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Business Daily podcast

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Business Daily

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  BBC World Service  

The daily drama of money and work from the BBC.

The daily drama of money and work from the BBC.

 

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Duration

Release Date

#1788

Business Daily meets: fintech founder Upasana Taku

Upasana Taku is the co-founder of an app that changed the way millions of Indians use digital technology to make payments. Mobikwik now has more than a 150 million registered users. When Upasana set up the business in 2009 with her co-founder Bipin Preet Singh, India was still a cash-dependant society - but having worked for big tech companies in the US, Upasana knew there was a gap in the market. Devina Gupta asks her about her decision to leave a high-powered job in the US to move back to India to start a fintech company, and how she convinced both investors and her family that it was a smart business move. (Picture: Upasana Taku. Credit: Mobikwik) Presented and produced by Devina Gupta ... Read more

18 hrs Ago

17 MINS

17:28

18 hrs Ago

#1787

Has graphene lived up to the hype?

It was hailed as a wonder material that would transform industry – and all our lives. But 20 years on, companies are still racing to commercialise it. We speak to the people working with graphene and find out what sort of products their developing. Produced and presented by James Graham (Image: Graphene slurry, containing graphene and polymer binders, sits in a beaker inside a laboratory at the National Graphene Institute facility, part of the The University of Manchester. Credit: Getty Images) ... Read more

Yesterday

17 MINS

17:28

Yesterday

#1786

Keeping the lights on in South Africa

In July, South Africa unveiled a new coalition government, after the ruling African National Congress (ANC) party lost its majority in May's elections. The coalition was welcomed by the business community who said it would ensure economic stability. So what's happened since? And will any optimism last? We hear about a reduction in power cuts - also known as loadshedding - and positivity on the stock market, as well as young people who are looking forward to the future. Produced and presented by Rob Young (Image: A worker connects a diesel generator to supply power to a sports complex during loadshedding in Frankfort, South Africa, in June 2023) ... Read more

11 Dec 2024

20 MINS

20:32

11 Dec 2024

#1785

Making money from internet outrage

How do online platforms profit from our anger? In this episode, we explore the business of 'rage-baiting' – content designed to provoke outrage and drive engagement. We hear from creators who thrive on stirring emotions, critics warning of its societal impact, and academics explaining why anger is such a powerful tool online. From its role in content algorithms, to the dangers it poses offline, we uncover the economics behind the clicks. (Picture: A man dramatically gestures towards his laptop, conveying surprise. Credit: Getty Images) Presenter: Megan Lawton Producer: Sam Gruet ... Read more

10 Dec 2024

17 MINS

17:28

10 Dec 2024

#1784

Is Donald Trump's comeback bad news for green energy?

Donald Trump's return to the White House has raised big questions about what he'll do to the US' growing green energy sector. On the campaign trail he promised to undo Joe Biden's Inflation Reduction Act, the biggest piece of climate legislation in US history. The IRA gives incentives and tax breaks for green industries and has created hundreds of thousands of jobs, many of those in Republican voting states. President-elect Trump also pledged to end offshore wind "on day one" and reverse emissions rules aimed at increasing the number of electric cars on America's roads. Will he keep those promises? And what of the influence of Elon Musk, the world's richest man, now in Donald Trump's inner circle? Is he worrying about what a Trump presidency might mean for his car company Tesla and will he be lobbying behind the scenes on behalf of electric vehicles? We hear what people in those sectors think will happen under Trump 2.0. Can the renewables industry survive or even grow over the next four years? Produced and presented by Lexy O'Connor (Image: President-elect Donald Trump and Elon Musk talk during a UFC event in New York. Credit Chris Unger / Getty Images) ... Read more

09 Dec 2024

19 MINS

19:43

09 Dec 2024

#1783

Business Daily meets: Uniqlo's Tadashi Yanai

The Japanese billionaire is the founder and president of Fast Retailing, parent company of Uniqlo. He's the richest man in Japan, and despite being in his 70's, has big plans to grow the company even further. We speak to Tadashi Yanai about fast fashion, Chinese manufacturing, and global expansion. And we find out how Japan's richest man spends his leisure time. Produced and presented by Mariko Oi (Image: Tadashi Yanai in 2017. Credit: Getty Images) ... Read more

06 Dec 2024

17 MINS

17:29

06 Dec 2024

#1782

Could footballers go on strike?

Earlier this year, Manchester City midfielder Rodri issued a warning that players were "close" to taking strike action over their increased workload. Rodri played 63 competitive games for club and country last season. But a recent report found that a player welfare 'red line' was a maximum of between 50 and 60 matches per season, depending on a player's age. Some of the game's biggest names have joined Rodri in threatening to walk out, and the union that represents them is launching legal action against the sport's governing body, FIFA. But there's a lot of money invested in football, so what's the likelihood the sport might change to stop players feeling over-stretched? And is strike action likely or even possible? (Picture: Empty stadium with floodlights shining down on a football on the pitch. Credit: Getty Images) Presented and produced by Matt Lines ... Read more

05 Dec 2024

17 MINS

17:28

05 Dec 2024

#1781

Sweden’s #softgirls trend

We find out why, in a country famous for championing gender equality, some women are choosing to become stay-at-home wives and girlfriends. The social media #softgirl trend is a small but growing minority, who say they do not want the stress of juggling family and work. They want a 'softer' life - with more balance and not having to focus on a career. It has triggered cultural and political debates across Sweden where feminism has been a part of mainstream politics since the 1950s. Producer/presenter: Maddy Savage (Image: Vilma Larsson) ... Read more

04 Dec 2024

17 MINS

17:43

04 Dec 2024

#1780

Ghana’s illegal gold mines

Ghana is a global gold mining powerhouse and Africa's biggest producer. The informal mining sector of gold – known locally as “galamsey” - is a big election issue here. There have been recent marches demanding tougher action against illegal miners in Accra. But illegal mining is also a major source of employment. More than a million Ghanaians make their living from galamsey. We hear from local galamsey miners and look at the negative impact this industry is having on both the workers in terms of health, the environment, and the wider community. (Picture: Man holding a bucket in an open-pit gold mine in Ghana.) Presented and produced by Ed Butler ... Read more

03 Dec 2024

17 MINS

17:40

03 Dec 2024

#1779

Can Ghana’s economy recover?

In the first of a two part series ahead of Ghana’s presidential election, we are in Accra asking how much the economy is influencing how people vote. The country has faced one of Africa’s worst financial crises in recent years, and the recovery seems to be underway, but is this translating to how workers and business owners feel? There are 13 presidential candidates, and we hear from representatives of the two front runners. We find out about their plans for the economy. Produced and presented by Ed Butler ... Read more

02 Dec 2024

19 MINS

19:28

02 Dec 2024

#1778

Business Daily meets: Giuseppe Lavazza

We speak to the great-grandson of the Italian coffee legend, about growing a family business into a global brand, balancing tradition with innovation, and even a light-hearted clash with Emily in Paris. (Picture: Giuseppe Lavazza at the company's coffee production and training facility in Turin, Italy. Credit: Getty Images) Presented and produced by Leanna Byrne ... Read more

29 Nov 2024

17 MINS

17:28

29 Nov 2024

#1777

Luxury advent calendars unwrapped

Advent calendars have evolved from the simple cardboard doors or chocolate treats to a multimillion-dollar premium industry; with major companies using them as a powerful brand awareness tool. We find out why the design of an advent calendar is more important than ever, with many retailers investing in appearance and reusability; and we hear from environmental groups who are still concerned about the amount of waste. Plus - are the products in these more extravagant calendars actually worth the money? (Picture: An apartment window decorated with advent calendar and traditional electric Christmas candlestick. Credit: Getty Images) Presented and produced by Deborah Weitzmann ... Read more

28 Nov 2024

17 MINS

17:29

28 Nov 2024

#1776

Can Trump solve rising prices?

In the run up to the US election, prices of food, gas and housing were never far from voter’s minds. We head to Pennsylvania where food prices have risen faster than anywhere in the US to find out what it’s like for people day-to-day. And we look at what President-elect Donald Trump has said he could do to help people. Will it work? Presented and produced by Monica Miller ... Read more

27 Nov 2024

17 MINS

17:28

27 Nov 2024

#1775

The cost of smog

We’re in Delhi, looking at the impact of extreme pollution levels on workers and businesses in recent weeks. Non-essential trucks have been banned from going into the city, and offices have asked 50% of staff to work from home. Local markets, cafes and restaurants, as well as shopping malls, have seen a 20-30% decline in foot traffic. Meanwhile labourers, rickshaw pullers, delivery riders and other workers paid a daily wage, have no choice but to go outside to earn a living. In neighbouring Pakistan, air pollution has also far exceeded safe levels. We hear how people in Lahore are coping. Presented and produced by Devina Gupta ... Read more

26 Nov 2024

17 MINS

17:28

26 Nov 2024

#1774

Selling The Hundred

We look at England and Wales' new cricket format - which is now up for sale. The one hundred ball format was designed to attract news fans to the game. Each team is tied to a UK city or region and the first tournament was held in 2021. Now the organisers are selling a 49% stake in each of the teams, and they're hoping to attract Indian investment, liked to the IPL. So will it pay off? Produced and presented by Alex Capstick (Image: Jofra Archer bowling during The Hundred Men's Final at Lord's, London in August 2024. Credit: Steven Paston/PA Wire) ... Read more

25 Nov 2024

17 MINS

17:45

25 Nov 2024

#1773

Business Daily meets: Michael Johnson

The legendary sprinter revolutionised athletics with his unique running style and record-breaking performances. Michael Johnson is a four-time Olympic gold medallist who earned millions of dollars through prize money and sponsorships. Now he's back with a plan to transform athletics with the Grand Slam Track league — a new competition featuring a $12.6 million prize fund. He's hoping it will elevate financial opportunities for today's athletes and ignite inspiration for future generations. Produced and presented by Sam Fenwick. (Image: Michael Johnson carries the American Flag after winning gold in the Men's 200m during the 1996 Atlanta Olympic Games. Credit: Mike Hewitt /Allsport/Getty Images) ... Read more

22 Nov 2024

17 MINS

17:30

22 Nov 2024

#1772

The mysterious world of private members’ clubs

It’s a place where people meet to network and make connections - and most people have never set foot in one. These exclusive establishments, in cities around the world, are reportedly more popular than ever. So what goes on behind those hallowed doors? And how can people get in? We look at the history of these exclusive clubs, find out how to join, and ask whether they have a future. If you would like to get in touch with the show, please email: businessdaily@bbc.co.uk Produced and presented by Elizabeth Hotson (Image: Members of the Harvard Club use the lounge to read and socialise in 2022, in the midtown neighborhood of New York City. Credit: Getty Images) ... Read more

21 Nov 2024

17 MINS

17:29

21 Nov 2024

#1771

Can battery-swapping boost electric car sales?

We’re in Madrid to discover a new way to power urban electric vehicles. No longer charging but swapping your batteries, or charging at your desk. We meet the people trying it out, and speak to leading motor journalists to see if this really is a game changer in electric vehicle driving in cities. (Picture: Black Electric SUV swapping battery pack in battery swap station. Credit: Getty Images) Presented and produced by Rick Kelsey ... Read more

20 Nov 2024

17 MINS

17:39

20 Nov 2024

#1770

The plan to rescue the Commonwealth Games

A year ago, the Commonwealth Games looked dead and buried. The Australian state of Victoria had pulled out of hosting the 2026 edition due to spiralling costs, and in Canada, the province of Alberta had stepped back from bidding for the 2030 edition. But now Scotland’s biggest city, Glasgow, has ridden to the rescue, agreeing to host the 2026 Games. It says its scaled back, lower-budget model for doing so could encourage poorer countries to do the same in the future. How realistic is that? Is Glasgow 2026 the last hurrah for an anachronistic sporting event, inextricably tied to the British empire, or does it really represent a fresh start? (Picture: A Commonwealth Games Glasgow 2026 delegation in Glasgow, UK. Credit: BBC) Presented and produced by Gideon Long ... Read more

19 Nov 2024

17 MINS

17:29

19 Nov 2024

#1769

Egypt's economy under pressure

The Suez Canal was once one of the busiest global shipping routes – a third of the world's shipping containers normally pass through it. Since the Houthis began to attack passing ships last year, the volume of vessels going through has declined rapidly. The canal is run by the Egyptian government, and fewer ships means less foreign currency coming into the economy. And it’s not just revenue from ships that Egypt is losing, it’s also losing tourists, as many people cancel their trips and spend their dollars elsewhere. We speak to businesses in Cairo to see how they’re being impacted by these changes, and ask, as Egypt loses out, are other countries winning? Presented and produced by Hannah Mullane (Image: A ship transits the Suez Canal towards the Red Sea on November 3, 2024 in Egypt. Credit: Getty Images) ... Read more

17 Nov 2024

17 MINS

17:29

17 Nov 2024

#1768

Battling the world's most invasive aquatic plant

It was on a university trip that Kenyan entrepreneur Joseph Nguthiru first came across water hyacinth in Lake Naivasha. It is an incredibly harmful and invasive weed that is currently blocking waterways and devastating fish populations all over the world. Joseph, who was an engineering student at the time, tells us how he came up with a solution to use the plant as a material for making packaging - and how he's founded a successful business, HyaPak Ecotech, as a result. Produced and presented by Zawadi Mudibo (Image: Fishermen removing water hyacinth from the net in Lake Victoria in Kisumu, western Kenya in 2018) ... Read more

15 Nov 2024

17 MINS

17:42

15 Nov 2024

#1767

How we fell for Fall

From spiced lattes to scented candles, autumn has become a staple in marketing calendars and on social media. We speak to businesses who thrive at this time of year; hear from content creators fuelling fall fever; and look at how the season is embraced in parts of the world without autumnal temperatures. (Picture: Friends Amina, Ayesha and Noor in front of some pumpkins at Downey’s Farm, near Toronto, Canada. Every year they go to recreate a photo in the pumpkin patch. Credit: Megan Lawton/BBC) Presenter: Megan Lawton Producer: Sam Gruet ... Read more

14 Nov 2024

17 MINS

17:28

14 Nov 2024

#1766

What’s holding back France and Germany?

We look at the issues facing two of Europe’s major economies. Germany’s downturn has deepened with existential fears about its major export industries. And now, political turmoil means industry leaders are calling for a snap election as soon as possible. Meanwhile in France, there is weak growth as consumers feel poorer and politicians can’t agree on spending. (Picture: French and German flags waving next to each other. Credit: Getty Images) Presented and produced by Rob Young ... Read more

13 Nov 2024

17 MINS

17:28

13 Nov 2024

#1765

The wine industry's biggest challenge

Climate change is changing the way winemakers plan, harvest and make their product. On the Greek island of Santorini we find out how new techniques of vine planting are helping to preserve water amid more frequent drought conditions. Investors in England have realised areas in the south of country have similar weather conditions to Champagne in France, 30 years ago. Plus we hear from experts in France and Australia to discover different methods the industry is using, and find out how new businesses are advising the global wine industry to ensure its survival in a changing world. Produced and presented by Daniel Rosney (Image: A picker throws the collected grapes from the vine in a tank at the Gusbourne Estate, Appledore near Ashford, England on October 28, 2022. Credit: Getty Images) ... Read more

12 Nov 2024

17 MINS

17:29

12 Nov 2024

#1764

Argentina: Libertarian paradise?

Attracted by Argentina’s right-wing libertarian president Javier Milei, and fearful of political breakdown and even the prospect of a widescale war in the northern hemisphere, some US citizens say they are planning to move to the South American nation to start afresh. We speak to a few of them, and to an Argentine tech entrepreneur who left his country years ago due to its political and economic instability, but who is now spending more time there – attracted by Milei’s promises to slash the state. What will these converts to Argentina find there, and will it match their expectations? (Picture: Argentina's president, Javier Milei, on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange. Credit: Getty Images) Presented and produced by Natalio Cosoy ... Read more

11 Nov 2024

18 MINS

18:50

11 Nov 2024

#1763

Business Daily meets: Astronaut Chris Hadfield

Colonel Chris Hadfield is a former fighter pilot who became an astronaut and served as a commander of the International Space Station (ISS). While in orbit he became a social media star, posting breath-taking pictures of earth, as well as videos demonstrating practical science and playing his guitar. These days, the Canadian invests in businesses and has written several best-selling fiction and non-fiction books. In this programme, Chris Hadfield tells Russell Padmore how he was influenced by Star Trek, and the Apollo missions to the moon, as a child. He outlines why he welcomes private investment in space and he explains how he has become known for being the musical star in orbit. (Picture: Chris Hadfield with a night sky in the background. Credit: Getty Images) Presented and produced by Russell Padmore ... Read more

08 Nov 2024

17 MINS

17:29

08 Nov 2024

#1762

Building the superyachts

They’re the kind of mega vessels which only a handful of people on the planet can afford. We go to the Netherlands, where building and maintaining the most expensive yachts in the world is big business. We visit Dutch yacht builder Heesen to look at the intricate design of these vessels, their opulence, and the huge amounts of money involved in building and selling them. Plus we hear from those who actually help put the boats together. And we get an expert view on the importance of the Superyacht sector to the country's overall maritime industry, and hear how politics, public perceptions, regulation and international sanctions have impacted the industry in recent years. Presented and produced by Matthew Kenyon (Image: Vida superyacht 55m built by Heesen Yachts and owned by Brooks Smith moored in Malaga, Spain in April 2023 (Photo by John Keeble/Getty Images) ... Read more

07 Nov 2024

17 MINS

17:27

07 Nov 2024

#1761

Seaweed: the super weed?

It's a familiar feature of our oceans and beaches and yet its environmental impact has largely been overlooked. Now supporters say seaweed can help us address climate change by reducing our reliance on fertilisers, and by reducing the methane emissions produced by cows. On top of that, proponents say a new material produced from the sugars in seaweed could provide a biodegradable alternative to the millions of tonnes of single-use plastic we throw away each year. No wonder the World Bank is predicting a global seaweed boom worth $12bn this decade. We hear from scientists and entrepreneurs from Australia to Zanzibar who say we are only just beginning to understand the exciting possibilities posed by this ubiquitous underwater species. The Irish folk tune Dúlamán, about the island’s traditional seaweed gatherers, is used with the permission of musician Seoirse Ó Dochartaigh. Produced and presented by Vivienne Nunis. (Picture: Seaweed farm. Sumbawa. Indonesia. Credit: Getty Images) ... Read more

06 Nov 2024

17 MINS

17:28

06 Nov 2024