Podcasts by The Bottom Line

Meetings from 2023-11-16T20:30

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 pur...

Blockbuster drugs from 2023-11-09T21:00

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?<...

The Age of the Train? from 2023-11-02T20:31

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 experien...

In denial from 2023-10-26T19:31

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?

Rebranding from 2023-10-19T19:30

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 disc...

Google DeepMind's Demis Hassabis from 2023-10-12T20:00

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 ho...

Tradespeople from 2023-10-05T19:30

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...

Back to the office from 2023-09-28T19:30

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 bank...

Does Funny Sell? from 2023-07-27T20:00

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...

What next for water? from 2023-07-20T20:00

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. ...

Business on 'the box' from 2023-07-13T20:00

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 i...

Pre-loved from 2023-07-06T20:00

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 crisi...

Dame Sharon White from 2023-06-29T20:00

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, liter...

Managing millennials (and Gen Z) from 2023-06-22T20:00

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) ...

Flying Circus? from 2023-06-15T19:30

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...

Are supermarkets profiteering? from 2023-06-08T19:30

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 ev...

Business Books from 2023-03-09T20:55

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...

How to Hire from 2023-03-02T20:55

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 ...

Powered by AI from 2023-02-23T20:55

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 ...

Running Rolls Royce from 2023-02-16T20:55

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 condu...

Podcasting from 2023-02-09T20:55

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 ev...

The French correction? from 2023-02-02T20:59

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 the...

Too much choice? from 2023-01-26T21:00

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. <...

How Strikes Come to an End from 2023-01-19T21:00

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. B...

Opportunists and Optimists from 2022-11-17T20:55

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 st...

Turning Passion into Profit from 2022-11-10T20:55

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...

A new era for the housing market? from 2022-11-03T20:55

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.

Gue...

The business of being a GP from 2022-10-27T19:31

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, surg...

Dealing in Defence from 2022-10-20T19:31

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...

Changing Tack from 2022-10-13T20:00

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...

Has Britain stopped working? from 2022-10-06T19:55

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 en...

Excess Profits, Windfall Taxes and Incentives from 2022-09-29T19:50

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? E...

Little Boxes? from 2022-07-28T21:54

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;...

Russian Exodus from 2022-07-21T19:30

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 abou...

Woke or Broke? from 2022-07-14T20:00

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...

'Sorry, all our agents are busy right now' from 2022-07-07T19:30

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 endle...

Employment Tribunals from 2022-06-30T19:55

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 yo...

How to run a petrol station from 2022-06-23T19:30

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 actua...

Online Reviews from 2022-06-16T20:00

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...

The price of bread from 2022-06-09T19:30

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 whe...

Business and Energy from 2022-03-24T20:30

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 m...

Levelling Up from 2022-03-17T20:55

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 a...

Changing China from 2022-03-10T20:55

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....

Russia and the global economy from 2022-03-03T21:00

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 eff...

Buy Now, Pay Later from 2022-02-24T20:30

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 mone...

Alcohol-free drinks from 2022-02-17T20:35

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...

The Price Shock from 2022-02-10T20:30

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? ...

Your childhood in the workplace from 2022-02-03T20:55

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, ...

Conflict at Work from 2021-11-18T21:00

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 alwa...

Class in the workplace from 2021-11-11T21:00

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 ...

The Lottery Business from 2021-11-04T20:27

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 t...

The Quick Commerce Economy from 2021-10-28T19:55

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...

Carbon Capture from 2021-10-21T19:55

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 futur...

Hybrid working from 2021-10-14T19:55

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? Hyb...

Labour shortages and the new model economy from 2021-10-07T19:55

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 lo...

Clinical Trials from 2021-07-22T20:00

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 cos...

Carbon labelling from 2021-07-15T19:59

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 ga...

Rolling out electric vehicles from 2021-07-01T19:31

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 Purple Pound from 2021-06-24T19:30

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 g...

The Future of Cruises from 2021-06-17T19:30

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 ...

Sound of the suburbs from 2021-06-10T19:30

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 peop...

Ramping up capacity from 2021-06-03T19:30

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-Co...

The future of money from 2021-05-27T19:30

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 co...

Billionaires from 2021-03-25T21:00

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 Ga...

Hydrogen future from 2021-03-18T20:30

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 p...

How to set up an EU subsidiary. from 2021-03-11T21:00

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 thre...

The Satellite Business from 2021-03-04T21:00

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 Ear...

The Reddit Revolutionaries from 2021-02-25T20:30

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 sho...

Net Zero in the house from 2021-02-18T21:00

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 de...

The Covid Hangover from 2021-02-11T21:00

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 publi...

Return to Brexit from 2021-02-04T21:00

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...

Competence from 2020-12-11T13:05

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...

Sector Shutdown from 2020-12-11T12:50

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 disproporti...

Commercial Property Wars from 2020-11-05T20:30

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 fo...

Bolton Business from 2020-10-29T21:00

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 subse...

COVID-19 and the gig economy from 2020-10-22T19:30

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 th...

Cybersecurity from 2020-10-16T09:31

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 an...

The economy - winter is coming from 2020-10-08T19:30

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...

WPP boss Karen Blackett on obstacles to diversity in the workplace from 2020-07-23T19:30

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

How to build a racially diverse business from 2020-07-23T17:35

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 muc...

Transport after the pandemic from 2020-07-16T20:00

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 availa...

How we work now - lessons from lockdown from 2020-07-09T20:00

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 t...

Can science save the economy? from 2020-07-02T19:30

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 s...

Post-pandemic resilience from 2020-07-02T11:30

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...

Consumer habits after lockdown from 2020-06-18T19:31

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...

China from 2020-06-11T19:31

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. Bu...

Saving Companies from 2020-06-05T15:11

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 guest...

Business hype from 2020-03-12T21:01

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 co...

Coronavirus and business from 2020-03-05T20:30

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, Ch...

The working week from 2020-02-27T20:55

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 flex...

Couples in Business from 2019-11-21T20:59

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.

GUESTS

Sophie ...

Dismissing staff from 2019-11-14T20:58

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....

Business Gurus from 2019-11-07T20:58

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 follo...

Managing Conflict from 2019-10-31T20:58

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 ...

Insolvency from 2019-10-24T19:59

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 disc...

Plant-based foods from 2019-10-17T19:58

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 hav...

Cryptocurrencies from 2019-10-10T19:59

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.

GUESTS

The Future of Commercial Aviation from 2019-07-25T19:58

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 ye...

Lessons of Theranos from 2019-07-18T19:59

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 p...

The investment industry - luck or judgement? from 2019-07-11T19:58

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...

The discounters from 2019-07-04T20:00

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 price...

Pivoting from 2019-06-27T19:59

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 ch...

Commerce and Crime from 2019-06-20T19:59

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 bus...

The Fitness Industry from 2019-06-13T19:58

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 ...

The Last Mile from 2019-06-06T19:58

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 constan...

Anti-Biotic Resistance from 2019-06-01T16:56

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 rese...

Planning for uncertainty from 2019-03-28T21:00

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 Sc...

Feedback frenzy from 2019-03-21T21:00

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 rela...

Internships from 2019-03-14T21:00

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 m...

The personalisation revolution from 2019-03-07T21:00

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...

Magazines from 2019-02-28T21:00

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 adverti...

Are auditors fit for purpose? from 2019-02-21T21:00

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...

Behavioural science in the workplace from 2019-02-14T21:00

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 impro...

University Businesses from 2019-02-07T21:00

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...

The Internet of Things from 2019-01-31T21:00

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...

Business in the era of #MeToo from 2018-11-22T21:00

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...

Super-premium drinks from 2018-11-15T21:00

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 p...

The Experience Economy from 2018-11-01T21:00

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 ...

Plastics from 2018-10-25T20:00

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 ...

Shortages from 2018-10-18T20:00

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.

Guests

Tim O'M...

Rewriting the rules of Business from 2018-10-04T19:30

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...

The Festival Business from 2018-07-26T20:00

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...

Advertising from 2018-07-19T20:00

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...

How does the commodities business work? from 2018-07-12T20:00

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 commoditi...

Why do companies do bad things? from 2018-07-05T20:00

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 whe...

Should CEOs have term limits? from 2018-06-28T20:00

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 execut...

Franchising from 2018-06-21T20:00

Is becoming a franchisee a good way to start your own business? Evan Davis and guests discuss the ups and downs of franchising.

GUESTS

Ken Deary, Franchisor Right at Home

Rach...

Is any company ever invulnerable? from 2018-06-14T20:00

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 tu...

Co-working Spaces from 2018-06-08T17:23

Evan Davis hosts the business conversation show.

Will 5G revolutionise our lives? from 2018-06-08T15:51

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 tho...

Teenage Business Entrepreneurs from 2018-04-10T10:21

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 ...

The EU after Brexit – A special programme together with The Briefing Room from 2018-03-29T20:00

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 Tr...

Do corporate headquarters still matter? from 2018-03-15T21:00

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 t...

Is strategy necessary for success? from 2018-03-09T19:10

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 tha...

The Ethics of Business from 2018-03-01T21:00

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.

GUESTS Listen

Who Owns British Companies? from 2018-02-23T18:38

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...

Turning Tables from 2018-02-15T21:00

Evan Davis and guests discuss why some restaurant chains thrive and others fail. Why are so many chains closing down branches now?

GUESTS

Paul Campbell, Founder, Hill Capital Partne...

The Shock of the New from 2018-02-09T19:28

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 sci...

How to Build a Bridge from 2018-02-02T20:10

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...

Sir Terry Leahy from 2017-11-23T21:00

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, Liv...

Department Stores from 2017-11-16T21:00

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 reta...

Foreign Investment in the UK from 2017-11-10T17:21

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 ...

Pets Mean Pounds from 2017-11-09T21:00

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 Linnaeu...

Agents from 2017-10-26T20:00

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 w...

Is there a business case for having a diverse workforce? from 2017-10-20T16:15

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.

Shake-up in the skies from 2017-10-12T20:00

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 cancellati...

Batteries from 2017-10-05T19:30

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 capaci...

There's no business like show business from 2017-07-27T20:00

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 mak...

Cost cutting and business transformation from 2017-07-20T20:00

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 c...

One Company, Many Brands from 2017-07-06T20:00

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 prod...

Land - the mother of all monopolies from 2017-06-29T20:05

Evan Davis presents the business magazine.

When Robots Take our Jobs from 2017-06-22T20:00

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 mor...

Corporate Espionage from 2017-06-15T20:00

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 p...

The Future of Farming from 2017-06-08T21:30

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 ...

The Bottom Line: Can We Trust Big Business? from 2017-06-02T13:13

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 dr...

Britain's nuclear future from 2017-03-30T19:30

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 compani...

Migrant Entrepreneurs from 2017-03-23T21:00

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 succ...

Fintech from 2017-03-16T21:00

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...

The Secrets of Fixing a Price from 2017-03-09T21:00

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

How does stuff get to us? from 2017-03-02T21:00

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 a...

The UK Space Industry from 2017-02-23T21:00

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 ex...

Managing Workplace Relationships from 2017-02-16T21:00

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 comp...

The Challenges of Running a Charity from 2017-02-09T21:00

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...

Care Homes from 2017-02-02T21:00

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 increa...

Negotiating a Trade Deal from 2017-01-27T13:25

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:...

17/11/2016 from 2016-11-17T20:45

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 auct...

The Future of the Car Industry from 2016-11-11T18:25

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.

Dis...

The Youth Market from 2016-11-03T20:45

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 compani...

Selling Corporate Baby from 2016-10-27T19:45

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 happen...

Activist Investors from 2016-10-20T19:45

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 activi...

Careers without College from 2016-10-13T19:45

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 pas...

Brexit: What Next? from 2016-10-06T19:45

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 i...

Theresanomics from 2016-09-29T19:45

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...

How to Build an Olympics from 2016-07-21T20:00

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 ...

Brave or Naive? from 2016-07-14T20:00

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 ...

The Price of Life from 2016-07-07T20:00

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 ...

Life after Brexit from 2016-06-30T20:02

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 financi...

How to Negotiate from 2016-06-23T20:00

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...

The Finance of Films from 2016-06-16T20:00

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 disc...

Old Dog, New Tricks from 2016-06-09T20:00

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 incuba...

Profit or plunder? from 2016-06-02T20:00

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 ....

EU Referendum from 2016-05-26T19:30

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 ...

Life after a Blockbuster from 2016-04-04T09:27

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 compan...

Lonely at the Top? from 2016-03-17T21:00

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 lif...

Horse Racing from 2016-03-10T21:00

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 ...

Tax Avoidance from 2016-03-03T21:00

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...

Now We Are Ten from 2016-02-25T21:00

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 32...

Data Privacy from 2016-02-18T21:00

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...

Customer Service from 2016-02-11T21:00

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 ...

Renewable Energy from 2016-02-04T20:50

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 fro...

Managing the Boardroom from 2016-01-28T21:00

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 happene...

The Northern Powerhouse from 2015-11-19T21:00

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 ec...

Breaking the Mould from 2015-11-12T21:00

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 wa...

Financial Engineering from 2015-11-06T11:10

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 manipula...

Fast Fashion from 2015-11-05T21:00

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. Listen

Sponsorship from 2015-10-22T19:30

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 o...

Going Public from 2015-10-15T20:00

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 pub...

Crisis at VW: A Bottom Line Special from 2015-10-07T19:45

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, Se...

Art and the Business of Taste from 2015-10-01T20:00

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...

Supermarkets from 2015-07-23T20:00

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.

Gu...

Entrepreneurs and Education from 2015-07-16T20:00

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 ho...

Newspapers - to pay or not to pay? from 2015-07-09T20:00

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 sp...

Burger Battles from 2015-07-02T20:00

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 ch...

Angel Investors from 2015-06-25T20:00

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 Bu...

Outsourcing from 2015-06-18T20:00

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 comp...

Corruption from 2015-06-11T20:00

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 sec...

Failure from 2015-06-05T14:41

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 ...

Productivity from 2015-05-28T20:00

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 mea...

Corporate Scandal from 2015-03-26T21:00

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:...

Football's Billions from 2015-03-19T21:00

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...

Going Global from 2015-03-12T21:00

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 ...

Whatever Happened To? from 2015-03-05T21:00

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 promp...

Waiting in Line: The Business of Queuing from 2015-02-26T21:00

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 emb...

Inventors from 2015-02-23T10:53

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 ...

Gold from 2015-02-12T21:00

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 lim...

Trading Places from 2015-02-05T21:00

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 hun...

The Price of Time from 2015-01-29T21:00

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 ...

Upside-down Management from 2014-11-20T21:00

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 closes...

Family Rivals from 2014-11-13T21:00

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 leav...

Live Long and Prosper from 2014-11-06T21:00

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 h...

Wearable Technology from 2014-10-30T21:00

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 ...

Flash Sales from 2014-10-23T20:00

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 ar...

TripAdvisor Etc from 2014-10-16T20:00

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 s...

Celebrities and Fans from 2014-10-09T20:00

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 effec...

The Saviour Returns from 2014-10-02T20:00

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 coup...

Recalls from 2014-07-24T20:00

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 ...

Location, Disruption, Location from 2014-07-17T20:00

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 o...

Second-Hand Trade from 2014-07-10T20:00

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 h...

Mental Health from 2014-07-03T20:00

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 il...

Single Product Companies from 2014-06-26T20:00

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 n...

The Muslim Pound from 2014-06-19T20:00

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...

Sex and Drugs from 2014-06-12T20:00

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 r...

Bitcoin from 2014-06-05T20:00

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 ne...

Cyber Security from 2014-05-31T17:00

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 Bott...

Serving the Super-Rich from 2014-03-27T21:00

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 ass...

Energy Upstarts from 2014-03-20T21:00

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 sha...

Transformation from 2014-03-13T21:00

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...

Chocolate from 2014-03-06T21:00

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...

Self-Improvement from 2014-02-27T21:00

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 sel...

Life After CEO from 2014-02-20T21:00

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...

TV Formats from 2014-02-13T21:00

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 p...

MBAs from 2014-02-06T21:00

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 bette...

The Sharing Economy from 2014-01-30T21:00

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 ...

Design from 2013-11-21T21:00

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 tre...

Shipping from 2013-11-14T21:00

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 c...

Planning for the Future from 2013-11-07T21:00

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 assumptio...

Deals from 2013-10-31T21:00

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 t...

Who's the Boss? from 2013-10-24T20:00

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 closes...

Digital Marketplaces from 2013-10-17T20:00

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 differe...

The Business of War from 2013-10-10T20:00

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...

Big Data from 2013-10-03T20:00

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 t...

Investor Relations from 2013-07-25T20:00

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? ...

Water from 2013-07-18T20:00

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 ...

Futurology for Business from 2013-07-11T20:00

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 ...

Managing in a Crisis from 2013-07-04T20:00

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...

Start-ups from 2013-06-27T20:00

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 wha...

Food from 2013-06-20T20:00

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 h...

Travel from 2013-06-13T20:00

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 t...

Recruitment from 2013-06-06T20:00

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 sta...

The App Industry from 2013-05-30T20:00

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 ...

The Education Business from 2013-03-28T21:00

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-f...

21/03/2013 from 2013-03-21T21:00

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 peop...

Turnarounds from 2013-03-14T21:00

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

Doing Business with Governments from 2013-03-07T21:00

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 ...

Retail from 2013-02-28T21:00

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 peop...

Business in Africa from 2013-02-21T21:00

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 le...

Alternative Finance from 2013-02-14T21:00

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 le...

Books from 2013-02-07T21:00

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 peop...

Gambling from 2013-01-31T21:00

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 le...

Family Firms from 2013-01-24T21:00

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 peop...

Planet New from 2012-11-15T20:30

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 peop...

Financial Services from 2012-11-08T21:00

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 peop...

Pricing from 2012-11-01T21:00

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 peop...

The World of Sport from 2012-10-25T20:00

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 boxin...

Overcrowded markets from 2012-10-18T20:00

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 peop...

Quality from 2012-10-11T20:00

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 peop...

Boardroom battles from 2012-10-04T20:00

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 w...

Products from 2012-09-27T20:00

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 peop...

20/09/2012 from 2012-09-20T20:00

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 peop...

12/07/2012 from 2012-07-12T20:00

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 peop...

05/07/2012 from 2012-07-05T20:00

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 peop...

28/06/2012 from 2012-06-28T20:00

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 peop...

21/06/2012 from 2012-06-21T20:00

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 peop...

14/06/2012 from 2012-06-14T20:00

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 peop...

07/06/2012 from 2012-06-07T19:30

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 peop...

31/05/2012 from 2012-05-31T20:00

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 peop...

Ruthlessness from 2012-03-29T20:00

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 peop...

22/03/2012 from 2012-03-22T21:00

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 peop...

Leadership from 2012-03-15T21:00

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 peop...

Cock-ups and Conspiracies from 2012-03-08T21:00

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 peop...

Reinvention from 2012-03-01T21:00

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 peop...

Selling expertise from 2012-02-23T21:00

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 peop...

Young Entrepreneurs from 2012-02-16T21:00

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 peop...

Big Egos from 2012-02-09T21:00

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 peop...

Automotive from 2012-02-02T21:00

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 peop...

Capitalism from 2012-01-26T21:00

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 peop...

Ambition from 2011-11-17T21:00

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 peop...

Business Bonds from 2011-11-10T21:00

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 peop...

Special Relationship from 2011-11-03T21:00

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 peop...

Product Proliferation from 2011-10-27T20:00

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 peop...

Producers or Parasites? from 2011-10-20T20:00

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 peop...

Marketing and Mess from 2011-10-13T20:00

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 di...

Startups and Mistakes from 2011-10-06T20:00

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 peop...

McDonald's and New Tech from 2011-09-29T20:00

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 peop...

Economy and Rumours from 2011-09-22T20:00

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 peop...

Limits of Automation from 2011-07-14T20:00

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 peop...

Profits and Pitfalls from 2011-07-07T20:00

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 peop...

The Future of the Web from 2011-06-30T20:00

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 peop...

Keeping Score from 2011-06-23T20:00

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 peop...

Contacts and Contracts from 2011-06-16T20:00

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 peop...

Raw Materials from 2011-06-09T19:30

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 peop...

Is Greed is Good? from 2011-06-04T16:55

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 peop...

Fashion from 2011-03-24T20:30

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 peop...

Major Disaster Plans from 2011-03-17T20:30

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 peop...

Slow Growth from 2011-03-10T20:59

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 di...

Business Time from 2011-03-03T20:30

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 di...

Consumer Research from 2011-02-24T20:30

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 peop...

19/02/2011 from 2011-02-19T17:30

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 di...

10/02/2011 from 2011-02-10T21:00

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 di...

03/02/2011 from 2011-02-03T20:30

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 peop...

27/01/2011 from 2011-01-27T20:30

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 peop...

18/11/2010 from 2010-11-18T20:45

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 peop...

11/11/2010 from 2010-11-11T20:45

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 peop...

04/11/2010 from 2010-11-04T20:45

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 peop...

28/10/2010 from 2010-10-28T19:30

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 peop...

21/10/2010 from 2010-10-21T20:00

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 peop...

14/10/2010 from 2010-10-14T20:00

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 peop...

07/10/2010 from 2010-10-07T19:30

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 peop...

30/09/2010 from 2010-09-30T20:00

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 peop...

23/09/2010 from 2010-09-23T19:30

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 peop...