Nationalisation: the Chavez revolution

Is Venezuela open for business? President Hugo Chavez has been upping the pressure on foreign and domestic firms: either they buy into his economic model or they face nationalisation. Last year alone, some 250 companies were nationalised. But despite the hazards of doing business there, it seems many multinationals will not be discouraged.

BEYOND BUSINESS

By Tom Burges Watson

Markus Karlsson

Presenter

Slideshow: Behind the scenes

07/01/2012 - BEYOND BUSINESS

France Inc.: making the most of public property

The Eiffel Tower, the Louvre and the Sorbonne...there are many landmarks and names here in France that are internationally renowned. The French government appears to be growing keener to cash in on that brand recognition. It has set up an agency which is specialised in charging private companies to use government properties. It's just one example of how the French state is trying to earn a buck as a business.

24/12/2011 - BEYOND BUSINESS

Battle of the bubbly: how Champagne producers protect their brand

Some call it bubbly, some call it fizz... but almost all of us know it as champagne. Sparkling wine producers from the Champagne region here in France are spending millions each year to ensure their product is the only wine that is labelled as champagne. And as we found out, they're willing to stretch the principle to other products, including even perfume.

10/12/2011 - BEYOND BUSINESS

Faith and finance: how Brazil's churches compete

It's probably the last place you'd associate with words like "marketing" and "expansion plans". Churches are usually seen to be a world away from business and money-making. But in Brazil, religion appears to have become a market place - and competition between churches and temples is fierce.

(1) comment

22/11/2011 - BEYOND BUSINESS

Homeland security: fighting terrorism and crime is big business

How has the fight against terrorism and crime turned into big business? Investors seem increasingly willing to flash their cash to get part of the action. It comes at a time when the security industry has grown in both size and scope. It now includes cyber security, as well as camera systems that can identify and track unwanted individuals.

05/11/2011 - BEYOND BUSINESS

Dangerous liaisons: how companies deal with NGOs

All publicity isn’t good publicity. We take a look at the relationship between big business and NGOs. Just like governments, companies are coming under tough scrutiny by charities and rights groups. How should executives deal with the unwanted attention? We focus on one example from India, where an NGO faced off with a global mining giant.