Tag: Business

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.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KhbMp2CCq6s

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?

The West Outsources More IT Jobs to Eastern Europe

B1 – Intermediate

Every company wants to reduce its costs. Some Western European companies outsource jobs to Eastern Europe because its cheaper and workers there are highly qualified.

Read about outsourcing in Europe from the link below and be ready to answer the questions that follow.

https://www.english-online.at/news-articles/business-economy/west-outsources-jobs-to-eastern-europe.htm

Discussion Questions:

1. What is your opinion on outsourcing?
2. What are the advantages and disadvantages of outsourcing?
3. Do you think outsourcing to other countries is positive or negative for a country’s economy?
4. Does your company outsource some of its functions to other countries?
5. What are ways companies lower their expenses?

Mobile Banking on the Increase

B1 – Intermediate

Only a little percentage in underdeveloped countries has access to banks but a lot of people have mobile phones. Nowadays, mobile banking is on the rise in these countries.

Read about the rise of mobile banking in underdeveloped countries from the link below and be ready to answer the questions that follow.

https://www.english-online.at/news-articles/business-economy/mobile-banking-in-developing-countries.htm

Discussion Questions:

1. Why is mobile banking growing in underdeveloped countries?
2. What are the advantages and disadvantages of mobile banking?
3. Do you do mobile banking? Why or why not?
4. How popular is mobile banking in your country?
5. What do you think are the future trends in banking?

Mastercard Removes Its Name from Its Logo

B1 – Intermediate

Mastercard is changing its logo. It plans to just have a logo without the name of the company.

Read about Mastercard’s new company logo from the link below and be ready to answer the questions that follow.

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/1901/190111-company-logo-4.html

Discussion Questions:

1. What are your thoughts on this change in Mastercard’s logo?
2. Why are company logos important to businesses?
3. What do you think makes a good company logo?
4. Which companies do you think have very good logos?
5. Describe your company logo. Do you like it as it is or do you want to improve it a little bit?

Why Appraisals Are Pointless?

B2 – Upper Intermediate

In so many ways, whether the company would thrive or fail relies on employee quality. Hence, many companies resort to appraisals in order to sort the good apples from the bad ones.

Read the full article and discover why the dreaded appraisals just don’t work and what might be the better way to boost employee productivity.

http://www.bbc.com/capital/story/20190501-why-appraisals-are-pointless-for-most-people

Discussion Questions:

  1. What are the pros and cons of employee performance ratings?
  2. What are your thoughts on performance reviews?
  3. Talk about the performance review process of your company.