The Bottom Line Podcast
The definitive business podcast from the ѿý.
Hosted by Evan Davis.
The definitive business podcast from the ѿý.
Each week, the ѿý's Evan Davis is joined by bosses, entrepreneurs and industry experts, to lift the lid on how their businesses work, and what it’s like to be in charge.
They discuss a big issue, a big challenge, or a big question facing their industry.
From managing AI to managing millennials, from supermarkets to supercharging a new product.
And our guests will share their stories of success and failure along the way.
Podcasts are published every Thursday. And as well as being a podcast, we are also available every Thursday afternoon and Tuesday evening on ѿý Radio 4.
You can now also listen to The Bottom Line on a smart speaker. If you want to listen, just say "Ask ѿý Sounds to play The Bottom Line”. It works on most smart speakers.
The Bottom Line has published a spin off series - Decisions That Made Me - where Evan asks entrepreneurs and business leaders about the most crucial moments in their lives and careers. You can watch these episodes here: https://t.ly/oJ8lW.
Got a question or a comment? Get in touch with Evan and the team on email at bottomline@bbc.co.uk.
The Bottom Line is produced in partnership with The Open University and is an EcoAudio certified production.
Episodes to download
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Decisions That Made Me: Sophie O’Brien (Pollen Careers, CEO)
Yesterday
Sophie O’Brien on how she plans to disrupt the recruitment industry.
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Decisions That Made Me: Sir Kenneth Olisa (technology entrepreneur)
Last Thursday
Sir Kenneth Olisa on taking on management, being fired, and then striking out on his own.
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Decisions That Made Me: Chris May (Mayden, Founding Director)
Thu 10 Apr 2025
Chris May on how working from home became the path to a new career.
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Decisions That Made Me: Claire Daniels (Trio Media, CEO)
Thu 3 Apr 2025
Claire Daniels on how she became CEO of her family business.
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Decisions That Made Me: Julian Metcalfe (Itsu and Pret A Manger)
Thu 27 Mar 2025
Julian Metcalfe on starting up fast food chain Pret A Manger and later Itsu.
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Decisions That Made Me: Sonnaz Nooranvary (House of Sonnaz, upholsterer)
Thu 20 Mar 2025
The Repair Shop star on defying her parents’ expectations
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Decisions That Made Me: Alan French (Thomas Cook, CEO)
Thu 13 Mar 2025
Alan French on being at the helm of a collapsing company and turning it around.
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Running a Business: The Bottom Line Answers Your Questions
Thu 6 Mar 2025
Top business brains tackle listener questions on how to succeed as an entrepreneur.
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Self-checkouts: Have Shops Reached Peak Self-Scan?
Thu 27 Feb 2025
Why are some retailers bringing back people to scan our shopping?
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London's Stock Exchange: why aren't companies listing in Britain anymore?
Thu 20 Feb 2025
Evan Davis asks what can be done to encourage firms to list on the London Stock Exchange.
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Repairs: How Can Businesses Make Money From Fixing Things?
Thu 13 Feb 2025
Evan Davis examines the business opportunities of companies which offer to repair things.
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DEI: Are Businesses Dumping Workplace Diversity?
Thu 6 Feb 2025
Has the Trump-inspired vibe shift already reached the UK?
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Robots On the Doorstep: Is This The Future Of Food Delivery?
Thu 30 Jan 2025
Evan Davis talks to Ahti Heinla, co-founder of robot delivery firm Starship Technologies.
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Unbossing: Can We Work Without Managers?
Thu 23 Jan 2025
Evan explores what happens to companies that decide to operate without managers.
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A Four Day Week: Less Work for More People?
Thu 16 Jan 2025
Evan Davis explores if working four eight-hour days could benefit employees and bosses.
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Decisions That Made Me: Sir John Hegarty (The Garage Soho, Founder)
Sun 12 Jan 2025
Evan Davis speaks with the advertising legend about his career advice.
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Networking: Will It Actually Help Me Get a Job?
Thu 9 Jan 2025
Evan gets tips on finding a new job and hears how the process of getting one has changed.
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Decisions That Made Me: Dana Denis-Smith (Obelisk Support, CEO)
Mon 6 Jan 2025
The law firm founder on finding career clarity at the top of a mountain.
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Decisions That Made Me: Tom Pellereau (Stylideas, Inventor)—The Decisions That Made Me
Fri 6 Dec 2024
The beauty inventor on being dyslexic and working with Alan Sugar.
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Decisions That Made Me: Elmarie Marais (GoCrisis, Founder)—The Decisions That Made Me
Thu 5 Dec 2024
Elmarie Marais on leaving her job for her mental health and starting her own company.
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Decisions That Made Me: Julian Douglas (VCCP, Global CEO)—The Decisions That Made Me
Wed 4 Dec 2024
Julian Douglas on when to start side hustling, and learning when to step away.
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Decisions That Made Me: Jordan Brompton (Myenergi, Co-founder)—The Decisions That Made Me
Tue 3 Dec 2024
The smart energy tech entrepreneur on overcoming your background.
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Decisions That Made Me: Rob Law (Trunki Suitcases, Inventor)—The Decisions That Made Me
Mon 2 Dec 2024
The entrepreneur and inventor on how he avoided a manufacturing meltdown.
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Ideas: How To Turn Your Dreams Into Business Reality
Thu 7 Nov 2024
The inspiration, the pitch, the timing - what makes a business idea live or die?
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Marketing: How Effective Is Fear In Advertising?
Thu 31 Oct 2024
Why do advertising agencies use fear to get us to part with our money?
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Google: The Couple That Took On The Tech Giant
Thu 24 Oct 2024
How a British small business cost the tech giant more than £2bn.
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Evacuation: How to Rescue a Business From a War Zone
Thu 17 Oct 2024
Can you get staff out of danger and still keep the show on the road?
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Debt: Do Collectors Deserve Their Bad Reputation?
Thu 10 Oct 2024
The reality of a profession we never want to encounter, but couldn't do without.
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Side Hustles: What's It Like Balancing Two Jobs At Once?
Thu 3 Oct 2024
Everyone seems to have one... We find out the truth about side hustles.
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New Tech: How Smart Is the Smart Energy System?
Thu 26 Sep 2024
The new home tech that could be key to keeping the lights on as we switch to renewables.