The Bottom Line

• The Decisions That Made Me: Jesper Brodin (IKEA)

  When Jesper Brodin landed a job as IKEA’s purchase manager in Pakistan, he was only 26. And had no idea he was the only applicant. He’s now spent 30 years with the iconic Swedish brand - since 2017, as CEO of Ingka Group, which runs most IKEA stores. During that time, he’s led two major transformations - taking the company digital and making it more eco-friendly. Now, as he steps down from his role, he tells Evan Davis about the lessons he learned from IKEA’s legendary founder, Ingvar Kamprad. And why he’s planning to buy himself a new guitar.(Image: Jesper Brodin. Credit: JOEL SAGET/AFP via Getty Images)

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• The Decisions That Made Me: Heather Vernon (Woburn Partners)

  Heather Vernon never expected to become an entrepreneur. Her goal after university was to become a teacher, through the Teach First graduate programme - two years of intense learning on the job, schooling disadvantaged children in low income communities. It taught her resilience and prompted a move into politics, initially at a local level, then a job with the Labour party, advising members of the then shadow cabinet. She tells Evan Davis why working at Westminster was initially terrifying and what encouraged her to set up a PR business with a friend. (Image: Heather Vernon Credit: Woburn Partners)

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• Hypotheticals: How Would You React If You Were Boss?

  Three business leaders tackle fictional dilemmas that test their instincts, experience and nerves. To make it more realistic, none of the guests have any idea what the scenarios are in advance. Guests: Ben Branson, Founder, Seedlip and Sylva Sophie Mermin, Founder, Trotters Childrenswear Margaret Heffernan, former CEO, entrepreneur, author and professor of practice at the university of Bath school of management Production team: Presenter: Evan Davis Producer: Sally Abrahams Production co-ordinator: Katie Morrison Sound: Nathan Chamberlain and Gareth Jones Editor: Matt Willis

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• Productivity: How Can British Business Work Smarter?

  Productivity drives prosperity, yet the UK continues to lag behind countries like the US, France and Germany. We work harder, yet produce less than our peers. In this episode, Evan Davis and guests discuss what productivity really looks like in practice – from offices and factories to call centres and operating theatres. And ask whether AI could be the boost Britain's economy needs. Guests: Katy Davies, Managing Director, Cap Air Systems Louise Stead, Group Chief Executive, Royal Surrey and Ashford and St Peter’s NHS Foundation Trusts Sameer Vuyyuru, Chief AI and Product Officer, CapitaProduction team: Presenter: Evan Davis Producer: Sally Abrahams Production Co-ordinator: Katie Morrison Sound engineers: Dafydd Evans and Duncan Hannant Editor: Justine Lang

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• Introverts: Can Quiet Voices Conquer The Corporate World?

  Do you ever feel the world is stacked in favour of the extrovert people – the most gregarious, the most outwardly confident, the perhaps sometimes sharp-elbowed, the loudest? What can natural introverts do to try and level the playing field and create a positive impression? Evan Davis asks Richard Etienne from the Introvert Space, Clare Farthing from South Somerset meet ups and Heather Vernon, co-founder of Woburn Partners. Produced by Bob Howard.

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