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 Media
Producer: Nick Holland
Sound: Neil Churchill and Rod Farquhar
Production Coordinators: Sophie Hill and Siobhan Reed
Editor: Hugh Levinson
6/23/2022
29:12
Online Reviews
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 School
Producer: Julie Ball
Editor Hugh Levinson
Sound: Neil Churchill
Production coordinators: Siobhan Reed and Helena Warwick-Cross
6/16/2022
28:26
The price of bread
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 Bakery
Producer: Nick Holland
Sound: Rod Farquhar
Production Coordinators: Sophie Hill and Siobhan Reed
Editor: Hugh Levinson
6/9/2022
28:22
Business and Energy
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 Levinson
The programme was produced in partnership with the Open University.
3/24/2022
29:03
Levelling Up
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 partnership
Producer: Lucinda Borrell
Sound: Graham Puddifoot
Production Coordinators: Siobhan Reed and Sophie Hill
Editor: Hugh Levinson
The programme was produced in partnership with the Open University