Office Hours

King's Business School
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Office Hours is the podcast that answers the business questions you’re too afraid to ask. Each episode pairs an academic from King’s Business School with a guest from industry or public life to break down complex topics in a simple and relevant way. Whether you're a student, a graduate, or simply someone interested in how business shapes the world around us, Office Hours offers accessible conversations that blend cutting-edge research with real-world experience, delivering thoughtful discussion and practical takeaways.

  1. MAR 31

    What the BrewDog collapse reveals about who really wins in startup investing

    What does the BrewDog collapse reveal about startup investing — and who really holds the power?BrewDog was once valued at over £1 billion. In 2026, it was sold for just £33 million. More than 75,000 investors backed the company through equity crowdfunding. Many are now likely to receive nothing.In this episode of Office Hours, Dr Robyn Klingler-Vidra (King’s Business School, author of Startup Capitalism) explains what this case tells us about how startup investing really works.You’ll learn:Why equity crowdfunding investors often have less power than they thinkThe difference between ordinary shares and preferred sharesWhy the UK doesn’t have a “scale-up problem” — but an exit problemHow global factors like market volatility, geopolitics and tariffs shape startup outcomesWhat the UK can learn from Japan and South Korea’s industrial strategiesWhy South Korea’s dominance in shipbuilding matters for innovation and growthThis episode breaks down the hidden mechanics of startup capitalism, from BrewDog to Silicon Valley and beyond.

    28 min
  2. Climate change in skiing and F1: what sport gets right, and wrong

    MAR 20

    Climate change in skiing and F1: what sport gets right, and wrong

    Skiing and Formula One sit at opposite ends of the sustainability debate. One is fighting to survive. The other is often criticised for excess. But both reveal something important about how industries respond when the pressure builds. In this episode, Professor Paolo Aversa (King’s Business School) explains why artificial snow may be keeping skiing alive in the short term while quietly making its long-term future more fragile. As costs rise and conditions worsen, the sport risks becoming more exclusive and less viable for the communities built around it. Then we turn to Formula One. Despite its image, could it actually be one of the few sports that delivers real technological value? From hybrid engines to net zero fuels, F1 positions itself as a high-performance lab for innovation. But how much of that promise translates into meaningful change? Two very different sports. One shared question:when does innovation solve a problem, and when does it just delay it? 00:00 Artificial snow and the illusion of control 01:00 Why climate change is reshaping sport 02:00 Why skiing is under pressure 05:30 Artificial snow becomes essential 08:00 The hidden costs: energy and water 11:30 When adaptation becomes a trap 14:30 Who can still afford to ski? 17:00 Why Formula One is different 18:00 F1 as a lab for innovation 21:00 Net zero fuel explained 23:30 The limits of electric vs fuel 26:00 Can F1 technology scale?

    30 min
  3. How AI Is Transforming Health

    12/03/2025

    How AI Is Transforming Health

    Is AI revolutionising healthcare or just the latest tech hype? This episode of Office Hours looks at how it, and other technologies, are reshaping what it means to stay healthy.  Join host Sophia, a King's College London student, as she interviews Lara Lewington, a tech presenter, journalist and author of Hacking Humanity: How technology can save your health and your life, and King's Business School’s Professor Gerry McGivern.   Together, they navigate the benefits and drawbacks of health technology, from personalised medicine to data privacy.   They explore:  🤖 The impact of AI on extending ‘health span’  🔬 Personalised medicine and who benefits  🌐 Data privacy concerns in digital health  💰 The cost of innovative health tech   Get the real story on how technology is shaping the future of healthcare, and what this means for you.  #HealthTech #AI #DigitalHealth #FutureOfHealthcare #OfficeHoursPodcast

    35 min
  4. How Can I Use Social Media to Grow My Business?

    09/03/2025

    How Can I Use Social Media to Grow My Business?

    From viral trends to personal branding, social media can feel like both a blessing and a burden. But can it really help you build a business, or does it just burn you out? In this episode of Office Hours, host Cari Street dives into the realities behind the algorithms with senior lecturer Dr. Gillian Brooks and urban sketcher and business owner Phil Dean (aka @shoreditchsketcher). We talk about platform pressure, personal branding, and how to make LinkedIn feel less like a chore and more like a tool. Join us and explore: 📱 How to choose the right platform for your goals 💬 Why it’s okay to feel awkward about posting, and how to get over it! 💼 What LinkedIn actually does for your career (and what it doesn’t) ✨ How to let personality shine through while staying professional 🎧 Listen now: https://podfollow.com/officehours #PersonalBranding #SocialMediaTips #OfficeHoursPodcast #DigitalMarketing #LinkedInTips #SmallBusinessSupport

    26 min
  5. Why Aren't More Women Social Entrepreneurs?

    07/09/2025

    Why Aren't More Women Social Entrepreneurs?

    " Women have to privilege profit over purpose, and we think that's to do with the higher demands on women's time." Social entrepreneurship blends business with purpose, so why does the field still reflect the same gender gap we see across other industries? In this episode of Office Hours, host, Cari Street speaks to Arosha Brouwer, CEO of Quan, and Professor Ute Stephan, a leading expert in entrepreneurship and wellbeing at King’s College London. Together, we dig into the data, the personal realities, and the deeper structures behind the numbers. We explore: 📊 What social entrepreneurship really is 🧠 How emotional and invisible labour impacts founders ⛰️ What the “Midlife Mountain” means, and why it matters 💡 Advice on doing meaningful work without burning out Whether you’re starting a venture or supporting someone who is, this episode breaks down the real story behind gender and purpose-driven work.

    24 min
  6. Why do Business Schools Give You the 'Ick'?

    06/18/2025

    Why do Business Schools Give You the 'Ick'?

    “Business school is all about changing the world, it’s about creating impact to make the world a better place.” In this episode of Office Hours, we dig into the reputation of business schools and ask why they can feel off-putting, especially for students from underrepresented backgrounds. Cari is joined by Professor Sally Everett, Vice Dean of Education, and award-winning entrepreneur and inclusion strategist Rita Kakati-Shah, two powerhouse voices helping reshape the business school experience from the inside out. We explore: 💼 Why the “finance bro” stereotype still lingers 🌍 How diverse leadership is changing the game 🎓 What King's Business School is doing to make education more inclusive ✅ Practical advice for finding belonging and confidence in business education 🎧

    28 min
  7. What is Burnout?

    05/28/2025

    What is Burnout?

    " We've normalised a lot of the symptoms of stress and burnout, and I think that's quite dangerous." In this episode of Office Hours, we’re diving into a topic that feels more relevant than ever: burnout. What is it really, why is it happening, and how can we protect ourselves? Cari Street is joined by leading experts Professor Mike Clinton, Professor of Work Psychology and Head of Department, Human Resource Management & Employment Relations at King's Business School. And Katie Maycock, a renowned stress, burnout specialist and CEO to unpack the myths and realities behind burnout. Join us as we explore: 🔍 What burnout is 🧹 Why younger generations might be more vulnerable 📈 How technology and "always-on" culture fuel the problem 🤝 Practical advice for recognising the warning signs early 🔑 Tips for students, universities, and employers to create real change Professor Mike Clinton’s research explores the intersection of work, wellbeing, and occupational calling, offering insights into how burnout can happen even in meaningful careers. Katie Maycock brings firsthand experience and years of corporate strategy work to the table, challenging the narrow definitions of burnout and offering real-world strategies for preventing it. Burnout is everywhere, but with the right tools and understanding, it doesn't have to be inevitable.

    26 min
  8. Why Can't I Afford a House?

    05/07/2025

    Why Can't I Afford a House?

    Office Hours: Why Can’t I Afford a House? " In areas where there is more foreign investment, you see a higher increase in house prices." In this episode of Office Hours, we’re tackling one of the biggest financial questions facing young people today: Why can’t I afford a house? Host Cari Street sits down with Dr. Filipa Sá, a leading expert on the housing market, and Tayo Oguntonade, property expert and award-winning presenter, to break it all down. Join us as we explore: 🏡 The key factors driving the housing crisis – from supply shortages to foreign investment 📈 Why salaries haven’t kept up with house prices 💳 The importance of credit scores and how to improve yours 📉 Is renting forever the future? 🔑 Practical steps you can take today to get on the property ladder Dr. Filipa Sá is an Associate Professor in Economics at King’s College London. Her research focuses on the economics of housing markets, labor markets, and public policy, with a particular interest in how foreign investment impacts housing affordability in the UK. Her work has been featured in leading academic journals and has informed government policy, including taxation on overseas property buyers. Tayo Oguntonade is a property expert, speaker, and TV presenter, best known for Channel 4's The Great House Giveaway. He co-founded Brickz with Tipz, a platform making the property market more accessible, and educates first-time buyers on mortgages, investments, and homeownership through TV, social media, and public speaking. Don’t miss this essential conversation!

    25 min
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About

Office Hours is the podcast that answers the business questions you’re too afraid to ask. Each episode pairs an academic from King’s Business School with a guest from industry or public life to break down complex topics in a simple and relevant way. Whether you're a student, a graduate, or simply someone interested in how business shapes the world around us, Office Hours offers accessible conversations that blend cutting-edge research with real-world experience, delivering thoughtful discussion and practical takeaways.

Information

  • Creator
    King's Business School
  • Years Active
    2021 - 2026
  • Episodes
    71
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © King's Business School
  • Show Website
    Office Hours