Tag: Business

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?

How to Get a Raise

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Our boss should notice our accomplishments and give us a raise. But in the real world, that is rarely the case. If you want a raise or promotion you have to ask for one. Question is, how do you ask for a raise and get it?

Watch the video for some tips.

Discussion Questions:

1. When and how to ask for a raise?

2. Why do you think women are reluctant to ask for a raise?

3. Do you think you need a raise?

4. Talk about your experience asking your boss for a higher salary.

5. If you were an employer, what would you consider before giving your employees a raise?

Multiple Hotels Do Not Change Bedsheets

B2 – Upper Intermediate

When we stay at a hotel, we expect fresh, clean sheets — but how can we be sure the linens have been changed after the previous guests left?

The Inside Edition’s investigative team came up with a simple test. They checked into different hotels and sprayed messages on the sheets using washable paint only visible under UV light. They checked out and booked the same rooms the next evening. Shockingly, they found out that the sheets hadn’t been changed!

So was it just a simple mistake or is this a dirty little secret in the hotel industry? Let’s find out by watching the video below.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What was your reaction to this?
  2. Where do you usually stay when you are on vacation?
  3. Have you ever experienced staying at a hotel that fell below your expectations? What did you do about it?
  4. Why do you think the sheets weren’t changed in those hotels?

Pyramid Scheme

C1 – Advanced

Most people want to amass wealth and the thought of earning quick substantial amount of money over a short period of time without putting in so much work is surely enticing. This is exactly what a pyramid scheme promises.

Let’s watch the video and find out the pitfalls of a pyramid scheme and also know how to keep an eye out for one.

 

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is a pyramid scheme and how is it different from multi-level marketing?
  2. Is this business prevalent in your country? What is your opinion on this business structure?
  3. Have you been offered to join a pyramid or multi-level marketing company?
  4. What are the ways to spot a pyramid scheme?

Why Starbucks Failed in Australia

C1 – Advanced

It’s easy to find a Starbucks cafe almost anywhere in the world. However, in Australia, there aren’t that many. That’s because in 2008, the company closed more than 70 percent of its under-performing locations, leaving only 23 Starbucks stores throughout the entire continent. Starbucks has failed to make an impression in the Australian marketplace but where did it go wrong?

Watch the video and be able to answer the questions that follow:

Discussion Questions:

  1. According to the video, why did Starbucks fail in Australia?
  2. Do you enjoy Starbucks coffee? How often do you have it?
  3. Is Starbucks popular in your country?
  4. What do you think made Starbucks popular all over the world?

Soda Ban

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Under Mayor Bloomberg’s ban, “sugary beverages” larger than 16 ounces could not be sold at food-service establishments in New York City. At restaurants with self-service soda fountains, cups larger than 16 ounces would not be provided. Only outlets that get health-department grades were included, so supermarkets, vending machine operators and convenience stores (including 7-Eleven and its Big Gulps) didn’t have to worry about the ban. There was no ban on refills as well.

Watch the video and be able to discuss the questions that follow:

Discussion Questions:

  1. What do you think about the issue discussed in the video?
  2. Do you think Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg’s proposal to restrict sales of big sugary drinks in New York will be effective?
  3. In your own opinion, should soda be banned?
  4. What are some other ways to help the government decrease citizens’ soda consumption?

Why Brands Matter to Consumers

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Brands go way beyond just a logo or graphic element. They are a way for companies to communicate with their customers in a simple way – to reach customers looking for what they are aiming to provide.  However, do brands really matter? How does a customer perceive them?

Read the article and be able to discuss the questions that follow:

https://microarts.com/insights/7-reasons-why-brands-matter-to-your-consumers/

Discussion Questions:

  1. Which among the reasons in the article do you agree/disagree with?
  2. Are you brand-conscious?
  3. In your own opinion, are brands important? Why or why not?
  4. Are all branded products really better?