Tag: Business English

People Want Dumbphones

B2 – Upper Intermediate 

Mobile phone companies go head to head to keep innovating their products. “The smarter the better.” seems to be the motto here.

On the contrary, not everyone is so pleased. For those who can barely keep up with the latest in smartphones or those who are outright anti-technology, they want phones with less advanced specs and features. For them, “The simpler the better.”

Read this article and find out why people prefer dumbphones and will the industry respond to this increasing demand.

https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20240515-the-dumbphones-people-want-are-hard-to-find

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What is a “neo-Luddite”? “Self-labelled neo-Luddites and the tech-stressed are searching for phones with fewer features.” Make a sentence using this word.
  2. Define “profit margin”. “Industry experts cite precarious profit margins and a wobbly market around this niche need.” Make a sentence using this term.
  3. What does “catch-all” mean? “They’re transitioning to “dumbphones”, a catch-all term for phones with basic functions such as calling, texting and setting alarms.”  Make a sentence using this word.

Discussion Questions:

  1. Why are some people choosing basic dumbphones with stripped down capabilities?
  2. What do you think about using dumbphones again? Can you name some pros and cons?
  3. Do you think it is worth it for tech companies to keep manufacturing dumbphones? State your opinion.
  4. What are your thoughts on this, “The big tech giants don’t want anything that has to do with reducing your smartphone usage.”?
  5. How do you find the idea of a “light or minimal phone”?

Stanley Cup a Viral Sensation

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Stanley has been around for more than a century. However, it is not until 2017 when the brand gained traction and became viral which lead to their annual sales going up from 73 to 750 million.

In the past few years, the Stanley Tumbler has become super popular, not just for holding drinks, but also because it’s everywhere on social media and loved by lots of different people. Even though it was made for just being useful, it’s turned into a big trend that doesn’t show any signs of slowing down.

Watch the video to know why the Stanley Cups became famous so quickly and be able to answer the questions below.

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does the idiom “a slow build” mean? “So it was a slow build over many months and then you could see that the waiting list began to grow.” Give two (2) synonyms or similar expressions and use ‘a slow build’ in your own sentence.
  2. What does “to take a liking to something” mean? “At first, the quencher was a flop. It wasn’t until a group of working moms running the popular blog ‘The Buy Guide’ took a liking to it in 2017.” Make a sentence using the phrase.
  3. What does the expression “to seize that opportunity” mean? “At this point, the quencher rise putting Stanley on the radar for more consumers and the company is looking to seize that opportunity.” Use this phrase in a sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What can other brands learn from Stanley’s rise to popularity?
  2. What do you think are the other key factors that contributed to the Stanley Tumbler craze becoming a viral sensation?
  3. How has social media played a role in amplifying the popularity of the Stanley Tumbler?
  4. Do you believe the design and functionality of the Stanley Tumbler played a significant role in its viral success, or was it primarily driven by social influence? Explain.
  5. What impact has the Stanley Tumbler craze had on consumer behavior and purchasing decisions?
  6. In your country, are there any similarities between the Stanley Tumbler craze and other viral sensations in recent years? If so, what are they?

Billionaires Try Hard to Look Poor

B2 – Upper  Intermediate 

The super-rich are people who are absolutely not like you and me. To say the least, they can pretty much afford anything in this world, including luxury clothes.

However, most of them try to make themselves look like they are just like any of us by wearing outfits that seem so plain and ordinary, having houses and cars that seem basic, and living a lifestyle that seem simple and frugal.

Do you ever wonder why some of the top billionaires in the world appear in public looking so simple in their regular-looking outfits like basic t-shirts instead of donning Italian custom-made suits?

Watch the video that explains the concept of poverty peacocking.

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “folksy image” mean, “SBF and the rest of the gang were all frauds, but putting a lot of effort into crafting a folksy image is done by most prominent business leaders for three simple reasons.” Use this expression in your own sentence.
  2. What does “stealth wealth” mean? “Billionaires doing a Bloomberg or NAS Daily interviews featuring their basic car and geeky wardrobe is not the same thing as stealth wealth.” Use this phrase in a sentence.
  3. What does “grift” mean? “An important element of any grift like this is that people need to believe that someone has become wealthy and that they can do it too.” Use this word in a sentence.

Discussion Questions:

1. What are your thoughts on poverty peacocking?

2. Discuss each of the 3 reasons rich people try to look poor:

– It gets them what they want.

– It is an effective sales tactic.

– It helps them keep their workers in line.

3. Share your opinion on this, “Humble CEOs are the new fashion.”.

4. What are your thoughts on ‘Get Rich Quick Course’?

5. Talk about your insights on this, “Corporations became people, as people too, became corporations and every corporation needs a media relations department.”.

The Benefits of Having a Corporate Social Responsibility Program

B2 – Upper Intermediate

This lesson delves into businesses’ evolving role in addressing societal and environmental challenges while driving long-term value. It goes beyond mere philanthropy, encompassing a holistic approach that considers impacts on stakeholders. Companies embracing this recognize wider consequences and aim to create enduring value by integrating ethical principles, sustainable practices, and community engagement. This approach fosters positive relationships, enhances brand reputation, mitigates risks, and attracts socially conscious consumers and investors, positioning these companies for sustained success.

Read the article below about the benefits of having corporate social responsibility program and be ready to answer the following questions. 

https://benevity.com/resources/corporate-social-responsibility-benefits

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does the expression “executive buy-in” mean in the sentence, “Winning executive buy-in, assigning responsibilities and finding the right CSR software are some of the biggest hurdles to jump — that’s before you’ve even mapped out the details.” Use it in a sentence.
  2. What does the noun “stakeholder” mean, “Stakeholders want to know if this project will see a positive return on investment (ROI).”? Use it in a sentence.
  3. What does the phrase “from strength to strength” mean in the sentence, “Ranked as the world’s most reputable company in 2020 by RepTrak, the children’s building blocks brand continues to go from strength to strength.“? Use this noun phrase in a sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. Do you think business leaders today prioritize making money above everything else, or do they consider social responsibility more now? Why or why not?
  2. What are the potential consequences of prioritizing profits over other considerations such as environmental impact, employee well-being, and community engagement?
  3. What role do consumers and investors play in shaping companies’ approaches to social responsibility, and how can businesses respond to their changing expectations?
  4. How do you prioritize profit versus social responsibility in your own approach to work or business decisions?
  5. Have you ever faced a situation where you had to choose between maximizing profits and acting in a socially responsible manner? If so, how did you navigate that decision?

Tire Companies Love Electric Vehicles (EVs)

B2 – Upper Intermediate

The tire business is characterized by slow change and growth and low margins. Fortunately, electric vehicles (EVs) might be a gamechanger for the tire industry in the future.

Tire companies are looking forward to earning 50% more. They are also expecting more EV users to change their tires 20% more often.

Watch the entire video below about why tire companies love EVs.

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. Define the phrase “regenerative braking”. “EVs, however, deliver about two thirds of their energy to the wheels, more if there are energy recovery technologies like regenerative braking.”? Use it in a sentence.
  2. What does the term “differentiated product” mean in the sentence “One of the main ways that tire companies compete with each other is by creating a differentiated product.”? Use it in a sentence.
  3. What does the phrase “compound annual rate” mean? “Analytics form AlixPartners says the total market for EV tires is expected to grow at a 33% compound annual rate through 2031.”? Use it in a sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is the video all about?
  2. How do tire manufacturers view tires as commodities in the market?
  3. From a business perspective, should tire companies consider deliberately reducing the lifespan of tires to increase profitability?
  4. How do electric vehicles (EVs) impact the tire industry?
  5. As tire companies benefit from electric vehicles, which other industries do you think might be affected by this trend?

Rising Auto Insurance Premiums Fueling Inflation

B1 –  Intermediate 

The increase in car insurance costs are making the impact of inflation even worse for many people.

Read the article about how the increasing car insurance premiums fuels inflation. Be ready to answer the questions that follow.

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/2404/240415-auto-insurance-4.html

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “wreck” mean, “If you [wreck] your car, the replacement cost is really high.“? Give two (2) synonyms or similar expressions and use ‘wreck’ in your own sentence.
  2. What does “burden” mean, “Insurance is a huge burden for people struggling to survive in the cost of living crisis.” Give two (2) synonyms or similar expressions and use ‘burden’ in your own sentence.
  3. What does ”fender bender” mean, “Even a simple fender bender could damage sensors and cameras.”? Use this expression in a sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is your reaction to this news?
  2. Is the same thing happening in your country? Talk about the situation.
  3. Explain why the biggest factor for costlier insurance was the number of new cars.
  4. Share your thoughts on this, “Rising prices are affecting the lowest paid most.”.
  5. Do you agree with this statement, “Insurance is a huge burden for people struggling to survive in the cost of living crisis.”? Explain your point.

AI Helps Make Wine

B2 – Upper Intermediate

In California and Oregon’s vineyards, AI is leading a quiet revolution in winemaking. It is reshaping the process of growing, harvesting, and transforming grapes into exquisite wines.

AI technologies enable remote monitoring of vineyard conditions and fine-tuning flavor profiles in the cellar. This unlocks new possibilities for winemakers, enhancing quality, consistency, and consumer appeal.

Read this article to learn more about how AI is revolutionizing the traditional practices of viticulture and winemaking.

https://www.bbc.com/news/business-68788080

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “boots on the ground” mean in this context? “We’re always boots on the ground. But the data helps us make informed decisions based on science, as opposed to just feelings. Feelings aren’t bad, but we like to use data.” Make a sentence with this expression.
  2. Define “chemical makeup”. “The software does this by analyzing a wine’s chemical makeup, and quickly comparing it to a database of the taste preferences of 248 million US wine drinkers.” Use this in a sentence.
  3. What is the meaning of “anathema”? “For wine traditionalists, the use of AI in winemaking, be it in the vineyard or the winery, is an anathema.” Make a sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is your opinion on the use of AI to make wine?
  2. According to the article, what are the pros and cons of using AI in winery?
  3. How do you think advancements in technology, such as AI, are impacting traditional industries like viticulture and winemaking?
  4. Share your thoughts on this, “Feelings aren’t bad, but we like to use data.”
  5. Do you think AI technology will become increasingly prevalent in the wine industry, or do you believe traditional methods will continue to dominate?

Boycotts Amidst Israel’s War on Gaza Are Hurting Brands

B2 – Upper Intermediate

The ongoing Gaza conflict has prompted a wave of consumer activism, with many choosing to boycott US brands as well as brands that support Israel as a sign of protest.

This phenomenon reflects growing concerns and solidarity with the situation. However, it also raises questions regarding its effectiveness. Some individuals are skeptical whether this action hurts the boycotted brands.

Read this article to learn about the effects of consumers’ boycotts on brands who are perceived to support Israel’s war on Gaza.

https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/2/6/israels-war-on-gaza-are-boycotts-hurting-us-brands

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does the phrase “to draw the ire” mean? “Fast food giant McDonald’s drew the ire of Israel’s critics, especially in the Middle East, when its Israel branch gave thousands of free meals to Israeli troops in October, the month the country launched its bombardment and ground offensive in Gaza, which have now killed more than 27,000 people.” Give a similar expression and make a sentence with “to draw the ire”.
  2. What does “fraught negotiation” mean? “Both sides are engaged in ongoing, fraught negotiations on labour issues with the union demanding better pay and more consistent scheduling for workers.” Use this phrase in a sentence.
  3. What is the meaning of “to be caught in the crossfire“? “The fizzy drinks manufacturer has long been caught in the crossfire of conflict in the Middle East.” Make a sentence with this idiom.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What are your thoughts on individuals boycotting brands that support Israel?
  2. How might the effectiveness of the boycott be measured, and what challenges might arise in assessing it?
  3. Are there alternative methods of protest or activism that individuals could pursue instead of boycotting brands?
  4. Have you personally considered participating in the boycott of US brands or brands supporting Israel in response to the Gaza conflict?
  5. How can individuals best support humanitarian causes like those affected by the Gaza conflict, beyond consumer activism?

Soda Wars as Subway Switches to Pepsi over Coke

B2 – Upper Intermediate

In the constantly changing world of what consumers like and the partnerships between brands, the competition among big soda companies has always been exciting to watch. But lately, things have gotten even more intense because Subway, the famous sandwich chain, has decided to switch from serving Coca-Cola to Pepsi.

Watch the video and take a closer look at this cola clash and how it might affect the soda business.

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does the expression “to tug at the heartstrings” mean? “Pepsi tapping into star power. While Coca-cola tugs on [sic] heartstrings.” Use the idiom in a sentence.
  2. What does the phrase “to bubble up” mean in this sentence? “The battle between Coca-Cola and Pepsi has been bubbling up for two decades.” Use it in a sentence.
  3. What does the phrase “to ramp up” mean? “The clash of colas ramping up as they try to prevent business from going flat.” Give one sentence using this expression.

Discussion Questions:

  1. In your opinion, which soda brand—Coca-Cola or Pepsi—holds greater influence over consumer preferences and brand loyalty in today’s market? Why do you think so?
  2. Do you believe Subway’s decision to switch to Pepsi will have a significant impact on its customer base and overall sales? Why or why not?
  3. As a consumer, would Subway’s choice of soda supplier influence your decision to visit their restaurants? Why or why not?
  4. Do you think Subway’s switch from Coke to Pepsi will spark similar changes in other fast-food chains’ beverage partnerships? Why or why not?

Bitcoin at a Record High

B1 – Intermediate

Bitcoin is a type of digital currency that isn’t controlled by any government or bank. It’s created and managed using a technology called blockchain. People can use Bitcoin to buy things online or trade it like stocks. Its value can change a lot and there’s only a limited amount of Bitcoin that will ever exist.

Listen to this audio and read the transcript about Bitcoin being at a record high.

https://www.newsinlevels.com/products/bitcoin-at-a-record-high-level-2/

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “cryptocurrency” mean, “The cryptocurrency hit 69,202 dollars and surpassed its peak in November 2021.” Use it in a sentence.
  2. What does “surpass” mean? “The cryptocurrency hit 69,202 dollars and surpassed its peak in November 2021.” Give two (2) synonyms or similar expressions and use ‘surpass’ in your own sentence.
  3. In trading, what does the term “spot” mean? “Investor interest increased rapidly after the Securities and Exchange Commission approved 11 spot bitcoin ETFs.” Use it in a sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What are your thoughts on Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies?
  2. What are the potential risks and benefits associated with investing in Bitcoin? Elaborate.
  3. What are some potential factors driving the fluctuations in Bitcoin’s value
  4. How might the fluctuation in Bitcoin’s value impact investor sentiment and the market?
  5. Why do you think more people are becoming interested in Bitcoin? Explain.