Business Daily

Latest Episodes:

Lapland: The world’s biggest Christmas economy? Dec 18, 2024

Show notes

How has Lapland, the northernmost region of Finland, become a global hub for the Christmas economy? Known as the official home of Father Christmas, Lapland attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors every year - generating significant revenue.

We head to the most popular Christmas spot, Rovaneimi, to hear how a resort there benefits from this tourism. And the head of the tourist board, Sanna Kärkkäinen, tells us how records are about to be broken.

Presented and produced by Izzy Greenfield Reporter: Erika Benke

(Picture: Lapland at night, showing illuminated buildings. Credit: BBC/Erika Benke)

Why are kids asking for anti-ageing skincare? Dec 17, 2024

Show notes

Skincare used to appeal to an older demographic, often with the aim of slowing down visible signs of ageing. But as trends in skincare have evolved, with ever more products on the market, the audience has grown too. Children as young as eight are now saving up their pocket money to buy different creams, serums and moisturizers. But some of these products contain active ingredients, not designed for their young skin - and this can lead to problems. Dermatologists have told the BBC they're seeing children with dermatitis and other skin conditions who have used certain products. Today, we take a look at why young people are becoming obsessed with skincare, and what could be done to protect these young consumers from buying unsuitable products.

(Picture: 11 year-old Tilly, from the UK, sitting at her vanity desk. Credit: BBC)

Presented and produced by Hannah Mullane

Crisis at Northvolt Dec 16, 2024

Show notes

We’re in snowy Skellefteå in northern Sweden, where hundreds of people are looking for work after losing their jobs at Europe’s largest electric battery factory.

Will the crisis at green tech company Northvolt impact future investments in the region — and damage Sweden’s reputation?

Produced and presented by Maddy Savage

(Image: Northvolt workers at the factory. Credit: Northvolt)

Business Daily meets: Fintech founder Upasana Taku Dec 13, 2024

Show notes

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.

Presenter/producer: Devina Gupta

(Photo: Upasana Taku. Credit: Mobikwik)

Has graphene lived up to the hype? Dec 12, 2024

Show notes

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)

Keeping the lights on in South Africa Dec 11, 2024

Show notes

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)

Making money from internet outrage Dec 10, 2024

Show notes

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

Is Donald Trump's comeback bad news for green energy? Dec 09, 2024

Show notes

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)

Business Daily meets: Uniqlo's Tadashi Yanai Dec 06, 2024

Show notes

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)

Could footballers go on strike? Dec 05, 2024

Show notes

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

Our TOPPODCAST Picks

Follow Us

Stay Connected

Related Podcasts

Links

Stay Connected