Great Business Stories

I’ve wanted to dig into  Packers life for a long time now, because one thing I’ve come to know from over 35 years of reading business stories is that when it comes to big characters with the most drama- the media tycoons always win hands down. And so it is with Packer we’re talking getting into an actual brawl with heavies hired by Rupert Murdoch, transforming televised sport, having his name dragged into rumours about drug trafficking and even murder, winning and losing tens of millions in casinos in London and Las Vegas. Packer was without doubt one of the larger than life figures ever in business and it’s a cracking story, enjoy.

This is the remarkable story of how Agha Abedi built BCCI, a global bank founded in Pakistan that was revered by its ordinary customers and employees. Abedi was seen as more than just a banker- a visionary and philanthropist. But there was a second bank within the bank called the Dark Network, and this secret side of the bank provided special services for corrupt politicians, funded wars, washed Pablo Escobar’s drug money, facilitated the murky dealings of MI6,  the CIA among others and then it all came crashing down from an undercover operation straight out of the movies . It’s a fascinating story- enjoy.

This, I promise you,  is one of the most audacious and just jaw dropping financial schemes that I’ve ever come across. Two young outsiders initially taking on and beating Cornelius Vanderbilt, the richest man in America and then on the back of their success, they attempt to corner the gold market. It's got everything, political corruption, backroom deals in Albany, a siege in New Jersey, back stabbing and betrayal, and the first Black Friday ever 1869, when the markets crashed and Wall Street descended into chaos.
It's a cracking story — enjoy.

This guy is non stop business- even when he’s partying, it’s business. Here’s guy who owned 5 retail stores while still in high school, was making millions by the time he was 18, was CEO of a public company at just  23 and over the last 10 years he has transformed the whole sports licensing and sports fan business through fanatics, a $25 billion company that’s still private. Rubin is just 100% non stop hustling, and I would say he’s the most relentless business person I’ve covered up until now and he makes for a fascinating story- enjoy.

I know what you’re thinking- the Swedish guy who built IKEA- kind of boring - right. But as regular listeners will know by now, I love business, not just the scandals or the high tension battles, but I love finding out how these huge businesses were built, because I know behind every big business is a fascinating entrepreneur, even if they appear outwardly boring- and that’s exactly how it is with Kamprad- this guy is was at one time the richest person in the world, yet at the very same time used teabags twice to save money, and and the way he built his business by not just focusing on cost- which was his obsession, but by watching everything, observing his customers, talking to his staff- it’s fascinating, and of course like every billionaire he had his controversies- it makes for a cracking story - enjoy