What's the best way to recruit people who have the right skills for the job, but are also the right cultural fit for your business? And how do you do that without discrimination? Evan Davis and guests discuss the many different hiring options available, from the standard CV and interview to social media snooping, and the importance of getting it right.

GUESTS

Michael Barrington Hibbert, CEO, Barrington Hibbert Associates

PRODUCTION TEAM

Producer: Simon Tulett

Machines now have the ability to write novels, create works of art, or compose original songs thanks to artificial intelligence. In future the technology could be used to discover drugs, design entire buildings, or come up with new materials.

So how should businesses respond to the evolution of AI, most embodied by the AI chatbot ChatGPT? Evan Davis and guests discuss its potential for creating new products and increasing efficiency, as well as the risks involved in handing machines even more power.

GUESTS

Priya Lakhani, CEO, CENTURY Tech

PRODUCTION TEAM

Producer: Simon Tulett

Warren East has run two of the UK's most successful companies, ARM and Rolls Royce Holdings. During his tenure at ARM he oversaw a rapid growth of this globally successful Cambridge semi conductor company. He went on to lead Rolls Royce during a time of turbulence, from aircraft engine trouble, to COVID and a massive restructure which led to several thousand redundancies. He shares his reflections on his business career, as well as his thoughts on Brexit, tax and economic growth.

GUEST

Warren East, former CEO Rolls Royce Holdings Ltd.

PRODUCTION TEAM

Producer: Julie Ball

It seems these days everyone is making a podcast, from Michelle Obama and Kate Hudson to Alastair Campbell and Dua Lipa. Covering every subject from health and wellbeing to politics, food and even funerals, the last few years has seen a proliferation of new titles. Although only a third of us are currently listening to podcasts, that number is steadily growing. So who is making money from podcasts, and how? Evan Davis and guests discuss.

PRESENTER: Evan Davis

GUESTS

Jack Davenport, managing director, Goalhanger Podcasts

Sam Shetabi, content director UK, Acast

and

Rebecca McGrath, senior media analyst, Mintel

PODCAST CLIPS

Off Menu with Ed Gamble and James Acaster, featuring Jarvis Cocker, Plosive Productions

The Rest is Politics with Alastair Campbell and Rory Stewart, Goalhanger Podcasts

and

Shagged, Married, Annoyed with Chris and Rosie Ramsay, Avalon Productions

PRODUCTION TEAM

Producer: Julie Ball

The French work fewer hours, take longer holidays and retire earlier than UK employees, but they are also more productive and their economy is therefore roughly the same size as ours. How do they do it?

As the UK looks for a way out of its sluggish economic growth, Evan Davis asks what we can learn from our neighbours. Why is it that for each hour worked a French employee produces almost 20 per cent more than a British one?

GUESTS

Olivier Morel, board member of the French Chamber of

Rebecca Riley, professor of practice in economics at

and

Neil Coales, managing director of Agilité Solutions, Paris.

PRODUCTION TEAM

Producers: Simon Tulett and Julie Ball

If you've ever felt bamboozled by the sheer range of biscuits at your local supermarket or in a quandary over which pair of headphones to buy from the plethora on offer, then you're not alone.

Studies suggest that consumers can struggle to make decisions when there is too much choice. So how much choice should businesses offer their customers? And how can retailers help us navigate the dizzying array of products out there?

Evan Davis brings together a perfectly chosen group of experts to discuss.

GUESTS

Dr. Paul Marsden, Consumer Pscyhologist, Business School, London College of Fashion , University of Arts London

Laurence Mitchell, Buying Director, Electricals and Home Technology, John Lewis Partnership

Donna Smith, Managing Director, Thursday Cottage Ltd.

and

Paul Stainton, Retail Consultant, IPLC

PRODUCTION TEAM

Producer: Julie Ball

Current strike action across the UK led to more than a million lost working days in 2022, the worst industrial strife the nation has experienced since the 'Winter of Discontent' in the 1970s. But with the benefit of hindsight, what can we learn from those who have dealt with labour relations in the past, and can their insights help to establish a better way of working out employee grievances?

Evan Davis and guests discuss.

GUESTS

Presenter: Evan Davis

As the UK struggles with recession, Evan Davis talks to four business people who are not afraid to be bulls in a bear market. Does a recession offer opportunities to serial entrepreneurs and start-ups that others might fear? Evan Davis and guests discuss.

GUESTS

Capucine Codron, Co-founder, Swizzle

Arka Dhar, CEO and Co-founder SKOV Ltd

Sir John Hegarty, Founder, The Garage Soho and BBH Advertising Agency

and

Sarah Willingham, Co Founder, Nightcap bar chain and former Dragon's Den panellist.

PRODUCTION TEAM

Producers: Julie Ball, Nick Holland, Kirsteen Knight

Editor: Simon Watts

Sound: Graham Puddifoot

Production Co-ordinators: Siobhan Reed and Helena Warwick-Cross

Col Needham set up his first business at the age of 14 designing and selling games software for computers. But his real love, since the age of 5, has always been film. Col started logging every movie he'd seen in a paper diary which he eventually set up as a database, along with other like-minded film fans. Although it began and remains a personal passion, IMDB is now a multi million pound business, which was one of Amazon's first acquisitions.

GUEST

PRESENTER: Evan Davis

PRODUCER: Julie Ball

EDITOR: Simon Watts

SOUND: Graham Puddifoot

PRODUCTION CO-ORDINATORS: Siobhan Reed and Helena Warwick-Cross

What will higher interest rates on borrowing money mean for the property market and what happens if house prices fall? Evan Davis discusses mortgages and housing in new economic times.

Guests: