Tag: business and business english

McDonald’s Is a Real Estate Company

B2 – Upper Intermediate

We have all heard of McDonald’s, one of the most, if not the most famous and most successful fast-food chain in the entire world.

However, even with McDonald’s being the biggest food company, is there a possibility that it could be much more successful in a different part of the business world?

Watch this video to find out about McDonald’s more successful business.

Discussion Questions:

  1. If ever you got into real estate, would you consider starting a McDonald’s franchise even if McDonald’s gets more money than you?
  2. Did you know about McDonald’s benefit from real estate before this video? If not, what is your reaction when you found out?
  3. Do you think McDonald’s is better off only being a real estate company? Explain your points.

Canva Hits Massive US$40 Billion Valuation after Latest Funding Round

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Canva is free graphic design app for everyone. For premium features, paid subscriptions for pros and enterprises are also available. The start-up was founded in 2013 by Melanie Perkins, Cliff Obrecht, and Cameron Adams. At the time of writing, Canva is valued at $40bn (£29bn), making it one of the world’s biggest tech companies in the world. 

Read this article about Canva’s valuation soaring.

https://cfotech.co.nz/story/canva-hits-massive-us-40-billion-valuation-after-latest-funding-round

Discussion Questions:

  1. What can you say about Canva’s success?
  2. What is your impression of this company and their business model? 
  3. What are your thoughts on the company’s “simple” two-step plan?
  4. What do you think about Canva CEO’s plans to give their wealth away?
  5. Have you ever used Canva? What do you think of it?

Elizabeth Holmes, Theranos Scandal, and Silicon Valley

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Elizabeth Holmes was once a trailblazing woman in business and medical technology in the Silicon Valley. She founded the start-up health technology company called Theranos. With promises of revolutionary blood tests that are performed using small automated devices and only very small amounts of blood are needed to be extracted from the patient, investments came pouring in. Now, Holmes is under trial for fraud.

The technology sounded amazing. Except, it was just make-believe. One might ask, so if it seemed nonsensical, why did so many people still fall for her hook, line, and sinker.

The Theranos scandal highlights the systemic problems with start-up culture on secrecy and the aggressive use ofNon-disclosure agreements (NDAs). 

Read the article about Elizabeth Holmes, Theranos, the problems with the start-up culture and what the Silicon Valley has learned from this scandal.

https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-58469882

Discussion Questions:

  1. What are your thoughts on Holmes and Theranos’ fraud and how they were able to get away with it for years?
  2. What do you think about the product they were developing?
  3. Talk about the thin line between fraud and fake it til you make it culture.
  4. Is it really “fake it until you make it” in business? Explain your point.
  5. What are your thoughts on this: “Secrecy is important for these companies to succeed – but that culture of secrecy can also be used as a smoke screen”?
  6. How important are NDAs in your job/industry or for your company?
  7. What are things you would consider if you were to invest in a start-up?

‘The Customer Is Always Right’ Is Wrong

B2 – Upper Intermediate

We have heard the  slogan  “The Customer is always right”  several times and often, this attitude that the customer is always right negatively affects the company as it goes to great lengths to meet customers’ needs. But what if the customer isn’t always right? 

Read the article below and know the reasons this old adage isn’t always right.

https://www.huffpost.com/entry/top-5-reasons-customer-service_b_5145636

Discussion Questions:

  1. What happens if the company adopts “the customer is always right” policy?
  2.  Do you agree that “The customer is always right” is wrong? Why or why not?
  3. What are the effects of this policy to the company and to the employees? Will the advantages outweigh the drawbacks?

Effective Customer Service during Mergers and Acquisitions

B2 – Upper Intermediate

When a company goes through transition after a merger and acquisition, there are some negative impact on the business’s operations and in some cases, customer relations.

Read more to find out about how to provide effective customer service during M&A.

https://www.linkedin.com/advice/3/how-can-you-provide-effective-customer

Discussion Questions:

1. Explain the three challenges companies face during an M&A transition.
2. Have you ever worked for a company that underwent re-organization? Talk about this period.
3. Give some ways on how to ensure smooth M&A transition.

Instant Gratification in Marketing

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Humans are naturally inclined to have desires for things. In the business setting, whoever provides these desires in the best way and timely manner possible, gets ahead of the competition.

With this in mind, instant gratification can offer a wide array of benefits for digital marketers.

Get a deeper understanding of instant gratification, how it works to a company’s advantage in marketing, and ways to provide it to customers.

https://www.entrepreneur.com/article/235088

Discussion Questions:

1. Explain why people expect immediate responses now.

2. What are your thoughts on the ideas presented in this article?

3. What are some other ways to handle customer’s desire for instant gratification?

4. Does the company you work for use instant gratification? In what ways?

5. Do you agree that instant gratification provides benefits for businesses?

Bank of England Staff Go on Strike

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Employees are going on a strike. They have decided to demand a pay increase from the Bank of England. Getting very little to no rise in their salary means workers have to constantly make ends meet.

Find out more about the current situation that the bank’s staff have to face and what led them to make the said decision.

http://www.breakingnewsenglish.com/1707/170705-bank-of-england.html

Discussion Questions:

1. What do you think are the good and bad things about being a bank worker?

2. Do you think good pay is the most important requirement in a job? Cite a few reasons why.

3. Talk about what you know about the pay rise system in your country.

4. What are the usual reasons workers’ union go on strike in your country?

5. Do you believe strikes should be forbidden? Explain.

Clearing Up Confusions

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Rumors in the workplace can lead to hurt feelings and may mean employees have to work in a hostile environment. Whether a rumor is true or not, the outcome of spreading it can be damaging. Employers have a responsibility to try to control the spread of workplace rumors to ensure that the work environment is a positive place for all employees.

Watch the video and read the transcript about clearing up confusions.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/english-at-work/47-language-to-clear-up-confusion

Discussion Questions:

  1. Do you and your colleagues chit chat with each other? Why or why not?
  2. Talk about a situation where it was necessary for you to clear up a confusion at work.
  3. What are some common topics do coworkers speak about?
  4. What are things employees shouldn’t be talking about among themselves in the office?
  5. How damaging is it to spread rumors in the workplace? Explain and cite examples as well.

Making Someone Redundant

B2 – Upper Intermediate

If one is ever made to be redundant, their employer must treat them with fairness and act in accordance with their contract and legal redundancy rights. That includes making sure they’re consulted, following the right selection process, and giving them sufficient notice period.

Everyone should know their rights when faced with this situation.

Watch the video and read the transcript about making someone redundant.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/english-at-work/50-language-used-making-someone-redundant

Discussion Questions:

  1. Is work redundancy common in the workplace in your country? Talk about some instances you know of.
  2. What are the rights of an employee who has been terminated due to redundancy?
  3. In your opinion, how long should the notice period be?

Tesco Homeplus Virtual Subway Store

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Innovation is the development and implementation of ideas that lead to more value for whatever business you are in.

When grocery chain Tesco wanted to expand their market share in South Korea, they came up with a brilliant idea. Because the people in South Korea work long hours, Tesco thought of an efficient way to sell their products.  Why is this shop interesting to view?

Watch the video to find out. Be able to answer the questions that follow.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What do you think about Tesco’s virtual store at subway stations in South Korea?
  2. How was Tesco better than its competitor in terms of innovation?
  3. Do you think this innovative idea could be successfully applied in all countries? Explain.
  4. What are the most important innovations for you in your daily life?
  5. Have you ever worked for a company that has implemented any innovative ideas? Talk about it.
  6. Have you ever had an innovative idea? If so, did you put it into action?