODUCTION TEAMProducer: Julie Ball
Editor: China Collins
Sound: Rod Farquhar and James Beard
Production Co-ordinator: Gemma Ashman
Nov 9, 2023 • 35min
Blockbuster drugs
The podcast discusses the creation and pricing of blockbuster drugs, focusing on recent examples such as Wegovy and Ozempic. It explores the challenges in determining the reasonable price for new medicines. Guests include Sir Patrick Vallance, Ruth McKernan, David Brown, and Natasha Loder. The chapters cover topics like the development of HIV drugs, the story behind Viagra, AI and data analysis in drug development, and the progression of treatments for rare diseases.
Nov 2, 2023 • 29min
The Age of the Train?
Long distance train travel and sleeper services are experiencing a resurgence in Europe. The concept of sleep services on trains is explored, highlighting affordability, convenience, and environmental benefits. The options and experiences of traveling on night trains are discussed, including the introduction of mini cabins for more privacy. Pricing and cost considerations of flights and trains are compared, discussing fuel consumption, accessibility issues, and the economics of train services.
Oct 26, 2023 • 32min
In denial
Bad behaviour and big mistakes can destroy careers and even entire businesses if they're not addressed quickly, so why do some companies and their leaders try to downplay or even deny them?Evan Davis and guests discuss the culture of defensiveness and denial that exists in some organisations, from the private to the public and charity sectors. A former Oxfam worker describes how she was forced to blow the whistle on widespread sexual exploitation and abuse inside the charity, and the panel explores the ways in which leaders can tackle wrongdoing and encourage their teams to call it out.Evan is joined by:Helen Evans, former head of global safeguarding at Oxfam, now CEO of Cavernoma Alliance UK:
John Higgins, researcher on workplace activism and author of “Speak Up: Say What Needs to Be Said and Hear What Needs to Be Heard”;
Sarah Miller, CEO of Principia Advisory.PRODUCTION TEAM:Producer: Simon Tulett
Editor: China Collins
Sound: Graham Puddifoot and Rod Farquhar
Production co-ordinators: Gemma Ashman and Sophie Hill(Picture: A businessman with his head in the sand. Credit: Getty Images)
Oct 19, 2023 • 33min
Rebranding
Elon Musk’s decision to rename Twitter ‘X’ has been met with confusion, and in some cases even anger, but where does it rank amongst the best and worst rebrands?Evan Davis and guests discuss the complexity of changing a company or product name, logo and message, the reasons for doing it, and how to make it a success.These overhauls can be risky, though, and failure expensive – the panel discusses one the UK’s textbook rebranding disasters.Evan is joined by:Lee Rolston, chief growth officer at Jones Knowles Ritchie;
Caroline Wiertz, professor of marketing at Bayes Business School (formerly Cass) – City, University of London;
Amanda Mackenzie, former chief marketing and communications officer at Aviva;
Keith Wells, founder and director of Brandwell.PRODUCTION TEAM:Producer: Simon Tulett
Editor: China Collins
Sound: Graham Puddifoot and Rod Farquhar
Production co-ordinator: Gemma Ashman(Picture: The new ‘X’ logo displayed on a smartphone with the old Twitter logo in the background. Credit: Omar Marques/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images.)
