Tag: Business

Hong Kong’s Octopus Card

B1 – Intermediate

The Octopus card is a smart card used for making electronic payments in online or offline systems in Hong Kong. It is mostly used in paying for rides on the MTR, buses, minibusses, ferries, trams, and on a few taxis with Octopus readers.

Read more about the Octopus Card in this article below.

https://www.english-online.at/news-articles/business-economy/octopus-card-hongkong.htm

Discussion Questions:

  1. What do you think of the Octopus card?
  2. How would you differentiate the transport card in your country from the Octopus card?
  3. What do you think are the advantages and disadvantages of this payment system?
  4. In your opinion, what is the best mode of payment?

Men Get Paid More on eBay

B1 – Intermediate

A study shows that women make less money than men when selling the same products on eBay. Those who conducted the study were no longer surprised by gender discrimination but were surprised at how much the difference between men and women was.

Read the article below and be ready to answer the questions that follow.

https://www.english-online.at/news-articles/business-economy/men-get-paid-more-on-ebay.htm

Discussion Questions:

  1. What do you think are the reasons men are paid more on eBay?
  2. What is your opinion about how women make less money when selling the same products as men on eBay?
  3. Share your thoughts on this, “Women have a better reputation as sellers than men on eBay.”.
  4. Is the gender of the seller important to you when you are shopping online?
  5. What can eBay do to prevent this kind of discrimination from happening on their website?

Teenager Sells Bathwater

B1 – Intermediate

An Instagram cosplay model is selling her bath water for $30 per bottle. Though some people think it’s gross, others praised her for her business skills.

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/1907/190708-bath-water-0.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. What can you say about her products?
  2. Would you buy something from someone famous or someone you idolize?
  3. Talk about the time you have bought something because you saw someone famous use it.
  4. Have you tried selling things online? Talk about your experience.
  5. What are the effects of the internet on business?

Grocery Store Influencers

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Influencers are becoming more and more important in reaching shoppers nowadays. A full-time Detroit mother blogs about the discount German grocery chain that has a huge following. She gives very objective reviews of different products and her experiences.

Here is the article about it:

https://edition.cnn.com/2019/12/07/business/influencers-aldi-kroger-costco-publix/index.html

Discussion Questions:

1. What is influencer marketing?

2. Do you follow any influencers? Why or why not?

3. Is there any authenticity in influencer marketing?

4. What do you think will be the future of influencer marketing?

5. What are other ways you find out about deals and discounts on products or services?

Apple Removes Customer Reviews

B1 – Intermediate

Apple has removed its customer reviews and ratings from all products of the Apple website. The company has stayed silent about this matter. It’s still not clear though as to why this has happened.

Read the article to find out more about this news.

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/1911/191125-customer-reviews.html

Discussion Questions :

  1. Why do you think Apple removed the customer review section?
  2. What is your opinion about Apple removing their customer review section?
  3. If a page/product/service, especially online, does not have any reviews/review section, does it make you less interested in their product or service? Talk about it.
  4. If the product or service has mixed reviews, how do you decide which to believe?
  5. How important are customer reviews for customers and businesses?

Glasses Ban for Women at Work

B2 – Upper Intermediate

In Japan, news of several companies banning the wearing of glasses among female employees made rounds recently.

This has become a controversial issue in the country as reports say that female employees have been told by their employers to stop wearing them.

Read the article to find out more about this eyewear ban among women in Japan.

https://www.bbc.com/news/business-50342714

Discussion Questions:

  1. What are your thoughts on forbidding women to wear glasses at their workplace?
  2. Do you think this ban is sexist? Why or why not?
  3. What might good things about wearing and not wearing glasses?

The Rise of Virtual Restaurants

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Much commerce is being done through the Web these days. This is particularly evident in the food industry. The Internet is offering exciting new possibilities for sellers and foodies alike.

The following audio and text will deepen our understanding of this matter.

https://learningenglish.voanews.com/a/online-food-ordering-gives-rise-to-virtual-restaurants/5137728.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. Nowadays, people either order in or eat out. What makes either option appealing?
  2. Which apps have you already used to have food delivered? Was it a convenient or cumbersome means of ordering food?
  3. Why have some restaurateurs decided to take the “virtual” route in doing business? What keeps some of them from fully embracing the idea?

Why McDonald’s Failed In Iceland?

B2 – Upper Intermediate

McDonald’s famous golden arches seem ubiquitous the world over, but in one European country, it eventually closed shop. What led to the fast-food giant’s downfall in this part of the world? Will it make a comeback?

The video that follows provides, pardon the pun, food for thought.

Discussion Questions:

  1. Do you like fast food fare? Why or why not?
  2. Which fast-food restaurants thrive in your country? What do you think contributed to their success?
  3. What restaurant franchises failed to gain a foothold where you live? Why do you think this happened?

Forever 21’s Downfall and Bankruptcy

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Forever 21 made billions in revenue and was one of the fastest-growing fashion empires. Now, the owners have filed for bankruptcy after struggling to keep up with the rise of e-commerce. As one of the largest occupants of American shopping centers, a massive shutdown of Forever 21’s stores could aggravate the ongoing retail apocalypse.

Watch the video about how Forever 21’s success and downfall.

Discussion Questions:

1. In your opinion, where did Forever 21 go wrong?

2. What can filing for bankruptcy do to a company? What are the advantages and disadvantages?

3. In your opinion, what can the retailers do to save Forever 21?

4. What can Forever 21’s bankruptcy mean for the future of fast fashion?

5. Talk about some of the most popular fashion companies in your country?

Why Printed Books Are Still Popular

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Despite the proliferation of the internet and social media, in one industry paper continues to trump electronic.

Watch this short video to better comprehend why paper books remain the medium of choice of many millennial parents and young netizens.

Discussion Questions:

  1. According to the video, why do paper books continue to thrive despite competition from e-books?
  2. Which book do you remember most from your childhood? What was it about? Did you read it, or was it read to you by family or a teacher? Why does it remain a vivid memory? Was it an electronic or printed book?
  3. What is the role of libraries in today’s world of Google search results and Wikipedia entries?