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BEP 400 – Socializing with Colleagues 1: Meeting New People

Advanced, Business English, Socializing / September 10, 2023

Welcome back to Business English Pod for today’s lesson on English for socializing with your colleagues. In this lesson we’re going to learn how to socialize with colleagues you’re meeting in-person for the first time.

What do you talk about when you meet someone new or see your colleagues socially? Some outgoing people apparently never have to think about it. They’re just natural socializers and feel comfortable with small talk. For most of us though, making small talk with new people or co-workers feels uncomfortable at best, or painful at worst. But it doesn’t have to be.

We call it “small talk” because it’s light, simple, and informal conversation. It’s not serious, deep, or overly formal. Small talk is often about personal matters, but not too personal if it’s at work. We often talk about places or things that are safe and avoid controversial topics. And there’s a flow to small talk that can be tricky to master. Your comments can’t be too short, or you’ll seem rude. But if they’re too long, people will lose interest.

So what can you talk about if you’re meeting colleagues for the first time at say a conference or a company retreat? Well, some key topics include your name and job, of course, but also places and travel. And key strategies include building on other people’s comments, making guesses or inferences, and using unfinished sentences to invite other people to speak. With a handle on these approaches, you can comfortably chat socially with your colleagues.

In today’s dialog, we’ll hear a conversation at a company retreat. People from a large company are gathering for meetings and team-building. We’ll hear Michelle, Jen, and Ryan meet each other for the first time. In their conversation, you’ll hear the topics and strategies that I just mentioned.

Listening Questions

1. What information does Jen give in her short personal introduction?
2. What comment or fact given by Michelle does Jen build on with a further comment?
3. What does Jen ask Ryan about once he has introduced himself?

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BEP 31c – English for Meetings: Responding to Suggestions

Business English, English for Meetings, ESL Podcast, Intermediate English / August 27, 2023

Welcome back to Business English Pod. Today’s lesson is the second in a series about handling suggestions in English meetings. Last time we looked at how to make suggestions. And this time we’re going to look at how to respond to suggestions.

Business is a team sport. And behind every successful team is a healthy internal dialog and debate. If you want to succeed in business and be a good team player, you need opinions and the skills to express them effectively. But that doesn’t only mean making your own suggestions. It also means responding to other people’s suggestions.

So in this lesson, we’ll learn different ways of responding to suggestions. That includes responding positively, by accepting or praising the idea. It also includes rejecting ideas or casting doubt on them.

In today’s dialog, we’ll listen to a marketing team meeting at a sports shoe company. The four colleagues are talking about a new ad campaign. They are making suggestions for a “spokesperson,” or recognizable figure to promote their shoes. During the discussion they use a variety of techniques and language to respond to suggestions.

Listening Questions

1. What does Miguel think of Sven’s idea to hire an overweight business executive as a spokesperson?
2. How does Karen react to Miguel’s suggestion of hiring a famous sports star?
3. What is the group’s response to Karen’s final suggestion of hiring a golfer?

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BEP 30c – English for Meetings: Making Suggestions

Business English, English for Meetings, Functions / July 16, 2023

Welcome back to Business English Pod. Today’s lesson is the first in a series about making and responding to suggestions in meetings in English. This is part of a broader project to take another look at some of our older lessons.

Solving problems and coming up with ideas in groups is a big part of work. Succeeding in business means participating effectively in these kinds of group meetings. And to do that, you need to know how to make and respond to suggestions. It’s no use having a good idea if you can’t express it!

In this lesson, we’re going to focus on how to make suggestions. We’ll look at several different expressions we use to suggest ideas. Expressions like “one possibility,” and “maybe,” and “how about” are essential when you want to make suggestions in a meeting. And it’s good to have lots of different expressions for different situations.

In today’s dialog, we’ll hear a conversation between four people who work in marketing for a sports shoe company. They are discussing a new ad campaign and coming up with ideas for a “spokesperson,” or a famous person to advertise their new shoes. In their conversation, they use lots of expressions for making suggestions.

Listening Questions

1. What words does Sven use to introduce his suggestion of using a famous business executive?
2. What suggestion does Miguel introduce with the word “perhaps?”
3. How does Charles introduce his suggestion of choosing someone from a sport where it’s normal to be heavy?

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BEP 29c – Meetings in English: How to Disagree

Business English, English for Meetings, Functions, Intermediate English / May 1, 2023

Welcome back to Business English Pod This lesson is the second part of our series on agreeing and disagreeing. Today we’re going to look at how to disagree.

In the board room or the break room, it’s great to be able to support other people’s ideas by agreeing. But you won’t get far in business if you just agree with everything. You need to be able to disagree confidently and politely. Only then can you convince people that you have an even better idea.

In this lesson, we’re going to talk about how to disagree in meetings in English. Sometimes you’ll need formal polite expressions, and sometimes you can use shorter more informal expressions. And to take things to the next level, you can learn how to disagree using the “yes… but” approach. Another effective technique is to use questions to disagree. As you can see, you’ve got lots of options for disagreeing.

In today’s dialog, we’re going to listen again to a conversation between Gene, Louis, and Carina. They work for a pharmaceutical, or drug company, and they’re talking about the tests of a new drug. During their conversation, they use many different expressions for disagreeing

Listening Questions

1. How does Carina start her first statement to show she disagrees?
2. What negative question does Carina use to show disagreement about the test results?
3. How does Gene disagree with Carina’s statement that there may still be issues with the new drug?

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BEP 396 – Strategic Decision-Making (2)

Advanced, Business English, Management English / April 16, 2023

Welcome back to Business English Pod for today’s lesson on making strategic decisions. This is the second of a pair of lessons on business strategy.

According to the old saying, good ideas are a dime a dozen. There’s no shortage of possibilities in business. But not all those ideas and possibilities are equal. You have to be able to sort out which ones are the right fit for your business. Given limited time, resources, and capacity, you can’t chase after every shiny new thing that comes along.

This is where strategy comes in. Strategy helps you separate the excellent business opportunities from all the merely good ideas. Strategy allows you to say yes to the right ones, and no to the rest. Without a strategic perspective, companies are doomed to go the way of Blockbuster.

Strategic decision-making involves asking whether your company is the right company to pursue the idea. That means assessing whether it plays to your strengths and fits with your brand. It also means discussing the opportunity costs, or the things you’ll be giving up to pursue the new idea. And any new opportunity has to have long-term potential. It can’t just be a flash in the pan.

In today’s dialog, we’ll rejoin Paolo, Adrian, and Michelle, who work for a solar panel company. The company has traditionally focused on commercial projects. Now they’re discussing whether it’s a good idea – strategically speaking – to get into the residential market.

Listening Questions

1. Why is Adrian concerned about the opinions of residential customers?
2. What does Adrian say is the focus of their company’s brand?
3. What is Michelle’s concern about the idea of providing energy audit services?

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BEP 395 – Strategic Decision-Making (1)

Advanced, Business English, Management English / March 26, 2023

Welcome back to Business English Pod for today’s lesson on strategic decision-making. This is the first of a pair of lessons on business strategy.

Every day, business leaders face tough decisions that involve difficult trade-offs. Should we put our time and money into a new opportunity or build capacity in our current operations? Should we partner with company X or company Y? Should we expand east or west?

These decisions are often informed by an overall corporate strategic plan. But that plan can’t account for all possible futures. Big picture plans don’t make the decisions but rather support decision-making. And when the world seems more uncertain, complex, and volatile than ever, the stakes are high for every decision.

There’s lots to consider when making a strategic decision. For starters, we need to think about how the decision aligns with our main goals. For new opportunities, we need to think about growth potential, costs, and profit margins. And we need to be sure we have the right competitive advantage to pursue the opportunity.

In today’s dialog, we’ll listen to a conversation between Paolo, Adrian, and Michelle. They work for a solar panel company that has focused on commercial projects and corporate clients. Now they’re debating the strategic merits of a possible move into the residential market.

Listening Questions

1. After talking about overall goals, what does Paolo get very excited about?
2. What topic does Adrian have many questions about?
3. At the end of the conversation, why does Paolo believe they will be successful in the residential market?

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BEP 28c – Meetings in English: How to Agree

Business English, English for Meetings, Functions, Intermediate English / March 12, 2023

Welcome back to Business English Pod. Today’s lesson is the first in a series about agreeing and disagreeing in meetings in English. This is part of a broader project to take another look at some of our older lessons.

Success in business can depend on how your opinions align with other people’s ideas. For this reason, agreeing and disagreeing are essential communication skills. It doesn’t matter whether it’s the board room, the meeting room, or the staff room, you need to know how to agree and disagree effectively.

Today, we’re going to focus on agreeing. In fact, there are many ways to agree with someone! Sometimes we want to use a short expression. Sometimes we need something longer and more polite. Sometimes we want to show energy and enthusiasm. And sometimes we want to use an example or repeat someone else’s idea. It really depends on the situation.

In today’s dialog, we’ll hear a conversation between three people who work for a pharmaceutical, or drug company. Gene, Louis, and Carina are talking about the results of a new trial for a drug called Zorax. In their conversation, they use many different expressions for agreeing.

Listening Questions

1. How does Louis agree with the idea that the drug will be a “big seller?”
2. What is one word that means “excellent” or “very good” that is used to agree?
3. What idea does Gene repeat with emphasis at the end of the conversation?

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What is Business English?

March 12, 2023

Business English, also known as English for business, is an essential skill for communication in the global business world. The key characteristics of business English are clear and precise use of language and specialized vocabulary, attention to register or formality, and cultural awareness.

Learning business English is important for those who want to be successful in their careers. It can help to increase confidence when communicating with others and give an edge over competitors in the workplace. Those who are proficient in business English are better able to express themselves clearly and accurately, creating more opportunities for success.

From marketing and finance to human resources, business English covers a wide range of language and skills, empowering you to communicate effectively and confidently in business. It is often taught to those learning English as a second language, but can also be useful for native English speakers want to improve their communication skills for business purposes.

What is Business English?
Business English is an approach to communicating in English that is used in professional settings such as international trade, business negotiations, and commerce. Business English is characterized by its precision, specialized vocabulary, and the need to communicate effectively across cultures. In order to succeed in the global business world, it is essential for professionals to have a strong command of business English.

Precision in Business English
One of the main characteristics of business English is its emphasis on precision and clarity. In a professional setting, it is important to use clear and concise language in order to avoid confusion and ensure that important information is conveyed accurately. Misunderstandings can have serious consequences in business, so it is essential to use language that is precise and easy to understand.

Register in Business English
Another important aspect of business English is the need to use a specific register, or level of formality, in verbal communication. In a business setting, it is important to use a more formal and professional register in order to show respect and convey a sense of professionalism. This includes using more formal vocabulary and avoiding slang or colloquial language.

Use of Specialized Vocabulary in Business English
Business English also includes specialized vocabulary and phrases that are specific to certain industries or fields. For example, a finance professional may use terms like “balance sheet” and “asset allocation,” while a marketing professional may use terms like “branding” and “customer segmentation.” Familiarity with this terminology and vocabulary is essential in order to communicate effectively within your industry.

Role of Culture in Business English
In addition to using a specific register and specialized terminology, it is also important to consider cultural differences when using business English. In some cultures, it is more common to use indirect language in order to be polite, while in other cultures it is more common to be more direct. It is important for professionals to be aware of these cultural differences and to adapt their language usage accordingly in order to avoid misunderstandings and communicate effectively with their international colleagues and clients.

Resources for Improving your Business English
There are several strategies for learning business English. Taking classes or enrolling in an online course are two great options for those looking to learn business English efficiently and effectively. There are also many resources available online, such as podcasts, blogs, and articles. One of the most popular resources is Business English Pod, which offers audio and video lessons on a variety of business topics. The lessons cover a wide range of skills, including negotiations, meetings, presentations, and socializing in a professional setting.

One of the advantages of using Business English Pod is that the lessons are designed specifically for independent English learners. We offer a huge variety of multimedia lessons based on real-life scenarios in order to provide learners with practical, applicable language skills. In addition to general business English lessons, Business English Pod also covers specialized business English vocabulary for specific industries and professions, such as finance, marketing, and human resources. These lessons provide learners with industry-specific terminology and language skills that are relevant to their profession.

Learning business English is essential for success in the professional world. It is important to have a strong understanding of how to use the language effectively to communicate with colleagues, customers, and clients. Resources like Business English Pod can help learners develop their skills and become more confident in their ability to communicate professionally. By focusing on precision, the use of a specific register, specialized terminology, and cultural awareness, professionals can use business English to communicate effectively with their colleagues and clients and succeed in the global business world.

Overall, business English is an approach to communicating effectively in a professional setting, particularly in international business. By focusing on precision, the use of a specific register, specialized terminology, and cultural awareness, professionals can use business English to communicate effectively with their colleagues and clients and succeed in the global business world. The Business English Pod podcast is a valuable resource for those who are looking to improve their business English skills and succeed in their careers.

Learn Business English (Variation 1)

January 5, 2023

Learn Business English and Kickstart your Career!

Learning business English can be challenging, but Business English Pod is here to help. From marketing and finance to human resources and tech, Business English Pod covers a huge range of topics and language, helping you to communicate clearly and confidently in business. Our podcast lessons are made for intermediate and advanced English learners who want to improve their English communication skills.

Business English Pod lesson focus on workplace skills, such as meetings, presentations, or negotiating, and includes language functions like clarifying, disagreeing, and persuasion. The MP3 and video lessons include clear explanations of the target language, vocabulary, idioms, and useful phrases, followed by a short practice and review section. You can download the lessons directly from our website or through mobile apps, or transfer them to your mobile device using free podcast software.

But that’s not all – by signing up for our premium membership, you’ll gain access to even more resources to help you succeed. Premium members have access to detailed PDF study notes, including a full transcript, example phrases, vocabulary, and language exercises. Plus, there are online quizzes and glossaries available for every lesson. Don’t miss out – take a free trial and start learning today!

About Business English Pod

Since 2006, we have been a leading provider of mobile-friendly learning resources for business English with over 100 million lessons downloaded. Teachers, schools, companies, and individual learners around the world rely on BEP to improve their business English.

Each Business English Pod lesson starts off with a realistic dialog. Next, we explain what was said in the dialog step by step and uncover the language and techniques used by native speakers. At the end of every lesson you’ll have the chance to practice the language and techniques yourself. We’ve got lots of great topics, lots of different accents, and lots of real-life business situations to help keep you motivated and learning every day.

Our business English lessons cover a wide range of useful topics, situations and skills, including: presentations, telephoning, negotiating, socializing, travel, meetings, interviews, conversation, and more. Our goal is to teach natural and effective language. We want our learners to be able to face different business and work situations with confidence in their English abilities.

Premium Membership

If you choose to become a premium member, you will get access to PDF study notes, including a full transcript, vocabulary and language review exercises for each lesson. Online quizzes and lesson modules are also available to premium members for extra practice.

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Skills 360 – Managing Virtual Teams (2)

Business English, Business Skills 360, Management English / March 27, 2022

Welcome back to the Business English Skills 360 podcast for today’s lesson on managing virtual teams.

Before the COVID-19 pandemic, there were a lot of doubts about whether people could be truly productive working from home. Well, guess what we discovered when workplaces went virtual? People are not just as productive while working remotely, many are more productive. With no travel time, back-to-back meetings, and less time at the water cooler, many people get more done working from home.

That doesn’t mean we never have to worry about accountability for remote workers. But measures to ensure accountability have to be counterbalanced by systems that allow workers some autonomy and control over their workflow. Post-pandemic, many workers are simply unwilling to return to a rigid style of management. So we need to find the sweet spot between structure and flexibility. And we need to support that balance with the right technology and systems.

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