Business Movie Club

This week we’re talking about how we can use data to compete when money is short, as as Claire and Al walk through the plot of the 2011 business film, Moneyball, starring Brad Pitt.  How can you stick to the plan when everything thinks you are wrong? Is it important to let people know what you are doing? Can you really keep an advantage in business for long? Is Moneyball the business film that you...

This week we’re talking about the importance of a community and marketing your product, as as Claire and Al walk through the plot of the 2003 business film, Calendar Girls, starring Helen Mirren.  Is it worth staying in a community even if you no longer need it? Can working with freelancers turn your ideas from amateur into professional? Can can a gimmick become your brand? Is the Calendar Girls t...

This week we’re talking about updating your skills and not forgetting your customers, as as Claire and Al walk through the plot of the 2013 business film, The Internship, starring Vince Vaughn and Owen Wilson.  Is knowing your customers really an old fashioned way of working? Is it easier to work as a team when you all lean into each others strengths? Can you really work with your best friend all...

This week we’re talking about embracing failure and not trying to please people, as as Claire and Al walk through the plot of the 2005 business film, The Producers, starring Nathan Lane and Matthew Broderick.  Why do other people's jobs always feel more exciting than your own? Is it easier to get people to work with you if they can see that you love what you do? Is aiming for average always t...

This week we’re talking about working towards your dream whilst being true to yourself, as as Claire and Al walk through the plot of the 2002 business film, 8 Mile, starring Eminem.  How do you know that the goal you are working towards will help you achieve your dream? Are you friends supportive or holding you back? Why is being an adult hard and restricting our choices? Is 8 Mile the business fi...

This week we’re talking about watching a woman having to gain the attention of an audience who really don't want to engage with her, as as Claire and Al walk through the plot of the 1995 business film, Dangerous Minds, starring Michelle Pfeiffer.  Should you be excited when you are given a job that is better than the one you applied for? Can you use gimmicks to gain the attention of your audi...

This week we’re talking about a woman who is thrusted into a situation where she has to use her gut instincts to solve the case , as as Claire and Al walk through the plot of the 2000 business film, Miss Congeniality, starring Sandra Bullock.  Should you take on a job you don't want to get out of a situation you don't like? Can you get results when you are not supported by those around y...

This week we’re talking about watching a man trying to do his job when surrounded by chaos, as as Claire and Al walk through the plot of the 1988 business film, Who Framed Roger Rabbit, starring Bob Hoskins.  Should you take on a job you don't want to do, purely for the money? Is it hard to forget the past and move on when something you love is no longer there? Is it up to you to clean up the...

This week we’re talking about watching a man try to become a millionaire through bar work, as as Claire and Al walk through the plot of the 1988 business film, Cocktail, starring Tom Cruise.  Should you wait until you get a perfect business idea before you start? Do partnerships have a high failure rate? Is the key to success finding a wealthy woman? Is Cocktail the business film that you need to...

This week we’re talking about how a struggling show factory was saved when it discovered now to niche, as as Claire and Al walk through the plot of the 2005 business film, Kinky Boots, starring Chiwetel Ejiofor.  How much research do you need to do when deciding on a niche? Is it okay to be embaressed by your niche? Should you invest a lot of time and money into an event that'll have minimal...

This week we’re talking about a koala who loves the theater but has struggled to turn it into a viable business as Claire and Al walk through the plot of the 2016 business film, Sing, starring Matthew McConaughey.  How do you cope when you make a mistake? Is a lack of interest in your product a sign that it won't work? Will TV news crews cover local talent contests? Is Sing the business film...

This week we’re talking about a lack of safeguarding, unhappy business owners and annoying children as Claire and Al walk through the plot of the 1982 business film, Annie, starring Aileen Quinn.  Is it ever okay to let children do your work for you? Do you overexplain when you have done something wrong? Can radio adverts find lost parents? Is Annie the business film that you need to help you to u...

This week we’re talking about having no money, being given no information and choirs as Claire and Al walk through the plot of the 1993 business film, Sister Act 2, starring Whoopi Goldberg.  Can a freelancer over achieve with minimal support? What costs your business money and what can you do for free? Has the Arts ever saved a failing business? Is Sister Act 2 the business film that you need to...

This week we’re talking about being brilliant and beautiful and also boobs as Claire and Al walk through the plot of the 2000 business film, Charlie's Angels, starring Drew Barrymore, Lucy Liu and Cameron Diaz.  What would it be like to be invisible at work? Can you have the expertise to deal with every situation work throws at you? Are men really this easily distracted by attractive women? I...

Another Christmas film this week as we’re talking about bombs, computers and ninjas as Claire and Al walk through the plot of the 1988 business film, Die Hard, starring Bruce Willis.  Do computers actually spark when you kick them? Can you climb through an air conditioning vent without making a noice? Can ChatGPT give you the skills of a professional? Is Die Hard the business film that you need to...

Ho, Ho, Ho, this week we’re talking about broken toys, taking risks and pea soup as Claire and Al walk through the plot of the 1985 business film, Santa Claus: The Movie, starring Dudley Moore.  Should Santa keep up with modern trends to keep children happy? How do you choose who is the best employee to help you? Is the biggest risk not to take any risks at all? Is Santa Claus: The Movie the busin...

This week we’re talking about stealing from employers, becoming rich and wanting people to like you as Claire and Al walk through the plot of the 2017 business film, The Greatest Showman, starring Hugh Jackman.  Should you check with your partner before you invest in a business? How quickly can you generate wealth? Are you okay with having a business that people see as being lowbrow? Is The Greate...

This week we are looking back the the films covered in this series to see what business lessons we have learnt so far.  What was the most unexpected business lesson? What film will lead us astray and teach us bad business lessons? What film is the most like real life? Do you agree with our winners and the lessons we have learnt so far? Podcast created and researched by Claire Owen-Jones: https://w...

This week we’re talking about spending money, causing damage and crowds as Claire and Al walk through the plot of the 1984 business film, Ghostbusters, starring Bill Murray.  Is it wise to spend all of your money before you've had your first client? How much damage to other people's property can you cause before it becomes a problem? Can you tell clients you love them? Is Ghostbusters th...

This week we’re talking about evil competition, teamwork and 90's pop as Claire and Al walk through the plot of the 2025 Netflix business film, KPop Demon Hunters, voiced by Arden Cho.  How do you avoid being distracted by your competition? Will taking time off harm your career? Who do you prefer: Pet Shop Boys or East 17? Is KPop Demon Hunters the business film that you need to give you the...

In this bonus episode, we’re talking about the types of traitors, fitting into a group and team building missions as Claire and Al walk through the business TV show, The Celebrity Traitors.  What type of traitor would you be? How easy it is to fit into a group? Will the traitors ever sabotage a task? Is The Celebrity Traitors the business show that you need to give you the skills to work out who i...

This week we’re talking about distractions, opportunities and donkeys as Claire and Al walk through the plot of the 1940 business film, Pinocchio, voiced by Dickie Jones.  How do you identify a good business opportunity? Is there ever a shortcut for success? Should you abandon your friends when things go wrong? Is Pinocchio the business film that you need to give you the skills to identify those g...

This week we’re talking about ambition, raising funds and balancing drinks on a tray as Claire and Al walk through the plot of the 2010 business film, Burlesque starring Cher and Christina Aguilera. Is it okay to be pushy if you need to be listened to? Can you quickly change your business model if your customers request it? Are air rights a real thing? Is Burlesque the business film that you need...

This week we’re talking about sending emails, finding your niche and goldfish as Claire and Al walk through the plot of the 1998 business film, You’ve Got Mail starring Meg Ryan and Tom Hanks.  Should you be scared of new competition? How do you market a struggling business? Why is it so hard to niche down? Is You’ve Got Mail the business film that you need to give you confidence to niche down and...

This week we’re talking about building a following, communicating your message and stoning as Claire and Al walk through the plot of the 1979 business film, Life of Brian starring Monty Python.  How do you find your tribe? Do you need to be on a stage to have authority? Will your followers abandon you? Is Life of Brian the business film that you need to give you the steps you need to build up a fo...