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 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.)
Oct 12, 2023 • 29min
Google DeepMind's Demis Hassabis
Demis Hassabis, Co-founder of AI research lab DeepMind, discusses Google's answer to ChatGPT and AI's breakthroughs, but also its downsides, including potential human extinction. He explores his journey from chess player to AI creator and the transformative breakthroughs in driverless cars and protein structure prediction. The podcast also covers legal issues surrounding AI, DeepMind's unique innovation culture, and Google's use of AI in various products.
Oct 5, 2023 • 29min
Tradespeople
From plumbers to electricians, plasterers to builders, most of us need to hire a trader at some point. But what's it like to work in the industry, and how has it been affected by changes such as Brexit, the pandemic and inflation? How should you go about finding a trader who is trustworthy and will deliver quality work? In recent decades, going into a 'trade' has not been as strongly encouraged as to going to university, but tradespeople of all kinds are in short supply, so what is being done to encourage more young people to take up a trowel or pick up a drill? Evan Davis and guests discuss.CONTRIBUTORSChris Day - Electrician, Mayday Electrical Solutions Ltd.Kalece Okusanya - Decorator - Suave Property Care Will Davies - Co founder , Aspect Property Maintenance Tim Balcon - CEO, Construction Industry Training BoardPeter Gordon - ListenerPRODUCTION TEAMProducer: Julie Ball
Editor: China Collins
Sound: Tim Heffer and Graham Puddifoot
Prod. Co-ordinator: Gemma Ashman
Sep 28, 2023 • 29min
Back to the office
Many employers say they are desperate to get staff back into the office more often, but what's the best and fairest way to wean employees off remote working?As companies from tech to banking grapple with this issue, Evan Davis and guests discuss the productivity pros and cons, the impact on company culture and career progression, and the future of the office space itself. With many staff reluctant to give up the flexibility of remote working, is a hybrid model the answer to keeping them happy and how many office days each week should you go for? Plus, where do employees stand legally on return to the office requests, and what happens when workers simply refuse to comply?Evan is joined by:Kelly Beaver, CEO of Ipsos in the UK and Ireland;
Stephen White, Chief Operating Officer of Santander UK;
Ranjit Dhindsa, head of employment at Fieldfisher;
and Nicholas Bloom, professor of economics, Stanford University.PRODUCTION TEAM:Producer: Simon Tulett
Editor: China Collins
Sound: Rod Farquhar
Production co-ordinator: Gemma Ashman(Picture: A businessman staring out of the window of an empty conference room. Credit: Chris Ryan/Getty Images)
Jul 27, 2023 • 29min
Does Funny Sell?
Is humour the most effective way to get your product noticed? If so, why does it seem that the use of comedy in advertising is in decline? Recent research by Kantar found that 90% of consumers were more likely to remember and purchase a brand if the advert made them smile. So why the downturn? Are multi-national brands looking for a one size fits all approach, or are brands frightened of offending potential customers? Evan Davis and guests discuss.PRESENTER: Evan Davis GUESTSRory Sutherland, VP, Ogilvy UKLucy Greeves, Author and Creative StrategistDom Dwight, Marketing Director, Taylors of Harrogate and Yorkshire TeaADVERT CLIP: Yorkshire Tea - Induction Training with Sean Bean
Courtesy of Taylors of Harrogate, Yorkshire Tea
Creative: Lucky Generals Advertising AgencyPRODUCTION TEAMProducer: Julie Ball
Editor: China Collins
Sound: Graham Puddifoot
Production Co-ordinator: Brenda BrownThe Bottom Line is produced in partnership with The Open University
Jul 20, 2023 • 30min
What next for water?
England’s water companies are under fire – there’s public anger over sewage spills and leaks, and now regulators and government ministers are worried some of them are drowning in too much debt. So what’s gone wrong, and who will pay the price of fixing the industry?On the face of it, running a water company seems like a licence to print money – there’s guaranteed revenue, and no competition – but there’s a lot of infrastructure to build and maintain, and strict targets that are getting even tougher and more expensive to hit as environmental concerns grow. Many of England’s water firms have taken on very high levels of debt, but have they used it to invest, or pay off their shareholders? And does the regulator, Ofwat, have questions to answer for strangling spending on improvements in a bid to keep customer prices low?Evan Davis is joined by:Nicola Shaw, CEO, Yorkshire Water;
Sir Ian Byatt, Ofwat Director General from 1989 to 2000;
Verity Mitchell, UK analyst at Global Water Intelligence.PRODUCTION TEAM:Producer: Simon Tulett
Editor: China Collins
Sound: Graham Puddifoot and Mike Woolley
Production co-ordinator: Brenda BrownProduced in partnership with The Open University.
Jul 13, 2023 • 29min
Business on 'the box'
From The Office and Succession to The Apprentice and Dragons' Den, does the portrayal of business on television inspire or is it a total turn off to budding entrepreneurs? And how challenging is it to create great drama from the world of business? Is 'greed, for lack of a better word, good' as Gordon Gekko from Wall Street would have us believe? Or post financial crash, is the world looking to find a more equitable and kind example of the business world on screen? PRESENTER: EVAN DAVISGUESTSAsh Atalla, CEO, Roughcut ProductionsDave Fishwick, businessman, subject of Netflix movie, 'Bank of Dave' Nisha Katona, Founder, Mowgli Street Restaurants, Great British Menu judgeMickey Down and Konrad Kay, co-writers, 'Industry' , BBC 2 drama seriesClip from 'Industry' BBC2
Bad Wolf Productions
HBO/BBCProduced in Partnership with the Open UniversityPRODUCTION TEAMProducer: Julie Ball
Editor: China Collins
Sound: James Beard and Graham Puddifoot
Production Co-ordinator: Brenda Brown
Jul 6, 2023 • 29min
Pre-loved
Demand for pre-loved goods has surged in the UK in recent years, with fashion, books and furniture especially popular. So what’s driving this boom in second-hand sales - the cost of living crisis or the increasingly eco-conscious shopper? And how are companies making money from it?Evan Davis and guests discuss the business of buying and selling pre-loved products, the growing number of online platforms specialising in them, and the bricks-and-mortar retailers looking to get in on the act. Plus, is buying second-hand really better for the environment, and what protection does the customer get when something goes wrong if they’re buying from a stranger rather than a business?GUESTSHugh Hurley, CEO, Gumtree
Adam Jay, CEO, Vinted Marketplace
Ana Estrougo, founder and CEO, The Octopus Club
Adwoa Owusu-Darko, founder, Mini's World and seller on DepopProduced in partnership with The Open University.PRODUCTION TEAMProducer: Simon Tulett
Editor: China Collins
Sound: Graham Puddifoot and Rod Farquhar
Production co-ordinator: Brenda Brown
Jun 29, 2023 • 29min
Dame Sharon White
John Lewis Partnership and Waitrose are possibly two of the most trusted brands in retail. This week, Evan Davis interviews Dame Sharon White, who took over as Chair of the Partnership, literally weeks before lockdown. Post lockdown like all retailers the Partnership faces a cost of living crisis and getting customers back to the High Street. How is she facing these challenges and what are her plans for the future of the partnership?GUEST: Dame Sharon White, Chair, John Lewis Partnership PRODUCTION TEAM Producers: Julie Ball and Simon Tulett
Editor: Richard Vadon
Sound: Hannah Montgomery and Neil Churchill
Production Co-ordinator: Brenda Brown
