
The Bottom Line
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.
Latest episodes

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

Jun 16, 2022 • 28min
Online Reviews
Can we trust the wisdom of the crowd on online review platforms? Evan Davis and guests discuss how businesses can harness this knowledge to their advantage and how they can deal with bad reviews. And how do the platforms that consumers look to for assurance ensure that we're reading the truth? Plus stories of chip shops, splashing in puddles and the mysterious "review farms"...
Guests:
Anoop Joshi, VP Legal and Platform Integrity, Trustpilot
Melissa Norton, Commercial Director, Muddy Puddles
Professor Adrian Palmer, Head of Marketing and Reputation, Henley Business SchoolProducer: Julie Ball
Editor Hugh Levinson
Sound: Neil Churchill
Production coordinators: Siobhan Reed and Helena Warwick-Cross

Jun 9, 2022 • 28min
The price of bread
The 'crust' of living: Evan Davis looks at the spiralling costs of baking a loaf of bread. On top of rising energy bills the industry is having to keep up with huge increases in the price of wheat. In this episode a farmer, a miller and a baker explain how they're trying to make ends meet.Guests:
Sarah Bell, Wheat Farmer and Grain Consultant.
Julius Deane, Wheat Director at Carrs Flour Mills Ltd
Mike Roberts, Deputy Chairman of Roberts BakeryProducer: Nick Holland
Sound: Rod Farquhar
Production Coordinators: Sophie Hill and Siobhan Reed
Editor: Hugh Levinson

Mar 24, 2022 • 29min
Business and Energy
How will soaring energy costs affect UK corporations? Prices are spiking, not least because of the war in Ukraine. Energy is essential for everything from heating offices to transportation to manufacturing, so what happens when it just becomes too expensive? Evan Davis and guests discuss the current energy crisis and ask how long is it likely to last and what we can do to reduce the vulnerability of our businesses. GUESTS
Michael Lewis, Eon Energy
Natalie Quail, Founder Smiletime
Tina McKenzie, Federation of Small Businesses
Gareth Stace, UK Steel
Producer: Lucinda Borrell
Production Coordinators: Siobhan Reed and Sophie Hill
Sound: Neil Churchill and Rod Farquhar
Editor: Hugh LevinsonThe programme was produced in partnership with the Open University.

Mar 17, 2022 • 29min
Levelling Up
Evan Davis and guests examine the prospects for business in this government priority for increasing economic activity beyond the Southeast of England. How important is political devolution? Or are practical changes, like transport links and skills education more significant? Guests:
Andrew Carter, chief executive, Centre for Cities
Akash Paun, senior fellow at the Institute for Government
Steve Cole, maritime business improvement director for BAE Systems
Lucy Winskell, chair of the North-East Enterprise partnershipProducer: Lucinda Borrell
Sound: Graham Puddifoot
Production Coordinators: Siobhan Reed and Sophie Hill
Editor: Hugh LevinsonThe programme was produced in partnership with the Open University