This Video Vocab lesson is the first of a two-part series on business vocabulary related to marketing and branding. In part one, we’ll focus on the essential elements of establishing a successful brand.
Premium Members: PDF Transcript | Quizzes | MP3 Audio OnlyDownload: Podcast Video
PODCASTS
Learn business English with over 600 lessons to choose from. Our audio and video business English lessons cover a wide range of common topics, situations, and skills, including: presentations, telephoning, negotiating, conversation, travel, meetings, interviews, vocabulary, idioms, and more. Our goal is to teach natural and effective business English. We want our learners to be able to face different business and work situations with confidence and skill.
Every Business English Pod lesson comes with a complete PDF transcript that can be downloaded by members. The lesson transcripts include a dialog, teacher explanations, examples and speaking practice sections. You can look up the meaning of key words and idioms in the glossary and practice the target language in the review section.
Free SampleLESSON MODULES
For the best learning experience on desktop or mobile our lesson modules combine the audio and transcript in a mobile-friendly multimedia presentation. You can follow the transcript as you listen and easily repeat sections to hone your skills. The lesson modules work great on Android and iOS devices as well as desktops.
ONLINE QUIZZES
Every Business English Pod lesson comes with a set of practice quizzes to help you improve you listening, language and vocabulary skills. Learning needs to be reinforced with practice and quizzes. You need to know how much of the lesson you have understood and practice the language so you can use it.
MOBILE APPS
We offer a range of mobile apps for business English learners on Apple iOS and Android devices. With our main Business English App you can access over 300 of our MP3 and video lessons and transcripts. We also have 3 eCourse apps focused on key business English for meetings, presentations and telephoning. Check out the latest apps in the App Stores using the links below.
This is the second of a two-part Business English Pod lesson on business networking.
Networking is all about people and connections. You never know when someone you meet at a conference or trade show may be able to help your business in the future. Likewise, you may be able to help someone else out. So building and maintaining a network of business contacts is essential.
But once you meet a prospective contact, how do you maintain that connection? This is what we’ll focus on today. We’ll talk about ways to steer a conversation toward a lead. We’ll also cover ways to shoot for a meeting and be persistent. And we’ll look at the other side and discuss ways to politely leave a conversation.
Today’s lesson is mainly about sales, but these functions can be easily applied to other situations.
Last time, we met Ian, a sales rep for a pharmaceutical company, and Marissa, a pharmacy manager at Children’s Hospital. They met at a conference and Marissa mentioned her frustration with her current pharmaceutical supplier. Deliveries are often late and are sometimes packaged incorrectly. She’s concerned about getting supplies for her hospital’s vaccine clinics. And that’s where the conversation resumes today.
Listening Questions
1. What supplies does Marissa’s pharmacy need?
2. Why does Ian suggest grabbing a cup of coffee?
3. What is Marissa’s schedule like right now?
Download: Podcast MP3
This is the first of a two-part Business English Pod series on networking.
In business, so much depends on who you know. A network is a group of business contacts that have the resources to help each other out. Former and current colleagues, outside business associates, vendors, friends, acquaintances – these can all be part of your network.
The term “networking” refers to developing this group of contacts. Most businesspeople are looking to expand their networks – for sales leads, job referrals, information, and advice. Networking also means being helpful to others. There should be mutual benefits for all involved.
Networking often involves approaching people you don’t know, which can be a little awkward. How do you network in a way that seems genuine? In this lesson, we’ll look at ways to approach people. We’ll also cover greetings and introductions, 10-second elevator pitches, and talking about your industry.
Today we’ll listen to Ian and Marissa’s first interaction at a pharmacy conference. Ian is a sales rep for a pharmaceutical company. Marissa is the manager of a hospital pharmacy. A pharmacy is a place that distributes medicine and drugs.
Listening Questions:
1. How does Ian break the ice with Marissa? In other words, how does he start their first interaction?
2. How did Ian learn about the flu vaccine clinics?
3. Why is Marissa frustrated with her supplier?
Download: Podcast MP3
This is the second in a two-part Business English Podcast series on motivating your team.
There are many strategies you can use to motivate people. One way is to reward them. This reward can be emotional, such as acknowledgement or praise for a job well done. Or, it can be more concrete, like a cash bonus or a prize.
In this lesson, we’ll look at motivation through rewards. We’ll discuss how to acknowledge your team’s efforts and give praise. We’ll also look at how to introduce challenges, friendly competition, and incentives. Finally, we’ll talk about some ways to finish up a meeting so that your team feels energized for the work ahead.
Last time, we listened to Joe, the manager of the sales department at a resort, motivating his team after a round of layoffs. Today, we’ll go back to Joe’s team a month later. They’ve made good progress since their first meeting and Joe wants to keep his staff motivated so that they will continue to succeed.
Listening Questions
1. Why is the team happy with Nick?
2. What is the first prize for the sales competition?
3. What does Deborah think about the challenge?
Download: Podcast MP3
This is the the first of a two-part Business English Pod series on motivating your team.
Motivation is an important force in business. Much of what gets accomplished is driven by a team’s motivation. When employees feel energized about a project, they’re more likely to contribute ideas and work hard toward success. But if they’re not motivated, their commitment – and the chances of success – diminish.
Sometimes, motivation is difficult to achieve. Circumstances such as a poor economy or downsizing can devastate employee morale, or optimism. Employees may feel defeated, uncertain about their future, and not at all excited about the work ahead.
In this lesson, we’ll look at some ways to motivate your team. We’ll discuss how to acknowledge obstacles that may hold a team back. We’ll cover ways to convey enthusiasm and make people feel valued. And we’ll talk about how team members can contribute to the discussion and brainstorm.
Today we’ll listen to Joe, a manager at a resort, try to motivate his sales team. The department has been downsized considerably and morale is low. Still, they have important work to do.
Listening Questions:
1. Why does Joe say that the team looks different now?
2. What idea does Carl suggest?
3. What is Nick’s idea?
Download: Podcast MP3
This is the second of a two-part Business English Pod series on giving bad news and and discussing layoffs.
When employees are laid off, they usually have questions about what will happen next. When is their last day? What support can they expect? And what about a severance package? This compensation package often includes both money and some extension of benefits, but varies from company to company or even from employee to employee.
In this lesson, we’ll cover language you can use after an employee has been notified of a layoff. We’ll go over ways to explain what will happen next and how to explain a severance package. We’ll also talk about ways to show empathy and offer support to a laid-off employee.
In the last episode, we met Angela, a manager at a resort and David, the head chef at Zapata’s, a restaurant at the resort that is closing. Angela has told David that he will be laid off. Now they’ll discuss the details.
Listening Questions
1. Name two parts of David’s severance package.
2. What will happen to David’s health insurance?
3. How does Angela offer to help David in his job search?
Download: Podcast MP3
This is the first of a two-part Business English Pod series on giving bad news and layoffs.
If a person gets “laid off”, it means they will lose their job. But it’s not the same as being fired. Layoffs usually occur because of outside forces. A poor economy might cause a company to reduce its staff. Or changes in the industry may make some types of jobs unnecessary. After a merger, there might be redundancies, or duplicates. Two people may be doing the same type of job. If the company only needs one person in that position, the other could be laid off.
Nobody likes giving bad news. And a conversation about layoffs can become awkward and emotional. So in this lesson, we’ll talk about ways to prepare an employee for bad news so that you can soften the shock. We’ll also cover ways to get to the point and how to respond to an angry or emotional employee. Finally, we’ll go over some language to clearly explain the reasons for a layoff.
Angela and David work at a hotel resort that is having some financial difficulties. Angela is a manager and David is the head chef at Zapata’s, one of the resort’s restaurants. Unfortunately, Angela has to tell David he’s being laid off.
Listening Questions
1. Why has management decided to close 2 restaurants?
2. What type of food does Zapata’s serve?
3. Specifically, why is Zapata’s closing?
Download: Podcast MP3
This is the the second of a two-part Business English Pod series on working in multicultural teams.
These days, working with people from different cultures is quite common. You might be meeting with colleagues in another country or on another continent. Business practices vary all over the world. Some cultures are more formal than others. Some have distinct customs regarding greetings, gender roles, and food. So it’s helpful to know as much as possible about other business cultures before you meet your team.
But even if you’ve done your research carefully, problems can still arise, especially in face-to-face meetings. There can be miscommunications, points that need clarification, and different ideas of what’s acceptable in a business environment.
Today, we’ll look at issues like slang and idioms, concepts of time, forms of address, and misunderstandings due to culture. We’ll also discuss opening interactions and explaining different business customs.
In the last episode, we met Cao Ming a U.S.-based manager at a multinational company. Originally from China, Ming has worked in New York for many years and is now headed to Brazil where he’ll lead a research team. He did some background reading and discussed Brazilian culture with a colleague before he left. Now, he’s heading his first meeting with his new Brazilian team.
Listening Questions
1. What are two idioms Ming needs to explain?
2. What suggestion does Carla make at the beginning of the meeting?
3. Why does Felipe mispronounce Ming’s name?
Download: Podcast MP3
This is the first in a two-part Business English Pod series on working in multicultural teams.
In today’s world, it’s common to work with people from different cultures. And since effective business depends on clear communication, it’s important to consider different aspects of culture. Your colleagues may do business differently than you do. So, knowing more about intercultural communication can help your work go more smoothly and avoid any misunderstandings.
In this episode, we’ll go over some points to consider for working in a multicultural team. We’ll look at general business culture, specific business customs, levels of formality, and local cultural awareness. And since food is often served in business settings, we’ll talk about that, too.
We’ll be listening to, a manager at a biotechnology company based in the United States. Although Ming is originally from China, he has worked for many years at the head office in New York and is now heading to Brazil to manage a team of international researchers. In this episode, Ming is preparing for his trip by talking to a colleague, Tanya, who lived and worked in Brazil for 3 years.
Listening Questions:
1. What has Ming heard about Curitiba?
2. What does Tanya say about relationships in Brazil?
3. What honorary title does Ming ask about?
Download: Podcast MP3
