Future of Business: Recent Episodes
Oxford University
The Future of Business podcast takes you inside Saïd Business School. Produced, edited and presented by a team of MBA students, this podcast takes you on a journey to explore the diverse range of sectors, stories, and students embedded in the Oxford MBA cohort and beyond, and how they will shape the future of business.
Leye (Cornelius) Makanjuola, Oxford Saïd MBA and host discusses the EV charging market with Folasade Ayoola, a fellow student and entrepreneur. In this episode, Fola Ayoola delves into her experience co-building ElectricFish, a climate tech company building distributed energy storage in the US. She discusses the technological challenges associated with the EV charging landscape in the US and how ElectricFish put energy equity front and centre in their plans.Featuring:Folasade Ayoola - https://www.linkedin.com/in/folasadeayoola/Leye Makanjuola - https://www.linkedin.com/in/leyemakanjuola/Link to ElectricFish’s website: https://www.electricfish.co/Feature in Fast Company: https://www.fastcompany.com/90704698/electricfish-ev-chargers-can-plug-in-anywhere-and-double-as-electricity-storageLink to the school website - https://www.sbs.ox.ac.uk/Link to the podcast - https://www.sbs.ox.ac.uk/about-us/school/our-community/future-business-podcast/season-five
The importance of red tape in growing economies. In this episode, Jordan Zele, Oxford Saïd MBA and host discusses regulation with Nattawan Kularbkeo, a fellow student and Senior Investigation officer at SEC Thailand. Nattawan challenges the idea that markets must choose between growth and regulation, suggesting that for sustainable growth, regulation is necessary. The episode explores emerging challenges across all markets, highlighting the fundamental role regulators must play in the future of business. Of note, this episode was recorded before the collapse of Silicon Valley Bank.Featuring:Nattawan Kularbkeo - https://www.linkedin.com/in/nattawan-kularbkeo/Jordan Zele - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jordan-zele-1504b95a/Link to the school website - https://www.sbs.ox.ac.uk/Link to the podcast - https://www.sbs.ox.ac.uk/about-us/school/our-community/future-business-podcast/season-five
Katherine Dellar and Oxford MBA classmate Diego Rojas discuss Diego's experience starting a Fintech business. Host Katherine Dellar is joined by Fintech entrepreneur and Oxford MBA classmate Diego Rojas. Diego is the CEO and co-founder of PasanaQ, a startup seeking to democratize access to financial services in Latin America by digitising informal savings practices. They discuss Diego's experience starting a Fintech business without a financial background, how the Oxford community helped him launch the business, and Diego's present experience working on PasanaQ with classmates as part of the Entrepreneurship Project component of the MBA. The episode explores the importance of financial inclusion, particularly in developing countries where many people lack access to credit, and how to broaden financial access in a way that fits with local culture.Featuring: Diego Rojas - https://www.linkedin.com/in/diego-rojas-arancibia/ Katherine Dellar - https://www.linkedin.com/in/katherine-dellar/ Resources: PasanaQ website - https://pasanaq.app/ Link to the school website - https://www.sbs.ox.ac.uk/ Link to the podcast - https://www.sbs.ox.ac.uk/about-us/school/our-community/future-business-podcast/season-five
In this episode, Angus Macdonald sits down with Grace Njunge to delve a bit deeper into what a career in impact consulting may look like on the African continent. Having worked in client services as well as Chief of Staff for Dalberg Global Development Advisors, Grace leverages on her extensive experience to provide those aspiring for a career what it is like to work in this ever-growing industry. They discuss the relationship between impact consulting and investing, the importance of finance and flow of capital in the impact space, and how important purpose is to a meaningful career. LinkedIn Accounts•Angus•https://www.linkedin.com/in/angus-macdonald92/•Grace•https://www.linkedin.com/in/grace-njunge-560b845a/Link to the school website - https://www.sbs.ox.ac.uk/Link to the podcast - https://www.sbs.ox.ac.uk/about-us/school/our-community/future-business-podcast/season-five
In this episode of season 5, Susheel Siram, an Oxford Saïd MBA and host, discusses gender inequity in the art market with fellow student Brooke Reese. Prior to pursuing her MBA, Brooke spent over five years in the contemporary and modern art market. She begins by sharing her experience working in the art world and then delves deep into the role that gender plays in the valuation of art. Drawing on her experience and research, Brooke analyses the reasons behind the undervaluing of artwork created by women and makes predictions about how this theme will develop in the age of digital art.Featuring:Brooke Reese - https://www.linkedin.com/in/brookecreese/Susheel Siram - https://www.linkedin.com/in/sks93/Resources:Sydney Morning Herald on how artwork created by women is undervalued - https://www.smh.com.au/culture/art-and-design/blind-viewing-shows-how-female-artists-are-undervalued-20201109-p56d0v.htmlThe Economist on why women’s art sells at a discount - https://www.economist.com/books-and-arts/2019/05/16/why-womens-art-sells-at-a-discountLink to the school website - https://www.sbs.ox.ac.uk/Link to the podcast - https://www.sbs.ox.ac.uk/about-us/school/our-community/future-business-podcast/season-five
In this episode of season 5, Sandhya Sridhar, Oxford Saïd MBA and host, discusses the world of family business with fellow student Shwe Yee Win. Shwe Yee runs her family garment manufacturing business - SPZ Garment and Embroidery - in Yangon, Myanmar. She dives into her experience of working for her family business and elaborates on the times the business faced crises such as COVID-19 and the military coup in her country, and how these required constant strategic restructuring and revamping of the business model and functioning. She also shares her experience promoting women to the forefront of management by motivation and methodical planning.Featuring:Sandhya Sridhar - https://www.linkedin.com/in/sandhyas0594/Shwe Yee Win - https://www.linkedin.com/in/shweyeewinsyw/Resources:SPZ Garmet and Embroidery - https://www.facebook.com/spz.mm/Link to the school website - https://www.sbs.ox.ac.uk/Link to the podcast - https://www.sbs.ox.ac.uk/about-us/school/our-community/future-business-podcast/season-five
Host Katherine Dellar discusses all things trash, garbage and rubbish with Oxford MBA classmate Ryan Caplin. Drawing on his experiences and research in both developing and developed country environments, Ryan debunks commonly-held assumptions about waste management and reveals a fascinating, albeit kind of gross, circular economy solution to organic waste. The episode gives an overview of best practices in waste management and promising trends in private and public approaches to waste. Featuring: Ryan Caplin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryancaplin/Katherine Dellar - https://www.linkedin.com/in/katherine-dellar/Resources: Ryan's research on black soldier flies - https://www.linkedin.com/posts/ryancaplin_business-models-for-organic-waste-and-bsf-activity-6988508871459766272--5KL?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktopLink to the Said Business School website - https://www.sbs.ox.ac.uk/Link to the podcast - https://www.sbs.ox.ac.uk/about-us/school/our-community/future-business-podcast/season-five
Happy New Year from the Future of Business Podcast! In this season's second episode, Jordan Zele, Oxford Saïd MBA and host, discusses funding of the arts with pianist, actor, and fellow student Helen Kashap. Helen draws upon her experiences across North America and Europe to explore market failings in the art world, and why alternate means of funding such as patronage, philanthropy and government funding are necessary to ensure a thriving art community. The episode highlights the challenges inherent in these funding types and suggests alternative strategies for the future.Featuring: Helen Kashap - https://www.linkedin.com/in/helenkashap/Jordan Zele - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jordan-zele-1504b95a/Resources: Helen Kashap - https://www.helenkashap.com/Link to the school website - https://www.sbs.ox.ac.uk/Link to the podcast - https://www.sbs.ox.ac.uk/about-us/school/our-community/future-business-podcast/season-five
This episode explores how business and impact have become interwoven over time and how that shapes companies' strategic objectives. Series 5 Episode 1: Welcome back to the Future of Business. In the first episode of the new season Susheel Siram, Oxford Saïd MBA and host, dives into impact with fellow student Christen Brandt. Christen is the co-founder of She’s the First, an international NGO dedicated to ensuring girls everywhere are educated, respected, and heard. She is also the co-author of Impact: A Step-by-Step Plan To Create the World You Want to Live In. Susheel explores with Christen how business and impact have become interwoven over time and how that shapes companies' strategic objectives. Christen also draws on her experience to explore how businesses can design their policies and operations to promote the empowerment of women and girls.Featuring:Susheel Siram - https://www.linkedin.com/in/sks93/Christen Brandt - https://www.linkedin.com/in/cjbrandt/Resources:She’s the First - https://shesthefirst.org/.Christen’s Book – Impact - https://www.planyourimpact.com/
On the final episode of Season 4, Grace Chou turns the recording table on Andreas Finzel to discuss why there’s no biz like showbiz. From TV streaming to podcasts, Andreas sheds light on the various media business models and shares his perspectives on recent industry developments at the likes of Netflix and Spotify. If you’ve ever wondered how the commercial side of media & entertainment works and which media giant will come out on top then press play now.
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This week Kaitlyn Neises-Macano talks with Andreas Finzel about her work in public health on Saipan, a tiny island in the Pacific. Kaitlyn and Andreas discuss the unequal impact communicable and noncommunicable diseases have on communities in developed and developing countries. They also explore the growing awareness of mental health as a public health priority. And listen now to find out why Kaitlyn thinks public health is a bit like a DJ at a party! Please fill out this survey to share your feedback about the podcast: https://bit.ly/3bQFvEv
Princess Agina reflects on her career journey and takes us through the systemic issues impacting the state of education. Princess Agina is an Edtech entrepreneur in making. Through her experiences with Teach For America, Peace Corps, the Fulbright Program, and the county of Hawaii, students have always been her motivation. She reflects on her learnings from the different aspects of her career journey, as she takes us through the systemic issues impacting the state of children’s and adult education, especially in the US; in an episode that could have been a lot more daunting, we manage to unearth the things that give us hope about our shared vision for the future of education.
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This week our guest Ishaq Bolarinwa shares his insights on the energy sector after spending nearly a decade in oil & gas in Nigeria. He reflects on the impact of the Russia-Ukraine War on energy markets and the transition to net-zero. Having just launched the energy brokering platform Anfani this year, he sheds light on the importance of public-private partnerships and his mission to provide more power to the people.
Please fill out this survey to share your feedback about the podcast: https://bit.ly/3bQFvEv
This week our guest Ishaq Bolarinwa shares his insights on the energy sector after spending nearly a decade in oil & gas in Nigeria. He reflects on the impact of the Russia-Ukraine War on energy markets and the transition to net-zero. Having just launched the energy brokering platform Anfani this year, he sheds light on the importance of public-private partnerships and his mission to provide more power to the people.
Please fill out this survey to share your feedback about the podcast: https://bit.ly/3bQFvEv
This week, Rudolph Okai talks to Emil Kostadinov about the significance of supply chains. Join us on this episode of Future of Business to listen to Emil talk about how important supply chains are to the operations of business, and how businesses are reacting to the post pandemic disruptions.
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This week Mario Rojas and Andreas Finzel talk about venture capital (VC). They discuss what criteria funds use to evaluate founder pitches and how investing in startups in developing markets differs from more mature economies like the UK. Mario has worked in international VC funds for years and offers concrete insights valuable for anyone trying to understand when, why and how venture capital managers decide to invest.
Speakers: Guest: Mario Rojas Host: Andreas Finzel
A transcript of this episode is available at https://media.podcasts.ox.ac.uk/manstud/futureofbusiness/2022-07-10-manstud-fob-venture-capital-rojas-TRANSCRIPT.pdf
Recording date 28 June 2022.
In this episode with Dârini Vedarattiname, we explore the different ways cities, such as Amsterdam and Cochin or our home cities Montréal and Madurai, can impact our society and our economic development. Where do you come from and how much does that impact the opportunities you get? What determines a city’s place in the world? Join us to listen to a truly global citizen talk about a deeply global topic.
Join us as we hear from Huw Allen, a current Oxford MBA student, previous film producer…and future media tycoon! We explore his journey through the media entertainment world – specifically around navigating the fast-paced and high-pressured lifestyle and hear from Huw about some mental health challenges that he overcame.
Malina Ma and Andreas Finzel peek behind the scenes of luxury art auction houses. They discuss how auction houses work, the genesis of blockchain in the art industry and how you can sell your Van Gogh should you have one. Malina brings firsthand insights from a major Hong Kong based auction house and combines a love for the art with an excitement about the changing face of the industry.
Rudolph Okai talks to Ashraf Mizo about his entrepreneurship experience and what the company (Nayla) he founded is doing. Join us on this episode of Future of Business to listen to Ashraf take us through his entrepreneurship journey in Sudan from making prosthesis to supporting SME’s with funding, while dealing with nonmarket issues. Nayla seeks to establish disability inclusion and economic empowerment in Sudan.
Su Zun Mon, a Weidenfeld-Hoffmann scholar, shares her insights on the different operating systems of social enterprises and intergovernmental organisations (IGOs) based on her experiences in Myanmar. This episode sheds light on how Product Management rooted in human-centered design is not only essential in tech, but also in the development sector.
Join us as we hear from Kiran Fothergill, a current Oxford MBA student and Conservative Party candidate for Harrow on the Hill in this year's local elections. We explore his journey through entrepreneurship, family business and politics, and investigate the fundamental skills required firstly to navigate the landscapes of these roles and ultimately to combine them for maximum effect.
From resources for ultimate beginners in the space to invitations to help plan succession, we leave no stone unturned in this episode on the future of blockchain. Sammi Wei is the founder and one of the inaugural co-chairs of the Blockchain Club at Saïd Business School (amongst many other things as we will discover during the course of this episode). She believes all future business leaders should understand blockchain, but she also addresses questions and concerns about the future of blockchain in key areas such as diversity, inclusion, sustainability, and ethics.
Nagadarsan Suresh and Andreas Finzel discuss how we can slow climate change by achieving net zero carbon emissions. This episode dives into topics like carbon capture and sustainability accounting, expanding on this season's first episode "Fight against climate change: Are the efforts enough?" Listen in and understand the key concepts and strategies in our efforts to preserve the planet.
Join us to learn more from Gadea Aguado Sierra, an architect shortlisted in the 2021 Women of the Future Awards, about opportunities for equity and sustainability in and through the built environment and the potential of neighbourhood real estate investment trusts (REIT). Gadea shares how impact investing and other conversations at Oxford inspire her to chart out her own and the industry’s future.
Speakers: Guest - Gadea Aguado Sierra Host - Grace Chou
This week, Rudolph Okai and Prince Ekeh (Co-CEO, Konga) discuss e-commerce in Africa. Join us on this episode of Future of Business to listen to Prince take us through his strategies for expanding beyond his home-ground in Nigeria. From the local ecosystem to supply chain complexities to rising social commerce, Konga is all set to dominate e-commerce and payments in Africa.
Speakers: Guest: Prince Ekeh Host: Rudolph Okai
This week Shubham Saraff and Andreas Finzel discuss the impact of technologies like AI and machine learning. They talk about the benefits and difficulties we experience today and what sectors of our economy are being disrupted first. Join us as they discuss the thorny issue of data ownership and who will hold power in the not-so-distant future.
Speakers: Guest: Shubham Saraff Host: Andreas Finzel
Join us in this episode to listen to Alejandro Arroyo Yamin talk about the past, present and future of branding; why it matters more than we realise, and why the term ‘branding’ doesn’t even begin to cover all that it stands for! Date of recording: 26/11.
Join us in this episode to listen to Alejandro Arroyo Yamin talk about the past, present and future of branding; why it matters more than we realise, and why the term ‘branding’ doesn’t even begin to cover all that it stands for! Date of recording: 26/11.
Did you know which industry attracted $1.4 billion of funding in Africa in 2021? To find out the answer and much more about the impact investing landscape in Africa Nouss Bih, co-chair of Saïd Business School’s Africa Business Alliance, joins us to share her experiences as an investment manager in Ivory Coast, and the immense potential West Africa and the wider continent holds for both entrepreneurs and investors.
Speakers: ● Guest: Nouss Bih ● Host: Grace Chou
Did you know which industry attracted $1.4 billion of funding in Africa in 2021? Nouss Bih, co-chair of Saïd Business School’s Africa Business Alliance, joins us to share her experiences as an investment manager in Ivory Coast. Nouss also highlights the immense potential West Africa and the wider continent holds for both entrepreneurs and investors.
Speakers: ● Guest: Nouss Bih ● Host: Grace Chou
Oxford MBA candidates Elzan Godlewski and Andreas Finzel discuss what it takes to make capitalism a force for good, the role public policy plays and what business leaders can do today to build a sustainable tomorrow. Episode recorded in November 2021. Guest: Elzan Godlewski Host: Andreas Finzel
Join us as we hear from Mishern Chetty, the Oxford MBA 2021-2022 Class co-President about his experience working in the high-profile Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula One Team and his drive to challenge the diversity and inclusion initiatives therein. Host: Bartek Ogonowski Guest: Mishern Chetty
Join us in this episode to listen to Sustainable Food Systems Expert Melissa Benn talk about the future of food systems that are already here, and how it will impact not just our meal choices but also our production and consumption patterns... and the fight against climate change. The future of food systems is not just the future of business, but quite literally the future of humanity.
Guest: Melissa Benn Host: Andreas Finzel
Join us in this episode to hear from conservationist Alexis McGivern on the state of our climate, what public and private leaders are doing to combat it, and whether it's enough. Coming out of COP26, this interview gives an insider's look into the summit and what we can expect to happen next.
Speaker names: Guest - Alexis McGivern Host - Rudolph Okai
The Future of Business podcast is returning with rotating hosts and featuring students from Oxford MBA’s 2021-2022 cohort. Our student guests will highlight key business trends and discuss how, with the help of the Oxford MBA, they will shape the future of business.
Art, innovation, and the world of product management through the lens of high-end motorcars. In this episode we sit down with Daniel Canbanllias a Product Manager at Rolls Royce Motorcars.
We sit down with Timothy Galpin, Academic director of the MBA program at Said Business School, consultant to numerous boards and senior management, and an author to discuss what drives M&A, the hiccups and the waves of M&A over the years.
As restrictions on medical cannabis use loosen around the world, companies and entrepreneurs are entering the marijuana market in a big way. We learn more from leading players in this space and the first publicly-listed cannabis company. As restrictions on medical cannabis use loosen around the world, companies and entrepreneurs are entering the marijuana market in a big way. To learn more, we spoke with Tejinder Verk and Paul Steckler of Canopy Growth, one of the leading players in this space and the first publicly-listed cannabis company.
Venture with us to the ‘final frontier’ for a very special episode on the future of space. Once the stuff of science fiction, more and more companies are launching into the space business, led by big players like SpaceX, Virgin Galactic, and Blue Origin. To help us better understand how this industry is evolving, we spoke with Chad Anderson, CEO of the investment firm Space Angels.
This talk was recorded as part of the Future of Business Series. We interviewed Tarun Varma (Initiatives Manager at Lego Foundation) who works at the intersection of business, research, and investment in early education. Laura White and Puja Balachander (MBA students at Saïd Business School) who are exploring this space. Listen to their journey to the next billion dollar opportunity.
What is behind the rise of impact investing and is the hype warranted? Aunnie Patton Power, founder of Intelligent Impact and a lecturer at Saïd Business School discusses the history of impact investing, how impact investments are structured and the future of the sector.
Simon Coley and Albert Tucker of Karma Cola tell the Future of Business podcast how they built a company, a foundation, and a "virtuous circle," bringing organic sodas to consumers and vital investment to communities in Sierra Leone.
We interviewed Vanessa Lee Butz, CEO and Founder of District Technologies to understand what smart cities are and what the connected future would look like? She talks about her journey to launch District Technologies, vision for improving individual experience to ease the administrative tasks in our day-to-day life and what lies ahead.
In the second of our special two-part episode, we learn about Africa’s competitive advantages, shifting demographics, and the leadership challenges and opportunities faced by young people and women.
As countries across Africa vote on ratification of the landmark Continental Free Trade Agreement, we learn more about what's at stake for the continent in the first of a special two-part episode.
What is the right level of profit for a company? Bruno Roche, Chief Economist at Mars Catalyst, challenges conventional business thinking on this question and shares his insights on how the private sector can make 'responsibility' an integrated part of a corporation.
There are currently over one billion people without access to electricity. A significant number of these people live in Africa where inadequate infrastructure restricts access. Greta-Talbot Jones and Laurence Copson from BBOXX are tackling this challenge by selling commercial solar home systems using an innovative pay as you go model.
This year's World Economic Forum was punctuated by an overall sense of pessimism and concern for the future. One attendee, Oxford Saïd Business School Dean Peter Tufano, gives his take on the state of business. Tufano also discusses how business schools like his can better prepare students for leadership positions in a changing world.
Can banks survive without caring about customers? Monzo Co-Founder and CEO Tom Blomfield, who challenged the current system with his digital-only bank, tells us what he thinks will give customer better choice, better service and better price. But do people feel secure keeping their money in these so-called “neo banks”? We ask Alice Truswell, an Oxford MBA student with experience in digital banking strategy.
In this live panel, we sit down with Resident Advisor founder Nick Sabine and fellow MBA slash film producer Yetunde Dada to discuss community engagement through digital media.
Can businesses lead the charge for social good? That is the idea behind B Corps, a movement of 2,500 businesses in 50 countries committed to having a positive impact in the world. We talk to Charmain Love, former COO and co-founder of B Labs UK and Michaelanne Butler, MBA student, who run us through the potential opportunity.
Can cryptocurrencies make the first trillionaire? Between September 2017 and January 2018 the price of bitcoin rocketed to around $13,000. One MBA student, Mike Wigrizer, was not only betting on bitcoin but also created his own cryptocurrency. In conversation, Mike talks us through the highs and lows.
How would you like to have your own personal banker? The traditional model of banks as a store of value and source of liquidity, and of bankers as trusted personal financial advisors, is under threat like never before. We discuss the range of these threats with Alec McLaurin, MBA student and then look at how one bank in America is find opportunities amongst the threats with Steve Gotz, former COO and co-founder of Pivotus - the innovation arm of Umpqua Bank.
How do you account for carbon? In part 2 of our take on climate change, we speak to Richard Barker, professor of accounting at Oxford and Fellow of the International Accounting Standards Board in London. Professor Barker guides us through the challenge of getting companies to report on their carbon emissions.
How do you future proof yourself from AI? How do you future proof yourself from AI? The threats from artificial intelligence are supposedly many and imminent from a full take over to widespread job losses. We caught up with Dr Vivienne Ming, theoretical neuroscientist and Founder and Chair of Socos Labs at the Social Impact Careers Conference at Saïd Business school, to discuss how we can future-proof ourselves and what AI means for our education system.
LA to San Francisco in 30 minutes? We dive into the high-tech future of transport with Nick Earle, VP at Virgin Hyperloop One. Hyperloop is a super-fast transport system where pods carrying people and cargo are shot through a vacuum tube at incredibly high speeds, taking you from LA to San Francisco in thirty minutes. The race is on to build the first functioning Hyperloop, with Virgin facing competition from Elon Musk as well as firms in the Middle East and Asia. We talk to Nick about the challenges they’re facing as well as the impact Hyperloop technology could have on the way our cities are designed to function.
AI’s effect on the labour force, who wins man or machine? In a society rapidly moving beyond the traditional employment paradigm, how do we distribute wealth equitably and find our purpose in life? We explore the future of work with Oxford Professor Jonathan Trevor, covering everything from the utility of employment to daily working life in the future. We close out the episode by chatting with Google Chief Economist Hal Varian, who is optimistic about the coming automation revolution and believes we need machines to take over the job hole left by retiring baby boomers.
How can an institution that is over 900 years old teach its students about the future? We speak to Peter Tufano, Dean of Oxford's Saïd Business School. Can an institution that is over 900 years old teach its students about the future? In this episode we speak to Peter Tufano, Dean of Saïd Business School about how Oxford achieves this, the societal challenges keeping him up at night and the opportunities he is excited about.