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
Jun 8, 2023 • 30min
Are supermarkets profiteering?
Grocery stores are under pressure – with food inflation still near record highs, some have accused them of profiteering and the UK’s competition watchdog is investigating.So what’s the evidence, if any, that supermarkets and other smaller stores are taking advantage of consumers, and what is a reasonable profit margin in this industry anyway? Food suppliers, large and small, also have a role to play here – we look at how their margins impact prices. And, with government ministers vowing to curb food price inflation, we ask whether a cap on the cost of some products would help.Evan Davis is joined by guests from across the industry to try to get a clearer picture of the UK’s food supply chain, and ask how fair it is on customers.Produced in Partnership with The Open University.GUESTSWilfred Emmanuel-Jones, founder of The Black Farmer
Teresa Wickham, retail analyst, fruit grower, and former advisor to Sainsbury’s and director at Safeway
Chris Noice, communications director, Association of Convenience StoresPRODUCTION TEAMProducer: Simon Tulett
Editor: China Collins
Sound: Graham Puddifoot and Neil Churchill
Production co-ordinator: Brenda Brown
6 snips
Mar 9, 2023 • 40min
Business Books
What makes a great business book and how do you make practical advice on a subject like accounting a riveting read? What makes you more likely to read a business book - a top business leader's journey to the top, like Sheryl Sandberg or Phil Knight of Nike, or one offering simple 'how to' advice. And what is the business model of business books themselves - do they sell loads of copies, or are they more about building up a public brand?Join Evan Davis and guests , in the final programme of the current series, to learn about some great business reads and how business publishing is thriving. GUESTSMargaret Heffernan, Author, Uncharted. Former CEO and Entrepreneur. Alison Jones, publisher Practical Inspiration Publishing and Presenter, The Extraordinary Business Book Club PodcastHelen Kogan, Managing Director, Kogan Page, Business Book PublisherPRODUCTION TEAM: Producer: Julie Ball and Simon Tulett
Editor: China Collins
Sound: James Beard and Graham Puddifoot
Production Co-ordinators: Sophie Hill and Siobhan Reed.
Mar 2, 2023 • 29min
How to Hire
What's the best way to recruit people who have the right skills for the job, but are also the right cultural fit for your business? And how do you do that without discrimination? Evan Davis and guests discuss the many different hiring options available, from the standard CV and interview to social media snooping, and the importance of getting it right.GUESTSMichael Barrington Hibbert, CEO, Barrington Hibbert Associates
Sir John Timpson, chairman, Timpson Group
Claire Hamilton, head of UK talent acquisition, Capgemini
Wouter Durville, CEO, TestGorillaPRODUCTION TEAMProducer: Simon Tulett
Editor: China Collins
Sound: Graham Puddifoot
Production Co-ordinators: Sophie Hill and Siobhan Reed
Feb 23, 2023 • 32min
Powered by AI
Machines now have the ability to write novels, create works of art, or compose original songs thanks to artificial intelligence. In future the technology could be used to discover drugs, design entire buildings, or come up with new materials.So how should businesses respond to the evolution of AI, most embodied by the AI chatbot ChatGPT? Evan Davis and guests discuss its potential for creating new products and increasing efficiency, as well as the risks involved in handing machines even more power.GUESTSPriya Lakhani, CEO, CENTURY Tech
Scott Petty, Chief Technology Officer, Vodafone
and Colin Murdoch, Chief Business Officer, DeepMindPRODUCTION TEAMProducer: Simon Tulett
Editor: China Collins
Sound: Neil Churchill and Graham Puddifoot
Production Co-ordinators: Sophie Hill and Siobhan Reed
Feb 16, 2023 • 29min
Running Rolls Royce
Former CEO of ARM and Rolls Royce Holdings, Warren East, reflects on his business career and shares insights on the challenges faced by Rolls Royce, including engine troubles, COVID, and a massive restructure. He also discusses the growth of ARM and the impact of foreign acquisitions on the British economy. Additionally, he explores the potential of forward-thinking technologies in unlocking British growth and achieving net zero.
Feb 9, 2023 • 36min
Podcasting
It seems these days everyone is making a podcast, from Michelle Obama and Kate Hudson to Alastair Campbell and Dua Lipa. Covering every subject from health and wellbeing to politics, food and even funerals, the last few years has seen a proliferation of new titles. Although only a third of us are currently listening to podcasts, that number is steadily growing. So who is making money from podcasts, and how? Evan Davis and guests discuss.PRESENTER: Evan DavisGUESTSJack Davenport, managing director, Goalhanger PodcastsSam Shetabi, content director UK, AcastandRebecca McGrath, senior media analyst, MintelPODCAST CLIPS Off Menu with Ed Gamble and James Acaster, featuring Jarvis Cocker, Plosive ProductionsThe Rest is Politics with Alastair Campbell and Rory Stewart, Goalhanger PodcastsandShagged, Married, Annoyed with Chris and Rosie Ramsay, Avalon ProductionsPRODUCTION TEAMProducer: Julie Ball
Editor: China Collins
Producton Co-ordinators: Sophie Hill and Siobhan Reed
Sound: Neil Churchill and John Scott
Feb 2, 2023 • 29min
The French correction?
The French work fewer hours, take longer holidays and retire earlier than UK employees, but they are also more productive and their economy is therefore roughly the same size as ours. How do they do it?As the UK looks for a way out of its sluggish economic growth, Evan Davis asks what we can learn from our neighbours. Why is it that for each hour worked a French employee produces almost 20 per cent more than a British one? GUESTSOlivier Morel, board member of the French Chamber of
Great Britain and partner at Cripps.Rebecca Riley, professor of practice in economics at
King’s Business School, London, and member of The Productivity Institute.andNeil Coales, managing director of Agilité Solutions, Paris.PRODUCTION TEAMProducers: Simon Tulett and Julie Ball
Researcher: Marianna Brain
Editor: China Collins
Sound: Rod Farquhar and Graham Puddifoot
Production Co-ordinators: Sophie Hill and Siobhan Reed
Jan 26, 2023 • 29min
Too much choice?
The podcast discusses the concept of having too much choice and its impact on decision-making. It explores the paradox of choice, evaluates the role of brands, and examines confusion marketing and the use of the decoy effect in retail and tech. The wide range of shortbread options in the marketplace is also explored. Additionally, the relationship between choice and capitalism is examined.
Jan 19, 2023 • 36min
How Strikes Come to an End
Former MP, Secretary of State, and Head of Union of Communication Workers Alan Johnson, along with Professor Sian Moore and Susanna Newing, discuss strikes and their resolution. They explore the impact of strikes, negotiations in Coventry, the bitter strike at British Airways, the importance of negotiation in ending strikes, disputes and inequality in the NHS, and reaching negotiable agreements.
Nov 17, 2022 • 29min
Opportunists and Optimists
As the UK struggles with recession, Evan Davis talks to four business people who are not afraid to be bulls in a bear market. Does a recession offer opportunities to serial entrepreneurs and start-ups that others might fear? Evan Davis and guests discuss.GUESTSCapucine Codron, Co-founder, Swizzle Arka Dhar, CEO and Co-founder SKOV LtdSir John Hegarty, Founder, The Garage Soho and BBH Advertising AgencyandSarah Willingham, Co Founder, Nightcap bar chain and former Dragon's Den panellist.PRODUCTION TEAMProducers: Julie Ball, Nick Holland, Kirsteen KnightEditor: Simon WattsSound: Graham PuddifootProduction Co-ordinators: Siobhan Reed and Helena Warwick-Cross
