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
Nov 22, 2018 • 28min
Business in the era of #MeToo
Exploring the impact of #MeToo in business, the guests talk about workplace harassment, legal negotiations, non-disclosure agreements, addressing inappropriate behavior, cultural change, and the problems with NDAs.
Nov 15, 2018 • 28min
Super-premium drinks
There has been an explosion in the number of craft ale breweries and small-scale gin distilleries in recent years. The so-called super premium alcohol sector is growing. Why are these drinks popular among consumers? Is this a passing fad or is the drinks business facing fundamental change? Evan Davis and guests discuss. Guests:Tina Warner-Keogh, partner and co-owner of Warner Edwards Gin Distillery
Laura Edwards, general manager at Meantime Brewing Company
and Andrew Geoghegan, global consumer planning director at Diageo
Nov 1, 2018 • 28min
The Experience Economy
There is some evidence to suggest we are falling out of love with buying material things. Instead, we want to splash out creating memories that last a lifetime. What does the growth of what's known as the experience economy mean for businesses? Evan Davis and guests discuss. GuestsTristram Mayhew, Group Chairman, Go Ape!
Myf Ryan, Chief marketing officer Europe, Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield
Nick Johnson, Founder and co-Director, Market Operations
Oct 25, 2018 • 28min
Plastics
Plastic is arguably one of the world's greatest inventions. Its' qualities allow it to be used in everything from food packaging to clothes and cars. But discarded plastic clogs up our rivers and oceans threatening marine life creating a consumer backlash. So what can the industry do to restore its reputation and how? Evan Davis and guests discuss.GUESTSLubna Edwards, Global Sustainability Director, Klockner PentaplastRoger Baynham, Managing Director, Philip Tyler Polymers and Chair of the Recycling Group, British Plastics FederationAdrian Griffiths, CEO and Founder, Recycling Technologies.
Oct 18, 2018 • 28min
Shortages
No supply chain is immune from disruption and shocks. From extreme weather to strikes and cyber crime, what causes a supply chain to fail? Join Evan Davis and guests.GuestsTim O'Malley, Managing Director of Nationwide Produce
Richard Oldroyd, Regional Managing Director of Persimmon Homes
Liam Fassam, Associate Professor of Supply Chain Geography and Research Director at the University of Northampton
Oct 4, 2018 • 28min
Rewriting the rules of Business
Business has undergone seismic changes over the past decade; do the rules of business need to be re-written? If so, who should write them and what should they say?
Evan Davis and guests discuss.
GUESTS
Ian Taylor, Chairman, Vitol
Dame Helena Morrissey, Head of Personal Investing, Legal & General Investment Management
Wendy Tan White, Partner, BGF Ventures
Jul 26, 2018 • 28min
The Festival Business
Syima Aslam, co-founder of a festival, joins Evan Davis and other guests to discuss the challenges of making money in the festival business. Topics include festival logistics, the British weather, high set-up costs, securing top headline acts, and the tight profit margins. They explore the Bradford Literature Festival, the corporate structure of the Bath Festival, the unique appeal of festivals, and the financial aspects of organizing them.
Jul 19, 2018 • 28min
Advertising
The UK has been a global leader in the Advertising Industry since the end of the last century. But like many businesses it's now facing disruption from technology. Pop up banners on the internet and social influencers are cheaper and more immediate. Evan Davis and guests discuss whether a data driven approach to advertising will eventually kill creativity. GUESTSSir John Hegarty, Co-Founder BBH Rohan Midha, Managing Director, PMYBRory Sutherland, Vice-chairman, Ogilvy Producer: Julie Ball.
Jul 12, 2018 • 28min
How does the commodities business work?
Commodities are the raw materials which oil the wheels of the modern economy. From minerals to crude oil to coffee, Evan Davis and guests look at how the business of buying and selling commodities works and why it matters to all of us. GUESTSAndrew Gowers, Global Head of Corporate Affairs, TrafiguraJean-Francois Lambert, Founder, Lambert CommoditiesColin Hamilton, MD Commodities Research, BMO Capital Markets.
Jul 5, 2018 • 28min
Why do companies do bad things?
Social media giants mishandle data, banks mis-sell PPI insurance, engineers arrange for cars to cheat emissions tests. Why do companies sometimes do bad things? Evan Davis and guests discuss whether it's by accident or deliberate. Coverage of business wrongdoing often focuses on bad individuals but how far can a company's culture be blamed?
Guests:
Nick Leeson, the original 'rogue trader'
Sara George, Partner, Stephenson Harwood
Adrian Furnham, Professor of Psychology, Norwegian Business School.
