Podcasts

Adam Cox talks to Michael Shapiro, Head of Commercial Litigation & Dispute Resolution at GSC Solicitors LLP, about one of the most visible parts of the legal process: litigation. Michael explains that a lot of litigation comes about as a result of poor planning at the start of a business relationship, and that prevention is much better and cheaper than the cure. He talks about why factors such as ego, stubbornness and revenge can drive a case to court – and why there are much better, and far less risky, ways to seek resolution. Would you take your business to court to prove a point?

In the last of her four discussions with writer and consultant on responsible business Tom Levitt, Linda Lewis probes further into what it means to be a responsible and sustainable business in the 21st century. The two discuss what it is that engages employees within a business setting, the growing phenomenon of “social enterprise”, and how such businesses differ from the mainstream. The role of “purpose” in business is explored; as is the changing nature of investment, which is increasingly being used to support businesses in creating positive social and environmental outcomes. The discussion is further explored from a historical perspective – what can we learn from hindsight that could improve business today?

Helen Brand is Chief Executive of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants, the global body for professional accountants – yet admits to not having trained in accountancy! She maintains that a career choice in the industry is a terrific grounding for any business. Her personal interests lie in politics and international relations. She enjoys travel, and is a supporter of gender diversity in business. Having spent time working in the children’s shoe department of a store, she says we shouldn’t shy away from jobs which might not necessarily boost a CV – because they can be career- and knowledge-enhancing all the same! Helen was awarded an OBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours list in June 2011.

Ian Forrest of The Share Centre looks at recent news from Royal Mail, Unilever and Easyjet and ahead to forthcoming announcements from Vodafone, Diageo and BT.

Professor Tim Evans of Middlesex University looks at the way in which President Trump and Theresa May are singing from different economic hymn sheets, at some of the museums around Britain at which you can explore the country's economic and political history this summer and at the move in Cuba to embrace property rights.

James Cameron-Wilson looks at the extraordinary success of Incredibles 2, the new No. 1 at the UK box office. It knocks Dwayne Johnson's new film, Skyscraper, into a cocked hat. James also reviews The Secret of Marrowbone and First Reformed, from Paul Schrader. Lastly, he reviews the DVD release of the 1966 cult film King of Hearts with Alan Bates, a satire on the madness of the First World War.

Steve Caplin casts his eye over a Norwegian autonomous electric ferry, Stansted Airport banning sleeping passengers; PWC doing away with landlines, a gravity light, how to save your tattoos after death and a VR treatment for vertigo.

Want to keep up with the latest earnings updates from the States? Well join Chris Hill and the Motley Fool Radio Show team here on Share Radio, direct from Washington DC, for news, views and analysis of the US stocks that matter. In this week's show: P Morgan Chase reports record profits; Wells Fargo disappoints; Pepsi rises; And Groupon looks for a buyer. Abi Malin, Jason Moser, and Jeff Fischer discuss those stories and share some stocks on their radar.

Adam talks to Anthony Coumbe, Senior Environment Manager for the HS2 – the UK’s largest ever infrastructure project, about why making environmental concerns a priority are so crucial to the process. They discuss how communities have been involved in environmental decisions and how animals, trees and organisms unique to specific towns and areas are being fully considered throughout construction.

Are we on the “Road to Zero”, or will we end up on a “Road to Nowhere” with the government’s new zero emissions car plans? How much would you pay to keep your email address? And the World Cup may not coming home...but we ask: How long does football fever last in the economy?