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BEP 395 – Strategic Decision-Making (1)

Advanced, Business English, Management English /

BEP 395 LESSON - Making Strategic Decisions 1

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?

Premium Members: PDF Transcript | Quizzes | PhraseCast | Lesson Module

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BEP 28c – Meetings in English: How to Agree

Business English, English for Meetings, Functions, Intermediate English /

BEP 28c - Meetings in English: How to Agree

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?

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.

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Business English News 52 – ChatGPT

Business English, Business English Vocabulary, Business News, IT English and Tech /

Business English News 52 - ChatGPT

In this Business English News lesson we look at business English vocabulary related to artificial intelligence and ChatGPT.

For a while, it seemed like the hype around artificial intelligence had died down. But a recent development in AI has taken the world by storm. It’s called ChatGPT, and unless you live in a cave, you’ve surely heard about it. But what exactly is it? As the Guardian explains:

Trained by AI and machine learning, ChatGPT is designed to provide information and answer questions through a conversational interface. OpenAI said the new AI was created with a focus on ease of use. “The dialog format makes it possible for ChatGPT to answer follow-up questions, admit its mistakes, challenge incorrect premises, and reject inappropriate requests.”

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BEP 394 – English Idioms about Body Parts (2)

Business English, Business English Vocabulary, Business Idioms, ESL Podcast /

BEP 394 - English Idioms about Body Parts (2)

Welcome back to Business English Pod for today’s lesson on business English idioms based on the human body.

In your time studying English have you ever heard the expression “to learn something by heart?” Maybe you had to learn an English song by heart. Or maybe it was verb conjugations, or a list of vocabulary that your teacher made you learn “by heart.” And maybe you know that learning something by heart means memorizing it, which is kind of strange when you consider our memory is in our brain, not our heart!

But “to learn by heart” is an idiom. And English has thousands and thousands of idioms. It’s one thing that makes English really hard to learn. But you’ll find that English idioms tend to rely on certain themes or metaphors, like body parts. And today we’ll look at some idioms that refer to brains, ears, hearts, hands, lips, fingers, and even heels.

In this lesson, we’ll rejoin a conversation between Maria and Trevor. They are friends and former colleagues who are meeting for coffee to chat about their work situations. In their conversation they use many different idioms related to human body parts. See if you can spot some of these idioms as you listen, and I’ll explain them later in the debrief.

Listening Questions

1. How does Maria describe her CEO?
2. What does Trevor say when Maria tells him she has a secret?
3. What has Maria seen happen to other companies that makes her afraid of starting her own?

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BEP 393 – English Idioms about Body Parts (1)

Business English, Business English Vocabulary, Business Idioms /

BEP 393 - English Idioms about Body Parts (1)

Welcome back to Business English Pod for today’s lesson on English idioms related to different parts of the body.

Now you probably already know that when I said “head over to” the website, I meant you should go look at the website. Even if you didn’t know that particular expression, you could probably guess the meaning from my sentence. “Head over to” is a kind of idiom, and English has a lot of idioms, as you’ve probably noticed!

In fact, there are many common sources of idioms. And one interesting source is the human body. There are a few body parts in particular that have generated a lot of idioms. English has dozens of idioms just with the words “head” and “hands.” But there are idioms using all different parts of the body, and that’s what we’re going to learn about today.

In this lesson, we’ll listen to a conversation between two friends and former colleagues: Maria and Trevor. They’re meeting for coffee and are eager to catch up after not seeing each other for a while. Maria and Trevor talk about their different work situations. During their conversation, they use many English idioms related to the human body. See if you can spot some of these as we go through the dialog, and we’ll explain them later in the debrief.

Listening Questions

1. How does Trevor agree with Maria’s assessment of her old boss Roger?
2. How does Maria describe her ten years of working at Trevor’s company?
3. What does Maria say about the attitude of the people she works with?

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Skills 360 – Keeping your Career on Track (2)

Business English, Business Skills 360, Human Resources /

Business English Skills 360 - Keeping your Career on Track 2

Welcome back to the Business English Skills 360 podcast for today’s lesson on how to restart your career and keep it on track.

With the current job market being so uncertain, it’s a great opportunity to make a change, whether that means a new job in your current career track or a whole new career.

When considering a change, it’s important to think long and hard about what you really want to do. Be honest with yourself about how well your current job aligns with your ambitions. If you’re feeling unfulfilled, take the time to imagine what a more rewarding career might look like. If you’re not sure what that is, do some research and talk to people you know about what they do. The right job may be out there waiting for you, but you need to be able to recognize it.

When searching for a new job, don’t just focus on interests, skills, and rewards. Think about the kind of workplace you want and what a good work-life balance looks like. It’s also important to consider learning opportunities and advancement potential. Smart companies understand that people are looking for the right culture fit as well as suitable compensation and benefits.

Once you’ve figured out what you want, it’s time to update your resume and prepare for interviews. Make sure to include any new training, skills, and achievements. Remember, the world has changed, and digital literacy, collaboration, and a growth mindset are all important factors to consider. Also, review your online presence and make sure your Facebook privacy settings are tight and your LinkedIn profile is up-to-date.

Overall, this is a great time to think about a job that does more than just pay the bills. Look for a job and culture that aligns with the life you want. With so many openings, it’s a golden opportunity to find the right job for you.

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Learn Business English (V1)

 
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.
Free Trial

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.

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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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Learn more about premium membership here.

Skills 360 – Keeping your Career on Track (1)

Business English, Business Skills 360, Human Resources /

Business English Skills 360 - Keeping your Career on Track 1

Welcome back to the Business English Skills 360 podcast for today’s lesson on keeping your career on track.

Today’s workplace looks pretty different from the one your parents toiled away in. Walk into an average office and you’ll immediately be struck by the fact that it only seems half full. Remote work – in one form or another – has become the norm. And the people themselves may look different. The baby boomers are retiring, and younger generations are entering the workforce, often with different values and expectations.

So now might be a good time to think about how your expectations have changed. How has your approach to your work and career evolved? Do you see yourself in a position to benefit from the current situation?

With the Great Resignation causing staffing shortages the world over, this is a great time to take stock of your career. You may be able to ask for more, whether that’s in salary, vacation time, benefits, or other intangibles. Competition for talent is stiff, and companies around the world are working hard to retain what they have.

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