The Bottom Line

When your background differs from the people working with and around you, it’s easy to feel judged by the assumptions people make about you from class to gender. Whatever your upbringing, it’s something we all deal with - our backgrounds are always with us, either to be embraced, accepted, or fled from. Jordan Brompton, entrepreneur and co-founder of the smart energy tech company Myenergi, shares her experience as a working class woman and her love of solar panels.Production team: Producers: Simon Tulett and Michaela Graichen Researcher: Drew Hyndman Editor: Matt Willis Sound: Rod Farquhar Production co-ordinator: Katie Morrison

When your business is about making products, and the factory you use gets into trouble, that’s potentially a big problem. Do you try to find another one, or do you try to fix it? Rob Law, entrepreneur and inventor of the Trunki children’s suitcase, had exactly this dilemma, and tells Evan Davis about the risky decision it prompted. He also discusses the illness and personal loss that have shaped his career, and recalls his infamous appearance on Dragon’s Den almost 20 years ago.Production team: Producers: Simon Tulett and Michaela Graichen Researcher: Drew Hyndman Editor: Matt Willis Sound: Rod Farquhar Production co-ordinator: Katie Morrison

You've had a brilliant business idea. At least, you think you have. What do you do next? Evan Davis speaks to three successful entrepreneurs- including former contestants on The Apprentice and Dragons' Den. Where do the best ideas come from and how do you know when they are worth pursuing? What are the top tips for pitching and when is it time to let an idea go?Evan is joined by Rob Law, the inventor of the Trunki ride-on suitcase for kids, Pippa Murray, founder of the nut butter brand Pip & Nut and Tom Pellereau, who invented the curved nail file for his company Stylideas.Production team: Producers: Simon Tulett and Michaela Graichen Researcher: Drew Hyndman Editor: Matt Willis Sound: Rod Farquhar Production co-ordinator: Katie Morrison(Picture: Getty Images, Credit: Teerachai Jampanak)

Why do advertising agencies use fear to get us to part with our money? Advertising agencies and marketing people use different techniques to push our buttons. Humour is one. But what about fear? Do they sometimes try to scare us into buying? Or is it a gentler art- playing on our insecurities about things like old age, poor health or thinning hair? Evan Davis speaks to Sir John Hegarty and Ian Gathard from the advertising industry and psychologist Juliane Beard, who studies how the brains of consumers work.Credits: Volkswagen "Eyes on the Road" advertising stunt Reebok trainers advertisement: "Lose the Beer Belly" Aviva home insurance advertisementProduction team: Producers: Simon Tulett and Michaela Graichen Researcher: Drew Hyndman Editor: Matt Willis Sound: Neil Churchill Production co-ordinator: Katie Morrison(Picture: Piccadilly Circus in London, Light Trails at night. Credit: Jonathan Herbert, JH Images via Getty Images)

When Shivaun and Adam Raff's shopping and price comparison website all but vanished from Google's search results just days after launching, the pair began a gruelling legal battle that would end with a landmark judgement and the tech giant receiving a then record fine.European regulators found the search engine guilty of abusing its market dominance by making its own shopping recommendations appear more prominently than rivals' in its search results. Google spent seven years appealing its €2.4bn fine, but eventually lost in September this year.In their first interview since that verdict the Raffs tell Evan Davis the story behind their website - Foundem - and what they learned about big tech, regulation, and themselves during their almost 20-year fight.Evan is joined by:Shivaun and Adam Raff, co-founders, Foundem; Anne Witt, professor of law, EDHEC business school.Credits:President Barack speaking to Kara Swisher, from the technology news website Recode, in February 2015; Joaquín Almunia speaking at a European Commission press conference in February 2014; Margarethe Vestager speaking at a European Commission press conference in June 2017. Production team:Producer: Simon Tulett Researcher: Drew Hyndman Editor: Matt Willis Sound: Jonny Baker and Neil Churchill Production co-ordinator: Katie Morrison(Picture: The Google logo displayed on a mobile phone and computer monitor. Credit: Leon Neal/Getty Images/BBC)

When a company finds itself facing war or natural disaster how can it get staff out of harm's way, and is there any chance of ensuring business as usual?Evan Davis speaks to one business leader who helped move hundreds of staff out of Ukraine, Belarus and Russia when war broke out in 2022. Two crisis response companies explain how they have been helping clients with people and operations in Lebanon, Israel and parts of the USA recently hit by hurricanes.Plus, what is an employer's obligation in these situations, and do the same rules apply to international as well as local hires?Evan is joined by:Ann Roberts, chief people officer, Flo; James Waddington, global director of security assistance, International SOS; Elmarie Marais, founder and CEO, GoCrisis; and Anna, an employee at Wildix.Production team:Producer: Simon Tulett Researchers: Drew Hyndman and Michaela Graichen Editor: Matt Willis Sound: Pete Wise and Tim Heffer Production co-ordinator: Katie Morrison(Picture: A Ukrainian flag flies from a destroyed building in Mariupol, April 2022. Credit: Reuters/Alexander Ermochenko/BBC)

It must be one of the most-maligned professions out there - on a par, perhaps, with traffic wardens - but debt collectors perform a vital service to businesses and the wider economy. So why do we love to despise them? Evan Davis and guests discuss the industry's inner workings, from the public image of aggressive, burly bailiffs, to the reality of repayment plans prompted by artificial intelligence. We ask how most try to ensure they collect debts fairly, and also hear the other side of the debt story - how damaging and stressful it can be for businesses who desperately need the money.Plus, why do we find it so hard to talk about debt in the UK? We hear about the industry's efforts to tackle the stigma.Evan is joined by:John Pears, UK CEO, Lowell; Amon Ghaiumy, co-founder and CEO, Ophelos; Dana Denis-Smith, CEO and founder, Obelisk Support.Production team:Producer: Simon Tulett Researcher: Farhana Haider Editor: Matt Willis Sound: Dafydd Evans and Sarah Hockley Production co-ordinators: Rosie Strawbridge and Katie Morrison

Side hustlers are seemingly everywhere - some surveys suggest they account for around half of UK workers - and stories of getting rich quick and abandoning the 9-5 are plenty. But the reality for many is much less glamorous: long hours; a precarious balancing act with the day job; and a good chance of failure. Evan Davis speaks to side hustlers, and their employers, to find out what it’s really like balancing two jobs at once. Plus, why is side hustling so popular anyway? Does it reveal a flourishing entrepreneurial spirit in the UK, particularly among young workers, or is it a symptom of a changing relationship between employer and employee?Evan is joined by:Julian Douglas, global CEO, VCCP; Ewen MacPherson, chief people officer, Havas UK; Karen Burke, founder, Go Goosey. Production team:Producer: Simon Tulett Researcher: Drew Hyndman Editor: Matt Willis Sound: Nicola Brough and Rod Farquhar Production co-ordinator: Rosie Strawbridge

The UK's power grid is undergoing a huge shift towards renewable energy, but running homes and businesses solely on this new form of electricity will be a delicate balancing act and will pose new choices for consumers.Evan Davis and guests discuss the challenge of matching supply - from wind and solar - with an increased demand from electric vehicles and homes using heat pumps rather than gas boilers. Part of the solution could be consumers themselves - homes with EVs, solar panels or battery storage could act like mini power plants, sending energy back to the grid, as well as taking from it, and getting paid in the process. But that two-way exchange could bring harder decisions - would you let your energy company switch off your fridge for an hour to ease pressure on the grid? Evan is joined by: Cordi O’Hara, president of UK electricity distribution, National Grid; Hamish Phillips, net zero business development director, Centrica; Jordan Brompton, co-founder and chief marketing officer, Myenergi.Production team: Producer: Simon Tulett Researcher: Drew Hyndman Editor: Matt Willis Sound: Jonny Baker and Tim Heffer Production co-ordinator: Rosie Strawbridge

Every year has its business highs and lows which we don't often get an opportunity to chew over on The Bottom Line.This year is different. To mark our end of term, we thought we’d reflect on the business year and look at some of the highs and lows across the business landscape, creating our very own (and very unofficial) Bottom Line Business Awards. Three panellists, three categories, three nominations. Joining Evan are: JESSICA SPUNGIN, Adjunct Professor of Strategy and Entrepreneurship at London Business School SIR KEN OLISSA, Lord-Lieutenant of Greater London and Chair and founder of Restoration Partners, a bank for entrepreneurs And NISHMA PATEL ROBB, current Executive Member of Women in Advertising and Communications Leadership, founder and CEO of The Glittersphere and formerly Marketing Director at Google UKPRODUCTION TEAM: Producers: Drew Hyndman and Alex Lewis Editor: Matt Willis Sound: Rod Farquhar Production co-ordinator: Rosie Strawbridge

Private schools in the UK are mostly registered as charities – but they are also businesses – businesses in the sense that they sell a service to paying customers. They’ve recently been in the news because the new government has said it will remove their exemption from VAT. In this episode we take a look at the business of private education: how it works, how much money is made and what will happen when exemption from VAT is removed from school fees.Evan Davis is joined by: Geoffrey Stanford, Head of Royal Grammar School Newcastle Jesse Elzinga Head of Sevenoaks School Cheryl Giovannoni, CEO, Girls' Day School Trust (GDST) Duncan Murphy, Director of Education, MTM ConsultingPRODUCTION TEAM: Producers: Drew Hyndman and Alex Lewis Editor: Matt Willis Sound: Rod Farquhar Production co-ordinator: Rosie Strawbridge and Janet Staples

All eyes have been on the new prime minister as he, and his team of ministers, settle into their jobs running the country.In this episode we consider the management challenge of taking over and starting a new role, maybe changing the direction of an organisation. Three leaders from the world of business and the charity sector share their experience of coming in as a new broom, reflecting on the mistakes they made and advice they'd offer to the new Prime Minister.Evan Davis is joined by: Stuart Hill, UK CEO, DHL Rachel Roxburgh, former CEO, Dallaglio RugbyWorks Alan French, CEO, Thomas Cook PRODUCTION TEAM: Producers: Alex Lewis, Drew Hyndman, Miriam Quayyum and Diane Richardson Editor: Matt Willis Sound: James Beard and Hal Haines Production co-ordinator: Katie Morrison and Rosie Strawbridge

Managing the rituals of a loved one's death can be both bewildering and expensive. And although no-one wants to think about it being like buying a holiday or car, it is a business with a supply chain involving funerals, burials and cremation. A couple of years ago the Competition and Markets Authority - which protects people from unfair trading practices - carried out an in-depth investigation into the funeral market because of the “surprise” people experienced at the final cost of that farewell. On average people spend about £4,000, so what do you get for that and how is the industry changing?Evan Davis is joined by: Gill Stewart, Managing Director, Co-op Funeralcare Alison Crake, Senior Partner, Crake and Mallon Funeral Directors Kate Tym, independent celebrant And Greg Cranfield from JC Atkinson coffin makers.PRODUCTION TEAM: Producers: Alex Lewis, Drew Hyndman and Miriam Quayyum Editor: Matt Willis Sound: James Beard and Hal Haines Production co-ordinator: Katie Morrison and Rosie Strawbridge

Copyright law has been around since 1710. Back then it only applied to books. Now, it covers music, sport, film, television, video games, anything really. It was also much easier to enforce in the days when people couldn't reproduce things all the time. That all started to change with the introduction of the humble music cassette tape. Now, we can all copy things and publish them to social media whenever we like.Devices which can circumvent geographical barriers have meant that streaming services have had to rethink their business models. And no-one knows quite yet the potential AI has to change things.So is it time that copyright law had a reboot?Evan Davis is joined by: Lisa Ormrod, copyright lawyer and Associate Director at Springbird Law Nathalie Curtis Lethbridge, Founder of Atonik Digital which advises on streamed content and monetisation strategy John McVay, Chief Executive of PACT, the trade body for independents working in the UK screen industry PRODUCTION TEAM: Producers: Alex Lewis, Drew Hyndman and Miriam Quayyum Editor: Matt Willis Sound: James Beard and Neil Churchill Production co-ordinator: Rosie Strawbridge

Millions of employees in the UK are now able to work flexibly – fitting their job around their home life. Many in office jobs, can finish early on a Friday, and are allowed, even encouraged, to routinely work from home. But, at the same time, we’re told that the levels of overwork, stress, and burnout in this country are on the rise. More than 17 million working days were lost to work-related stress, depression and anxiety in the last year for which we have data. So what’s going on?Evan Davis and guests discuss whether work is really making employees feel burnt out and what's the best way to tackle it.Evan is joined by:Jane Gratton: Head of People Policy at the British Chambers of Commerce Riannon Palmer: Founder and CEO, Lem-uhn Catherine Allen: People Director at THIS! PRODUCTION TEAM:Producers: Simon Tulett, Drew Hyndman and Miriam Quayyum Editor: Matt Willis Sound: Robin Warren and Rod Farquhar Production co-ordinator: Rosie Strawbridge

Every brand wants attention, to be seen as a must-have, but how do some manage stratospheric levels of popularity? It might happen organically, perhaps even by accident, but it’s also true that many brands engineer it.Evan Davis and guest discuss the tricks of the trade, from social media influencers to artificial scarcity, and the potential pitfalls when a product is so popular that it's almost impossible to get hold of.Plus, what is it that compels people to queue several hours for a sandwich, or pay ten times the usual price for a bottle of energy drink - we explore the consumer psychology behind the hype.Evan is joined by:Ellis Gilbert, founder of Soho Yacht Club and Talk Nice Studios; Rory Sutherland, vice chair of Ogilvy UK; Dr Cathrine Jansson-Boyd, reader in psychology at Anglia Ruskin University; and Sian Evans, founder of Chatsworth Bakehouse.PRODUCTION TEAM:Producer: Simon Tulett Researcher: Drew Hyndman Editor: Matt Willis Sound: Neil Churchill and Donald MacDonald Production co-ordinator: Rosie Strawbridge(Picture: A customer jumps in the air as he leaves an iPhone store in London, after being the first person to buy the brand's latest phone. Credit: Ben A. Pruchnie/Getty Images)

China produces more than half the world's electric vehicles and is scaling up exports, but there are concerns its manufacturers would have an unfair advantage in the UK, which could spell disaster for domestic firms.Evan Davis and guests discuss the UK's dilemma around Chinese EVs - do we open our doors to the competition, which might mean cheaper electric cars for consumers and a quicker transition to net zero, or should the government follow the USA and EU in considering import restrictions to protect domestic car-makers?Plus, do buyers really care where their EV is made, and will 100% of new car sales be electric by 2035?Evan is joined by:Ginny Buckley, editor-in-chief and founder, electrifying.com; Victor Zhang, UK country director of Omoda and Jaecoo (made by Chery); James Taylor, UK managing director, Vauxhall; Fraser Brown, managing director, MotorVisePRODUCTION TEAM:Producer: Simon Tulett Researcher: Drew Hyndman Editor: Matt Willis Sound: Neil Churchill Production co-ordinator: Rosie Strawbridge

With the entrepreneur, philanthropist and author. The Decisions That Made Me A Leader is a mini-series from The Bottom Line. It features one-on-one interviews with entrepreneurs and business leaders, including Duncan Bannatyne, Martha Lane Fox, and the boss of Depop, Simon Beckerman. All of these episodes are available on BBC Sounds and you can also watch them on BBC iPlayer. To find the series, just search: The Decisions That Made Me A Leader. Host: Evan Davis Producers: Paige Neal-Holder and Farhana Haider Assistant Editor: Matthew Willis Senior News Editor: Sam Bonham Commissioning Editor: Hugh Levinson

Martha Lane Fox was first catapulted into the public eye during the dot.com boom as co-founder of lastminute.com the online agency she set up with Brent Hoberman in the late 1990s.It was valued at three quarters of a billion pounds when it floated on the London stock exchange in 2000. She then experienced a life change road accident while on holiday in Morocco when she was thrown from the passenger seat of an open-top car. She says she very nearly died. ‘They rank you in trauma I was a 37, 39 is dead’Her career has ranged from launching karaoke chain Lucky Voice to serving as the government’s digital champion and being on the board of twitter, during one its most complex times. She is currently the President of the British Chamber of Commerce Evan asks about the key personal and business-related decisions that got her to where she is today.The Decisions That Made Me A Leader is a mini-series from The Bottom Line. It features one-on-one interviews with entrepreneurs and business leaders, including Duncan Bannatyne, Martha Lane Fox, and the boss of Depop, Simon Beckerman. All of these episodes are available on BBC Sounds and you can also watch them on BBC iPlayer. To find the series, just search: The Decisions That Made Me A Leader. You can also watch the series on BBC iPlayer. To find the series, just search: The Decisions That Made Me A Leader.Host: Evan Davis Producers: Paige Neal-Holder and Farhana Haider Assistant Editor: Matt Willis Senior News Editor: Sam Bonham Commissioning Editor: Hugh LevinsonA BBC News Long Form Audio production.

Simon Beckerman is the founder of Depop, a platform where people can buy and sell pre-loved fashion, it currently has around 35 million registered users. He sold the company to Etsy for £1.25 billion in 2021.Simon grew up in Italy to British and Italian parents who he describes as rebels in their own way and even as a teenager he knew he had to build his own business because ‘I was unemployable’His latest business, is DELLI a food app connecting independent retailers with consumers. Evan asks about the key personal and business-related decisions that got him to where he is today.The Decisions That Made Me A Leader is a mini-series from The Bottom Line. It features one-on-one interviews with entrepreneurs and business leaders, including Duncan Bannatyne, Martha Lane Fox, and the boss of Depop, Simon Beckerman. All of these episodes are available on BBC Sounds and you can also watch them on BBC iPlayer. To find the series, just search: The Decisions That Made Me A Leader. You can also watch the series on BBC iPlayer. To find the series, just search: The Decisions That Made Me A Leader.Host: Evan Davis Producers: Paige Neal-Holder and Farhana Haider Assistant Editor: Matt Willis Senior News Editor: Sam Bonham Commissioning Editor: Hugh LevinsonA BBC News Long Form Audio production.

Evan Davis sits down with Richard Walker the Executive Chairman of Iceland foods a company founded by his father. Richard started at Iceland Foods in 2012 from the bottom up working as a shelf stacker at the start.A qualified chartered surveyor he is an entrepreneur in his own right having set-up a property business, Bywater Properties, of which he is still chairman.A fan of physical challenges he’s climbed Everest and was running his first London Marathon this year when he collapsed less than two miles from the finish line and says ice saved his life.Evan asks about the key personal and business-related decisions that got him to where he is today.A Long Form Audio Production for BBC Radio 4.

Evan Davis sits down with Timo Armoo, the founder of social media advertising business Fanbytes, which he set up when he was 21 with two friends.Aged 27 he sold the company, which connects social media influencers with brands, for an eight-figure sum, saying he can now retire a multi-millionaire.Timo was born in Hackney in London but moved to Ghana to live with his grandmother when he was 3 months old. He returned to the UK and grew up on a council estate in south London and says he always had this burning feeling that he was destined for more.Evan asks about the key personal and business-related decisions that got him to where he is today.The Decisions That Made Me A Leader is a mini-series from The Bottom Line. It features one-on-one interviews with entrepreneurs and business leaders, including Duncan Bannatyne, Martha Lane Fox, and the boss of Depop, Simon Beckerman. All of these episodes are available on BBC Sounds and you can also watch them on BBC iPlayer. To find the series, just search: The Decisions That Made Me A Leader. You can also watch the series on BBC iPlayer. To find the series, just search: The Decisions That Made Me A Leader.Host: Evan Davis Producers: Paige Neal-Holder and Farhana Haider Assistant Editor: Matt Willis Senior News Editor: Sam Bonham Commissioning Editor: Hugh LevinsonA BBC News Long Form Audio production.

Krisi Smith started Bird and Blend Tea company with business partner Mike knowing very little about tea or running a business. She drew up their mission statement in the pub whilst working as a ski instructor in Canada.They started up working in her mums back bedroom to now running 20 retail stores across the UK.Before starting the company she had more than 30 jobs and that’s just by the age of 24. For her, putting people are the forefront is what business is about.Krisi talks about the challenges of opening a business with your partner in life as well as business. ‘Got married, got divorced, and we're now just business partners.’Evan asks about the key personal and business-related decisions that got her to where she is today.The Decisions That Made Me A Leader is a mini-series from The Bottom Line. It features one-on-one interviews with entrepreneurs and business leaders, including Duncan Bannatyne, Martha Lane Fox, and the boss of Depop, Simon Beckerman. All of these episodes are available on BBC Sounds and you can also watch them on BBC iPlayer. To find the series, just search: The Decisions That Made Me A Leader. You can also watch the series on BBC iPlayer. To find the series, just search: The Decisions That Made Me A Leader.Host: Evan Davis Producers: Paige Neal-Holder and Farhana Haider Assistant Editor: Matt Willis Senior News Editor: Sam Bonham Commissioning Editor: Hugh LevinsonA BBC News Long Form Audio production.

Evan Davis makes up crisis management scenarios to see how three CEOs handle a business emergency. To make it more realistic none of the guests know what the predicaments are before speaking to Evan.Guests: Kathryn Jacob, CEO of Pearl and Dean Dame Inga Beale, former CEO of Lloyd's of London Justin King, former CEO of Sainsbury'sProduction Team: Presenter: Evan Davis Editor: Matt Willis Producer: Simon Tulet & Paige Neal-Holder Sound: Sarah Hockley & Rod Farquhar

A typical career, for many, involves some kind of progression, or at least the expectation of it, until we stop and retire. But is there a better model?Evan Davis and guests discuss whether more of us should think about easing into retirement by taking more junior roles, going part time, or switching profession altogether, instead of stepping off a career cliff edge when we reach pension age. Could this expand the number of job opportunities for older workers, whilst also helping younger workers push through the ranks?Stepping back isn’t an option open to all, though, and there could be big implications for pensions, so how should older workers begin to calculate if, or when, it might be possible? Evan is joined by:Matthew Rideout, founder of Knead & Desire Bakehouse; Sir Howard Davies, chairman of NatWest Group; Zoe Ashdown, head of culture and people engagement at AXA UK and Ireland.Thanks also to the listeners who sent in voice notes, and to everyone else who emailed bottomline@bbc.co.ukPRODUCTION TEAM:Producers: Simon Tulett Researcher: Paige Neal-Holder Editor: Matt Willis Sound: James Beard and Rod Farquhar Production co-ordinator: Rosie StrawbridgeThe Bottom Line is produced in partnership with The Open University.(Picture: An older man laughing and looking at a laptop with a young woman in a workshop. Credit: Alys Tomlinson/Getty Images)

The UK’s biggest nightclub operator recently announced the closure of around half of its venues, and with them almost 500 jobs. REKOM UK, which owns the Atik and Pryzm brands, blamed the cost of living crisis hurting its customers, along with increased operating costs. But is there something else going on? According to the industry association the number of nightclubs in the UK has more than halved in the last decade, so have younger people – nightclubs’ core customers – lost interest in drinking and dancing the night away? Are landlords eyeing up healthier returns from these enormous spaces by turning them into flats? And how are the remaining venues evolving to attract these, and sometimes older, customers?Evan Davis is joined by:Peter Marks, chairman of REKOM UK; Mike Kill, CEO of the Night Time Industries Association; Jo Cox-Brown, CEO of Night Time Economy Solutions.PRODUCTION TEAM:Producers: Simon Tulett and Nick Holland Researcher: Paige Neal-Holder Editor: Matt Willis Sound: Rod Farquhar Production co-ordinator: Rosie StrawbridgeThe Bottom Line is produced in partnership with The Open University.(Picture: A crowd of people dancing and waving their arms in the air. Credit: Getty Images)

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.

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)

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)

Some major fashion brands have started charging for online returns, or even banning customers who routinely send products back. The companies say that growing levels of returns are hitting their profits, so just how costly is it to process an unwanted dress, and what really happens when we pop it back in the post?Evan Davis and guests take us behind the scenes into the hidden world of returns and the mini-industry that has sprung up to deal with the billions of pounds of items rejected by customers.It's a growing problem, according to many retailers, with a small number of customers causing particular damage, so what's the best way to tackle it and does the responsibility lie with brands, shoppers, or governments?Evan is joined by:Robert Kulawik, chief operating officer, Everything5pounds.com; Andy Rough, CEO, ACS Clothing; Dr Regina Frei, associate professor of digital economy, University of Surrey. 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 woman putting folded clothes into a cardboard box. Credit: Getty Images)

It’s become the mantra of many employers, and the expectation of some employees, but what does bringing your whole or authentic self to work actually mean, and should companies encourage it? Evan Davis and guests discuss the pros and cons of a workplace culture in which staff share their personal beliefs, politics and vulnerabilities with colleagues. What impact does it have on employee satisfaction and business productivity? And, at a time of great political and cultural polarisation, how do you prevent the ‘whole self’ ethos stirring up trouble?Evan is joined by:Nana Berchie, global people director for diversity, belonging and human rights, Arcadis; Octavius Black, founder and CEO, The Mind Gym; Kate Palmer, employment services director, Peninsula UK; Sophia Luu, freelance design researcher and founder of Secrets Worth Sharing.PRODUCTION TEAM:Producer: Simon Tulett Editor: Matt Willis Sound: Rod Farquhar Production co-ordinator: Gemma AshmanThe Bottom Line is produced in partnership with The Open University.(Picture: A woman hiding behind her laptop. Credit: Getty Images)

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

New medicines with sales in the billions of dollars each year are what every pharmaceutical company dreams of, but how do you create one and can they really justify their often high price tags?Evan Davis and guests discuss the changing origins of so-called 'blockbusters' and their importance to the global drug industry, including recent examples like the obesity and diabetes treatments Wegovy and Ozempic, which have made Novo Nordisk one of the richest companies in Europe.Plus, as outright cures for some diseases begin to emerge, how can the pharmaceutical industry and healthcare systems agree on what is a reasonable price to pay for them?Evan is joined by:Sir Patrick Vallance, former president of research and development at GSK, chief scientific advisor to the UK government, now chair of the Natural History Museum; Ruth McKernan, venture partner at SV Health Investors; David Brown, chairman and co-founder of Healx and co-creator of Viagra; Natasha Loder, health editor, The Economist. PRODUCTION TEAM:Producer: Simon Tulett Editor: China Collins Sound: Graham Puddifoot Production co-ordinator: Gemma Ashman(Picture: Rolls of dollar bills next to a bottle of pills. Credit: Getty Images)

For most people, the aeroplane is the default mode of long distance transport Whilst the UK has only two overnight sleeper services, long distance train travel and sleeper services are experiencing a resurgence in Europe. One company OBB, the Austrian State Railway has just ordered thirty new trains, some of which will be in service from December. But are these services mainly for train aficionados, romantics and those scared of flying, or could they become a serious competitor to the plane?Evan Davis and guests discuss what's behind this apparent new 'Age of the Train'. GUESTSKurt Bauer, Head of Long Distance Passenger Services and New Rail Business, OBB/NightjetMichael Guerra, Rail Design Engineer and Co-founder, Night XMonisha Rajesh, Travel journalist and Author, 'Around the World in 80 Trains'Reporter: Lisa LouisPRODUCTION TEAMProducer: Julie BallEditor : China CollinsSound: Neil Churchill and Rod FarquharProduction Co-ordinator: Gemma Ashman

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)

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.)

As the UK gets ready to host a major global summit on the safety of artificial intelligence, Evan Davis speaks to one of the technology's leading global figures.Demis Hassabis explains how he went from child chess champion to game developer to co-founder of AI research lab DeepMind, which was bought by Google in 2014.He discusses Google's answer to ChatGPT and AI's ability to create breakthroughs in science, but also its downsides, including the potential extinction of the human race.GUEST: Demis Hassabis, CEO of Google DeepMindPRODUCTION TEAMProducers: Joel Moors and Simon Tulett Editor: China Collins Sound: Neil Churchill Production Co-ordinator: Gemma Ashman(Picture: Demis Hassabis, CEO of Google DeepMind)

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

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)

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

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.

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

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

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

Younger workers want unlimited holiday, refuse to give up remote working, and are constantly looking for their next job, or so the cliché goes. Millennials and those even younger (Generation Z) do typically have different attitudes to work than their older colleagues, but what are they really, and how are they changing workplaces? Is it all about finishing early on Fridays, finding a company with a strong ethical stance, or looking for the quickest possible route to success? And to what extent have the pandemic and remote working changed the relationship between employees and employers, especially for those new to the world of work? As these younger workers make up an ever-growing proportion of staff at UK firms, Evan Davis and guests ask what’s the best way to manage and get the best out of them.GUESTSGrace Beverley, founder and CEO of TALA and SHREDDY; Helen Marshall, chief learning officer at Thrive; Gary Ashworth, chairman of InterQuest Group, Albany Beck and Positive Healthcare. Thanks also to Cruz Corral @champagnecruzProduced in partnership with The Open University.PRODUCTION TEAMProducer: Simon Tulett Editor: China Collins Sound: Graham Puddifoot and James Beard Production co-ordinator: Brenda Brown

As Covid restrictions were eased last year, the demand to travel abroad by air overtook the readiness of the industry to cope, leading to thousands of flights being cancelled and enormous queues at several airport terminals because of a shortage of staff across the board from security to baggage handlers and flight attendants. What can passengers expect this year and has the industry been able to address the problems it experienced last year to provide a smooth passenger experience this year? Evan Davis and guests discuss.GUESTSWillie Walsh, Director General, International Air Transport Association, Former Chief Executive, IAG and British AirwaysTim Hawkins, Chief of Staff, Manchester Airports GroupSally Gethin, Independent Aviation and Travel Analyst and CommentatorProduced in Partnership with The Open University. PRODUCTION TEAMProducers: Julie Ball and Simon Tulett Researcher: Marianna Brain Editor: China Collins Sound: Rod Farquhar Production Co-ordinator: Brenda Brown

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

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.

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

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

Warren East has run two of the UK's most successful companies, ARM and Rolls Royce Holdings. During his tenure at ARM he oversaw a rapid growth of this globally successful Cambridge semi conductor company. He went on to lead Rolls Royce during a time of turbulence, from aircraft engine trouble, to COVID and a massive restructure which led to several thousand redundancies. He shares his reflections on his business career, as well as his thoughts on Brexit, tax and economic growth. GUESTWarren East, former CEO Rolls Royce Holdings Ltd.PRODUCTION TEAMProducer: Julie Ball Editor: China Collins Sound: James Beard and Graham Puddifoot Prod Co-ordinator: Siobhan Reed

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

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

If you've ever felt bamboozled by the sheer range of biscuits at your local supermarket or in a quandary over which pair of headphones to buy from the plethora on offer, then you're not alone. Studies suggest that consumers can struggle to make decisions when there is too much choice. So how much choice should businesses offer their customers? And how can retailers help us navigate the dizzying array of products out there?Evan Davis brings together a perfectly chosen group of experts to discuss.GUESTSDr. Paul Marsden, Consumer Pscyhologist, Business School, London College of Fashion , University of Arts LondonLaurence Mitchell, Buying Director, Electricals and Home Technology, John Lewis Partnership Donna Smith, Managing Director, Thursday Cottage Ltd.andPaul Stainton, Retail Consultant, IPLC PRODUCTION TEAMProducer: Julie Ball Researcher: Marianna Brain Editor: China Collins Sound: Rod Farquhar and Neil Churchill Production Co-ordinators: Sophie Hill and Siobhan Reed

Current strike action across the UK led to more than a million lost working days in 2022, the worst industrial strife the nation has experienced since the 'Winter of Discontent' in the 1970s. But with the benefit of hindsight, what can we learn from those who have dealt with labour relations in the past, and can their insights help to establish a better way of working out employee grievances? Evan Davis and guests discuss.GUESTS Alan Johnson, former MP, Secretary of State and former Head of the Union of Communication Workers. Professor Sian Moore, Professor of Employment Relations and Human Resource Management and Co-Director of the Centre for Research on Employment and Work (CREW), University of Greenwich Susanna Newing, Chief People Officer, Coventry Council Presenter: Evan Davis Producer: Julie Ball and Marianna Brain Editor: China Collins Sound: Gareth Jones and Neil Churchill Production Co-ordinators: Siobhan Reed and Sophie Hill

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

Col Needham set up his first business at the age of 14 designing and selling games software for computers. But his real love, since the age of 5, has always been film. Col started logging every movie he'd seen in a paper diary which he eventually set up as a database, along with other like-minded film fans. Although it began and remains a personal passion, IMDB is now a multi million pound business, which was one of Amazon's first acquisitions. Col has remained CEO and founder, and he's now seen 15,000 films - all logged religiously in IMDB. He talks to Evan Davis about the journey from passion to profit. GUEST Col Needham, CEO and Founder, IMDBPRESENTER: Evan DavisPRODUCER: Julie Ball EDITOR: Simon Watts SOUND: Graham PuddifootPRODUCTION CO-ORDINATORS: Siobhan Reed and Helena Warwick-Cross

What will higher interest rates on borrowing money mean for the property market and what happens if house prices fall? Evan Davis discusses mortgages and housing in new economic times.Guests: Vanessa McCallum, Owner of Vanessa McCallum Estates Ray Boulger, Senior Technical Manager at John Charcol Mortgage Brokers David Miles, Professor of Financial Economics at Imperial College London Production coordinators: Siobhan Reid and Helena Warwick-Cross Presenter: Evan Davis Producers: Louise Byrne, Kirsteen Knight and Nick Holland Editor: Simon Watts

Since the very beginning of the NHS, GP surgeries have been, in effect, businesses with contracts to do the work the Health Service needs. But in recent decades, patient numbers have grown, surgeries have become larger and the services offered more varied. Many GP surgeries now employ administrative staff, nurses, physiotherapists and paramedics, as well as doctors. What's it like to be a clinician and run a small business at the same time? What are the pressures? How do you get the books to balance? And how do you attract more people to join one of the front lines of the NHS? Evan Davis and guests discuss.GUESTS Dr. John Lynch, GP Partner, Framfield House Surgery, Woodbridge Suffolk Dr. Matt Noble, GP Partner, GP@hand, Bablyon Health a 'digital first' practice Dr. Yazmin Razak, Single GP practitioner, North Kensington and Dr. Rebecca Rosen, Senior Fellow, Health Policy at the Nuffield Trust and part-time GP, South London Producers: Julie Ball and Kirsteen Knight Researcher: Louise Byrne Sound Engineers: Graham Puddifoot and Rod Farquhar Editor: Simon Watts

Evan Davis looks at the UK's defence industry to find out how it is responding to the war in Ukraine and whether socially conscious investors are beginning to change their minds about the sector.Guests: Dean Rosenfield, Head of Saab UK Kevin McNamee, CEO of Denroy Group Ltd Kevin Craven, CEO of ADS GroupPresenter: Evan Davis Production Coordinators: Siobhan Reed & Helena Warwick-Cross Producer: Julie Ball & Nick Holland Editor: Tara McDermott

What happens when your business vision doesn't stack up or your long-standing business needs to make changes to keep up with a changing market and customer taste? Do you make a U-turn or a pivot as it's known in business. How do you know when is the right time and how do you get your employees and managers to go with you? Evan Davis and guests discuss.GUESTSMatthew Bannister, Broadcaster and Presenter, Folk on Foot podcastLiz Earle, Beauty and Wellness Entrepreneur, Editor-in-Chief, Liz Earle Wellbeing magazineand Jessica Spungin, Adjunct Professor of Strategy and Entrepreneurship, London Business School PRESENTER: EVAN DAVISPRODUCTION TEAMProducers: Julie Ball and Nick Holland Editor: Tara McDermott Sound: Neil Churchill/Rod Farquhar Production Co-ordinators: Siobhan Reed & Helena Warwick-Cross

Evan Davis asks why there are more job vacancies in Britain than there are people looking for work. Unemployment used to be a big problem, but now businesses say they're struggling to recruit enough staff.Guest list: Jane Townson: CEO of The Home Care Association Will Beckett: CEO of Hawksmoor restaurants Jane Gratton: Head of People Policy at the British Chambers of Commerce Jon Wilson: CEO of TotalJobs online recruitment agency.Production Coordinator: Helena Warwick-Cross and Siobhan Reed Sound production: Neil Churchill & Graham Puddifoot Research: Louise Byrne Producer: Nick Holland Editor: Richard Vadon Presenter: Evan Davis

Is it right that businesses making what look like windfall profits pay windfall taxes? And do the recent announcements from the government to lower taxes in general lead to economic growth? Evan Davis and guests discuss.GUESTSIrem Guceri, Associate Professor Economics and Public Policy, Blavatnik School of Government, OxfordProfessor Michael Jacobs, Professor of Political Economy, Sheffield UniversityCharlie Mullins, Businessman and Founder, Pimlico PlumbersDan Neidle, Founder, Tax Policy Associates Ltd. PRODUCTION TEAMProducer: Julie Ball Editor: Richard Vadon Sound Engineers: Graham Puddifoot/James Beard Production Co-ordinators: Siobhan Reed and Helena Warwick-Cross

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

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

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

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 .

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

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

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

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

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.

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

How will shifts in China's economic policies affect global commerce? The nation is the world's second-biggest economy and it's been the centre of globalised manufacturing for over three decades. But after a global pandemic, an energy crisis and now war in Ukraine, is this going to change? Already, President Xi Jinping has plans to move away from the reliance on global trade towards expanding domestic consumption, alongside targets for encouraging innovation in technology and artificial intelligence. Will recent economic sanctions on Russia due to geopolitics make China retreat more from global trade? What will this mean for us and for the rest of the world? Evan Davis and guests discuss Guests: Hong Bo, professor of financial economics, School of Finance & Management, SOAS University of London Mike Collier, director, China UKTC consultancy Xiaolan Fu, professor of technology and international development: and director, Technology and Management Centre for Development (TMCD), Oxford University Producer: Julie Ball Production Coordinators: Sophie Hill and Siobhan Reed Sound: Nigel Appleton Editor: Hugh LevinsonThis programme was produced in partnership with the Open University

What will the consequences of the invasion of Ukraine be for the world's economy - and for us? From the effects on the energy markets to the tough sanctions regime, we can already see ripple effects across Europe and the rest of the globe, at a time when the world's economy is still in a febrile post-Covid state. Evan Davis and guests discuss the likely and immediate picture for business, growth and incomes.Guests: Duncan Weldon, economist and author of the Value Added newsletter on Substack. Anna Leach, deputy chief economist at the CBI Chris Rogers, supply chain economist for Flexport Greg Jackson, CEO of Octopus EnergyProducer: Julie Ball Research: Johnny I'Anson Production Coordinators: Sophie Hill and Siobhan Reed Editor: Hugh LevinsonProduced in association with The Open University.

What's behind the explosion in popularity of Klarna and its competitors? Most of us have found ourselves wanting something that we can’t quite afford. If you’re low on funds and waiting for money to come in, there are a multitude of borrowing options, from overdrafts and loans to credit cards. A new option that is expanding fast is the Buy Now Pay Later model, where customers have the option to pay back money for their purchases and there’s no interest charges - provided the debts are cleared on time. But is it too good be true? Join Evan Davis and his panel of experts to get to the bottom of the BNPL industryGUESTS Alex Marsh, Head of Klarna UK Alice Tapper, financial journalist Sameer Pethe, Financial Services Partner, KearneyProducer: Lucinda Borrell Sound: Graham Puddifoot Production Coordinators: Sophie Hill and Siobhan Reed Editor: Hugh LevinsonProduced in association with the Open University

Like alcohol, but don't want to drink? For the "sober-curious" consumer there's a range of low-alcohol alternatives on the market from gins and spirits to beers and craft lagers. But are they as good as the real thing? What is the social purpose of these substitute drinks? And why do they tend to have similar prices to their alcoholic rivals - even though they are taxed at a far lower rate? Evan Davis and guests explore the expansion of the low-alcohol market, the rising demand for luxury alcohol alternatives and asks - is this one trend that's here to stay?GUESTS Cristina Diezhandino, Chief Marketing Officer, Diageo Spencer Matthews, Founder, Clean Co Emily Neill. Chief Operating Officer, IWSR Drinks Market AnalysisProducer: Lucinda Borrell Production Coordinators: Sophie Hill and Siobhan Reed Sound: Graham Puddifoot Editor: Hugh Levinson

Prices are rising - but are we heading into an unprecedented economic period? So far, wages haven't yet followed. How different is what's going on now from the conventional boom and bust cycle? Evan Davis and guests discuss. Guests: Dr Jennifer Smith, Associate Professor of Economics, Warwick University Professor Michael McMahon, Oxford University Sonali Punhani, UK Chief Economist at Credit SuisseProducer: Julie Ball Production Coordinators: Sophie Hill and Siobhan Reed Sound: Rod Farquhar Editor: Hugh LevinsonProduced in association with the Open University

Psychotherapist Naomi Shragai talks to Evan Davis about how our emotional baggage can harm our work life.. She advises businesses and employees on how to recognise our deeper personal impulses, which often stem from our childhoods. Her book 'The Man Who Mistook his Job for His Life' catalogues phenomena like narcissism, fear of rejection and imposter syndrome, Naomi tells us how to recognise these powerful forces, and what we can do about them. Producer: Julie Ball Studio Manager: Neil Churchill Production Coordinators: Siobhan Reed and Sophie HillThis programme was made in association with The Open University

Evan Davis and guests discuss how best to resolve disputes between colleagues - both making the best of it and avoiding the worst. Despite our best efforts, conflict never disappears – it’s always there, when humans gather. In the office, it can be start with something as trivial as a coffee cup left on a colleague's desk. And from there, it can spiral into a situation where people are unwilling to work with each other, or even suffer mental ill health as result. Three experts give advice on how to prevent conflict festering and the best ways to mediate when co-workers end up at daggers drawn. GUESTS Gill Dix, head of workplace policy at ACAS Felicity Steadman, mediator, The Centre for Effective Dispute Resolution Ade Adeniji, mediator and investigatorProducers: Kirsteen Knight, Lucinda Borrell and Sandra Kanthal Sound: Graham Puddifoot Editor: Hugh Levinson

How can companies create a level playing field for applicants and employees from lower socio-economic backgrounds? Evan Davis and guests discuss the sometimes invisible barriers and assumptions which exclude some from getting jobs or getting promoted. Many believe that the job interview format tends to favour the social skills of those from the middle and upper middle classes. Diversity schemes help - but there are questions about whether they go far enough. Is this the final taboo when it comes to equality in employment?Guests: Professor Lee Elliot-Major, University of Exeter Sandra Wallace, chair, Social Mobility Commission and one of the Managing Directors for UK & Europe, DLA Piper Jenny Baskerville, Head of Inclusion, Diversity & Social Equality, KPMGProducer: Lucinda Borrell Sound: Graham Puddifoot Editor: Hugh Levinson

The National Lottery contract is up for grabs. While the results aren't scheduled to be announced until early 2022, the bids are in and being considered - and across the industry it seems that this is the closest competition yet with four major players in the running. How do lotteries, large and small, operate? And what obligations does the industry have towards customers who might be vulnerable? Evan Davis speaks to Camelot, who have been running The National Lottery since its inception 27 years ago, and to industry leaders, about the changing world of lotteries. GUESTS Matthew Risdale, Executive Director, Camelot Richard Dixon, Managing Director, Sterling Lotteries Tony Vick, Chair, The Lotteries Council PRODUCERS Tanya Beckett & Lucinda BorrellSOUND Rod Farquhar

Evan Davis looks at the expanding world of ultrafast home delivery. App-based firms like Getir promise to get a grocery order to your home in just 10 minutes. During the pandemic demand for such services skyrocketed. As new companies enter the market, is Q-commerce economically sustainable - or will there be a brutal shake-out? Evan speaks to players in this rapidly growing sector - and to a critic of it. GUESTS Turancan Salur, general manager, Getir UK Christa Bloom-Burrows, co-founder, Biff's Jessica Moulton, senior partner, McKinsey & company Adam Badger, research student, Royal Holloway, University of LondonProducer: Lucinda Borrell Sound: Rod Farquhar

Can carbon capture save the planet - and make money? The government has announced millions of pounds of funding to support the UK's emerging carbon capture industry. How will it change our futures?Evan Davis speaks to the head of The East Coast Cluster, a project awarded some of this financial support, alongside other industry leaders, to understand whether this revolutionary technology could solve our climate change problems, or whether it is another way to evade our environmental obligations. GUESTSAndy Lane, vice president (CCUS), BP & head of East Coast Cluster Esin Serin, UK policy analyst, The Grantham Institute of Climate Change Olivia Powlis, head of UK office, Carbon Capture and Storage Assosciation Julie Golsalvez, chief marketing officer, ClimeworksPRODUCER Lucinda Borrell

In 2020, the pandemic hit, and the world locked down. Suddenly white-collar staff went from working in the office, to working remotely. But now we are opening up, will people want to return? Hybrid working has become the buzzword of employers across the country, allowing individuals to have more flexibility over where they work. So how likely is this to function effectively? How do businesses manage staff and productivity? And will there ever be anyone in the office on Fridays....? Join Evan Davis and guests to find out.GUESTS Emma Stewart, Co-Founder, Timewise Sam Bowerman, HR Director, Retail Businesses, NatWest Group UK Lisa Kennery, HR and Marketing Director, The Pierce GroupPRODUCER Julie Ball

Labour shortages, particularly in the hospitality and HGV sector have dominated the headlines from petrol shortages, to worries about Christmas dinner being off the menu. And its not just the logistics sector at risk - hospitality, agriculture and the care sector have all reported labour problems in post-pandemic, post-Brexit Britain. So what exactly is the solution? Do we bring in more labour from abroad? Do we invest in training and developing British workers? Or are companies going to have to pay better wages and improve working conditions? Join us on this week's The Bottom line to find out...GUESTSRain Newton Smith, Chief Economist, CBI Alan Manning, Economist, London School of Economics Kaan Hendekli, JJ Food Services

The extraordinary success of the creation of vaccines for Covid-19 has made the business of clinical trials look simple. But appearances can be deceptive and it usually takes many years and costs hundreds of millions of pounds to bring a new drug, therapy or medical device successfully to market.Evan Davis and his guests discuss how the economics of commercial clinical trials now look for companies in the light of such a disruptive event as the pandemic. How far is greater collaboration - with start-ups partnering with big pharma and research companies - changing the way in which trials operate? And will new tech developments - like the greater, tailored use of Artificial Intelligence, digital data and advanced statistical techniques - make the process cheaper and quicker - while compromising neither safety nor patient confidentiality?Those taking part are: Nuala Murphy of the executive team at Icon plc, a Dublin-based clinical research organisation which last year worked with Pfizer/BioNTech on their Covid-19 vaccine; Houman Ashrafian, managing partner of the biotech team at SVHealth Investors, a venture capital firm with offices in London and Boston; and Avideh Nazeri, vice-president in the UK for clinical development, medical and regulatory affairs at the Danish-headquartered integrated pharmaceutical company, Novo Nordisk.Editor Hugh Levinson

Should consumers be told the carbon footprint of the products they buy? And if so, how? In recent years, a shift in customer attitudes towards climate change has caused businesses to up their game when it comes to showcasing the environmental impact of products. But just how transparent it this? How much do buyers want to know about how sustainable their shopping is? Evan Davis and guests discuss the highly complex issues around carbon labelling and how best to communicate sustainable business practices.GuestsEmma Keller, Head of Sustainability UK & Ireland, Nestle Barry Clavin, Ethics and Sustainability Reporting Manager, Co-Op Hugh Jones, Managing Director, The Carbon TrustProducer: Lucinda Borrell Sound: Neil Churchill Production Coordinators: Iona Hammond and Siobhan Reed

Electric vehicles are a hot topic. Nissan has announced it will construct a factory to produce EVs, while the government says no new vehicles running on petrol or diesel will be sold after 2030. The electric transport sector will play a crucial role in tackling climate change. But are we on track to hit these targets? Can EVs deliver the same reliable service as combustion engine vehicles and reduce "range anxiety"? Does the rolling out of this transition have consumers convinced? Evan Davis and guests discuss.Guests Lex Hartman, CEO, Ubtricity Toddington Harper, CEO, GridServe Tanya Sinclair, UK & Ireland Policy Director, ChargepointProducer Lucinda Borrell

The spending power of disabled people and their families - the so-called purple pound - is valued at £249 billion a year. So is there a competitive business advantage in designing accessible goods and services? Evan Davis and guests discuss, with examples ranging from haircare products to hotel rooms. GuestsSam Latif, Company Accessibility Leader at Proctor and Gamble Robin Sheppard, Co-Founder and President of Bespoke Hotels and Gavin Neate, Chief Executive and Founder of NeateboxProducer: Lesley McAlpine Sound: Andy Garratt

For nearly 20 years, the cruise industry experienced huge growth. Then a pandemic hit. After a year of forking out for boats docked in port and devastating headlines chronicling outbreaks early on in 2020, what does this mean for the future of cruises? How are they restarting, what barriers are they facing and - most importantly - how do they convince customers that they are indeed safe?Guests Dr Jennifer Holland, Lecturer in Tourism, Suffolk Business School Ben Bouldin, Vice President, EMA, Royal Caribbean Cruises

For years the suburbs have been seen as places to live, from which you can commute to a big city to work. But has the pandemic pushed the economic pendulum in the other direction? With more people working from home and cities becoming quieter, could this lead to a revival of the suburban economy? Evan Davis explores the national picture and hears from entrepreneurs in Denton, Greater Manchester, who have helped revive its struggling town centre, encouraging people to spend money locally.GuestsJohn Spencer, Chief Executive of BizSpace Yael Selfin, Chief Economist of KPMG in the UKProducer: Lesley McAlpine

How can businesses cope with supply shortages? Car factories across the world have had to shut down because they can't get hold of enough silicon chips. And as many economies bounce back post-Covid, other industries are facing similar problems. How can enterprises plan both for sudden falls and surges in demand and how quickly can supply chains cope? Evan Davis and guests discuss. Guests: Dr Andy Palmer, CEO of Switch Mobility Maureen O'Shea, Leader of Supply Chain and Operations Management for KPMG John Neuffer, President and CEO of the US Semiconductor Industry AssociationProducer: Lucinda Borrell

The pandemic has given a nudge to the decline of cash. If that is the past - what is the future for our payments system? Could it simply be cards linked to bank accounts, handled via apps? Or could we be approaching a pivotal moment when the exciting (or maybe alarming) world of crypto and digital currencies take over? Central banks around the world are pondering this very question and are poised to launch their own digital currencies. Evan Davis and guests look into the future of money.Guests:Professor Catherine Mulligan, visiting lecturer at Imperial College, London and director of D-Central Lab at Lisbon University, Marcus Hughes, European managing director for Coinbase, a crypto trading platform Paige McCartney, senior business reporter at the Nassau Guardian

When you have billions it's impossible to spend it all on yourself and your family. So what else do you do? Join the space race like Elon Musk and Jeff Bezos or start a foundation like Bill Gates and follow in the footsteps of the massively wealthy industrialists of the Gilded Age, like Andrew Carnegie or John D Rockefeller? What do they tell us about our world is changing for better or worse.GUESTSDr. Katharina Rietzler, Lecturer, American History, University of SussexPaul Vallely, Author, 'Philanthropy: From Aristotle to Zuckerberg'Manfred Kets de Vries, Distinguished Clinical Professor of Leadership Development and Organizational Change, INSEAD and Abigail Disney, Co-founder Fork Films and host of All Ears podcastProducer: Julie BallEditor: Hugh Levinson

It’s all around us and has pride of place in the periodic table. Hydrogen is the number one element. For decades it’s been hailed as a potentially cleaner alternative to the fossil fuels which power heavy industry, our homes and transport systems. But hydrogen from renewable sources has never quite realised its potential. It's expensive to produce. However, as the UK now has targets to cut carbon emissions, green hydrogen may have a major part to play in the clean-up. Evan Davis and guests discuss the business of hydrogen.Guests: Eugene McKenna, from the chemical giant, Johnson Matthey. Dr Laurie King, Fuel Cell Innovation Centre, Manchester Metropolitan University. And Andrew Cunningham, managing director of Geopura, a green hydrogen energy supplier Producer: Lesley McAlpine

Since Brexit, many companies have had to set up a subsidiary operation in the EU to continue trading. What are the rules, regulations, pitfalls and costs? Evan Davis hears the experience of three very different businesses, in sectors ranging from tights to cheese to architecture.GUESTSBrie Read, founder and CEO SNAG GroupRoss Hutchinson, founder and principal director, Hutchinson & Partners, architectsSimon Spurrell, founder and CEO, Cheshire Cheese Company

The government wants to boost the UK's growing space industry through its £400 m investment in satellite communications firm OneWeb. The company is a pioneer, launching satellites in Low Earth Orbit with the aim of providing broadband to under-served areas of the globe. But there are rivals, Elon Musk's Starlink Constellation being the best known. So is the UK investment in OneWeb a moonshot moment? Evan Davis and guests boldly go into discussion over what happens when you combine cutting-edge technology with uncertain business outcomes - and whether the state should be involvedGuests:Professor Marek Ziebart, UCL Chris McLaughlin, OneWeb and Carissa Christensen, CEO, Bryce Space and Technology Producer: Lesley McAlpine

The rush on shares by individual investors, into struggling US video game store chain Gamestop was portrayed as an attempt by a new breed of retail investors to thwart hedge funds which were shorting the stock. Some investors won big, others lost everything and one hedge fund, Melvin Capital, lost half of its $13bn fund. Was this really a David and Goliath fight, signalling a win for retail stock pickers, collaborating on social media platforms like Reddit? And has it changed the future of investing? Evan Davis and guests discuss. GUESTS Holly MacKay, Founder and MD, Boring Money Jack Inglis, CEO of Alternative Investment Management Association (AIMA) Mo and Danny, Online retail investors

What are the business opportunities in turning our old housing stock green? The UK has some of the least energy-efficient housing in Europe – most of it built before environmentally efficient design was regulated. It’s estimated around a quarter of the UK’s total greenhouse gas emissions come from the energy we use for heating, lighting or running appliances in our homes, public buildings or workplaces – and energy used in our homes is the most significant source.How soon can heat pumps, solar panels and better insulation around the house help the UK Government achieve its net-zero emissions target by 2050? And will this ramping up of energy efficiency measures really lead to a green jobs revolution?Guests:Dr Sara Walker, Director of the Centre for Energy, Newcastle University Neil Hargreaves, Managing Director for Northern Europe at Knauf Insulation Phil Hurley, Managing Director of Nibe, one of Europe's leading manufacturers of renewable energy products and Barry Hughes, homeowner at Springfield Meadows - an estate of carbon zero houses.Presenter: Evan Davis Producer: Lesley McAlpine

What are the long-term implications for the Covid crisis for the British economy. The government has borrowed more money over the last 12 months than ever before in peacetime. The ratio of public debt to national income is above 90%. If it rises even further do we need to worry? How will the chancellor manage the economic pain caused by coronavirus? What will it mean for tax and spending - and is there a route back to growth? Evan Davis and guests discuss.GUESTS John Kay, economist, author, consultant Dame Minouche Shafik, director of London School of Economics and Political Science, former deputy governor of the Bank of England Gemma Tetlow, chief economist, Institute for GovernmentProducer: Julie Ball Editor: Hugh Levinson

Almost five years ago on The Bottom Line - just before the EU referendum – debated the pros and cons of being in the EU. In a tribute to Radio 4’s The Reunion, the programme has reassembled most of the original contributors to get a sense of whether hopes and fears have been delivered. From current customs glitches, aspirations to increase UK global exports, to Brussels red tape versus ease of trading in a European Single Market. What do guests think now?Joining Evan Davis will be:Jon Moynihan, venture capitalist Rachel Kent, head of financial services regulation at the law firm Hogan Lovells Julia Gash, artist and entrepreneur and Christopher Nieper, managing director of clothing manufacturer David Nieper

From the NHS Test and Trace Service to the lack of PPE at the start of the pandemic - both projects branded as having been incompetently delivered. But do we fail to notice the constraints their senior leadership team operate under? Evan Davis and expert guests discuss why some big public projects like the London 2012 Games went well. While others, like Crossrail, get bogged down in delays and a budget overspend. Just how is competence measured and delivered?Guests:Sir John Armitt, Chair of the National Infrastructure Commission, former Chair of the Olympic Delivery Authority Dame Jackie Daniel, CEO of Newcastle Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust Justin King, former CEO of Sainsbury's, and Vice Chair of Terra Firma

How are industries like live music, travel, conferences and events coping with the pandemic recession - and what plans do they have for survival? These business sectors have been hit disproportionately hard by the dramatic changes in our ways of life. In a programme recorded before the recent announcement of an apparently successful vaccine trial, Evan Davis discusses with business leaders from across these industries. Producer: Julie BallGUESTSTim Hawkins, Chief Strategy Officer, Manchester Airports GroupCharlotte Gough, Divisional Director, Corporates, MCI GroupPeter Marks, Chief Executive, The Deltic Group

Commercial landlords and tenants are at odds over unpaid rents due to the pandemic. Many retail, hospitality and leisure businesses are suffering acutely. Most have landlords who collect rent for their premises. In turn, many landlords have to pay interest on their loans to the banks. The pandemic is upsetting that delicate financial balance. It's estimated that billions of pounds is owed to landlords in unpaid rents. Threats of legal action against tenants are hitting the headlines. Just who should take more of the financial hit - commercial landlords or their tenants?GuestsEdward Ziff, Chair and CEO of Town Centre Securities, a property investment firm Mark Dixon, CEO of International Workplace Group, which rents, develops and sublets office space and Charlotte Heyes, director of the small pub chain, Common and Co

How has the pandemic affected commerce in one English town? Bolton's economy has been struck particularly hard by this pandemic. Not only was it subjected to the national lockdown, but it subsequently became a hotspot, under even tighter restrictions. With a town centre that was already in decline, how has this crisis affected local businesses and what does the future hold for the town? Evan Davis and guests discuss. GUESTSJonathan Warburton, Chairman, WarburtonsJoseph Carr, Managing Director, Carrs PastiesMartyn Cox, Deputy Leader, Bolton Council Reporter: Matthew Bone Producer: Julie Ball

Is the pandemic a spur to a world of temps and zero hour contracts? Hundreds of thousands of people have been losing their jobs during the crisis. Many are turning to the gig economy to boost their income. Should we welcome the acceleration of the move away from conventional employment? Evan Davis and guests discuss the pros and cons of the expanding gig economy. GuestsXenios Thrasyvoulou, CEO of People Per Hour Lorna Davidson, CEO of Red Wigwam Matthew Taylor, CEO of the Royal Society of Arts, Manufactures and Commerce and Ed Cross, self-employed courier for Hermes

In modern business it's impossible not to be worried about a cyber attack of some form. But how do you lower your chances of attack and what do you do if someone manages to get in your system and data? Evan Davis and guests discuss.GUESTSSian John, director, EMEA, cyber security strategy, Microsoft UKGeoff White, author, 'Crime Dot Com' and investigative technology journalistJake Davis, consultant, Hacker Culture National Centre for Cybersecurity - Cyber Essentials advice for businesses https://www.ncsc.gov.uk/cyberessentials/advicePresenter: Evan Davis Producer: Julie Ball Editor: Hugh Levinson

The second pandemic wave means UK businesses have to live with uncertainty for at least another six months. Those economic green shoots and the summer of 'eat out to help out ' seem a while back. So what are the implications for jobs and overall business viability in this climate? Difficult conversations are going on in boardrooms across the country. Evan Davis with expert guests reflect on the choices businesses face in these extraordinary times. Guests Nobel economist, Professor Joseph Stiglitz Wendy Carlin, Professor of Economics at University College London and member of the advisory panel to The Office for Budget Responsibility Entrepreneur Paul Campbell, founder of Hill Capital Partner Hannah Bernard, Head of Business Banking at Barclays

WPP boss Karen Blackett talks to Evan Davis about building a racially diverse business.

The Black Lives Matter protests have prompted boardroom soul-searching about how to engage a more racially diverse workforce. Good intentions have been around for decades and have encouraged much talk about removing biases from mainly white corporate cultures. But this has still not led to the change people want. Hardly any large UK firms have black, Asian or minority ethnic chief executives. Evan Davis and guests explore the practical solutions to achieving racial equality at work and the potential benefits to the economy.Guests Karen Blackett, OBE, UK head of the ad giant WPPDr Kamal Munir, reader in strategy and policy at the Judge Business School, University of CambridgeJudith Hackitt, independent director at HS2 LTD Kike Oniwinde, founder and CEO of The Black Young Professionals NetworkProducer: Lesley McAlpineProduced in association with The Open University

Has staying at home during lockdown made us think more about our travel habits? Are you less likely to want to get on a bus or a train to get to work or are you itching to get on the next available flight? And what about the business travel industry? Are companies realising tele-conferencing is now just as acceptable and a cheaper option than a business flight? Evan Davis and guests discuss.GUESTSLaura Shoaf, managing director, Transport for West MidlandsSimon Jeffrey, policy officer, Transport and Devolution, Centre for CitiesMichael Valkevich, vice-president, Global Customer Group, EMEA, CWT Presenter: Evan DavisProducer: Julie Ball Editor: Hugh Levinson

Zoom meetings and working from home. Two habits which office workers have picked up during the enforced lockdown. But will these behaviours habits stick? Some believe that if more of us choose to work from our spare rooms on a regular basis, this will have profound implications for offices, commuting, human interaction and productivity. Evan Davis and guests discuss whether current predictions about the death of the office are over-exaggerated. Guests André Spicer, Professor of Organisational Behaviour, City's Business School, University of London Rachel Higham, Managing Director of IT at BT Katrina Kostic Samen. Head of Workplace - Strategy and Design, Development. KKS SavillsProduced by Lesley McAlpineThe programme is produced in association with The Open University

Evan Davis and guests ask if now is the time to exploit scientific research more effectively to help business recover from the coronavirus crash. The UK has traditionally been better at basic science research than its commercial exploitation - with examples ranging from computing to the discovery of graphene, where international companies have benefited more from those discoveries. The Bottom Line examines the government’s idea of creating an agency, similar to the legendary US Defence Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), to invest in, and commercialise UK science and technology projects. The US agency DARPA, was set up to invest in technology after they got behind in the space race with the Russian launch of the Sputnik in the 1950's. Although the agency's remit is to work on defence projects, several of its discoveries have spawned more commercial uses, most famously the Internet. Now the UK government wants to emulate this success for civil applications in the hope of encouraging new business sectors of the economy, post-Covid 19. Can it work? Evan Davis and guests discuss. Guests: Mariana Mazzucato, professor in the economics of innovation and public value, University College London Luke Georghiu, professor of science and technology management, Alliance Manchester Business School Arati Prabhakar, former director, Defence Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) Naomi Krieger Carmy, head of Societal Challenges Division, Israel Innovation Authority Producer: Julie Ball Produced in partnership with The Open University

During the pandemic, businesses have faced severe tests, from supply chain shocks to fluctuations in consumer demand. How resilient are companies in dealing with the unknown? In recent years the focus has been on getting costs down, creating lean supply chains, and delivering returns to shareholders. But has that emphasis left supply chains insecure in the face of shocks? Will companies learn to value resilience over mere efficiency?GuestsDr Sandra Bell, founder and chief executive of The Business Resilience Company. Michael Davies, guest lecturer at the London Business School and founder and chairman of Endeavour Partners Poonam Gupta, founder and chief executive of PG Paper Guy Gratton, associate professor in aviation and the environment at Cranfield University

What have you learned about yourself in lockdown? What is it you crave, what have you found you barely miss? Evan Davis and guests contemplate life after lockdown and changing consumer habits. A surge in the sale of bikes, toilet roll panic buying, and flour flying off the supermarket shelves. Will these consumer habits stick? Have we learned to value other things in life than shopping? Or will we just want to borrow and spend at the first possible opportunity?Guests:Kate Ancketill, founder and CEO, GDR Creative Intelligence Richard Walker, managing director, Iceland Foods Jonathan Cole, managing director, Velorution Kate Nicholls, chief executive, UK HospitalityProducer: Lesley McAlpine

Will Western economies and companies decouple from China? For decades, the world has relied on this rapidly emerging economy as its factory, producing everything from toilet rolls to iPhones. But post Covid-19, US trade wars and tensions with Hong Kong, is that all about to change? Evan Davis and guests discussGUESTSLiam Casey, CEO and founder, PCH InternationalDiana Choyleva, chief economist, Enodo EconomicsDr. Yu Jie, senior research fellow, China, Chatham House

Should the government continue to bolster companies, large and small when lockdown is finally eased? If so what businesses do you choose to save and what are the criteria? Evan Davis and guests discuss.GUESTSMichael Jacobides, holder of the Sir Donald Gordon Chair of Entrepreneurship and Innovation, London Business SchoolJulie Palmer, Regional Managing Partner, Begbies Traynor, Insolvency practitionersMark Blyth, Director of the William R Rhodes Centre for International Economics and Finance, Brown UniversityProduced in association with The Open University

Can new businesses survive without some form of hype or over-promotion? Or will consumer or investor disillusionment inevitably correct this? One recent example where hype came back to bite a company founder is that of the shared office space provider, WeWork. Its stock market valuation fell from $50bn to near bankruptcy over the course of a few weeks. GUESTSBrent Hoberman, serial entrepreneur and investor, chair and co-founder of Founders Factory and First Minute Capital Kerry Baldwin, Managing Partner at IQ Capital,a venture capital investment firm Rory Sutherland, Vice Chair of Ogilvy, the global advertising and marketing agency

How will the infection affect commerce in the UK and around the world? Evan Davis and a panel of guests discuss what's happening to the economy and look at likely scenarios. Jennifer McKeown, Chief Global Economist, Capital Economics, Gloria Guevara, CEO of the World Travel and Tourism Council. Tim Power, MD of maritime and shipping container research firm Drewry. Producers: Lesley McAlpine and Julie Ball Researcher: May Cameron

Is our working week due for major reform? Will a move to a four day week - as proposed by the Labour Party in its recent General Election manifesto - ever happen? From shorter hours to more flexibility in the workplace, what will the modern world of work be like in ten years time? Evan Davis and guests discuss the latest trends. Guests appearing on The Bottom Line Kate Cooper, Head of Research, Policy & Standards, Institute of Leadership and Management David Stone, CEO of MRL Recruitment and Karen Jansen, Professor in Leadership Challenge at Henley Business School

What are the pros and cons of running a business with your life partner and how do you keep the personal out of your professional life? Evan Davis and guests discuss.GUESTSSophie Mirman and Richard Ross, founders and owners, Trotters childrenswear and accessoriesClaire and Andy Burnet, founders and owners, Chococo artisan chocolatiersPeter Leach, author and Adjunct Professor in Family Business , Imperial College Business SchoolProducer: Julie Ball Editor: Hugh Levinson

What are the rules when people have to lose their jobs? It's always a difficult situation - which is why it's often handled badly. Evan Davis and guests ask if there is a better way of doing it.GUESTSAngela O'Connor, Founder and CEO, The HR Lounge ConsultancySian Keall, Partner, Employment Law, Travers Smith LLPKate Griffiths-Lambeth, Group HR Director, Charles Stanley, Wealth ManagersProducer: Julie Ball Editor: Hugh Levinson

Do business gurus really hold the secret to success? Peter Drucker, Michael Porter and Gary Hamel are some of those who've found fame and influence via best-selling business books. But can following their lead transform a company - or are they really just selling themselves? Evan Davis and guests assess the pros and cons of buying from the ideas merchants.GUESTS Lynda Gratton, professor of management practice, London Business School, CEO The Hot Spots Movement John Kay, economist, author and consultant Eddie Obeng, founder and director of PentacleProducer: Julie Ball Editor: Hugh Levinson

How should businesses deal with workplace quarrels? At a time when the nation seems increasingly divided and hot-tempered, is there a way to bring harmony among staff when there are differences of opinion and personality? Evan Davis and his guests explore what can go wrong and look for some possible solutions. In a very cooperative spirit, naturally. GUESTS: Naomi Shragai: psychological business consultant and Financial Times contributor Roxana Mohammadian-Molina, Chief Strategy Officer, Blend Network David Liddle, founder and CEO, The TCM GroupProducer: Julie Ball

The number of companies in 'financial distress' in the UK is on the rise. What's causing the problems and what exactly happens when a company goes into administration? Evan Davis and guests discuss.Guests:Julie Palmer, Insolvency practitioner, Begbies TraynorAndy Scott, Chairman, REL CapitalDr Rebecca Parry, Director, Centre for Business and Insolvency, Nottingham Trent UniversityProducer: Julie Ball

How can business benefit from the popularity of vegetarian and vegan products in supermarkets and restaurants? One in eight of us identifies as vegetarian or vegan, but that's not enough to have boosted the market so significantly. So what is happening and is it sustainable? Evan Davis and guests discuss.GUESTSKevin Brennan, CEO Quorn Tommaso Chiabra, venture capitalist and CEO Tommaso Chiabra HoldingsRachel Hugh, Co-founder, The Vurger CompanyProducer: Julie Ball

Will Facebook's launch of its own cryptocurrency be a game changer? What will this mean for established currencies and the global banking system? Evan Davis and guests discuss.GUESTSJutta Steiner, Chief Executive Officer, Parity TechnologiesDr. Catherine Mulligan, Chief Technology Officer of Gov Tech Labs and Data Net at University College, London Barbara Mellish, Chief Executive Officer, Centre for Citizenship, Enterprise and GovernmentPresenter: Evan DavisProducer: Julie Ball

How can the aviation industry marry sustainability with increasing passenger numbers? Since the deregulation of Europe's airlines in the late 1990s, more and more of us have been flying every year. Whilst this may be good news for the airline industry, it's not good news for the environment. Manufacturers are trying to make models lighter and more fuel efficient, with a pledge by IATA to cut emissions to 50% by 2050. Nevertheless, experts say we are at least fifteen years away from hybrid engine powered flight. Evan Davis and guests ask whether commercial aviation can meet its climate targets through new technology and more fuel efficient engines, whilst keeping costs down for the airlines and the customer?GUESTSPaul Kahn, president, Connectivity, Cobham PlcVolodymyr Bilotkach, economist, author of The Economics of AirlinesRob Morris, head of Global Consultancy, Ascend by CiriumPresenter: Evan DavisProducer: Julie BallEditor: Hugh Levinson

What can we learn from how one medical start-up fooled Silicon Valley and the world? Elizabeth Holmes dropped out of Stanford University at 19 to start Theranos. She promised investors and the public a revolutionary blood diagnosis machine which would be less painful, accessible and affordable than ordinary lab tests. She managed to raise $9 billion in funding. Now the company is worth nothing. Holmes and her business partner may face up to 20 years in prison for fraud. How did she manage to deceive some of the world's cleverest minds - and is there something about start-up culture and the cult of the visionary leader which encourages charlatans? Evan Davis and guests discuss. GUESTS Rebecca Jarvis, chief business, economics and technology correspondent, ABC News Margaret Heffernan, author and entrepreneur Jos White, entrepreneur and partner, Notion CapitalProducer: Julie Ball

You trust financial professionals to grow your long term savings and pension pot. But how do you know if they are investing it wisely? The UK investment industry is awash with complicated terms and conditions, and unclear and sometimes high charges, which can eat into your monetary returns. The woes of star fund manager Neil Woodford, who has temporarily frozen one of his funds to its investors after poor performance, highlights just how complicated an industry it is. Is some clarity starting to emerge? Evan Davis and expert guests look under the bonnet of the UK investment industry.Guests: James Anderson, partner at Baillie Gifford, who jointly manage the Scottish Mortgage Investment Trust Bella Caridade Ferreira, chief executive and founder of Fundscape Sean Hagerty, managing director of Vanguard EuropeProducer: Lesley McAlpine

Poundland, Lidl, B&M Bargains and Primark are thriving successes on the High Street, while more mainstream retailers have seen their profits hit. Just how do the discounters keep their prices so low? Keeping the business model simple, supply chains lean and costs down are key parts of the story.Guests: Barry Williams, Managing Director of Poundland Simon Arora, Chief Executive, B&M Bargains Catherine Shuttleworth, Chief Executive of Savvy Marketing

Can a sudden change in direction save a new company? Evan Davis and his guests hear stories about the start-up's nightmare: the original product is not selling, and cash is running out. Can changing focus - with a new service or product - pluck success from the jaws of doom? Speaking to entrepreneurs and experts, he learns about how in a range of sectors, from sanitary products to event ticketing, the key is to shift while staying true to the original vision. Guests: Celia Pool, cofounder DAME Edmund Glover and Nick Stone, FIXR Ramdane Mir, cofounder Cobbleweb

From Somali pirates who've turned kidnapping into a global enterprise to cybercrime and fraud - the worlds of business and wrongdoing potentially have much in common. Clever criminals build business empires and fraud is sometimes carried out by well paid workers at legitimate companies. What the two worlds can have in common is a pursuit of profit and a series of apparently rational calculations. Evan Davis and guests explore why some bright, talented people try to get rich the wrong way, while others manage to do it within the rules.GuestsBarrister, Sara George, a partner at Sidley Austin LLP Michael Corrigan, Chief Executive at Prosper 4 - a training and recruitment firm for former prisoners and Dr Anja Shortland, Reader in Political Economy at King's College, London.

Who wins and loses in the cut-throat exercise market? Looking good and being fit has become more important as we have become more wealthy. Yet most new gyms and fitness centres fail. Evan Davis and his guests work out the secrets of success in this growing industry, which is is worth over £5 billion in the UK.GUESTSStuart Broster, CEO, Anytime Fitness UKTommy Matthews, Managing Director, Be Military FitDawn Tuckwell,, Director and Co-founder, Action PRPRESENTER: Evan DavisPRODUCER: Julie Ball

The package brought to your door may have crossed the globe - but the most expensive and fiddly bit of the journey will undoubtedly be what's known as 'the last mile'. Delivery firms are constantly innovating how they do this - using electric vehicles and e cargo bikes, robots, or offering customers a click and collect option at a local store of their choice. Consumers take it for granted that they will get free delivery in many cases. But is the whole 'last mile' industry sustainable? Delivery vans add to traffic congestion and consumers are ordering more than they need and returning unwanted goods for free. Evan Davis and guests discuss the latest trends in the logistical puzzle of 'the last mile.' GuestsJon Ormond Operations Director of Hubs and Depots at parcel carrier, Hermes. Nick Hale, Managing Director of BT Ventures. and Catherine Weetman, founder of Re-think solutions.

Antibiotic resistance is a global problem but there have been no new drugs produced since the 1980s. So who is to blame? The public's over-consumption or the current economic model for drug research and production? Evan Davis and guests discuss.GUESTSSeema Patel, Medical Director, Hospital Business, Pfizer, UK, Ireland and the NordicsLord Jim O'Neill, Chair Anti-Microbial Resistance Review (2016), Former Chief Economist, Goldman SachsProfessor Colin Garner, Co Founder and Director, Antibiotic Research UK

Every business faces uncertainty. In the final programme of the series Evan Davis and guests ask what businesses should do when faced with uncertainty.Guests: Jeremy Bentham, Head of Scenarios, Shell Nick Allan, CEO, Control Risks Dr Sandra Bell, Head of Resilience Consulting, Sungard Availability Services

It's hard to buy anything these days without being asked to rate or review it. Evan Davis and guests look at how have businesses such as Tripadvisor, Feefo and Checkatrade have altered the relationship between companies and consumers? Do you trust the wisdom of crowds more than an expert's view? Guests Matt West, Chief Executive of Feefo Rob Paterson, Chief Executive of Best Western Hotels GB Caroline Wiertz, Professor of Marketing and Associate Dean for Entrepreneurship at the Cass Business School in LOndon

For many graduates an internship has become the default route to full-time, paid employment. But getting a good placement is competitive and in some cases poorly paid or unpaid. What does this mean for social mobility and diversity in the workplace? Evan Davis and guests discuss the pros and cons of internships.GUESTSSarah Churchman, UK Head of Inclusion, Diversity and Wellbeing, PwC Amalia Illgner , Freelance journalist and a former intern Oliver Sidwell, Co-founder, Rate My Placement

Technological advances have made it easier for businesses to offer us more personalised goods and services, from customised cars to clothes that fit better and pioneering cell and gene therapies to target serious illnesses. How far can this personalisation revolution go? GUESTSDarrin Disley, Chief Executive of cell therapy company, Mogrify Georgina Silvester, Chief Operating Officer (designate), Handelsbanken UK Karl Howkins, Managing Director, Citroen UK Kate Ancketill, Chief Executive of GDR Creative Intelligence

There are more than two-and-a-half thousand consumer and business magazine titles on sale in the UK. What is the appeal of magazines and how does the business endure in spite of falling advertising revenues and declining circulation figures? GUESTSWolfgang Blau, President, Conde Nast InternationalTerri White, Editor-in-Chief, Empire MagazineRebecca McGrath, Senior Analyst, Media, Mintel

What's the point of an audit if it fails to detect when a company's about to go under? The sudden collapse of BHS, Carillion and Patisserie Valerie has dented public confidence in the firms that audited them and prompted calls for a shake-up of the audit industry. Would more competition in the sector, which is dominated by four big players, drive audit quality up? Do accountants need to be more robust in challenging company figures? Joining Evan Davis for The Bottom Line:Bill Michael, UK Chairman and Senior Partner at KPMG. Jac Berry, Audit Partner and UK Head of Quality at Mazars and Christopher Humphrey, Professor of Accounting at the Alliance Manchester Business School

Understanding how humans think and what makes them tick can be enormously helpful if you're running a company. Luckily behavioural science is on hand to do just that. How far can its use improve decision making in businesses? Joining Evan Davis are:Octavius Black, CEO and Co-founder of MindGym David Halpern, CEO, The Behavioural Insights Team Kim Atherton, Chief People Officer, Ovo Energy and CEO and Founder of Just3Things

Higher education in the UK is an astonishingly successful British industry, with an income of almost £35 billion a year. Universities have expanded hugely with more students from home and abroad. But uncertain times lie ahead. Tuition fees are under review and some people in the sector argue Brexit may make it harder to attract students from EU countries. Are universities sustainable as businesses?Guests: Professor Nick Petford, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Northampton Professor Trevor McMillan Vice-Chancellor of Keele University Dr Helen Carasso, Department of Education, Oxford University

The Internet of Things promised to revolutionise the way we live and work but what has it delivered and what more is it capable of doing? Join Evan Davis and guests as they discuss The Internet of Things.GUESTSKevin Ashton, Author who coined the phrase the Internet of ThingsCaroline Gorski, Global Director of R2 Data Labs, Rolls Royce PlcPaul Beastall, Head of Strategy, Cambridge Consultants

Has the #MeToo movement made businesses change the way they deal with sexual harassment and gender equality claims in the workplace? Does the law around non-disclosure agreements - often used to hush up this kind of behaviour - need to be changed? Evan Davis and guests discuss. GUESTSSamantha Mangwana, Employment Lawyer, Partner, CM Murray Zelda Perkins, Campaigner and Theatrical ProducerOctavius Black, CEO and Co-founder, TheMindGym

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

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

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.

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

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

There are thousands of festivals in the UK each year and millions of us go to them. But as an organiser how do you make any money? Do logistics and the British weather make them a risky business? Every year festivals get cancelled and some cease trading. Profit margins are tight, say organisers, and set-up costs are high. A big festival may have to pay more a million pounds to secure a top headline act. Evan Davis and guests discuss mud, music and hard cash. Guests: Syima Aslam, co-founder and director of the Bradford Literature Festival Ian Stockley, chief executive of the Bath Festivals. Simon Taffe, co-founder of the End of The Road Festival.

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.

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.

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.

In some countries politicians have fixed term limits. What would happen if the same principle applied to CEOs? On average bosses in the UK stay for just under six years. But founder chief executives stay much longer. Evan Davis and guests discuss whether chief executives know when their time is up? Guests:Martin Gilbert, co-ceo, Aberdeen Standard Investments. Margaret Heffernan, author and entrepreneur Catherine Bright, a leadership consultant with Spencer Stuart.

Is becoming a franchisee a good way to start your own business? Evan Davis and guests discuss the ups and downs of franchising. GUESTSKen Deary, Franchisor Right at HomeRachana Pancholi, Franchisee, SubwayRoz Goldstein Goldstein LegalProducer: Julie Ball.

Facebook, Apple, Google, or Amazon. Dominant companies that today look unassailable. But similar claims were made about MySpace, Tesco, Microsoft, Kodak and Polaroid. However, these companies turned out to be more vulnerable than anyone thought. Evan Davis and guests discuss invulnerability, complacency and hubris in corporations. Guests:Sean Percival, entrepreneur and former Vice President for Online Marketing at MySpace Dr Kamal Munir, Reader in Strategy and Policy at the Judge Business School, University Of Cambridge Martin Franklin, Head of Global Marketing at Polaroid Originals.

Evan Davis hosts the business conversation show.

The next generation of mobile technology - 5G - will be rolled out from 2019. It will enable faster streaming on our mobile phones and tablets and speed up the 'internet of things', allowing thousands of computers to 'talk' to each other. The fifth generation mobile network also has applications that could be used in public safety and healthcare. But will the UK build the infrastructure - installing more fibre and small communications masts - to benefit from this new technology? Joining Evan Davis for the debate will be:Derek McManus, Chief Operating Officer at Telefonica UK, which owns O2. Professor Dimitra Simeonidu, Director of the Smart Lab at Bristol University and Kyle Brown, Head of Technology at Samsung Electronics.

As children few of us have had experience of running a business. But this week we'll be hearing from four teenage entrepreneurs who have been honing their business skills in one case, since the age of 6. Evan Davis hears their stories.GUESTSKate and Annie Madden, Co-founders, FenuHealthHenry Patterson, Founder and Director, Not Before Tea Rebecca Patterson, Not Before TeaAkshay Ruparelia, Founder and CEO, Doorsteps.co.uk.

Radio 4’s Bottom Line and Briefing Room will combine in a special hour-long programme examining the economic and political future of the EU once Britain has left. Evan Davis meets Jean-Claude Trichet – former president of the European Central Bank – and is joined by a panel of business leaders from across the EU. David Aaronovitch will look at the politics of the EU and its future direction. France’s President Macron has outlined a vision of a profoundly transformed and more unified EU. But do all the EU’s members support such a vision? And what might a more integrated bloc on its doorstep mean for Britain? Producers: Tim Mansel, Serena Tarling and Lesley McAlpine

The tech giant Apple has just spent five billion dollars building a campus in California's Silicon Valley. It's not alone in its architectural ambitions. The new Facebook HQ in London features trees, grass and plants. So what does a corporate headquarters tell us about a business? Is it an opportunity for a company to show off its wealth and attract the best talent or is it folly? Evan Davis and guests explore what the latest trends in corporate architecture reveal about our business leaders.Guests: Ken Shuttlewoth, founder of Make Architects Helen Berresford, head of interior design at Sheppard Robson Architects and Deyan Sudjic, director of the Design Museum.

What is strategy and why do businesses need it? What distinguishes a good strategy from a bad one or a non-strategy? Not to be confused with goals or a company's ambition, strategy is a word that is often mis-used and misapplied. But in reality it can make the difference between success and failure - especially if it's adaptable to changes in the market. Evan Davis looks at where companies have got strategy right and where it's gone badly wrong.GUESTS:Michael Jacobides - Associate Professor of Strategy and Entrepreneurship at The London Business School.Jacqueline de Rojas, President of Tech UKAnn Cairns, President of International Markets, MasterCard.

Are 'ethical' businesses all they're cracked up to be? Evan Davis and guests discuss the newest type of certification in ethical business, the B Corp, and ask if it'll catch on. GUESTSKatie Hill, Executive Director, B Lab UKWendy Chapple, Associate Professor in Management and member of the Responsible and Sustainable Business Lab, Nottingham Business SchoolJean-Cristophe Laugee, Vice-President, Nature and Cycle Sustainability, Danone.

What has happened to Margaret Thatcher's dream of creating a nation of shareholders? Over the last decade there's been a big increase in the amount of foreign ownership. ONS figures show foreign investors now own over fifty per cent of shares listed on the stock exchange. Evan Davis and guests discuss why this has happened and whether it matters. GUESTSJohn Dawson, Founding Partner, StateraGillian Karran-Cumberlege, Founder, Fidelio PartnersGervais Williams, Fund Manager, Miton Group.

Evan Davis and guests discuss why some restaurant chains thrive and others fail. Why are so many chains closing down branches now? GUESTSPaul Campbell, Founder, Hill Capital Partners LLPAngela Hartnett, Chef and Owner of Murano, Café Murano and Merchants' TavernSarah Willingham, Entrepreneur and Investor.

Evan Davis and guests discuss the relationship between three important pillars of modern society: science, business and the consumer. Is the public right to be suspicious of business and the science it's selling? Why do some us fear GM foods, nanotechnology, AI and gene editing? GUESTSJackie Hunter, Chief Executive, Benevolent BioJustin King, Vice-Chairman and Head of Portfolio Businesses, Terra FirmaKriti Sharma, Vice-President of Artificial Intelligence, Sage.

Civil engineers would argue they are the unsung heroes of the railways, roads and bridges we all take for granted. But building major infrastructure projects is a complicated business. So how do you go about putting up a bridge? Are you limited by engineering or economics? Evan Davis tries to find the answer from three civil engineers. GUESTSMike Glover, Arup FellowLouise Hardy, Civil Engineer, Non-Executive Director Sirius Minerals and Ebbsfleet Development CorporationKaty Toms, Senior Engineer, WSP Engineering Consultancy.

In the final programme of the current series Evan Davis will be talking to Sir Terry Leahy, former Tesco CEO, in front of an invited audience at Sir Terry's old school, St. Edward's College, Liverpool.

Are you being served? Where do you shop - online, a department store or one of the large shopping centres around the country? Evan Davis looks at the competitive business of running a mixed retail outlet, or department store, and asks can they survive?GUESTSTony Brown, CEO, Beales Department StoresStacey Cartwright, CEO, Harvey Nichols,David Fischel, CEO, INTU Shopping Centres.

What makes the UK an attractive place for foreign companies to invest in? Britain has tended to enjoy high levels of inward investment thanks to its open economy. How might this change when the UK leaves the EU? Evan Davis and guests explore the topic. Joining Evan Davis are: Ian Robertson, Global Head of BMW sales and marketing Vera Wei, Chief Executive of Sloan Education David Landsman, Executive Director of Tata Limited.

In the UK we spend £4.5 billion a year on domestic pets. Where does the money go? Evan Davis and guests discuss the business of keeping pets. GUESTS Lynne Hill, Chief Executive of Linnaeus Group of veterinary practices Dean Richmond, Managing Director of retailing chain, Pets Corner Ashley Gray, Managing Director of Vetsure Pet Insurance.

This week the programme looks at the business of agents. What exactly do they do and are they adding value to their clients' careers? Evan Davis discusses their role with three agents from the worlds of show business, football and books. GUESTSProfessor Jonathan Shalit, Chairman, InterTalent Rights GroupAnna Davis, Literary Agent. Founder and Creator of Curtis Brown Creative Writing course. Curtis Brown GroupJames Featherstone, Founder and Owner, OmniSports Producer: Julie Ball.

What is the business case for having a diverse workforce? Evan Davis and guests debate whether a mix of talents in the workplace leads to better companies and translates into more profits. Joining the programme: Ruby McGregor-Smith, former Chief Executive of MITIE, and author of a government commissioned review: Race in the Workplace. Jane Farrell, group Chief Executive of Equality Works Scott Page, author of The Diversity Bonus.

What's behind the recent collapse of airlines such as Monarch, Alitalia and Air Berlin? Is it a case of supply outstripping demand or is there a larger crisis looming? Will Ryanair's cancellation of thousands of flights do the company permanent damage? What's really happening to Europe's airline industry? Evan Davis and guests discuss.GUESTSJohn Strickland, Aviation consultantPeter Duffy, Chief Commercial Officer, EasyJetAndRoger Flynn, Chairman, Loveholidays.com.

Is battery technology the key to decarbonising energy and reinventing transport? If so, can the current technology, Lithium-Ion batteries, evolve quickly enough to meet growing demand. If capacity is the problem, is Lithium-ion the answer and what are the alternatives? Can we expect to fly in battery powered aeroplanes in the near future? Join Evan Davis and his guests as they discuss the future of the power of batteries.GUESTSHuw Hampson-Jones, CEO Oxis EnergyCyrille Brisson, Vice-President, Eaton Chris Morrison, Head of Peaking Plant, Centrica.

There's no business like show business. Evans Davis and guests explore the success story that is UK theatre. From splashy musicals, and classic revivals to cutting edge new dramas the sector makes more than a billion pounds in ticket sales a year. But there's trouble on the horizon. Public subsidies for theatres are being cut back. Can corporate giving and donations from philanthropists continue to plug the shortfall? GuestsBrenna Hobson, National Theatre of Scotland Kate Varah, the Old Vic, London Rachel Tackley, Chichester Festival Theatre.

What is the best way of cutting costs and transforming a business? Bosses often have to prune their operations - either to reinvest the cash to grow the business in other directions or because costs have got out of control. But can cuts go too far and damage an organisation? It was reported that British Airways' computer meltdown earlier this year was caused in part because the company had moved too quickly to make efficiency savings. It now faces paying its customers millions of pounds in compensation. Evan Davis and panel discuss the good, bad and the ugly of cost cutting and business transformation.Guests:Ashley Almanza, Chief Executive of G4S Gavin Oldham, founder of Share Radio Marco Amitrano, head of consulting at accountants, PWC.

Evan Davis discusses the reasons why some companies have multiple brands. Is it to bamboozle or does it help consumers navigate the wide variety of choices? Can there be too many? When does product proliferation make sense? Evan talks to three guests: a brand consultant, a marketing executive from drinks company Diageo and a representative from Johnson & Johnson about how we can better understand the world of brands.GUESTSRobert Jones - Brand consultant at Wolf Olins and a visiting professor at the University of East Anglia Jana Ignatova - Head of Baby global franchise for EMEA at Johnson & Johnson Ed Pilkington - European Marketing and Innovation Director at Diageo.

Evan Davis presents the business magazine.

Are white collar workers under threat from the new robotic workforce? Manufacturing companies have been replacing production line workers with robots for years, but as the technology becomes more advanced, they are being increasingly used in healthcare, law firms and HR departments. So is the white collar worker under threat? Evan Davis talks to three guests, a roboticist, an Artificial Intelligence consultancy worker and the CEO of a hotel chain who is already using robots in his business. GUESTSThrishantha Nanayakkara - Roboticist, Imperial CollegeDr. Michael Chui - Partner, IT and innovation, McKinsey Global InstituteHubert Viriot - CEO, Yotel.

Corporate theft has played a big part in business history from Porcelain and Tea from China, to the French attempting to get their hands on the blueprint for the Spinning Jenny. In this week's programme Evan Davis and guests discuss more modern copyright infringement and how to protect against it. GUESTSChris Morgan-Jones, Crime fiction author and Consultant, K2 IntelligenceVicki Salmon, Lawyer and Patent Attorney, IP Asset Partnership, Council Member of the Chartered Institute of Patent Attorneys and Chair of CIPA's Litigation Committee Mandy Haberman, Director and Founder of Haberman Products Limited.

What's the future for UK Farming? Evan Davis meets three food producers from across the country to talk about the daily challenges of farming in Britain today. Guests include one of the biggest carrot producers in the country, a Wiltshire Beef farmer and Deputy President of the National Farmers Union and a lowland sheep farmer whose herd shares the land with cadets from the Ministry of Defence in Kent. GUESTSGuy Poskitt, Managing Director, M H Poskitt LtdMarie Prebble, Lowland Sheep farmerMinette Batters, Beef farmer and Deputy President of the National Farmers Union.

Business and its place in society is a prominent issue at the moment. Zero hours contracts, executive pay, tax avoidance are all issues where opinion has shifted dramatically. Has Shareholder driven capitalism finally gone too far? In a special programme recorded at the Royal Academy of Engineering in front of a live audience, Evan Davis talks to the former BP CEO, Lord John Browne on his thoughts about big business as it relates to society. And asks whether it's now time to trust big business?

Britain's multi-billion pound nuclear dream. EDF is building the country's first new nuclear power station in decades at Hinkley Point C in Somerset. But that's just the start. Two other companies also have dreams of bringing nuclear to sites in Cumbria and on Anglesey. But the financing and logistics of these projects are tough. Power stations cost billions to build and investors won't see returns for more than five years. Critics of the nuclear option argue that renewables - wind and solar power - would be a better option to generate electricity. Just what are the options and the costs involved? Three nuclear rivals join Evan Davis.Guests: Humphrey Cadoux-Hudson, managing director, nuclear new build, EDF Energy UK Duncan Hawthorne, chief executive, Horizon Nuclear Power Tom Samson, chief executive, NuGeneration Nuclear Power Dame Sue Ion, chair of the Nuclear Innovation and Research Advisory Board.

Migrant entrepreneurs create one in seven businesses in the UK. This week Evan Davis talks to three entrepreneurs who all arrived from overseas with very little and then went on to create a successful business. GUESTSTony Kitous, Founder, Comptoir LibanaisRazan Alsous, Yorkshire Dama CheeseSurinder Arora, Founder and Chairman, Arora Group.

The UK is a world leader in financial services technology, otherwise known as fintech. Presenter Evan Davis asks how Britain has beaten Silicon Valley and what challenges fintech poses to traditional banking?Guests: Antony Jenkins, Founder and Executive Chairman, 10x Future Technologies Ishaan Malhi, Founder, Trussle.com Eileen Burbidge, Co-founder, Passion CapitalProducer: Julie Ball.

From budget airline seats to insurance, Evan Davis discovers the secrets of pricing.

How does a can of Italian tomatoes reach the supermarket shelf and a car manufacturer receives its parts in time? Evan Davis finds out about the hidden transport networks that bring goods from around the world to our high street shops and factory floors.Joining Evan to discuss the business of logistics are:Paul Dyer, CEO of DHL Supply Chain Maggie Simpson, Executive Director of the Rail Freight Group , the representative body for rail freight in the UK Oliver Treneman, Park Development Director, DP World London GatewayProducer: Julie Ball.

The UK space industry is growing faster than the wider economy. Its application is broad - from manufacturing satellites, earth observation projects, to advanced research and design for space exploration. The government aims to capitalise on all this activity and wants the UK to have its own space port for commercial flights and satellite missions. The programme will hear from the country's top small satellite manufacturer and from a firm developing a revolutionary hypersonic propulsion engine. Evan Davis's guests are:Catherine Mealing-Jones, UK Space Agency Mark Thomas, Reaction Engines Patrick Wood, Surrey Satellite Technology Producer: Lesley McAlpine.

We spend a third of our life at work so it's inevitable that relationships blossom, whether it's a one night stand at the Christmas party or one that becomes a long term partnership. How do companies handle the issues that can arise from office romance? Evan Davis and his guests discuss the solutions.GUESTSNeil Morrison, Director, Strategy, Culture and Innovation. Penguin Random HouseHelen Farr, Partner, Employment Law Group, Fox WilliamsDanielle Harmer, Chief People Officer, Metro Bank.

How can people running charities balance doing good, maximising income, while retaining public trust? The sector is undergoing changes in regulation in the wake of scandals involving fundraising and governance. Evan Davis meets the experts. Taking part are: the chairman of the new Fundraising Regulator, Lord Grade of Yarmouth; Jayne Clarke of the Royal National Lifeboat Institution and Simon Gillespie from the British Heart Foundation.

The care home business is heading for a crisis according to Evan Davis's guests in this edition of The Bottom Line. The cost of providing care in this labour-intensive business has increased significantly because of the introduction of the National Living Wage. The fees paid by local authorities on behalf of poorer residents no longer cover the cost of providing accommodation, food and staffing. Care homes make up the shortfall by charging higher fees to privately funded residents. Social care analyst William Laing tells Evan Davis that private payers subsidise publicly funded residents by, on average, £8000 per annum. But this is not an option in less affluent areas with a shortage of fee paying clients.John Ransford of the HC-One group provides care for mainly publicly funded residents. He tells Evan that 24 hour care for the elderly has to be provided for less than the cost of a night in a Travelodge.Evan's guests believe that the care sector's business model is unsustainable. Find out what they think will happen next.Guests:Dr. Jane Townson. Chief Executive Officer, Somerset Care GroupJohn Ransford, Non-Executive Director, HC-One William Laing, Founder and a Director of Laing Buisson, Healthcare Intelligence CompanyProducer: Julie Ball.

Brexit means the UK government will have to negotiate trade agreements with the EU and the rest of the world. Trade deal experts share their tips with presenter Evan Davis.Guests include:Janice Charette, Canadian High Commissioner to the UK Tim Cullen, founder and director of Oxford Programme on NegotiationProducer: Julie Ball.

If the word auction conjures up pictures of a man with a gavel in a packed room shouting 'going, going, gone' - think again. These days governments and businesses rely on complicated online auctions to buy and sell. Auctions are also the preferred mechanism for the allocation of radio spectrum licences to mobile phone companies and the selling of mineral rights. Auctions come in a huge variety of forms, and the precise design can have a dramatic effect on the outcomes. Do you know a sealed bid from a "combinatorial clock" auction? Evan Davis and guests discuss the business of auctions. Guests include: Dan Maldoom, DotEcon Samantha Collett property developer Stephen Lerner, 3 UKProducer: Lesley McAlpine.

The future of the car industry. How car manufacturers are joining forces with "ride hailing" companies like Uber and why the future might be driverless. Evan Davis and guests discuss. Disruptive technology has made seismic changes to several business models: think Apple iTunes and the music industry or Netflix and our television viewing habits. It seems that the car industry might be next. Unlike their predecessors, car manufacturers are joining forces with the technology companies. Google with Ford, Uber with Volvo, General Motors with Lyft, pooling their expertise and resources. Joining Evan Davis on the programme are three guests who will talk about the hopes and fears for the industry and what this will mean for the rest of us.GUESTSGeorg Ell, Director, Western Europe, Tesla MotorsMatteo de Renzi, CEO, Western Europe, GettandDr. Eberhard Zeeb, Senior Manager, Function and Software Driving Assistance, Daimler Producer: Julie Ball.

Evan Davis and guests explore the fast moving world of selling to 18-24 year olds. Collectively, that age group has billions to spend. Individually, many are strapped for cash. So how do companies get their attention and their money? The answer seems to be: market your brand using social media. Link up with a celebrity with millions of followers and watch the money roll in. That's the theory. Forget old style television adverts. That age group isn't watching the box - they're on their mobiles. Joining the programme will be: Josephine Hansom from Youth Sight; Philip O'Ferrall, Viacom International Media Networks and Simon Beckerman from Depop.Producer: Lesley McAlpine.

Starting a business is often compared to bringing up a baby, and with good reason: it's costly, gives you sleepless nights and requires your attention during every waking moment. But what happens when it is time sell the business you have nurtured? Three successful entrepreneurs talk to Evan Davis about the feelings of relief and regret which can accompany selling off a business.GUESTSLiz Earle, Co-founder of Liz Earle Naturally Active SkincareWilliam Kendall, Chairman, Cawston PressJules Coleman, Co-founder of Hassle.com.

Are activist investors good or bad for the firms they target? They hunt down companies they think are underperforming. They buy a stake in the business, then lobby for change. Critics say activists want to make a fast buck and then head for the exit. But you could regard these investors as doing a valuable service - challenging poorly performing company boards and making more profit for shareholders. Top UK names like Rolls Royce and John Menzies have been affected. Explore the world of activist investors with Evan Davis. Joining him will be: activist investor, Harlan Zimmerman, senior partner at Cevian Capital; Chris Walton, a company chairman and non-executive director; and Sacha Sadan, director of corporate governance at Legal and General Investment Management. Producer: Lesley McAlpine.

Why are more top employers offering school leavers a fast track career without the need to go to university? Applicants for the top Degree Apprenticeships need to get good A level grades and pass a rigorous selection process. Their reward is the opportunity to earn a living while they gain a degree and qualify as a professional. Evan Davis discusses the pros and cons of such schemes with a high flying apprentice and two employers who are competing with universities for the brightest and best school leavers.

How do you do business when you can't see into the future? This may be what businesses always have to do, but Brexit has undeniably made the future even harder to discern than usual. When will it happen, what relationship with Europe will follow, and how will the rest of the world react? For now we don't know, but the answers to those questions will affect every business in Britain. So how are companies planning for an uncertain future while at the same time trying to ensure that whichever model of Brexit emerges is one that suits their needs. Joining Evan Davis are:Karen Briggs: Head of Brexit - KPMG Gerald Mason: SVP - Tate & Lyle Sugars Gavin Williams: Partner - Herbert Smith Freehills Producer: Joe Kent.

Theresa May has promised a bigger role for the state in business. The previously unfashionable concept of a comprehensive industrial strategy is back on the agenda. There is a new wariness about foreign investment in strategic industries such as electricity generation. Mrs May also wants to see employee representatives on company boards. Presenter Evan Davis discusses "Theresanomics" with a panel of entrepreneurs and corporate leaders. Guests include:Elizabeth Corley, vice-chair of Allianz Global Investors David Pitt-Watson, former Chair of Hermes Focus Funds and co-author of The New CapitalistsProducer: Julie Ball.

The Olympics Games is the biggest sporting event on earth. But the road to a successful Olympics can be more gruelling than a marathon. With less than two weeks to go until the opening ceremony in Rio, Evan Davis and guests discuss the difficulties of managing the money, the politics and the people. GUESTS:Neil Wood MBE, Partner, Deloitte and former CFO of London Organising Committee for the Olympic Games (LOCOG) Gerhard Heiberg, International Olympic Committee (IOC) member and President and CEO of Lillehammer Winter Olympic,s 1994Professor Andrew Zimbalist, Sports Economist, Smith College Massachusetts, Consultant and AuthorProducer: Julie BallEditor: Innes Bowen.

Is escaping the rat race always a good idea? Many people dream of giving up the day job to start their own business - and we often hear about the success stories. But does everyone have what it takes? Evan Davis and guests compare the dream and the reality. GUESTS:Luke Johnson, Entrepreneur and Founder of Risk Capital PartnersPaula Fry, former Director, Fashion Seeker UK Sarah Meredith, Sole Trader, Rock CakesDeirdre Critchley, former Director, Jammy Cow Producer: Elizabeth Cassin.

It's hard to put a value on a human life. When you're well, perhaps you don't think about it. But if you're ill, getting access to the right drugs, whatever the cost, is a priority. But the NHS does not have a bottomless pit of money. And some medicines are judged too expensive to be freely available, so patients miss out on treatments that could save or extend their lives. There are usually two villains of the piece: The drugs companies for charging too much; the NHS for not stumping up the cash. In this edition, Evan Davis and guests explore how pharmaceutical companies price their drugs, the role of the NHS in deciding how much the medicines are worth and, in the case of generic or non-branded drugs, they'll ask whether competition is working properly to keep down the NHS medicines bill. Guests: Erik Nordkamp, Managing Director, Pfizer UKCarole Longson, Director of the Centre for Health Technology Evaluation at NICE, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence Warwick Smith, Director-General, British Generic Manufacturers AssociationProducer: Sally Abrahams.

How will the vote to leave the EU affect big and small businesses in the UK? Evan Davis and guests discuss trade deals, tariffs and 'passporting' rights that allow UK-based firms to sell financial products and services from Britain to EU customers. They'll also explore how companies can turn the current economic uncertainty into business opportunities. Guests:Anne Richards, CEO, M & G Investments Juergen Maier, CEO Siemens UKJulia Gash, Founder and CEO, BIDBI Jan Atteslander, EconomieSuisseProducer: Sally Abrahams.

Most of us negotiate in some form or other every day - whether it's about who walks the dog, how much screen-time the kids can have or when to visit the in-laws. But too often we treat it like a competitive sport, with only one aim: to win. Which can backfire, especially when you need co-operation later on. It's much the same in business - negotiating to win at all costs is unlikely to result in a long-term, sustainable business relationship. So how to achieve a win-win situation when both sides leave satisfied and ready to do business with each other again? Evan Davis and guests explore the skills that can help settle disputes between individuals, companies and even nations. They'll discuss when to walk away from the negotiating table and they'll find out what happens when doing a deal is literally a matter of life and death. Guests: Tim Cullen, Director, Oxford Programme on Negotiation, Said Business SchoolBridie Warner-Adsetts, COO, Naylor IndustriesSue Williams, Hostage Negotiator Producer: Sally Abrahams.

The business of film. Evan Davis follows the money trail from script to screen. With the help of a top independent film producer, a film distributor and the head of a top cinema chain, Evan discovers who takes the risks and who makes the money behind the scenes. GuestsAlex Hamilton, Managing Director, Entertainment One UKElizabeth Karlsen, Producer and co-founder, Number9 FilmsTim Richards, CEO, Vue International.

It is not easy to teach new tricks to the business world's old dogs. The latest fashionable solution for big corporations slowed down by bureaucracy and traditional ways of thinking is to incubate tech start-ups. The idea is that the big corporation benefits from the creativity and "can do" attitude of the start-up. In return the start-up gets funding, professional advice and help navigating the corporate world to reach the top decision makers. The model is known as "corporate acceleration" and it is growing in popularity. Evan Davis hears how it works. GUESTS: Jess Williamson, Director, Techstars with Barclays FinTech AcceleratorDavid Fogel, Head of Accelerator & Deputy Director at Wayra UKEmily Forbes, Founder, SeenitProducer: Julie Ball.

Asset management - or asset stripping? This week Evan Davis asks when making a profit from running a business becomes simple plundering.In business, things go wrong at the best of times ... mistakes are made, luck turns bad. But sometimes things can also go wrong not because of bad luck, but because someone makes money out of failure.The "profit or plunder" question has been raised by events at BHS. It was struggling, facing intense competition in a tough retail environment. But the owner took quite a bit of money out of the company. And the staff pension fund went into deficit. Sir Phillip Green, who was then in charge, sold the business to an inexperienced former bankrupt who didn't make it work and it is now in administration.This has made a lot of people angry - but aside from BHS, how do we distinguish between a case that is bad luck, a bad apple, or a system that is badly designed?Joining Evan Davis in the Bottom Line studio this week are Bruce Davis of peer-to-peer lender Abundance, Breffni Walsh of Brands Are Best and Garry Wilson of private equity firm Endless LLP.

What does EU membership mean for UK business and how might that change if Britain votes to leave? Business leaders join Evan Davis to discuss how trade agreements and red tape can both help and hinder corporate success. What can Switzerland teach us about trading with Europe and beyond, despite being outside the EU? Guests:Jan Atteslander, EconomieSuisse Julia Gash, CEO, BidbiChristopher Nieper, Managing Director, David NieperJayne-Anne Gadhia, CEO, Virgin Money Jon Moynihan, Chairman, Ipex Capital Producer: Sally Abrahams.

Whether it's creating Angry Birds, the best-selling mobile app, or developing the best-selling Alzheimer's drug or discovering one of the world's biggest oil fields in recent years, every company dreams of blockbuster success. But what happens after you hit the jackpot? How do you sustain that level of success? And what's needed to adapt from small start-up to big business? Evan Davis and guests share the secrets of success and explore their experiences of trying to maintain their market position. Guests:Kati Levoranta, CEO, Rovio Entertainment (creators of Angry Birds) Dr David Jefferys, Global Senior Vice President, Eisai PharmaceuticalsJón Ferrier, CEO, Gulf Keystone Petroleum Producer: Sally Abrahams.

Many senior executives now employ personal coaches to help them through their toughest business challenges. Coaches can provide confidential, independent support for senior managers who find life lonely at the top. But shouldn't the boss be capable of making decisions on his or her own? And are coaches sometimes the hidden power behind the senior executive throne?Guests:Gavin Patterson, CEO of BT GroupMelanie Richards, Vice Chairman and Partner of KPMG UKJonathan Bowman-Perks, Coach and MentorProducer: Ruth Edwards.

Horse racing is the second most popular spectator sport in the UK but it is also a business. Presenter Evan Davis and guests discuss who makes the money: the horse owners, the jockeys, the race courses or the bookmakers?Guests:Simon Bazalgette, Chief Executive, The Jockey ClubRachel Hood, Director, The Horsemen's GroupCiaran O'Brien, Group Communications Director, William Hill bookmakersProducer: Julie Ball.

Global firms like Amazon, Google and Starbucks have been criticised for using clever accounting tricks to reduce their tax bills in the UK. But how much tax should they be paying? Evan Davis and guests discuss the whys and wherefores of the international tax regime, including the role of tax havens. Along the way, they'll digest the "Dutch sandwich" and the "double Irish" tax avoidance devices used by some multinationals. And given the widespread perception that many firms don't pay their fair share of tax, they'll assess efforts by the world's major economies to rewrite the rules on corporate tax.Guests:Heather Self, Tax Partner, Pinsent MasonRolf Rothuizen, Partner, RPS Legal, AmsterdamAnthony Travers, Chairman, Cayman Islands Stock ExchangeProducer: Sally Abrahams.

The Bottom Line first broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in February 2006. At the time, Tony Blair was Prime Minister, interest rates were 4.5%, petrol was 90 pence a litre and a first class stamp cost 32p (half today's price). In a special edition, to mark ten years since the programme came on air, Evan Davis and guests discuss some of the big changes that have happened in the past decade, including: the global recession, record high and record low oil prices, a technology boom and China's extraordinary economic growth. How have businesses adapted to the changing world? Guests: Nicola Horlick, CEO, Money & CoSir Ian Cheshire, Chairman, DebenhamsNicola Shaw, CEO, HS1Ken Olisa, Founder and Chairman, Restoration Partners Producer: Sally Abrahams.

When you enter personal details onto any website or smartphone app, what happens to it? Where does it get stored, who owns it and who has access to it? These questions are becoming more relevant to ask as we put more details about every facet of our lives onto the internet. With a new piece of legislation passed in the EU dealing with this precise issue, businesses need to be up to speed with their knowledge on effective privacy managementEvan Davis and guests discuss why personal data is so valuable to business, and how the individual can also benefit from sharing this information.Guests: Mike Gordon, CEO, Callcredit Information GroupLiz Brandt, CEO, Ctrl ShiftEduardo Ustaran, Data Privacy expert and Partner, Hogan Lovells.

All businesses rely on customers. So, why do some businesses bend over backwards to keep customers happy, and why do some of them appear not to care? What is the impact of poor customer service on a business and how much does it cost them to invest in improving their infrastructure? Evan Davis discusses dos and don'ts of customer service with an airline, an energy company and a retailer, all of which have tried to completely overhaul their image. Has it worked?Guests: Kenny Jacobs, Chief Marketing Officer at Ryanair; Neil Clitheroe CEO retail and generation at Scottish Power and Gary Booker, Chief Marketing Officer at Dixons CarphoneProducer: Sally Abrahams Researcher: Sofia Patel.

After the Paris summit on climate change and the global commitment to cut carbon emissions, The Bottom Line is going green - with businesses that generate energy from the sun, the wind - and from cheese. And, whilst the government is committed to getting more of its energy from renewables, Evan Davis and guests discuss why green firms are seeing red over cuts to subsidies they say are vital to update ageing infrastructure. Guests:Juliet Davenport, CEO, Good EnergyJeremy Leggett, Founder, SolarcenturyPaul Cowling, MD, RWE Innogy UK Producer: Sally Abrahams.

After recent corporate scandals like VW's emissions' cheating, Tesco's accounting irregularities, Barclays interest-rate rigging, many asked why company board members failed to act. What happened to the checks and balances designed to curb management excesses? Evan Davis and guests look at how company boards operate and how to make them work effectively. They discuss the role of company directors, the skills and experience required and examine why some say 'Beware the charismatic CEO'. Guests: Sir David Walker, Former Chairman, Barclays plcMichael Jackson, Former Chair, The Sage Group plcMargaret Heffernan, Former CEO, entrepreneur and author Producer: Sally Abrahams.

Can the Northern Powerhouse solve Britain's North-South economic divide? For now, the Northern Powerhouse is a concept: an idea that towns and cities in the north can unite, forming their own economic hub to rival London and the south east. So how to turn it into a reality? Evan Davis and guests are with an audience at the Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce to discuss what kind of businesses will settle in the north of England and what needs to be done to encourage them to make the move. They'll talk about the frustrations of poor transport links, the joys of green spaces and the reasons why businesses like to cluster.Guests: Wayne Hemingway, Designer and entrepreneur, Hemingway Design Vanda Murray, an Independent Director, Manchester Airports Group Sir Richard Leese, Leader, Manchester City Council and Chair, Transport for the North Jo York, co-founder, Reframed TVProducer: Sally Abrahams.

Rewriting the rules: what does it take to be a non-conformist? Evan Davis is joined by a banker, a brewer and a tech entrepreneur as they discuss how success can mean challenging the orthodox way of doing things.Guests:James Watt - Founder, Brewdog LtdSarah Wood - Co-founder, Unruly MediaAnders Bouvin, CEO, Handelsbanken UK.

What does a financial engineer do? A mechanical engineer may design a machine, one that does a task or overcomes an obstacle, but what problems does modern finance solve? Can the clever manipulation of debt, equity or derivatives, really make human beings better off? Some think finance is a bit of a racket, designed to extract money from the enterprise of others; others think modern finance is a miracle that can create value from nothing. Evan Davis and guests try to get to the bottom of this argument on this week's The Bottom Line.Guests:John Kay - Economist and writer Jessica James - Head of the FX Quantative Solutions Group, Commerzbank Jon Moulton - Founder, Better Capital.

From the design desk to the shop window, how do fast fashion brands deliver the latest trends in double-quick time? Evan Davis and guests discuss fabric, factories and a nimble supply chain. Guests: Catarina Midby, Sustainability manager, H & M; Carol Kane, Co-founder and Joint CEO, Boohoo; Kim Winser, Founder and CEO, Winser London. Producer: Sally Abrahams.

Whether it's high-profile sports events or blockbuster art exhibitions, companies like Adidas and Unilever spend millions of pounds on sponsorship - to get their brand associated with sporting or artistic excellence. The global sponsorship market is worth more than 30 billion pounds a year, but what happens when negative publicity - like Fifa's World Cup corruption scandal - starts to tarnish a brand? Evan Davis and guests discuss whether sponsors should walk away or use their influence to press for change. Guests:Peter Mather, Group Regional Vice President for Europe, BP; Jan Gooding, Group Brand Director, Aviva; Jaimie Fuller, Chairman, Skins. Producer: Sally Abrahams.

Companies like Royal Mail, Saga and the AA have recently listed their shares on the stock market. It gives them access to plenty of money to help them grow, but also means they're subject to public scrutiny. Evan Davis and guests discuss why firms decide to float and how they must adapt to becoming a plc. Guests: Martin Clarke, CFO, the AA; Dan Wagner, CEO, Powa Technologies; Gillian Karran-Cumberlege, Co-Founder, Fidelio Partners. Producer: Sally Abrahams.

Volkswagen is dealing with a corporate crisis following the emissions rigging scandal. Evan Davis and guests discuss. Guests: Sir John Egan, former CEO, Jaguar, former Chairman, Severn Trent Lord Browne, former CEO, BP Lucy Marcus, CEO, Marcus Venture Consulting Arndt Ellinghorst, Senior MD, Evercore ISIProducer: Sally Abrahams.

How do you value something like a painting? What makes one artist worth more than another? Who decides what is in vogue and why do they have so much power in the art world? Evan Davis presents a discussion on taste and value in the art world with a panel including the British artist Grayson Perry.Guests:Grayson Perry - ArtistValeria Napoleone - Collector and PatronRalph Taylor - Director, UK Board Contemporary Art, Bonhams.

Food deflation, the rise of the discount grocers and continuing price wars. Evan Davis and guests discuss who are the long-term winners in the supermarkets' battle to gain market share.Guests: Mark Price, Managing Director, Waitrose Steve Murrells, CEO, Co-operative Foods Kevin Gunter, Chairman, Fulton's FoodsProducer: Sally Abrahams.

Who needs qualifications for success? Three business leaders tell Evan Davis how they made it to the top after leaving school with just one A'Level between them all. Two of the guests explain how, having dyslexia and being labelled failures at school, made them even more determined to make a success of their lives. And they'll explore whether the skills to be an entrepreneur can be taught in the classroom.Guests: Jo Malone, CEO, Jo Loves Gary Grant, CEO, The Entertainer Mark Featherstone-Witty, CEO, Liverpool Institute for Performing ArtsProducer: Jim Frank.

Despite widespread predictions of their demise and amid falling numbers of readers, newspapers are still with us. How are they adapting to the challenges of digital technologies? The industry is split on the issue of whether or not to charge readers for online. What is the best business model for newspapers to survive and prosper? Evan Davis and guests discuss.The guests this week are: John Ridding, Chief Executive of the Financial Times; Ashley Highfield, Chief Executive of the Johnson Press and Andrew Miller, out-going Chief Executive of the Guardian Media Group.Producer: Jim Frank.

Despite widespread predictions of their demise and amid falling numbers of readers, newspapers are still with us. How are they adapting to the challenges of digital technologies? The industry is split on the issue of whether or not to charge readers for online. What is the best business model for newspapers to survive and prosper? Evan Davis and guests discuss.The guests this week are: John Ridding, Chief Executive of the Financial Times; Ashley Highfield, Chief Executive of the Johnson Press and Andrew Miller, out-going Chief Executive of the Guardian Media Group.Producer: Jim Frank.

The British love fast food. Each year we munch our way through thirty billion pounds worth. On The Bottom Line this week Evan Davis and guests discuss the burgeoning burger market. There are new challengers to the traditional big boys, like Five Guys, who claim to offer better quality burgers and a "casual dining experience." Whilst one old famous brand from the 1970s, Wimpy, is attempting to make a come-back with re-branded restaurants and menu. But what's the recipe for success in this already over-crowded market?Guests: John Eckbert, Managing Director of Five Guys; Bruce Layzell, Managing Executive of International Markets at Famous Brands (the South African company who own Wimpy and Steers) And Martin Breeden, Regional Director of Intu, who own some of Britain's biggest shopping centres.Producer: Jim Frank.

How to spot the next Google, Paypal or LinkedIn? Three successful entrepreneurs tell Evan Davis how they use their own money to back promising start-ups.Guests: Sherry Coutu, founder, Cambridge Business Angels Fiona Cruickshank, founder, Gabriel Investors Suzanne Biegel, founder, Clearly Social AngelsProducer: Sally Abrahams.

Outsourcing has had a bad press over the years: What with taxpayers being charged for tagging offenders who were dead, the fiasco over security at the London Olympics and the earlier trend for companies to shift operations to call centres in India. Evan Davis and guests look beyond the negative headlines to examine the pros and cons of getting an outside supplier to do some of your work. And they'll find out how outsourcing has enabled the creators of a chilli sauce to expand from the garden shed to the shelves of hundreds of stores.Guests:Rupert Soames, CEO, Serco Paul Blantern, CEO, Northampstonshire County Council Kuldip Singh Sehota, CEO Mr Singh's SauceProducer: Sally Abrahams.

The scandal at FIFA is just the latest story of corporate corruption to dominate the news. What steps can businesses take to avoid getting caught up in corruption, particularly in countries and sectors where bribery is the norm? What is legitimate business conduct and what crosses the line into illegality? Evan Davis and his guests discuss:Emma Sharma, Chief Ethics and Compliance Officer for the Supreme Group Hugh Miles of The Al Shafie Miles Consultancy Leo Martin of Good CorporationProducer: Jim Frank.

If your business venture doesn't succeed, how can you be sure it's worth trying again before admitting defeat? More than 50% of businesses fail within 5 years, yet for many, failure is a necessary part of success. Even Bill Gates and Steve Jobs didn't get it right first time. Evan Davis's guests discuss the important lessons they've learned from their business mistakes and speak candidly about the personal and financial impact of failing. How do you overcome the stigma of failure and what skills are required to bounce back when your business has bombed?Guests: Bill Cullen, Chairman, Bill Cullen Motor Group Katarina Skoberne, Co-founder and former CEO, OpenAd Stuart Miller, Co-founder and CEO, ByBox GroupProducer: Sally Abrahams.

Why is UK productivity lower than in many other countries?Evan Davis begins a new series of The Bottom Line by looking at the productivity problem. The programme asks what productivity really means and how different sectors go about measuring it.Evan hears from three chief executives in three different sectors: manufacturing; advertising and health. How can productivity be measured and improved in these diverse sectors? How, for example, should the productivity of a doctor or nurse be measured?Guests: Dame Julie Moore, Chief Executive of University Hospitals Birmingham Brian Holliday Managing Director, Managing Director for Siemens Digital Factory UK James Murphy, Founder and Chief Executive of Adam and Eve DDB AdvertisingProducer: Jim Frank.

Phone hacking, financial mis-selling and fraud: How do companies recover from scandal and negative headlines? Evan Davis and guests discuss the skills and strategy required to bounce back.Guests:Niall Booker, CEO, Co-operative BankMike Darcey, CEO, News UKStephen Hester, CEO, RSAProducer: Sally Abrahams.

Premier League Chief Executive Richard Scudamore joins Evan Davis and guests to discuss the economics and business of football.In light of the recent Premier League TV deal, worth a staggering £5 billion pounds, this week Evan and guests discuss its implications for football both in the UK and in other markets. Whilst the top players can expect even bigger salaries, how will the deal impact on fans and clubs outside the top division? Three top football executives discuss including Premier League Chief Executive, Richard Scudamore. Producer: Jim Frank.

Whether you're selling breakfast cereals, criminal tags or excavator buckets, expanding your business overseas can be a game changer. But when's the right time to export and which countries should you target? Evan Davis and guests discuss the ups and downs of trading internationally. They'll share their stories on why it can be easier to sell abroad than at home, how to adapt products for a new market and why doing your homework can ensure that nothing is lost in translation. Top tips on how to make exporting a business boost not a foreign flop. Guests:Sara Murray, Founder and CEO, BuddiGiles Turrell, CEO, WeetabixJacqui Miller, Director, Miller International.

Sock Shop, Golden Wonder and Lehman Brothers: big names that once dominated the high street, the supermarket shelves and the financial world. They faded from view, yet still exist today. What prompted their demise? How did they lose market share? Evan Davis and guests discuss the rise and fall of these iconic companies and explore whether they can ever reach the success of their golden years.Guests:Vimal Ruia, Managing Director, Sock ShopPaul Allen, CEO, TaytoTony Lomas, Chief Administrator, Lehman Brothers in the UKProducer: Sally Abrahams.

The science and psychology of the queue. This week Evan and his guests look at how businesses manage queuing. We're often told that queuing is one of those quintessential British habits which embodies our sense of fair play: that we should wait our turn. Despite technological innovation. queuing remains one of those unavoidable things we all have to do: be that on-line, waiting for a bus or to pay for our groceries at the check-out. But what does it mean for businesses? How do they go about managing queues and our expectations of those as customers? Producer: Jim Frank.

Artificial snow, a plastic hairbrush and a non-spill baby beaker: How do you turn an idea into a successful business? Three entrepreneurs discuss with Evan Davis the process of designing a product and getting it onto the market. How do you finance the project and what's the best way to protect your design from copycats? We'll hear how one inventor risked everything in a legal battle against a company that stole her design. And discover how to create more than 200 types of fake snow. Guests: Shaun Pulfrey, Founder and CEO, Tangle TeezerMandy Haberman, Founder, Haberman ProductsDarcey Crownshaw, Founder and MD, Snow Business Producer: Sally Abrahams.

It's soft, shiny and rare. A symbol of love, of power, of wealth - gold has been prized for thousands of years, its value rises and falls as the economies round it fluctuate. Yet there's only a limited supply of it and demand is high: for jewellery, technology, by central banks and investors. But after more than a decade of rising prices, the value of gold is down. So how to make money from this precious metal? Evan Davis and guests follow its journey from the gold mines of west Africa to the workshops of an east London jewellery maker. What are the risks, responsibilities and rewards for those who mine it, invest in it and manufacture with it?Guests:Nolan Watson, CEO, Sandstorm GoldMark Bristow, CEO, Randgold ResourcesElizabeth Hunt, Director, Allied GoldProducer: Sally Abrahams.

Naked bath bombs, in-store coffee shops and customer satisfaction charts: Evan Davis and guests discuss some of the secrets to retailing success. Each of them runs of a chain of stores but with hundreds, even thousands of outlets both here and abroad, how do they maintain their brand identity? And what persuades customers to buy their products ahead of their rivals'?Guests: Mark Constantine, Founder and Managing Director, Lush cosmeticsDebbie Robinson, Managing Director, Spar UKRobert Forrester, Founder and CEO, Vertu Motors plc.

How should we price services? By the hour? By results? Or by the difficulty of the task? And what impact does each model have on how businesses are run? In the first of a new series Evan Davis and guests look at the history of how we've priced our time and expertise and why this may be about to change. Guests : Christopher Saul, senior partner, Slaughter & May Debbie Klein, UK CEO, The Engine Group Russell Quirk, Founder, EMoov.

What is the role of a business leader? To tell staff what to do or allow them to decide for themselves? One theory about management is that it should turn itself upside-down and permit those closest to the customer to dictate all sorts of business decisions including pricing, marketing and how to deal with complaints. This programme, first broadcast in 2013, won the Wincott Radio Journalism of the Year Award.Guests John Timpson, Chairman Timpson Group Nikki King, Honorary Chair, Isuzu Truck UK Sir Gerry Robinson, Chairman Moto Hospitality Producer : Rosamund Jones.

Taittinger champagne, Clarks shoes, Theakstons beer - three famous and successful family businesses that have passed down through the generations. So what prompted members of those families to leave the original firms and set up rival brands of their own? Producing champagne, making shoes and brewing beer. What's it like to compete with the companies they've known all their lives? And how easy is it to make their mark? Guests:Paul Theakston, Founder and Chairman, Black Sheep BreweryVirginie Taittinger, Founder, Virginie TGalahad Clark, Founder and Managing Director, VivobarefootProducer: Sally Abrahams.

Very few companies survive for centuries. Evan Davis hears from a luxury jeweller, a removals firm and a diversified business that makes money from ships, finance and groceries. Between them they have nearly a thousand years of business experience. What strategies have they embarked on to ensure that they live long and prosper? Has their history become a burden or a motivator? And have they sacrificed growth for corporate longevity? Guests: Sir Michael Bibby, MD The Bibby Line Michael Wainwright, CEO Boodles Stuart Burnett, Partner Shore Porters SocietyProducer: Rosamund Jones.

From smartglasses to smartwatches, tech companies like Apple, Google and Samsung are investing big money in technology that you can wear. They're designed to keep us eternally connected, fully fit and super smart. But will they go mainstream or are they still the preserve of the gadget geeks? Evan Davis and guests discuss how fitness bands that measure how far you walk and how deeply you sleep could transform our healthcare. And hear about the intelligent fabric that's set to revolutionise the way US and British soldiers are kitted out. Guests:Andy Griffiths, President, Samsung UK and Ireland Asha Peta Thompson, Co-founder, Intelligent Textiles Joss Langford, Technical Director, ActivinsightsProducer: Sally Abrahams.

Flash sale companies are growing fast. Evan Davis and guests discuss how this new retail sector is changing the way we shop. How does the business model work? Just how low can the prices go? And are these internet discounters a help or a hindrance for luxury brands?Guests : Victoria Walton, co-founder Sportpursuit Jamie Jackson, executive vice-chairman MySale Group Ilan Benhaim, co-founder Vente-PriveeProducer : Rosamund Jones.

Online postings about hotels, restaurants, hairdressers, electricians: How much can you trust the views of a total stranger when it comes to deciding what to buy, where to go and whose skills and services to employ? How do review sites monitor their online ratings and ensure they're genuine? Evan Davis and guests discuss the power of user-generated reviews that can make or break a business. What can firms do to limit the damage of a bad review and how can they maximise a positive review? Guests:Stephen Kaufer, President and CEO, TripAdvisorColleen Curtis, Vice President, European Marketing, YelpKevin Byrne, Founder and CEO, CheckatradeProducer: Sally Abrahams.

Social advertising: Evan Davis and guests discuss the growing power of celebrities, the rise of the money-making super-fans who "like" their products and the vloggers with consumer clout. How effective are these new social campaigns and how will they change the advertising industry?Guests: Edwina Dunn, CEO Starcount; Dominic Burch, senior director marketing innovation and new revenue Asda; Robin Grant, co-founder We Are Social.Producer: Rosamund Jones.

The best person for the job? Evan Davis hears from four bosses who took back control of the companies they had once founded. Why did they leave and what events made them return? From boardroom coups to corporate collapses, entrepreneurs explain how they took the helm - for the second time - of the businesses they knew so well. What had changed while they were away? And what were the very first decisions they made when they walked back through the doors?Guests: Steve Morgan, founder, Redrow; Louise O'Sullivan, founder, Anam Technologies; Nick and Kath Whitworth, co-founders, Celtic & Co.Producer: Sally Abrahams.

Faulty children's beds, mislabelled horsemeat burgers and exploding dishwashers are among the products recalled by companies in the UK to protect the health and safety of consumers. Evan Davis and guests discuss the process for recalling defective items and find out how quickly manufacturers and distributors must act. What are the logistics of getting back hundreds of thousands of products from consumers? And what impact does a recall have on a company's reputation? Does it reassure or unnerve customers?Guests:Gerard Bos, Customer Relations Manager for UK and Ireland, IkeaChris Dee, Chief Operating Officer, E.H BoothVince Shiers, Managing Director, RQA GroupProducer: Sally Abrahams.

Civil war in Sierra Leone, political unrest in Ukraine, the Japanese tsunami and Hurricane Sandy on the east coast of the US - three guests tell Evan Davis how they led businesses through periods of unexpected and extended turmoil. Guests : Peter Kaye, Director of Business Development, Pilgrims Group Bryan Disher, Ukraine Country Manager, PWC Mary Bahsoon, Co-owner Bennimix Producer : Rosamund Jones.

Making money from old phones, engines and plastic bottles is the topic for Evan Davis and guests. How do you ensure that you collect what others throw away? How much profit is there really to be had from creating new from old? And why aren't milk bottle tops quite the colour they once were? Guests Charlo Carabott, co-founder & CEO Mazuma Mobile Matt Bulley, managing director Caterpillar Reman Europe Chris Dow, Founder & CEO Closed Loop Recycling Producer : Rosamund Jones.

Would you tell your boss you had depression? In The Bottom Line this week, Evan Davis hears from three successful business people who talk openly about what it's like to experience severe mental illness whilst running their companies. They'll explain the risks and rewards of going public about mental ill health problems: the reaction from investors and the impact on staff. And we'll hear why being open about mental illness can lead to a happier, healthier workplace.Guests:Lord Stevenson of Coddenham, entrepreneur and former Chairman of HBOS and Pearson; Andrea Woodside, Founder, Minding Work Limited; and Charlie Mowat, Managing Director, The Clean SpaceProducer: Sally Abrahams.

Can you conquer the world by selling only one product? Many companies start small, focusing their energies on a single item, with plans to expand into other areas once the business takes off. But not everyone wants to diversify. Some prefer to do one thing and do it well, rather than risk diluting the brand and perhaps also the quality of the goods. In this edition of The Bottom Line, Evan Davis talks to three companies that have stuck with the core product that made them a success in the first place. They'll discuss the benefits of keeping focused, the challenges of staying ahead of the game and explore the perils of relying on just one source of income. Does it make good business sense to put all your eggs in one basket?Guests:Vince Gunn, Managing Director, Crocs EuropeCarolyn Komminsk, Head of Creative, MaclarenBill Noble, Managing Director, WD40 CompanyProducer: Sally Abrahams.

How big is the market for halal - not just food, but holidays, fashion and music too? Muslim consumers - and how best to serve them - are the topics this week. Evan Davis talks to entrepreneurs who think they know the answer and asks how much can established companies learn from them.Guests :Shelina Janmohamed, Ogilvy Noor Elnur Seyidli, HalalBooking.com Shazia Saleem, ieat foodsProducer : Rosamund Jones.

Making money from products with a controversial image is the topic for Evan Davis and his guests who represent companies selling drugs and sex toys. These companies are testing our morals and the regulations set up to protect them. So how do you market products that many people disapprove of? And how do you manage the social and business opprobrium you encounter?Guests : Jean Rasbridge, founder ECigaretteDirect.co.uk Andy Williams, co-founder Medicine Man Denver Neal Slateford, co-founder LoveHoneyProducer : Rosamund Jones.

The new economy based on bitcoins, the computer-generated crypto-currency, is the subject for discussion. What can you buy with them and as the market fluctuates wildly, can investors hold their nerve? The programme will look at how the bitcoin craze began and whether the world really does need another currency. Evan Davis's guests are from new companies hoping to cash in - one trades bitcoins, another stores them and the third enables you to spend them online.Contributors :Marc Warne, Bittylicious Nicolas Cary, Blockchain Moe Levin, BitpayProducer : Rosamund Jones.

Can you keep business safe from hackers? Many companies now feel besieged by constant attacks and few can claim not to have been targeted. In the first of a new series of the award-winning The Bottom Line Evan Davis and guests discuss the anatomy of a cyber attack - where the threats are coming from and how best to respond. And they'll ask - should businesses be more honest about the security breaches they've faced?Guests Richard Knowlton, Group Corporate Security Director, Vodafone Rashmi Knowles, Chief Security Architect, RSA Seth Berman, Executive MD, Stroz FriedbergProducer : Sally Abrahams.

Serving the super-rich: what do the seriously wealthy do with their money? How do they preserve or spend their multi-million or even billion pound fortunes? And who is helping them manage those assets? With more billionaires in the world than ever before, working for the very rich is a growth industry. Whether finding staff for their superyacht or helping them give away the money, there's a raft of businesses ready to serve the ultra high net worth individual. Evan Davis talks to three firms whose job is to serve the wealthy elite.Guests:Richard Wilson, CEO, Billionaire Family OfficeKaren Clark, Director and Head of Private Clients, SandAireLucy Challenger, Manager, Bespoke BureauProducer: Sally Abrahams.

Turning up the heat: the new energy companies breaking into a market dominated by big established firms. Evan Davis meets two small entrants to the sector to find out how they're gaining market share. Is the strategy to compete on price, customer service or green credentials? He'll discuss the role of the price comparison websites in encouraging customers to switch providers and hear how some smaller companies are cutting gas and electricity bills when their bigger rivals aren't.Guests:Dale Vince, Founder and CEO, EcotricityStephen Fitzpatrick, Founder and Managing Director, Ovo EnergyAnn Robinson, Director of Consumer Policy at uSwitch.comProducer: Sally Abrahams.

Corporate turnaround and transformational tales. Evan Davis and guests discuss how companies fail, struggle and find their way again.Guests:Bruno Cercley, CEO of Rossignol Group Harriet Green OBE, CEO of Thomas Cook Group Martyn Gibbs, CEO of Game Retail LtdProducer: Kent DePinto.

Chocolate is a big business as well as a delicious indulgence. Evan Davis and guests discuss how this global industry is tackling the pressures of rising food prices, speculation and climate change.Guests:Jonathan Horrell, Director of Global Sustainability of Mondelez International Sophi Tranchell, Managing Director of Divine Chocolate Kojo Amoo-Gottfried, Country Director of Cargill GhanaProducer: Kent DePinto.

Self-improvement: If you want to look better, feel better, perform better, there's no shortage of help available. Whether it's cosmetic surgery for the perfect body, fitness programmes to boost self-esteem, or self-help books to improve the mind, there's plenty of choice. But do they promise the world and fail to deliver - or give you the strength to achieve the personal growth you desire? Evan Davis and guests discuss the industry of making your life better.Guests: Jon Congdon, President and Co-Founder, Beachbody.com Carole Tonkinson, Publisher, Harper NonFictionJohn Ryan, Founder and Chairman, Make Yourself AmazingProducer: Sally Abrahams.

Business leaders spend their lives climbing the corporate ladder, so what happens when it is time to step off? Evan Davis and guests discuss life after CEO.Guests: Lord Browne of Madingley, former Chief Executive of BP Kate Wilson, former MD of Scholastic UK, Managing Director of Nosy Crow Robert Polet, former CEO of Gucci GroupProducer: Kent DePinto.

Successful TV formats like Big Brother, Pop Idol, X-Factor and Who Wants To Be A Millionaire are sold and broadcast all round the world, netting their creators billions of pounds. But how can you protect such a valuable asset? And are too many copycat versions saturating the market and crushing original ideas? Evan Davis finds out from those at the top of the lucrative global industry of TV formats.Guests: Charlie Parsons, Creator of Survivor and CEO, Castaway Television Productions Louise Pedersen, Managing Director, all3media international Ricardo Pereira, TV Globo Director for EuropeProducer: Sally Abrahams.

Business school or school of life? An MBA from a top business school is what defines many of today's high powered CEO's - but is the qualification worth the cost or are would-be entrepreneurs better off learning business acumen in the real world? Evan Davis debates with guests.Guests: Colin Drummond, Chairman of Viridor and Harvard MBA graduate Kim Winser, former CEO of Pringle, now CEO of Winser London Glenn Sykes, Associate Dean of The University of Chicago Booth School of Business, LondonProducer: Kent DePinto.

The "sharing" economy is the topic of discussion for Evan Davis & his guests in the first of a new series of The Bottom Line. The market is built around renting out your possessions to strangers and entrepreneurs have piled in to enable us to share our homes, cars, bikes, clothes, tools and much more besides. At its heart is the idea that business works better if it collaborates, rather than competes, with other companies. How disruptive might these innovative enterprises prove to be? How much profit can they make (and is that the point anyway?).Guests :Even Heggernes, UK & Ireland Country Manager, Airbnb Ali Clabburn, Founder, Liftshare Fiona Disegni, Founder, Rentez-VousProducer : Rosamund Jones.

Decorating your home is big business - in the UK and around the world. In China and India the home decor market is evolving fast - but will the result be a global homogenous style? Who sets the trends? And what do you do if your products lose their fashionable edge? Evan Davis and guests discuss the volatile world of design.Guests: Kelly Hoppen, founder Kelly Hoppen Interiors Andrew Graham, CEO Graham and Brown Lois Jacobs, Global CEO FitchProducer: Rosamund Jones.

It's the lifeblood of the world's economy, moving most of our imports and exports and around the globe. But shipping is changing: vessels and ports are getting bigger and competition for trade is coming from the Far East.Evan Davis and guests from the world of shipping discuss how ports are run and how the shipping business manages the risk of accidents and piracy.Guests:James Cooper - CEO of Associated British Ports. , a private company which owns and runs 21 ports in the UK. Kenneth MacLeod - Chairman of Stena Line UK and President of the UK Chamber of Shipping. Rupert Atkin - CEO of Talbot Underwriting and Chairman of the Lloyd's Market Association.Producer - Smita Patel.

Infrastructure projects can take decades to complete and are meant to last for generations. Planning for new rail networks, roads, bridges, airports - in the UK and overseas - all require assumptions and predictions about the future. What shape will the country's economy be in? Will the population grow or shrink? How might travel patterns change? And will the political regimes support the project over the years? Evan Davis and guests discuss the problems and pitfalls of planning for the long view.Guests: Alison Munro, CEO HS2 Tushar Prabhu, co-owner, Pell Frischmann Richard Deakin, CEO NATS Producer: Rosamund Jones.

When the world economy is booming, many corporate bosses love nothing more than buying each other's companies. Takeovers, mergers and acquisitions soar. But evidence tends to suggest that many of the arrangements are a waste of time, so why are deals so seductive? On the Bottom Line, Evan Davis and guests discuss why deals go right and what happens when they go wrong. Guests: Sir George Buckley - former CEO, 3M and currently Chairman Designate of the engineering group Smiths Sir Michael Rake - Chairman of BT Group and Deputy Chairman of Barclays Juergen Maier - MD of Siemens UK and Ireland Producer: Smita Patel.

What is the role of a business leader? To tell staff what to do or allow them to decide for themselves? One theory about management is that it should turn itself upside-down and permit those closest to the customer to dictate all sorts of business decisions including pricing, marketing and how to deal with complaints. Discussing these issues with Evan Davis are:John Timpson, Chairman Timpson Group Nikki King, CEO Isuzu Truck UK Sir Gerry Robinson, Chairman Moto HospitalityProducer : Rosamund Jones.

Where can you find a hand-stitched crochet blanket, the latest Lady Gaga video or sell your old sofa? Trading online makes it easier than ever to find a marketplace and gives the consumer a different and faster way to shop and browse. On The Bottom Line Evan Davis discusses the issues with:Nic Jones, Senior Vice President International, VEVO; Nicole Vanderbilt, MD Etsy; and François Coumau, General Manager for Continental Europe, eBay. Producer : Smita Patel.

Where there is war and fear there's money to be made from protection. In The Bottom Line, Evan Davis talks to ex-army leaders turned businessmen about the world of private defence and security work.Why are governments employing private contractors to do work previously done by the armed forces? How do those businesses maintain their reputations in such a controversial sector?Guests:Major General Graham Binns CBE, DSO, MC, a former British army officer, now CEO of Aegis Defence Services Limited.Major General Andrew Pringle, CB, CBE, President of KBR UK and a former British army officer.Gabriel Carter, Managing Director of LPD Risk Management.Producer: Smita Patel.

Big data has become big business as improvements in computer memory storage have made it possible to keep and analyse digital data on a scale previously unknown. Evan Davis and guests discuss how the ability to store information about us has created new industries and transformed others. Presenter: Evan DavisGuests: Dave Coplin, Chief Envisioning Officer and Director of Search, Microsoft UK; Konrad Feldman, CEO Quantcast; Lawrence Jones, Founder UK Fast.

The power of investors and their role in changing how business functions and is run is the discussion for Evan Davis and his guests. What is it like to be voted off the board by your shareholders? And is investor activism here to stay? And how should a company boss best manage the owners of the company?Guests Alison Carnwath, chair Land Securities Helena Morrissey, CEO Newton Asset Management Nigel Wilson, Group CEO Legal & GeneralProducers: Rosamund Jones/Lucy Proctor.

Water is the world's most precious resource. It's also big business. As climate changes and populations shift, getting water where it needs to be is a huge global challenge. And that's without the added problem of leakage. And how much should consumers pay for something that none of us can live without? Evan Davis and guests discuss an industry which has changed almost beyond recognition in just a few decades - from state-owned water providers to international business players. Guests: Peter Simpson, CEO Anglian Water Bryan Harvey, Vice President CH2M HILL Olivier Bret, CEO Veolia Water UK Producer : Rosamund Jones.

Predicting the future is a skill that can earn investors and businesses a fortune - but get it wrong and disaster looms. In sectors like energy and technology planning decades ahead is an absolute necessity - but how can CEOs know what the world will look like in 2030 and how do they persuade shareholders and staff to come along for the ride? Evan Davis meets three business leaders who are placing massive bets on the future of farming, biomass fuel and the creation of a hyper-connected global society and finds out about timing, balancing risk and holding your nerve.Also, the view from America, Sweden and the UK on corporate tax is discussed.Guests: Dorothy Thompson, CEO, Drax Hans Vestberg, CEO, Ericsson Jim Rogers, investorProducer: Lucy Proctor.

What do you do when it all goes wrong? How to manage corporations in times of crisis is the subject under discussion by Evan Davis and his guests.Business leaders should expect the ride sometimes to be bumpy - but what is it reasonable to expect? And what is the best way to proceed when the truly unexpected happens?Guests Michael Woodford, former chief executive & president, Olympus Corporation Ann Cairns, President International Markets, Mastercard Eddie Bensilum, Director, Regester LarkinProducer : Rosamund Jones.

Entrepreneurs discuss how much money you need to start a business - and where to get it from - with Evan Davis.Why do some start-ups require millions and others just a few hundred pounds? And what are the benefits and pitfalls of finding investors on the web? It's called crowd-funding and many consider it to be the next big thing in venture capital.Guests: Mark Popkiewicz, founder, MirriAd Julie Deane, founder, The Cambridge Satchel Company Jonathan Medved, venture capitalist and founder, Our Crowd Producer : Rosamund Jones.

The food industry is increasingly in the spotlight as consumers and government worry about obesity, sustainability and safety.Evan Davis finds out from three very different food companies about how their supply chains work and how much oversight any company leader can have. Guests discuss how to create an efficient and cost effective system that delivers on quality and safety. Do consumers elsewhere in Europe and the world demand the same level of locally-sourced credentials as the British now do and are these ideals worthwhile?Guests: Alastair Storey, CEO, WSH Perween Warsi, CEO, S&A Foods Gavin Darby, CEO, Premier FoodsProducer: Lucy Proctor.

Travel companies have recently had to weather the storms of recession for their customers and major upheaval at popular holiday destinations around the world.Evan Davis finds out how airlines and tour companies plan for their seasonal business in light of economic crisis in Greece and political unrest in Egypt and North Africa - getting it wrong could lead to financial disaster. And guests will discuss the future for Greece, where tourism is seen as the biggest hope for reviving the economy.Guests: Peter Long, CEO TUI Travel Carolyn McCall, CEO Easyjet Andreas Andreadis, CEO SANI ResortProducer: Lucy Proctor.

Recruitment companies discuss the marks left by recession on their businesses and the employment market.Companies in the eye of the storm when the economy first collapsed have had to adapt to stay in business. Evan Davis finds out the survival strategies of three recruiters in very different markets - from board level headhunting to finding seasonal temps and mid-level professionals.Guests : Virginia Bottomley, Odgers Berndtson Matthew Sanders, CEO de Poel Ian Temple, chair Hydrogen GroupProducer : Rosamund Jones.

Evan Davis meets "appreneurs" trying to make money in a marketplace where traditional business rules do not apply. Becoming an appreneur is easy. All you need is a computer and a couple of hundred pounds. And an idea of course. No surprise perhaps that thousands of new apps are created every week to serve the ever growing smart phone and tablet computer market. But what happens next? How do you make a living if your product is free? And if you sell your app, how high can you go when buyers expect a lot for very little? And how do you market to customers without knowing who they are?Guests : Barry Meade, co-founder Fireproof Studios Professor Anthony Steed, co-founder Chirp Max Whitby, co-founder & CEO Touch PressProducer : Rosamund Jones.

Education and how to make a profit from it is the focus for Evan and his three guests this week - each of them business leaders in the learning sector.From low-cost private schools in Ghana to no-frills law courses and a University of Liverpool campus in China, our guests will share their business lessons on how to build a reputation and how to price a good education. They'll also talk about the challenges of taking on traditional, public institutions as well as the technological advances that look set to transform learning over the next 20 years.As usual, The Bottom Line cuts through confusion and spin to present a clearer view of the business world.Guests this week are Carl Lygo, Chief executive of BPP; Professor Sir Howard Newby, Vice Chancellor of the University of Liverpool and Professor James Tooley, chairman of Omega Schools.Series producer: Helen Grady Series editor: Innes Bowen Series researcher: Ben Carter.

The view from the top of business. Presented by Evan Davis, The Bottom Line cuts through confusion, statistics and spin to present a clearer view of the business world, through discussion with people running leading and emerging companies.It's said that the best way to make a small fortune in the wine business is to start with a large one. Evan Davis and his guests explore just how profitable selling crushed grapes really is. How do they convince consumers they are offering quality and value?Joining Evan in the studio are Graham Sumeray, CEO Fine + Rare; Dan Jago, Category Director (Beers, Wines and Spirits) at Tesco's; Alok Mathur, co-founder and director Soul Tree Wines.Editor: Innes Bowen.

Evan Davis asks his guests what it takes to rescue a sinking company.

The view from the top of business. Presented by Evan Davis, The Bottom Line cuts through confusion, and spin to present a clearer view of the business world, through discussion with people running leading and emerging companies.From huge infrastructure projects to supplying civil servants with paperclips, there's big money to be made from public sector contracts. Evan Davis meets three business leaders with experience of bidding for - and securing - government contracts and finds out what it's like doing business with the state. How easy is it for smaller companies to get a slice of the public sector pie? And are we - the ultimate customers - really getting a good deal?

The view from the top of business. Presented by Evan Davis, The Bottom Line cuts through confusion, statistics and spin to present a clearer view of the business world, through discussion with people running leading and emerging companies.You go to a shopping centre and you find an ice rink. Or you go to a bookstore for a glass of wine. So is this the new world of retail? Evan Davis and his panel of top business brains explore what's in store for physical shopping. They also swap thoughts on what makes a good shop assistant.Joining Evan in the studio are Sir Stuart Rose, former Chief Executive of Marks & Spencer and soon to take over as Chairman of online grocery retailer Ocado; Berndt Hauptkorn, Chief Executive of the European arm of Japanese clothing chain Uniqlo; Andy Street, Managing Director of department store chain John Lewis.Producer: Ben Crighton Editor: Innes Bowen.

The view from the top of business. Presented by Evan Davis, The Bottom Line cuts through confusion and spin to present a clearer view of the business world through discussion with people running leading and emerging companies.This week, Evan's three guests discuss the challenges of doing business in and out of Africa. It consists of 54 countries and has more than a billion people but the continent was a sleeping giant for decades. Now it's woken up and could it be on the verge of becoming the economic powerhouse of the 21st Century?Evan is joined in the studio by Andrew Rugasira, CEO of the Ugandan coffee company Good African Coffee; Herman Chinery-Hesse, co-founder of the Ghanaian software company SOFTtribe and Rupert Soames, CEO of the temporary power specialists Aggreko.

The view from the top of business. Presented by Evan Davis, The Bottom Line cuts through confusion and spin to present a clearer view of the business world through discussion with people running leading and emerging companies. This week, Evan meets three pioneers of alternative finance and asks - can they beat the banks at their own game? Giles Andrews is CEO of Zopa, the peer to peer lending website; Anil Stocker is co-founder of Market Invoice , an online finance provider that allows companies to turn invoices into working capital; and Michael Joseph is director of mobile money at Vodafone and former CEO of the Kenyan mobile phone provider Safaricom, where he launched the revolutionary mobile money transfer service, M-Pesa.

The view from the top of business. Presented by Evan Davis, The Bottom Line cuts through confusion, statistics and spin to present a clearer view of the business world, through discussion with people running leading and emerging companies.Like the music industry before it, the print book industry has been turned upside down up by the digital revolution. As sales of ebooks continue to grow, bookshop sales are down from a peak in 2007. So what does the future for hold for the bricks and mortar bookstore? Will physical books become a thing of the past? And what role will traditional players like publishers, agents and retailers play in this brave new world? Evan Davis and guests examine what the landscape might look like once the dust settles.Joining Evan in the studio are Jonny Geller, literary agent and joint CEO Curtis Brown; Victoria Barnsley, CEO of publisher HarperCollins UK & International; Michael Tamblyn, Chief Content Officer at Toronto-based ebook retailer Kobo.Producer: Ben Crighton Editor: Innes Bowen.

The view from the top of business. Presented by Evan Davis, The Bottom Line cuts through confusion and spin to present a clearer view of the business world through discussion with people running leading and emerging companies.This week, we hear from three people in the avant garde of the global gambling industry, which is said to be worth $417 billion. With smart phone and tablet technology driving a revolution in the way that people gamble, will old-fashioned betting shops and bingo halls survive? And can gambling companies really keep expanding despite recession, competition from the black market and prohibition in emerging economies?Evan is joined in the studio by Norbert Teufelberger, CEO of the online gaming company bwin.party; Melissa Blau, director of the consultancy iGaming Capital; Juergen Reutter, Director of Mobile at the bookmaker William Hill.Producer: Helen Grady.

The view from the top of business. Presented by Evan Davis, The Bottom Line cuts through confusion, statistics and spin to present a clearer view of the business world, through discussion with people running leading and emerging companies.Family businesses are the backbone of economies all around the world - indeed, the majority of firms are family-controlled, from the millions of modest firms, to commercial giants such as Ford and Wal-Mart. And yet less than a third survive to the second generation. Evan Davis and guests explore the possibilities and pitfalls of the family ownership model.In the studio are Ian Maclean of luxury knitwear company John Smedley; Julie White of drilling and demolition firm D-Drill; Tim Wates of construction and development group Wates.Producer: Ben Crighton Editor: Innes Bowen.

The view from the top of business. Presented by Evan Davis, The Bottom Line cuts through confusion, statistics and spin to present a clearer view of the business world, through discussion with people running leading and emerging companies.There are many arguments about how to solve the world's economic problems, to increase employment and achieve economic growth. But if there's one solution that most will agree on it's that we need more new products or services, which drive capitalism and make us richer. Evan's guests this week discuss the importance of innovation for the global economy and the impediments to this kind of creativity. They also swap thoughts on the 'pivot' - when to change your mind in business. Joining Evan in the studio are Suranga Chandratillake, founder of video and audio search engine Blinkx; Simon Woodroffe, founder of YO! Company; Olaf Swantee, chief executive of mobile phone operator EE.Producer: Ben Crighton Editor: Innes Bowen.

The view from the top of business. Presented by Evan Davis, The Bottom Line cuts through confusion, statistics and spin to present a clearer view of the business world, through discussion with people running leading and emerging companies.Evan and his guests discuss financial services. They have the power to enrich an economy - or to ruin it completely. But what kind of makeover do they need to get them fit for the 21st century? Should the industry be more innovative and clever - or just a bit more old-fashioned and simple?Joining Evan in the studio are former fund manager David Pitt-Watson; Martin Gilbert, chief executive of Aberdeen Asset Management; Richard Ward, chief executive of insurance market Lloyd's of London.Producer: Ben Carter Editor: Innes Bowen.

The view from the top of business. Presented by Evan Davis, The Bottom Line cuts through confusion, statistics and spin to present a clearer view of the business world, through discussion with people running leading and emerging companies.Evan and his guests discuss the science of pricing goods and services. How do companies decide what to charge - and how much of it is educated guesswork as to what they can get away with?In the studio are Roger Mavity, chief executive of the Conran Group; Rita Clifton, branding expert and former chairman of Interbrand; Scott Malkin, founder and chairman of Value Retail which owns the outlet shopping centre Bicester Village.Producer: Ben Crighton Editor: Innes Bowen.

Evan Davis meets three of the sport sector's top business brains and gets them to share their stories of reinvention and the secrets of their industry. Evans hears from the darts, snooker and boxing promoter, Barry Hearn, who is also chairman of Leyton Orient and creator of the televised fishing contest, Fishomania. Former Formula 1 boss Max Mosley gives the inside story on how his sport became a hit in the Far East. And former managing director of IMG India explains how the Indian Premier League turned cricket into a showbiz sporting sensation.

The view from the top of business. Presented by Evan Davis, The Bottom Line cuts through confusion, statistics and spin to present a clearer view of the business world, through discussion with people running leading and emerging companies.Evan and his guests consider the perils and possibilities of doing business in an overcrowded market, with too many products chasing too few customers. And ahead of the arrival of the latest James Bond film, they swap thoughts on product placement and celebrity endorsement. How do you ensure your products are seen in all the right places and none of the wrong ones?In the studio are Willie Walsh, Chief Executive of International Airlines Group; fashion and retail expert Kim Winser; Peter Bamford, Chairman of Supergroup.Producer: Ben Crighton Editor: Innes Bowen.

The view from the top of business. Presented by Evan Davis, The Bottom Line cuts through confusion, statistics and spin to present a clearer view of the business world, through discussion with people running leading and emerging companies.Evan's guests delve into the concept of quality in business - how to get it high, and why it might end up low. They also compare notes on their respective weaknesses. Who do they turn to for help should they need it?In the studio are Jon Moulton, founder and chairman of private equity firm Better Capital; entrepreneur and investor Deborah Meaden; David Haines, chief executive of German sanitary fittings manufacturer Grohe.Producer: Ben Crighton Editor: Innes Bowen.

The view from the top of business. Presented by Stephanie Flanders, The Bottom Line cuts through confusion, statistics and spin to present a clearer view of the business world, through discussion with people running leading and emerging companies.Stephanie's guests reveal the secrets of the boardroom and offer their tips for mastering boardroom politics - from hidden agendas and clashing egos, to a simple failure to agree.They also swap thoughts on the risks and rewards of running large incumbent companies as opposed to smaller startups. In the studio are Stuart Fletcher, Chief Executive of private healthcare company Bupa; Eileen Gittins, founder and Chief Executive of creative self-publishing platform Blurb; Ken Olisa, chairman of boutique technology merchant bank Restoration Partners.Producer: Ben Crighton Editor: Innes Bowen.

The view from the top of business. Presented by Evan Davis, The Bottom Line cuts through confusion, statistics and spin to present a clearer view of the business world, through discussion with people running leading and emerging companies.If business is about anything, it's about products. Evan's guests come from companies that invent them, manufacture them and sell them and they each tell the story of a product that has shaped the fortunes of their business in some way.They also discuss the art of dismissal. How easy should it be to fire an employee?In the studio are Sir George Buckley, former Chief Executive of 3M, the US company behind the Post-it Note and Scotch Tape, and now Chairman of private equity firm Arle Capital; Clara Gaymard, Chief Executive of the French arm of US company General Electric; Ian Cheshire, Chief Executive of home improvement retailer Kingfisher, whose brands include B&Q and Screwfix.Producer: Ben Crighton Editor: Innes Bowen.

The view from the top of business. Presented by Evan Davis, The Bottom Line cuts through confusion, statistics and spin to present a clearer view of the business world, through discussion with people running leading and emerging companies.The mere mention of the word "Europe" in the media these days conjures up images of economic crisis - riots, bailouts, 12-figure debts, emergency summits. And yet the European Union remains the world's largest economy, its GDP some 10 per cent larger than that of the US. So is the idea that Europe is in terminal decline exaggerated? Evan asks his guests if Europe's current woes are just bumps on the road towards greater prosperity.And on a lighter note - silos, those invisible barriers which often develop inside organisations. Conventional wisdom says that they inhibit communication and can lead to dysfunctional, isolated units. Evan's guests debate whether they're such a bad thing after all.In the studio are Rachel Lomax, former Deputy Governor of the Bank of England and non-executive director of several companies including HSBC and BAA; Moray MacLennan, Chief Executive of advertising agency M&C Saatchi Worldwide; Phil Bentley, Managing Director of British Gas.Producer: Ben Crighton Editor: Innes Bowen.

The view from the top of business. Presented by Evan Davis, The Bottom Line cuts through confusion, statistics and spin to present a clearer view of the business world, through discussion with people running leading and emerging companies. The programme is broadcast first on BBC Radio 4 and later on BBC World Service Radio, BBC World News TV and BBC News Channel TV.Evan and his executive panel discuss the business of building and running infrastructure - how good is the UK at developing and delivering it? They also swap thoughts on the pros and cons of media training. Joining Evan in the studio are Steve Holliday, chief executive of international electricity and gas company National Grid plc; Nicola Shaw, chief executive of High Speed One, the Channel Tunnel high-speed rail line; Philip Dilley, chairman of global design, engineering and consulting company Arup Group.Producer: Ben Crighton Editor: Stephen Chilcott.

The view from the top of business. Presented by Evan Davis, The Bottom Line cuts through confusion, statistics and spin to present a clearer view of the business world, through discussion with people running leading and emerging companies. The programme is broadcast first on BBC Radio 4 and later on BBC World Service Radio, BBC World News TV and BBC News Channel TV.Evan and his executive guests discuss the evolution and hierarchy of brands. Who has the upper hand in the many battles being fought between big consumer brands and shops' own-labels? They also consider consumer tastes - do their own customers have good taste, or do they just buy what they're given? Joining Evan in the studio are Justin King, chief executive of supermarket chain Sainsbury's; Cecile Bonnefond, chief executive of French champagne house Piper-Heidsieck; Geoff Cooper, chief executive of builders merchant Travis Perkins.Producer: Ben Crighton Editor: Stephen Chilcott.

The view from the top of business. Presented by Evan Davis, The Bottom Line cuts through confusion, statistics and spin to present a clearer view of the business world, through discussion with people running leading and emerging companies. The programme is broadcast first on BBC Radio 4 and later on BBC World Service Radio, BBC World News TV and BBC News Channel TV.Evan and his executive guests consider how well the market works at allocating investment capital to the right businesses. Do deserving companies get enough, do the undeserving get more than they should?Joining Evan in the studio are Terry Smith, chief executive of stockbrokers Tullett Prebon; Israeli serial entrepreneur and investor Yossi Vardi; Ken Olisa, chairman of boutique technology merchant bank Restoration Partners.Producer: Ben Crighton Editor: Stephen Chilcott.

The view from the top of business. Presented by Evan Davis, The Bottom Line cuts through confusion, statistics and spin to present a clearer view of the business world, through discussion with people running leading and emerging companies. The programme is broadcast first on BBC Radio 4 and later on BBC World Service Radio, BBC World News TV and BBC News Channel TV.Evan Davis asks his executive guests how they spend their time each day. What does the activity of running a company really involve, and what do the guests' diaries tell us about the nature of their jobs? They also swap thoughts on the so-called Shareholder Spring - how investors are rebelling against corporate pay.Joining Evan in the studio are Jackie Hunt, chief financial officer of insurance giant Standard Life; John Vincent, entrepreneur and co-founder of Leon Restaurants; Harriet Green, outgoing chief executive of Premier Farnell who takes up her new role as chief executive of travel company Thomas Cook in July. Producer: Ben Crighton Editor: Stephen Chilcott.

The view from the top of business. Presented by Evan Davis, The Bottom Line cuts through confusion, statistics and spin to present a clearer view of the business world, through discussion with people running leading and emerging companies. The programme is broadcast first on BBC Radio 4 and later on BBC World Service Radio, BBC World News TV and BBC News Channel TV.Evan Davis asks his executive guests about instant gratification. Much of our economy is devoted to providing instant pleasure to consumers, rather than long-term satisfaction. But how far should companies restrain themselves when they do so? They also examine the psychology of competition in business - how focussed are companies on their rivals?Joining Evan in the studio are Richard Evans, President PepsiCo UK and Ireland; Rita Clifton, chairman of branding consultancy Interbrand; Nathalie Gaveau, founder and chief executive of social shopping application Shopcade.Producer: Ben Crighton Editor: Stephen Chilcott.

The view from the top of business. Presented by Evan Davis, The Bottom Line cuts through confusion, statistics and spin to present a clearer view of the business world, through discussion with people running leading and emerging companies. The programme is broadcast first on BBC Radio 4 and later on BBC World Service Radio, BBC World News TV and BBC News Channel TV.Evan Davis and his executive panel discuss different types of employment contracts and how far should employers go in checking on their employees' behaviour?Joining Evan in the studio are Eric Born, Swiss CEO of logistics and transport company, Wincanton, Nick Buckles, CEO of security giant G4S and Jason Iftakhar, co-founder of Salford based company, Swifty Scooters.Producer: Ben Carter Editor: Stephen Chilcott.

The view from the top of business. Presented by Evan Davis, The Bottom Line cuts through confusion, statistics and spin to present a clearer view of the business world, through discussion with people running leading and emerging companies. The programme is broadcast first on BBC Radio 4 and later on BBC World Service Radio, BBC World News TV and BBC News Channel TV.As the mood on Europe swings from doom to gloom, Evan Davis asks his executive guests about the outlook for the Euro. What will it take to save the single currency? And what are the prospects for business more generally in 2012?Joining Evan in the studio are Warren East, chief executive of FTSE 100 microchip designer ARM Holdings plc; Dr Carol Bell, energy industry executive with particular expertise in investment and financing in the oil and gas sector and a board member of three energy companies, including Salamander Energy plc; Michael Morley, chief executive of private bank Coutts.Producer: Ben Crighton Editor: Stephen Chilcott.

The view from the top of business. Presented by Evan Davis, The Bottom Line cuts through confusion, statistics and spin to present a clearer view of the business world, through discussion with people running leading and emerging companies. The programme is broadcast first on BBC Radio 4 and later on BBC World Service Radio, BBC World News TV and BBC News Channel TV.It's tough at the top, but when is it right to be tough at the top? Evan's executive panel debate the pros and cons of ruthlessness as a management style. They also talk about investing and selling in deprived areas - places capitalism often overlooks.Joining Evan are Jasmine Montgomery, founder of Seven Brands; Michele Giddens, co-founder of Bridges Ventures; Dido Harding, chief executive of Talk Talk Group.Producer: Ben Crighton Editor: Richard Vadon.

The view from the top of business. Presented by Evan Davis, The Bottom Line cuts through confusion, statistics and spin to present a clearer view of the business world, through discussion with people running leading and emerging companies. The programme is broadcast first on BBC Radio 4 and later on BBC World Service Radio, BBC World News TV and BBC News Channel TV.Evan's executive panel talk about decision making using examples from their professional life. A chance to see what their jobs consist of and a chance too to think about how we all make choices, for better or worse. They also swap thoughts on stress - their own and that of their employees.Joining Evan are Sir Martin Sorrell, chief executive of advertising and media company WPP; David Jones, global chief executive of France-based advertising group Havas; Nicola Horlick, chairman of investment fund Rockpool Investments.Producer: Ben Crighton Editor: Richard Vadon.

The view from the top of business. Presented by Evan Davis, The Bottom Line cuts through confusion, statistics and spin to present a clearer view of the business world, through discussion with people running leading and emerging companies. The programme is broadcast first on BBC Radio 4 and later on BBC World Service Radio, BBC World News TV and BBC News Channel TV.Evan's executive panel discuss what good leadership consists of - how do you turn a mediocre manager into a brilliant boss? They also swap thoughts on surviving on 20% less of everything. How would their companies cope, and what would they look like?Joining Evan are Martin Gilbert, chief executive of fund manager Aberdeen Asset Management; Allan Leighton, chairman of set top box maker Pace; Nigel Whitehead, group managing director of BAE Systems. Producer: Ben Crighton Editor: Richard Vadon.

The view from the top of business. Presented by Evan Davis, The Bottom Line cuts through confusion, statistics and spin to present a clearer view of the business world, through discussion with people running leading and emerging companies. The programme is broadcast first on BBC Radio 4 and later on BBC World Service Radio, BBC World News TV and BBC News Channel TV.Evan's executive panel discuss corporate cock-ups and conspiracies. They swap thoughts on why they occur, and how best to avoid them.Joining Evan are Andy Green, chief executive of business and technology service provider Logica; Phil Smith, chief executive of technology company Cisco UK and Ireland; Luke Johnson, serial entrepreneur and chairman of private equity firm Risk Capital Partners.Producer: Ben Crighton Editor: Richard Vadon.

The view from the top of business. Presented by Evan Davis, The Bottom Line cuts through confusion, statistics and spin to present a clearer view of the business world, through discussion with people running leading and emerging companies. The programme is broadcast first on BBC Radio 4 and later on BBC World Service Radio, BBC World News TV and BBC News Channel TV.Evan's three executive guests all run companies that to a large extent have had to reinvent themselves. He asks them what's driven change in each of their businesses, and how they've fared. They also swap ideas on what they think our children should be taught at school.Joining Evan are Rooney Anand, chief executive of pub retailer and brewer Greene King; Ian Livingston, chief executive of multinational telecoms provider BT Group; Rupert Gavin, chief executive of Odeon and UCI Cinemas Group. Producer: Ben Crighton Editor: Stephen Chilcott.

The view from the top of business. Presented by Evan Davis, The Bottom Line cuts through confusion, statistics and spin to present a clearer view of the business world, through discussion with people running leading and emerging companies. The programme is broadcast first on BBC Radio 4 and later on BBC World Service Radio, BBC World News TV and BBC News Channel TV.Evan and three top executives discuss the curiosities of selling their expertise, knowledge the customer doesn't have. If consumers are in a state of relative ignorance, how can they shop around? What stops them getting ripped off? They also swap thoughts on religion in the workplace.Joining Evan are Heather McGregor, managing director of headhunters Taylor Bennett; Rupert Soames, chief executive of mobile energy company Aggreko; Gavin Oldham, chief executive of retail stockbroker The Share Centre.Producer: Ben Crighton Editor: Stephen Chilcott.

The view from the top of business. Presented by Evan Davis, The Bottom Line cuts through confusion, statistics and spin to present a clearer view of the business world, through discussion with people running leading and emerging companies. The programme is broadcast first on BBC Radio 4 and later on BBC World Service Radio, BBC World News TV and BBC News Channel TV.Three young entrepreneurs, all in their early twenties, join Evan to discuss the headaches in getting their businesses up and running. They also discuss the next chapter - moving on and crucially letting go or getting out.Joining Evan in the studio are Suleman Sacranie, founder of online wholesaler 99pwholesaler.com; Kelly Goss of independent fashion brand Rock 'n' Needle; Louis Barnett, founder of luxury chocolate maker Chokolit.Producer: Ben Crighton Editor: Stephen Chilcott.

The view from the top of business. Presented by Evan Davis, The Bottom Line cuts through confusion, statistics and spin to present a clearer view of the business world, through discussion with people running leading and emerging companies. The programme is broadcast first on BBC Radio 4 and later on BBC World Service Radio, BBC World News TV and BBC News Channel TV.Prompted by a comment from a guest in last week's programme that Facebook could never have been created in the UK, Evan and his panel swap thoughts on why the US does so well when it comes to startups compared to Europe. They also discuss whether a big ego helps you get on in business, or gets in the way.Joining Evan in the studio are Anita Frew, chairman of plastics company Victrex; entrepreneur and investor Richard Farleigh; Michael Spencer, founder and chief executive of money broker ICAP.Producer: Ben Crighton Editor: Stephen Chilcott.

The view from the top of business. Presented by Evan Davis, The Bottom Line cuts through confusion, statistics and spin to present a clearer view of the business world, through discussion with people running leading and emerging companies. The programme is broadcast first on BBC Radio 4 and later on BBC World Service Radio, BBC World News TV and BBC News Channel TV.Evan and his panel talk cars. What road is the automotive industry on? Just where is it headed? They also consider whether it's best to be a wage slave, with a regular salary, or to take a share of the profits of a business.Joining Evan in the studio are Ken Keir, Vice President of Honda Motors Europe; Nikki King, Managing Director of Isuzu Truck UK; Wol Kolade, Managing Partner of venture capital firm Isis Equity Partners.Producer: Ben Crighton Editor: Stephen Chilcott.

The view from the top of business. Presented by Evan Davis, The Bottom Line cuts through confusion, statistics and spin to present a clearer view of the business world, through discussion with people running leading and emerging companies. The programme is broadcast first on BBC Radio 4 and later on BBC World Service Radio, BBC World News TV and BBC News Channel TV.Evan and his panel debate the big issue of the moment: capitalism, its virtues and vices. Across the media it's associated with negative words like 'crisis' and 'crony'. So how would Evan's executive guests redesign and rebrand capitalism? They also discuss peaking - just when do you reach your prime in business?Joining Evan in the studio are Keith Clarke, former Chief Executive and now Director of Sustainability at civil engineering and design consultancy Atkins; entrepreneur and investor Deborah Meaden; Heather Killen, co-founder of private equity and corporate finance advisory boutique Hemisphere Capital.Producer: Ben Crighton Editor: Stephen Chilcott.

The view from the top of business. Presented by Evan Davis, The Bottom Line cuts through confusion, statistics and spin to present a clearer view of the business world, through discussion with people running leading and emerging companies. The programme is broadcast first on BBC Radio 4 and later on BBC World Service Radio, BBC World News TV and BBC News Channel TV.Evan and his panel debate whether now's the time for companies to pursue big, ambitious ideas - or is it a time for more modest aspirations? They also discuss banking with the boss of retail banking at Royal Bank of Scotland, and take stock of the consumer sector in the run-up to Christmas.Joining Evan in the studio are Brian Hartzer, chief executive of RBS UK Retail, Wealth and Ulster; David Martin, chief executive of transport company Arriva; Nadim Ednan-Laperouse, founder and managing director of WOW toys. Producer: Ben Crighton Editor: Stephen Chilcott.

The view from the top of business. Presented by Evan Davis, The Bottom Line cuts through confusion, statistics and spin to present a clearer view of the business world, through discussion with people running leading and emerging companies. The programme is broadcast first on BBC Radio 4 and later on BBC World Service Radio, BBC World News TV and BBC News Channel TV.After a week of turmoil in the bond markets, Evan and his panel discuss the importance of bonds in business. The boss of Heathrow talks about the trials and tribulations of running one of the world's busiest airports. And the panel swap thoughts on whether a good business manager can run any company of any type.Joining Evan in the studio are Mark Elborne, president and chief executive of multinational conglomerate GE (UK and Ireland); Alison Carnwath, chairman of property company Land Securities; Colin Matthews, chief executive of airport owner and operator BAA.Producer: Ben Crighton Editor: Stephen Chilcott.

The view from the top of business. Presented by Evan Davis, The Bottom Line cuts through confusion, statistics and spin to present a clearer view of the business world, through discussion with people running leading and emerging companies. The programme is broadcast first on BBC Radio 4 and later on BBC World Service Radio, BBC World News TV and BBC News Channel TV.This week Evan and his panel consider the secrets of a happy business marriage - those key symbiotic partnerships companies have with each other. They also discuss whether flat organisations work best.Joining Evan in the studio are Mike Roney, chief executive of business supplies distributor Bunzl; James Reed, chairman of recruitment specialist Reed; Nicola Shaw, chief executive of HS1, the fast rail link from London to the Channel Tunnel.Producer: Ben Crighton Editor: Stephen Chilcott.

The view from the top of business. Presented by Evan Davis, The Bottom Line cuts through confusion, statistics and spin to present a clearer view of the business world, through discussion with people running leading and emerging companies. The programme is broadcast first on BBC Radio 4 and later on BBC World Service Radio, BBC World News TV and BBC News Channel TV.This week Evan and his guests serve up a smorgasbord of topics, from Swedish business and the IKEA model, to the crisis in the Eurozone crisis. They also discuss proliferation - how many different products should a company sell?Joining Evan in the studio are John Vincent, co-founder of Leon Restaurants; Helena Morrissey, chief executive of global asset manager Newton Investment Management, part of BNY Mellon Asset Management; Peter Jelkeby, senior vice president of Swedish chain store Clas Ohlson.Producer: Ben Crighton. Editor: Stephen Chilcott.

The view from the top of business. Presented by Evan Davis, The Bottom Line cuts through confusion, statistics and spin to present a clearer view of the business world, through discussion with people running leading and emerging companies.With protests continuing around the world against the financial sector, three guests from that industry swap candid thoughts about it. Evan puts to them a fundamental question: is their industry creating genuine wealth, or is it essentially parasitic, finding clever ways of distributing other people's wealth to its own workers?Joining Evan in the studio are Ken Olisa, chairman of boutique technology merchant bank Restoration Partners; Ian Gorham, chief executive of financial advisory firm Hargreaves Lansdown; Julian Roberts, chief executive of savings and investment group Old Mutual.Producer: Ben Crighton Editor: Stephen Chilcott.

The view from the top of business. Presented this week by Stephanie Flanders, The Bottom Line cuts through confusion, statistics and spin to present a clearer view of the business world, through discussion with people running leading and emerging companies.Stephanie asks her panel about the dos and don'ts of marketing. They also talk about messiness in the workplace. Is there any truth to the claim that a cluttered desk is a sign of a cluttered mind?Stephanie is joined in the studio by Richard Harpin, chief executive of emergency home repairs business Homeserve; Nick Wheeler, founder and chairman of shirt company Charles Tyrwhitt; Charles Cohen, chief executive of mobile gaming company Probability.Producer: Ben Crighton.

The view from the top of business. Presented by Evan Davis, The Bottom Line cuts through confusion, statistics and spin to present a clearer view of the business world, through discussion with people running leading and emerging companies.Evan asks his panel if it's getting easier to create a new business in the wired world, or does a lower barrier to entry mean it's more difficult to get noticed? They also consider how good businesses are built on the back of mistakes.Evan is joined in the studio by Matt Brittin, managing director of Google, UK and Ireland; Lara Morgan, founder of Pacific Direct and Company Shortcuts; Luke Johnson, serial entrepreneur and chairman of Risk Capital Partners. Producer: Ben Crighton.

The view from the top of business. Presented by Evan Davis, The Bottom Line cuts through confusion, statistics and spin to present a clearer view of the business world, through discussion with people running leading and emerging companies.Evan and his guests discuss McDonald's. After a rocky period in the middle of the last decade, how well has the global burger chain managed to revive its famous fast-food formula? They also debate whether the progress of radical new technology has slowed down. Evan is joined in the studio by Greg Lucier, chief executive of US biotechnology company Life Technologies; Rita Clifton, chairman of branding consultancy Interbrand; Jill McDonald, chief executive of McDonald's UK.Producer: Ben Crighton.

The view from the top of business. Presented by Evan Davis, The Bottom Line cuts through confusion, statistics and spin to present a clearer view of the business world, through discussion with people running leading and emerging companies.Evan asks his guests whether it's time to declare a state of emergency in the world economy and to adopt extreme measures to sort out the Euro crisis and the lack of economic activity in the West. They also discuss rumours, hearsay and speculation, and the role they play in business.Evan is joined in the studio by Guy Berruyer, chief executive of global business software supplier Sage Group; internet entrepreneur Brent Hoberman, founder of online interior decoration business mydeco.com; Hugh Hendry, co-founder of hedge fund Eclectica Asset Management.Producer: Ben Crighton.

The view from the top of business. Presented by Evan Davis, The Bottom Line cuts through confusion, statistics and spin to present a clearer view of the business world, through discussion with people running leading and emerging companies.This week Evan asks his panel of top executives about the limits of automation. How far can they go in removing human beings from their business? Which processes are beyond automation? The panel also swap thoughts on the benefits of the corporate awayday.Evan is joined in the studio by Mike Lynch, founder and chief executive of the software company Autonomy; Colin Drummond, chief executive of waste management firm Viridor; Douglas Anderson, president and chief executive of the global travel management company Carlson Wagonlit Travel.Producer: Ben Crighton.

The view from the top of business. Presented by Evan Davis, The Bottom Line cuts through confusion, statistics and spin to present a clearer view of the business world, through discussion with people running leading and emerging companies.This week Evan asks his panel of top executives about the perils and the possibilities of running a fast-growing business. Many a company has spiralled out of control because of a failure to manage rapid growth - but what are the speed limits? They also chew over the role of the business lunch.Evan is joined in the studio by Clive Schlee, chief executive of sandwich retail chain Pret A Manger; Peter Bamford, chairman of SuperGroup, the fashion retailer behind the SuperDry brand; Giles Andrews, founder and chief executive of Zopa, an online lending service.Producer: Ben Crighton.

The view from the top of business. Presented by Evan Davis, The Bottom Line cuts through confusion, statistics and spin to present a clearer view of the business world, through discussion with people running leading and emerging companies.This week Evan's panel of business leaders hail from the worlds of social networking and retail. He challenges them to cast their minds forward and imagine how the Web will look by the year 2020. What will have changed? Will bricks and mortar matter any more, or will everything be in the cloud? They also consider the value of storytelling in business. So many brands these days seem to have a story to tell - but what business benefit really is there in a good yarn?Evan is joined in the studio by Michael Birch, internet entrepreneur and founder of social networking website Bebo; Laura Tenison, founder and managing director of maternity and babywear retailer Jo-Jo Maman Bébé; Justin King, chief executive of supermarket chain Sainsbury's.Producer: Ben Crighton.

The view from the top of business. Presented by Evan Davis, The Bottom Line cuts through confusion, statistics and spin to present a clearer view of the business world, through discussion with people running leading and emerging companies.This week Evan's executive guests hail from the worlds of banking, headhunting and advertising. He asks them about loyalty - or rather the seeming lack of it in business. Are companies generally looking for short-term relationships of convenience, with loyalty gone and promiscuity the rule? Evan also asks them how they measure how well they're performing.Evan is joined in the studio by Michael Morley, chief executive of private bank Coutts & Co; Robin Wight, president of communications agency Engine; Alistair Cox, chief executive of global recruitment firm Hays.Producer: Ben Crighton.

The view from the top of business. Presented by Evan Davis, The Bottom Line cuts through confusion, statistics and spin to present a clearer view of the business world, through discussion with people running leading and emerging companies.Evan and his guests swap thoughts on contacts and contracts. Is it who you know that counts in business? Are informal networks the way business is allocated? Or do more formal arrangements now apply? Evan also asks his guests to reveal their greatest business regrets. Evan is joined in the studio by Will Butler-Adams, managing director of folding bicycle manufacturer Brompton Bicycle; Charles Cohen, chief executive of mobile gambling company Probability plc; Ralph Oppenheimer, chairman of steel trading company Stemcor.Producer: Ben Crighton.

The view from the top of business. Presented by Evan Davis, The Bottom Line cuts through confusion, statistics and spin to present a clearer view of the business world, through discussion with people running leading and emerging companies.With so many people now living in high-consuming industrial nations, and with many commodity prices increasing, Evan asks his business guests how they plan to economise in their use of raw materials. They also discuss building design and appraise the importance of form and function.Evan is joined in the studio by Eugene Kohn, co-founder and chairman of architecture firm Kohn Pedersen Fox Associates; Mark Price, managing director of supermarket chain Waitrose; Andy Bond, former chief executive and chairman of Asda.

The view from the top of business. Presented by Evan Davis, The Bottom Line cuts through confusion, statistics and spin to present a clearer view of the business world, through discussion with people running leading and emerging companies.With plenty to worry about in the world economy, Evan asks his panel of influential business leaders whether now is a good time for companies to sit tight and play it safe, or to take a risk or two. They also discuss greed - is there anything wrong with a touch of it in business?Evan is joined in the studio by Geoff Cooper, chief executive of builders merchant Travis Perkins; Harriet Green, chief executive of electronic components distributor Premier Farnell; serial technology entrepreneur Sir Terry Matthews.Producer: Ben Crighton.

The view from the top of business, presented by Evan Davis. The Bottom Line cuts through confusion, statistics and spin to present a clearer view of the business world, through discussion with people running leading and emerging companies.This week, Evan's guests are all top executives from the world of fashion and clothing. They discuss whether normal business rules apply in their world. They also get down to the nitty gritty of the business itself - who makes the money and how do they set the prices?The panel also talks about marketing, and the role of PR in getting their products noticed. Evan is joined in the studio by Jane Sheperdson, chief executive of Whistles; Simon Berwin, managing director of Berwin & Berwin; Kim Winser, fashion and retail expert with private equity group 3i.Producer: Ben Crighton.

The view from the top of business, presented by Evan Davis. The Bottom Line cuts through confusion, statistics and spin to present a clearer view of the business world, through discussion with people running leading and emerging companies.This week, Evan's top executive guests include two hoteliers and a soft drinks manufacturer. They discuss recent events in Japan, and explore to what extent companies can really prepare for major disasters. They also reveal how much they know about life on the shop floor and where the problems lie.Producer: Ben Crighton.

The view from the top of business. Presented this week by Stephanie Flanders, The Bottom Line cuts through confusion, statistics and spin to present a clearer view of the business world, through discussion with people running leading and emerging companies.This week, Stephanie's top executive guests hail from the worlds of mobile energy, sanitary fittings and business services. They discuss how businesses cope in a "slow growth" environment. Could years of slow growth be more challenging than a short sharp shock? And not so long ago, the slow coach economy in Europe was Germany - now it's steaming ahead of everyone. What's gone right for Germany - and what lessons could other countries learn?Stephanie is joined in the studio by Rupert Soames, chief executive of mobile energy group, Aggreko; Neal Gandhi, chief executive of international business services company Quickstart Global; David Haines, chief executive of German bathroom fittings company Grohe.Producer: Caroline Bayley.

The view from the top of business. Presented this week by Stephanie Flanders, The Bottom Line cuts through confusion, statistics and spin to present a clearer view of the business world, through discussion with people running leading and emerging companies.This week, Stephanie's top business guests hail from the worlds of retail, IT and pizza. They swap thoughts on the business of timing. Are modern businesses now so obsessed with doing things quickly that they fail to do it well?And as political turmoil continues in the Middle East, the panel debate whether it's important for businesses to keep up with what's happening around the world. How isolated from current events can they be?Stephanie is joined in the studio by David Wild, chief executive of car accessories company Halfords; Mike Norris, chief executive of IT services firm Computacenter; Chris Moore, chief executive of Domino's Pizza UK & Ireland.Producer: Ben Crighton.

The view from the top of business. Presented by Evan Davis, The Bottom Line cuts through confusion, statistics and spin to present a clearer view of the business world, through discussion with people running leading and emerging companies.This week, Evan's top business guests hail from retail and advertising. They swap thoughts on consumer research. Companies spend lots of money to find out how their customers spend theirs, but do they learn anything useful?They also debate what purpose business awards serve. Can they actually help a company be more successful?Evan is joined in the studio by Ian Cheshire, chief executive of home improvement retail company Kingfisher. And from the world of advertising, Cilla Snowball, group chief executive and chairman of Abbott Mead Vickers BBDO, and David Jones, global chief executive of Havas Worldwide.Producer: Ben Crighton.

The view from the top of business. Presented this week by Stephanie Flanders, The Bottom Line cuts through confusion, statistics and spin to present a clearer view of the business world, through discussion with people running leading and emerging companies.This week, Stephanie and her panel of top executives discuss hyperconnectivity - the idea that there are more devices in use around the world than there are people actually using them. How do the panel cope with the sheer mass of incoming information, and devices to carry it? Does more technology mean better communication, or just less time to think?They also talk about the role of intuition in making important decisions. Is there still room in modern business for the good old-fashioned hunch, or do decisions these days always need to be backed up by solid analysis?Stephanie is joined in the studio by Dominic Taylor, chief executive of payment services company PayPoint; Rita Clifton, chairman of branding consultancy Interbrand; Sir Michael Rake, chairman of telecoms company BT Group.Producer: Ben Crighton.

The view from the top of business. Presented this week by Stephanie Flanders, The Bottom Line cuts through confusion, statistics and spin to present a clearer view of the business world, through discussion with people running leading and emerging companies.This week, Stephanie and her panel of top executives discuss the impact of political instability on the way they do business.They also talk about their employees - many chief executives will say their workers are the company's "most valuable asset", but is it really true?Stephanie is joined in the studio by Tim Watkins, vice president of the western arm of Chinese telecommunications company Huawei; Richard Fenning, chief executive of global security consultancy Control Risks; Vineet Nayar, chief executive of Indian IT services company HCL Technologies.Producer: Caroline Bayley.

The view from the top of business. Presented by Evan Davis, The Bottom Line cuts through confusion, statistics and spin to present a clearer view of the business world, through discussion with people running leading and emerging companies.This week, Evan asks his panel of top business executives how they manage to adapt their companies and remain relevant in the modern world. What do you do when technology changes, or fashions move against you? What are the challenges of rejuvenating and transforming a mature business to keep ahead of the curve?The panel also discusses which laws get in the way of running a business smoothly and reveal which ones they would most like to scrap.Evan is joined in the studio by Anne Murphy, UK managing director of frozen foods company Birds Eye; Norbert Teufelberger, chief executive of online gaming firm Bwin; Efrat Peled, chief executive of the fund Arison Investments.Producer: Ben Crighton.

The view from the top of business. Presented by Evan Davis, The Bottom Line cuts through confusion, statistics and spin to present a clearer view of the business world, through discussion with people running leading and emerging companies.Evan consults the oracle by asking his panel of top executives to fast-forward five years and forecast how they see the economic landscape in 2016. They discuss raw materials and inflation, and debate who will look stronger - will it be China or India?The panel also discusses the value of networking - both real and virtual - for your business and your career.Evan is joined in the studio by Andy Street, managing director of high street retail chain John Lewis; Nicola Horlick, founder of Bramdean Asset Management; Simon Woodroffe, entrepreneur and founder of YO! Company.Producer: Ben Crighton.

The view from the top of business. Presented by Evan Davis, The Bottom Line cuts through confusion, statistics and spin to present a clearer view of the business world, through discussion with people running leading and emerging companies.In the week that Facebook launched its own new messaging service, Evan and his panel of top business guests discuss the role of email at work, amid the many different ways of messaging and communicating.And location, location, location. It's a cliche that location can make or break a business, but how true is it really? And what are the advantages of being next door to the competition?Evan is joined in the studio by Chris Grigg, chief executive of property company British Land; Andrew Horton, chief executive of insurance company Beazley; Raghav Bahl, founder of Indian television news group Network 18.Producer: Ben CrightonLast in the series. The Bottom Line returns in January 2011.

The view from the top of business. Presented by Evan Davis, The Bottom Line cuts through confusion, statistics and spin to present a clearer view of the business world, through discussion with people running leading and emerging companies.In the week that former BP boss Tony Hayward admitted the company had been unprepared for the Gulf of Mexico oil spill in April, Evan and his panel of top business executives consider how companies plan for unexpected events. How prepared actually are they for a crisis or a disaster?And dressing up, dressing down, power dressing, smart casual - they also discuss what to wear at work.Evan is joined in the studio by Neil Gaydon, chief executive of set-top box maker Pace; Sara Weller, managing director of retail chain Argos; Richard Reed, co-founder of Innocent Drinks.

The view from the top of business. Presented by Evan Davis, The Bottom Line cuts through confusion, statistics and spin to present a clearer view of the business world, through discussion with people running leading and emerging companies.Evan and a panel of top guests from the worlds of online retail, investment and utilities examine how young upstart companies can outsmart their well-established incumbent opponents, and how those opponents can defend themselves.The panel also discusses company names. What makes a good one? And why the business obsession with changing them?Evan is joined in the studio by Katherine Garrett-Cox, Chief Executive of Alliance Trust, an investment trust; Brent Hoberman, serial internet entrepreneur and founder of web-based furniture company made.com; Phil Bentley, Managing Director of utility company British Gas.

The view from the top of business. Presented by Evan Davis, The Bottom Line cuts through confusion, statistics and spin to present a clearer view of the business world, through discussion with people running leading and emerging companies.Evan and a panel of guests from the worlds of spirits, security and digital publishing discuss the special relationship between the two people at the top of a company: the chairman and chief executive. Is it a recipe for tension, or a sensible balancing of responsibilities?The panel also discusses the merits of youth versus experience in the workplace. What qualities do young people bring to a business compared with their older colleagues - or is there no difference?Evan is joined in the studio by Séamus McBride, President and Chief Executive of spirits company Bacardi Ltd; Nick Buckles, Chief Executive of security company G4S; Anthony Habgood, Chairman of digital publisher Reed Elsevier and the hotel, coffee shop and restaurant company Whitbread.

The view from the top of business. Presented by Evan Davis, The Bottom Line cuts through confusion, statistics and spin to present a clearer view of the business world, through discussion with people running leading and emerging companies.Evan and a panel of guests from the worlds of farming, packaging and investment discuss the importance of raw materials - and how the price of commodities affects their companies. The panel also discusses emotion. Evan asks his guests how 'touchy feely' they are, as they consider whether business is a place for emotion and sentimentality. Evan is joined in the studio by William Chase, farmer and entrepreneur; Miles Roberts, chief executive of FTSE250 packaging company DS Smith; Colin Melvin, chief executive of Hermes Equity Ownership Services.

The view from the top of business. Presented by Evan Davis, The Bottom Line cuts through confusion, statistics and spin to present a clearer view of the business world, through discussion with people running leading and emerging companies.Evan and a panel of guests from the worlds of electronic components, online groceries and information technology discuss the exacting science of business logistics. The panel also discusses customer service. Just how high should a company aim in trying to satisfy its consumers?Evan is joined in the studio by Tim Steiner, co-founder and chief executive of online supermarket Ocado; Nick Wilson, managing director of Hewlett-Packard UK; Ian Mason, chief executive of electronic components company Electrocomponents.

The view from the top of business. Presented by Evan Davis, The Bottom Line cuts through confusion, statistics and spin to present a clearer view of the business world, through discussion with people running leading and emerging companies.Evan and a panel of guests from the worlds of advertising, branding and lifestyle management discuss viral videos, social networking and some of the other methods companies now employ to reach out to their customers. The panel also discusses positive thinking. Is better to be optimistic in business, or realistic? Evan is joined in the studio by Alex Cheatle, chief executive of the lifestyle management company Ten Group; Jasmine Montgomery, co-founder of branding consultancy Seven Brands; Robin Wight, president of communications group Engine.Producer: Ben Crighton.

The view from the top of business. Presented by Evan Davis, The Bottom Line cuts through confusion, statistics and spin to present a clearer view of the business world, through discussion with people running leading and emerging companies.Evan and a panel of guests from the worlds of civil engineering, hedge funds and investment discuss the art of staying ahead of the competition.The ruthless former chief executive of General Electric, Jack Welch, often held up as a model of business leadership, pursued a strategy to establish each of GE's businesses as either number one or number two in the market. Without this approach, he believed the company's prospects would be bleak. Some companies will do anything to be big, even if it means cutting prices and making less money. Other businesses are happy to be smaller and more profitable. Which strategy wins?The panel also discusses corporate claptrap. Silly jargon, faddish ideas and vacuous concepts - why is the business world so keen on nonsense?Evan is joined in the studio by Deborah Meaden, entrepreneur and business investor; Keith Clarke, chief executive of FTSE 250 civil engineering and design consultancy Atkins; Hugh Hendry, hedge fund manager and co-founder of Eclectica Asset Management.

The view from the top of business. Presented by Evan Davis, The Bottom Line cuts through confusion, statistics and spin to present a clearer view of the business world, through discussion with people running leading and emerging companies.Evan Davis is joined by a panel of chief executives to discuss the US economy. There was concern over the summer that the world's economic powerhouse could be about to enter a double-dip recession, dragging rest of the world down with it. Those fears might may have now subsided, so how is the US economy actually faring? And can the rest of the world thrive without a booming America? The panel also discusses sponsorship - how companies decide which events to back, and how much to spend.Evan is joined in the studio by Nani Beccalli-Falco, President and Chief Executive of GE International; Trevor Matthews, Chief Executive of Friends Provident; Mike Lynch, founder and Chief Executive of Autonomy.