Business News 3 – 200 Million Dollar Mistake

Our news story today is about a share trader in a Japanese bank who made perhaps the worlds most expensive typing error!

After you listen to the story, we’ll explain some of the new vocabulary and provide further examples of how it can be used. The transcript for this Business English News podcast is in the ‘Archives’ section:

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BEP 15 – Telephoning: Handling a Problem

*Update: A new version of BEP 15 is available here. The new version includes a new recording of the explanations and greatly improved audio for the dialog and examples.

Problems, and more problems. Sometimes business seems to be all about dealing with problems. And when dealing with problems in a second language over the telephone, we need to be especially careful in our discussions, since we cannot see the reactions of the other party.

In today’s Business English Podcast we’ll listen to business people discussing a delivery problem over the phone. Then, we’ll review the language that is used to establish relationships, discuss the problem and come to agreement on a solution.

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Business News 02 – Cultural Awareness

Today, more than ever business success requires intercultural awareness and effective cross cultural communication skills.

Working, meeting, dealing, entertaining, negotiating and corresponding with colleagues or clients from different cultures can be full of obstacles. One wrong movement or basic misunderstanding could ruin or delay months of work.

Understanding and appreciating intercultural differences promotes clearer communication, breaks down barriers, builds trust, strengthens relationships, opens business opportunities.

Follow this link for great tips on business etiquette, customs and protocol for doing business worldwide: www.executiveplanet.com

Members: PDF Transcript

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BEP 102 – Presentations: Linking your Ideas

This lesson has been updated – view the improved lesson here.

In this Business English podcast we look at the language of signposting.

Signposting is informing listeners about what is to be presented in a presentation, and constantly informing listeners as to where they are during that presentation. The term “signposting” comes from signs posted on street corners, which tell travelers where they are and where they are going.

In the dialog, we’ll hear the middle of a presentation about sales performance. As you, listen focus on the phrases the presenter uses to signpost the structure of his talk.

Premium Members: PDF Transcript | Quizzes | PhraseCast

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Business News 1 – Communication at Work

The first of our regular business English news podcasts for English learners looks at how people communicate at work and the different factors that can affect how communication takes place. The news story is followed by a discussion of the key English vocabulary and an explanation of the meaning of the words in the context of this article.

We suggest that you first listen to the reading and make a note of any words you are not familiar with. Then read a copy of the article and see if you can guess the meaning of the words by looking at how it is used. Finally, listen to the explanation and discussion of the vocabulary and see if you guessed correctly. You can get a transcript of the story in the Archives ‘Transcripts’ section

Members: PDF Transcript

Download: Podcast MP3