Business English
Promoting a new product
A company is planning to promote a new product. Talk together about the points that the company needs to think about and decide which three things the company should do first.
Sales targets
Advertising
Market research
Distribution
Promotional offers
Price
Packaging
People/staff
Promotional gifts
A large retail company is choosing some gifts to help promote the company. Talk together for about two minutes about the possible gifts and decide which three gifts would be the most suitable.
Notebook
Pens
Pencils
Bags
Mugs
Umbrellas
T-shirt
Caps
Keychain
Badge
Towels
1. What kind of gift would you find the most useful? Why?
2. Do you think promotional gifts should be expensive? Why? Why not?
3. Who should companies give promotional gifts to? Why?
4. Why is it important for companies to give gifts to their clients?
5. What other ways are there to promote a company?
Rewarding staff
Your company has performed very well this year, and managers want to thank all the staff. Talk together for about two minutes about ways of rewarding staff and decide which one is the best.
Bonus payment
Party
Day trip
Gift
Shares in the company
Extra day’s holiday
1. Is there any other reward you would like?
2. Is it important for all staff to receive the same type of reward? (Why/Why not?)
3. What kind of place would be suitable for a company trip? (Why?)
4. How important is it to reward staff for good work? (Why?)
5. Should companies have a regular programme of social events for staff?(Why/Why not?)
Facilities for Staff
The large company you work for is moving to a new site and is planning facilities for its staff. Talk together for about two minutes about some of the facilities the company could have for staff and decide which three would be best
Car park
Personal lockers
Canteen
Social activity room
Sports area
Library
1. Is there any other facility which a big company should provide?(Why/Why not?)
2. Should small companies also provide staff facilities?(Why/Why not?)
3. Do employees work better if they have good facilities?(Why/Why not?)
4. Do you think staff should pay to use any of the facilities?(Why/Why not?)
5. Are there any disadvantages for companies in providing staff facilities?(Why/Why not?)
Organising a conference
A large company is organising a three-day conference for its employees from different parts of the country. Talk together for about two minutes about the things that need to be organised and decide which three are the most important.
Location and venue
Transport
Accommodation
Catering
Speakers
Equipment for speakers
Displays
Evening entertainment
1. How would you inform people about the conference.
2. Why are conferences important for companies?
3. Why is it important for business people to attend conferences?
4. What facilities should conference centres provide(Why?)
5. What would you like a conference to be about (Why?)
6. What kind of conference would you like to go to (Why?)
Promoting a store
A supermarket chain is opening a new store. Talk together for about two minutes about ways of promoting the store on the first day, and decide which way would be the best.
Offereing special discounts
Having a famous person open the store
Giving away free gifts
Holding a competition with prizes
Having live music
1. What kind of free gifts might the company offer?(Why?)
2. What kind of competition might the company hold?(Why?)
3. How would you advertise the opening?(Why?)
4. Are shoppers infulenced by one-day promotions?(Why?/Why not?)
5. Does the layout and appearance of a store influence you?(Why?/Why not?)