Tag: Business

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?

 

 

The ‘Deadly’ Food

C1 – Advanced

Palm oil is found in most products such as bread, chocolate, soup and other processed food, as well as some cosmetics. Why is palm oil the most controversial cooking oil in the market?

Let’s find out why the production of palm oil is problematic:

https://www.bbc.com/reel/video/p074jwbm/the-deadly-food-we-all-eat?ocid=ww.social.link.facebook&fbclid=IwAR2xL94FxG7BdqMuDdRGxG_5_TbHsLo9TM5LaMoKiH0hegXlXcvfD7oCc44

Discussion Questions:

1. What’s the problem discussed in the video?

2. What are your thoughts on this?

3. Is there such a thing as sustainable palm oil?

4. What kind of oil do you use for cooking? Would you consider using palm oil?

5. Have you heard of other news about palm oil?

Apple’s New Apple TV+

B2- Upper Intermediate

Apple is introducing Apple TV+ . It will be streaming original content videos similar to biggest and successful streaming companies like Netflix and Amazon. Many people subscribe to these streaming services and Apple has predicted that it will gain a huge  number of subscribers in the future as well.

Read the article:

 

https://edition.cnn.com/2019/03/26/tech/apple-streaming/index.html

 

Discussion Questions:

1. What do you think about Apple’s  TV + ? Will the price be affordable for consumers?

2. Apple has succeeded at selling subscriptions, apps, movies and other services to iPhone customers, do you think this new service will be successful too?

3. Would you pay for another streaming company? Why or why not?

4. What kinds of streaming video contents do you think will be appealing to the public?

 

Investment Scam Targets Instagram Users

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Scams that start on the internet are becoming more and more common nowadays. Sometimes, you’ll encounter fake websites tricking you into installing software that look legitimate but that is really just a virus or scams that are designed to lure people into investing money.

Please read the article to find out more about this new scam.

https://www.bbc.com/news/business-47358892

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is this new online scam?
  2. How does it lure people into investing money?
  3. How can getting scammed online be avoided?
  4. Why do you think some people get easily tricked by online scams?

Uber Suspends Services in Barcelona

B2 – Upper Intermediate

There have been some protests in Barcelona against Uber staged by taxi drivers. Cab drivers feel that their business is being dragged through the mud.

Uber has decided to suspend its services in Barcelona after new regulations were implemented. The Catalan government imposed that Uber make a 15-minute delay before picking up passengers.

https://www.bbc.com/news/business-47071710

Discussion Questions:
1. What do you think of Uber’s decision to suspend its services in Barcelona?
2. What’s your stand on the rivalry between ride-hailing companies and traditional taxi companies?
3. Do you think Uber should continue its operations in Barcelona and in all of Spain?
4. What are the benefits and drawbacks of the existence of businesses with the same business model as Uber?
5. What do you like and dislike about Uber’s services?

Investing in Water

C1 – Advanced

Access to clean freshwater is a basic human right but an on going challenge in some parts of the world. With limited water source, it becomes challenging to put up with the increasing demand to develop and maintain our limited supply thus affecting everyone including the business sector.

Let’s find out how businesses get affected and what possible approaches are available to combat water scarcity.

Discussion Questions:

1. In what ways are companies being affected by the increasing water shortage?
2. What solutions are provided for water scarcity and what do you think about them?
3. How do multinational companies approach the issue?
4. Do you conserve water?
5. How would life change if your town rationed water?

Toyota to Save Money

B1 – Intermediate

When companies go through hard financial times, they find ways to lower their expenses. In Toyota’s case, they thought of shutting down some elevators in their main office in Tokyo.

Read the full article to find out more about Toyota’s ways to cut costs.

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/1607/160710-elevators-1.html

Discussion Questions:
1. Why is Toyota shutting down elevators in their headquarters?
2. What are others ways they are saving money?
3. What cost-cutting measures has your company ever implemented?