Let’s be honest. There’s only so much textbook reading a person can handle before your brain starts quietly singing the Countdown theme tune.
So, here’s a thought. What if you could boost your exam prep while you walk the dog, drive to work, or half-watch the washing machine spin?
I want to share three podcasts that aren’t about procurement at all, but will give you the kind of real-world business examples that make CIPS exam answers shine. These are gold when you need to show application, critical thinking, or analysis in your written work.
1. Business Wars
Ever wondered how Nike went head-to-head with Adidas, or how Peloton and Lululemon handled the fitness boom and crash?
Business Wars tells the stories behind the biggest brand rivalries and how companies fight for market dominance. You’ll hear about pricing strategies, supply chain decisions, and innovation battles — basically, all the juicy bits you can drop into an exam to sound like you actually live and breathe business.
Listen for: market positioning, competitive advantage, supplier strategy, and lessons from failure.
2. Land of the Giants
This one dives deep into the tech titans — Amazon, Google, Apple, Netflix, Uber, and more. Each season unpacks how these companies grew, adapted, and sometimes stumbled.
Perfect for understanding topics like risk management, ethics, and globalisation.
Listen for: real examples of digital transformation, corporate governance, and the challenges of scaling operations worldwide.
3. American Scandal
Now for something a little darker (and perfect for those ethics or risk questions).
This podcast covers everything from Boeing’s safety scandals to BP’s environmental disasters, plus corruption cases involving politicians and police departments. It’s fascinating, occasionally shocking, and full of the kind of case study examples that bring your exam answers to life.
Listen for: what happens when corporate governance fails, and how leadership decisions shape public trust and reputation.
So next time you feel like you should be revising but can’t face another practice question, pop in your headphones. Let these stories run in the background. You’ll pick up examples, vocabulary, and insights without even trying.
Think of it as stealth revision.
Happy listening!
PS: If you end up binging one of these, tell me which episode grabbed you most.