Tag: Business

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?

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.

How IKEA Gets You to Impulsively Buy More?

B2 – Upper Intermediate

According to researchers, approximately 50 percent of purchases is unplanned. These purchases, especially from impulse buying, gives an opportunity for retailers to entice consumers to deviate from their shopping lists. One of the most effective ways to influence this is through a store’s architecture.

Architect Victor Gruen pioneered the first American shopping malls. He used light and space to dramatically stage goods in storefront windows. His designs were meant to capture the attention of passersby and convert them into customers. This conversion became known as the “Gruen effect.”

Watch the video below to learn how IKEA has mastered the “Gruen effect” and be able to answer the discussion questions:

Discussion Questions:

  1. Have you ever been to IKEA? How often do you go there?
  2. What are some products or items have you bought from IKEA?
  3. What do you think of IKEA? How do you feel when you are in their store?
  4. What impulse buys did you regret?
  5. What are ways to prevent impulse buys?

Huawei Ban in the US

C1 – Advanced

Huawei, the Chinese telecom giant, is getting blacklisted by the United States. The tech company was added to the Commerce Department’s Entities List ban that could pose a threat to national security.

Let’s watch the video:

 

Discussion Questions:

1. Why did the United States ban Huawei?

2. How will this affect Huawei? Do you think they will survive?

3. Do you think the new restrictions on Huawei are fair?

4. Do you believe banning products from China would be helpful to the United States?

5. How will this trade war between the United States and China affect other countries?

Social Media Killed the Retail Store

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Millennials do things differently. The influence in fashion has clearly changed due to social media and influencers around. They are changing the rules of brand marketing, redefining purchase habits, and revolutionizing the shopping experience. They have different priorities in terms of shopping habits, spending more on entertainment and experiences, such as dining and travel, than on products. The influence of minimalism also plays a role in this shift.

Read more about this on this article here:

https://www.nbcnews.com/business/business-news/social-media-killed-retail-store-how-millennials-have-changed-our-n1008371

Discussion Questions:

1.How has social media changed your shopping habits?

2. What are your priorities when shopping for things?

3. Are you influenced by social media and famous celebrities/influencers when shopping?

4. Which do you believe in more now – “dress for success” or “You’re not building wardrobes today. You’re building memories.” Explain your choice.

Why you should know your coworkers salary?

C1 – Advanced

It’s cringe-worthy to ask your colleagues how much they earn, and the same goes for telling them your salary. Hence, knowing how much they make causes curiosity among employees. According to a new study, salary and pay are now more openly discussed among coworkers in the U.S. and there is a good reason to do so.

Watch the video to know why salaries should be shared and why it actually makes business sense.

 

Discussion Questions:

1. How does salary transparency benefit a company?

2. Do you agree or disagree with the speaker?

3. Are you confident to share how much your salary is?

4. What do you think are the risks of discussing your salary with your colleagues?