OU on the BBC: The Bottom Line - Lessons to be learned

The Open University The Open University and the BBC come together to bring you a view from the top of business. Presented this week by Stephanie Flanders, The Bottom Line cuts through confusion, statistics and spin to present a clearer view of the business world, through discussion with people running leading and emerging companies.

This week, Stephanie's top executive guests hail from the worlds of mobile energy, sanitary fittings and business services. They discuss how businesses cope in a "slow growth" environment. Could years of slow growth be more challenging than a short sharp shock?

And not so long ago, the slow coach economy in Europe was Germany - now it's steaming ahead of everyone. What's gone right for Germany - and what lessons could other countries learn?

Stephanie is joined in the studio by Rupert Soames, chief executive of mobile energy group, Aggreko; Neal Gandhi, chief executive of international business services company Quickstart Global; David Haines, chief executive of German bathroom fittings company Grohe.

The Bottom Line can be heard on BBC Radio 4 on Thursdays and Saturdays, or via Listen Again; the same episodes can be seen on the BBC News Channel at weekends and via BBC iPlayer.

Stephanie's guests discuss what lessons can be learned from Germany's economic success...

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