Evan Davis is joined by a panel of top executives to discuss the current economic climate. With the crisis in the Eurozone adding to economic uncertainty around the world, how are companies planning for the short and long-term? As decisions by governments begin to bite, Evan finds out how political risk is factored into political decisions. The panel also talks about Google's 20 per cent policy, under which engineers are given a fifth of their time to work on their own projects - and about how to make the most of downtime. Evan is joined in the studio by Matt Brittin, managing director of Google UK; Thomas Flohr, founder and chairman of VistaJet; and Irwin Lee, vice president and UK and Ireland general manager of Procter and Gamble.

Evan Davis is joined by three top executives from a broadcaster, an industry group, and a circus company. Lobbying is the first item on the agenda, and the guests give their views on how loud business should shout, both in the media and when trying to influence government. Is the popular portrayal of lobbying as a somewhat shady occupation close to the truth - and how much time and effort do the guests devote to trying to capture the attention of politicians and civil servants? They also discuss the phrase 'new and improved'. It's a much used label, but Evan finds out how the guests develop new products, how they improve their existing lines, and whether they resist the temptation to hype up their next big thing. Evan's guests are Daniel Lamarre, president and chief executive of Cirque du Soleil; Helen Alexander, president of the CBI; and Jeremy Darroch, chief executive of BskyB.

Three top executives join Stephanie Flanders in the studio to talk about playing the long game and scouting for talent. Nearly all business gurus recommend thinking in strategic terms rather than concentrating on short-term gains. But is this really possible in today's business environment, where a constant flow of news affects markets every second of every day? Stephanie finds out how the bosses on the panel keep their eyes on the long game. How much will they give up today to reap rewards down the line? Stephanie’s guests this week are Ellis Rich, chief executive of Independent Music Group (left); Jayne-Anne Gadhia, chief executive of Virgin Money (centre); and Peter Hambro, chairman of Petropavlovsk (right).

Evan Davis is joined in the studio by three top guests to talk about organic growth and information technology disasters. Business owners have two main ways to make their companies bigger. One way is to expand incrementally, bit by bit, over time. The other much faster way is to buy up your competitors. In this edition of the programme, the panel weighs up the merits of organic growth versus growing by acquisition. When does it make sense to go slow and steady, and when do bosses decide to go on a buying spree to expand? Also up for debate - IT disasters. We have become so reliant on information technology that it causes serious problems when, for whatever reason, the computers cease to work. Our guests tell their horror stories and offer some solutions for tackling IT projects. Evan's guests are Luke Johnson, chairman of Risk Capital Partners; Vincent de Rivaz, chief executive of EDF Energy; and Jacqueline de Rojas, UK and Ireland vice president of McAfee.

Evan Davis is joined in the studio by three top business guests to talk about property management and trends in the leisure industry. Some say that when a company invests in a flashy new headquarters, it's good time to sell your shares in it. The theory goes that splashing out on a new building means a firm is at the peak of its overconfidence and its downfall is imminent. In this edition of the programme, Evan finds out what drives decisions about property management. When is it better to lease, and when is it better to buy - and which tasks do our guests choose to outsource? The panel also discusses leisure. It may seem like we're working harder than ever, but the statistics say we're not - the average UK employee works an hour less a week than they did 10 years ago. So why do so many people think they are strapped for time - and how does this affect what we do when we're not at work? Evan and his guests look at the different ways we're using our free time. Evan's guests are Manny Fontenla-Novoa, chief executive of Thomas Cook Group; PY Gerbeau, chief executive of X-Leisure; and Ruby McGregor-Smith, chief executive of MITIE.

In a special programme recorded at the Design Museum in London, Evan Davis and his panel of top business guests discuss economic recovery in Britain and design. There's been a lot of debate about what we need to do right now to get out of the economic doldrums. But in this edition we'd like to take a longer-term view - what competitive advantage does the UK have on the global economic stage, and what will the mix look like in ten years or more? Evan discusses manufacturing, financial services and the creative sector with the panel. Also on the agenda, design. Many people are familiar with the two aspects of good design - form and function. Both are undoubtedly important - but can we go further than considering only what a product looks like, and how it works? We scratch the surface and find out what makes good design - and bad design as well. Evan's guests are pottery and tableware designer Emma Bridgewater; John Hitchcox, chairman of property developers Yoo; and Brent Hoberman, executive chairman of mydeco.com.

Evan Davis is joined in the studio by top business guests to discuss the fear of technology and the difficulties of working with people you don't like. When we constantly hear about revolutionising effect of technology on the business world, it's easy to forget that many people are suspicious of new innovations. Technophobia may stem from legitimate concerns, and it can hit companies working in the high-tech sphere, especially when communication doesn't keep pace with invention. The panel discusses fear of genetically modified crops, internet security and more. Also on the programme: working with people you don't like. They are the tricky ones, those with tough personalities and idiosyncratic habits. We hear how the bosses on our panel have dealt with difficult characters throughout their careers and how they manage these types today. Evan's guests are John Atkin, chief operating officer of Syngenta; Eric Grosse, president of Expedia Worldwide; and John McLaren, chairman of Barchester Group.

Evan Davis is joined in the studio by top business guests to discuss the art of reviving brands and to chat about conferences. Like everyday products such as milk and bread, brands themselves have a shelf life. What was trendy and coveted a few years ago – or even a few weeks ago – can seem tired and stale now. Guests talk about reviving a brand and remaking old products for new consumers. What's at the top of the to-do list when moving in to carry out a brand refurbishment? Plus discussion about nostalgia value versus fresh thinking, and how fashionable brands survive in a crowded marketplace. The panel also chats about business conferences. Is jetting off somewhere to meet competitors and customers useful, or are those big gatherings just a boring waste of time? We'll go behind the scenes and find out what the guests really think about corporate events. Evan's guests are Rita Clifton, chairman of Interbrand; Rupert Gavin, chief executive of cinema chain Odeon; and Crispin Tweddell, founder and chairman of Piper Private Equity.