conversation questions english for business 1516

8/17/2019 Conversation Questions English for Business 1516

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Test speaking: conversation questions

Conversation questions Leadership (modules 1-12)

1 Why do some people prefer to work part-time or to have temporary jobs?What might trigger people to opt for a nine-to-ve job with regular workinghours and would you sign up for it as well?Would you fancy a system of e!itime starting at any time till "" and nishing

as early as # as long as you do enough hours each month and could you listsome disadvantages from whatever perspective?Which arguments would refrain you from taking on a well-paid job withalternating weeks in day and night shifts?What would make you work overtime regularly knowing that nancial bonusesare heavily ta!ed? $tate some pertinent advantages and disadvantages of commuting %Would you consider a permanent well-paid job in another &uropean countryying out on 'onday and returning on (riday and what would you suggest toreduce possible disadvantages without giving up the job?Would you fancy a job where working from home is the only option and

what might be the disadvantages in the long run?)ould you list and comment some job criteria or circumstances that reallyturn you o*? $pecify please%

10 What do you hate most in a recruitment process or selection procedure?&laborate%Would you consider paying an employment agency to nd a job for you andwould you accept any reasonable o*er even when it doesn+t suit your needsfully?Would you consider paying an employment agency a considerate percentageof your net salary if they guaranteed nding an interesting job for you?&laborate%Would you distort the truth a little or omit elements in your ), to obtain an

interesting job and what actions might future employers undertake toprevent this from happening?ow far would you go to obtain a really interesting job that would suit youperfectly? &laborate% Would you actually start negotiating terms after a longselection procedure if you had two job o*ers and which arguments might tip thebalance?Which skills and qualications might you throw in if you had to nd a job rightnow? &laborate% Why do you think that most employers ask for at least twoyears of e!perience and what might be done to bridge this gap?$hould graduates accept minimum wages and have in-house training courseswith employers for two years at the very beginning of their career?

)omment%Which arguments might employers have to hire unskilled or semi-skilledemployees when outsourcing or relocating production to foreigncountries might be alternatives as well%

20 )ommentyourself? on the most indispensable skills to self-starters and

would you ever start a business Which perks might really tip the balancefor you and can you e!plain why?What might an employer do to avoid that fringe benets no longer motivatepersonnel as they get used to them?What is . in your opinion . the average life span of incentives and what canmanagers do to keep personnel motivated in the long run?

/nder which circumstances would you accept share or stock options as asignicant part in your remuneration package?Would you accept a minimum wage and performance related bonuses on amonthly basis implying that you wouldn+t earn much during holidays and


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periods of illness? 0lease elaborate%Would you prefer a boardroom seat to a higher salary? 1ustify your answer%Would you discuss a severance package before signing a job contract or mightthis give an improper impression? &laborate%2iscuss the advantages of open-plan o3ces%

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Would you prefer a job in the back o3ce or is a front o3ce job much moreappealing? &laborate%

5s strikes may endanger a company+s reputation or market position6 unions aregetting more

30 reluctant to use this kind of industrial action% Which other actions might be

e*ective without backring in the long run? &laborate%7s a job for life still realistic in this modern day and age and would you actually optfor it? &laborate%

Which reasons might trigger a company to outsource?

8n what conditions would you ever accept to turn into an independentfreelancer if your employer asked you to do so?

ow far would e!ibility stretch to get a rst job after graduating?

)omment on the advantages of performance interviews from an employee+sperspective and why might so many people have mi!ed feelings about it?What would you do when made redundant and would you immediately tellall your friends and relatives?

7n which way would you react to unfair behaviour or even discriminationtowards you in a professional environment?$ome organisations take a3rmative action to help minorities% 7n which waywould you react to this when it involves your situation or even inuences yourcareer path in a negative way?What would be an appropriate reaction to bullying in a professional environment?

40 ow would you react to harassment from a customer?

ow can companies defend themselves against unjustied accusationson social media? ow would you react when the )&8 is smoking inyour presence?7s your ultimate goal to head an organisation? What would it take to get youthere or what would you regard as your ultimate job fullment?)ould you be an entrepreneur? Why 9not?What do you admire most in real business leaders or captains of industries? &laborate% $tate some advantages of working in an $'&?5nd what about the cons?Why might large corporation be so attractive to work for? 'ight there besome disadvantages as well?Would you ever consider being self-employed? Why 9not?7s it worthwhile patiently climbing the corporate ladder even when theoutcome is uncertain? 0lease elaborate%

50 5re commercial organisations your natural habitat or would you cope in state-ownedorganisations as well? &!plain%Would the presence of a business partner encourage you to start your own

company or would you still prefer to venture alone? 1ustify your choice%Which arguments may convince you to accept a career in a non-protorganisation with a social aim?Would you fancy volunteering for a charity? Why 9not?

7f you had to volunteer fundraising activities6 which 9kind of charity

would you favour? What sort of What sort of job would you like to do?What sort of routine would you like to have?

Why do some people prefer to work part-time or to have temporary jobs? Would you consider it?What sort of working hours would you like to have when you start working?What is the function of performance reviews?

60 Why does an organisationrestructure? What are the

advantages of outsourcing? Why

would someone be dismissed?


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Conversation questions Creativity and innovation(modules 13-26)

1 Would9not? you prefer a manufacturing industry to a service industry for your

professional career? Why Would a management career in the constructionindustry be something for you? Why 9not? Would you ever consider a job infood processing? Why 9not?Would you mind starting your career with an interim job in a call centre? Why9not?2o you consider a job in the catering industry as a genuine job or is it

just ;waiting tables+? &laborate%2o you regard the leisure industry as seriousbusiness? &laborate% Would you survive a career inthe media? &laborate%'ost youngsters like to travel but would you fancy a career in tourism and

having to relocate abroad with your family?7s real estate a sector you would like to work in? Why 9not?

10 Would you regard the pharmaceutical industry as being morally incorrect for thecommon use of asking high prices for new medicines? &laborate%$hould the 5frican continent industriali


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2o you believe that recycling of all obsolete products is possible? ive somee!amples to sustain your point of view%2o you think that inventions can be future-proof and thus useful forever?

1ustify your answer% Would you consider the latest improvements of 'icrosoftreal breakthroughs or are they merely developments or upgrades?

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Would you welcome a time limit on patents rights for all products similar towhat is common for medicines and if so6 would this really be an enormouscash drain to the emerging world?

Would companies still be interested in =>2 when governments wouldimpose a time limit on patent rights?2o you consider illegally downloading music6 lms and software from the7nternet as a serious copyright infringement? )omment please%Which rightful punishment should be given to piracy forms such as illegallydownloading music6 lms and software from the 7nternet?What would you do to prevent illegal copies to be made from well-knownbrands such as =ole!6 )hanel etc%?

40 Would you consider di*erent punishments for counterfeiting medicines fromconsumer goods such as bags6 watches6 etc% and what kind of punishment are youthinking of?What would you do if you a fake banknote were given to you without younoticing it at once but only afterwards?5re labour-intensive industries getting too e!pensive for Western &urope?)omment please% Would it be possible to keep labour-intensive industries in

Western &urope by replacing labourers with industrial robots?$ome labourers are fond of working at an assembly line in a production plantbut would you cope? Why 9not?/sually a glut of produce is reaching the market in periods of abundance%What would you advise to avoid spillage or do we just have to live with it?)omment please%Would you prefer a hand-made product to a mass-produced product in allcircumstances? 5re perks the best incentive to keep workers+ productivityhigh and if so6 which perks are you actually thinking of?8utsourcing is often seen as a way to cut costs but do you agree underall circumstances? Which departments in a company are . according toyou . too strategically sensitive to be outsourced and why?

50 $tocks are said to be very costly but could you provide some arguments tocorroborate or contradict this?@uite some managers are fond of lean production and lean manufacturing%What may cause this? 7s 1ust-in-Time a risky logistics strategy or does it havesome manifest advantages as well? $tandardi


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2o you consider it unethical when a global company drives a local competitorout of the market? &laborate%

)an you think of situations where market segmentation has absolutely no sense?&laborate%When might ;erce+ competition turn into unethical competition in your opinion?

702o you consider competition as something you have to live with or can it havesome positive e*ects as well?What di*erences might there be between market leaders in free marketsand market leaders in state controlled markets?Would you consider a free market as the only viable option or might a statecontrolled market have some advantages as well?Would you ever consider a job as a marketer? Why 9not?

2o you think that the marketing concept should be shared by everyone in anorganisation or is this a bridge too far? &laborate%$ometimes6 a fth 0 being packaging is added to the four 0s% 2o you think thisis justied and could you provide some e!amples to substantiate your point of view either way%Why should such a prominent role be given to ;place+ in a marketing mi!?2o you think a marketing plan is needed even for small and local retailers? Why9not?

)ould you think of situations where a marketing plan is redundant or would youdevise such a plan in all circumstances? 1ustify your answer%'arketers suggest that companies should meet the needs of the marketbut is it possible for innovative companies to create needs themselveswhen they launch truly new or even revolutionary products or services?&laborate your answer%

80 Would you prefer brands to generic products in all circumstances or are youselective in this matter? &laborate%5re brands just a hype making some people rich or is there an addedvalue worth paying a premium? 1ustify your answer%2o you even go for brands when buying (') or do you refrain from brandsunless it really is a special product? &laborate%2escribe situations where opting for low-priced products or services mightbe a more sensible choice in your point of view%2o you consider yourself belonging to a niche for certain products orcould you describe an acquaintance belonging to such a group?&laborate%What might make entrepreneurs decide to downmarket a product accordingto you and do you consider this sensible?ave you ever bought an e!clusive product that turned out not to be soupmarket afterwards or do you know somebody who has? &laborate%

Will retail survive in clogged town centres or might most shops need to clusterin shopping malls at the edge of cities?What may retain retail shops from moving at the outskirts of towns and cities?5re direct marketing mailings still useful in an era of e-commerce? )ommentplease%

90 2o you consider sponsorship useful for local $'&s or is this only protable for largecompanies and at 9international events? &laborate%2o you think that most people got blind for advertising in maga


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them inuential?

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ave you ever bought something on line? $tate pros and cons according to youre!perience?

Will e-commerce dominate future business? Why 9not?$ocial-networking6 video sharing6 blogs6 etc% are said to inuence currentbuying habits% 0lease comment%

100What other industries ne!t to banking6 dating6 gambling6 gaming6 brokerage6 travel andfundraising might turn to online selling according to you? $tate why%

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Conversation questions Facts and fgures (modules2-3!)

1 Would you like to work in the sales department of a large company?Why 9not? Would you prefer to work on commission or do youprefer a !ed salary? Why 9not? What operating costs would youconsider normal as a manager? &laborate%Would you wait to buy )hristmas presents until the sales in 1anuary to get farbetter value? Why Got?Would you prefer internal over e!ternal consultants to keep variable costsdown or do you opt for higher overhead? &laborate%Would you prefer to be a salesperson for a (') company or would youprefer to sell services% &laborate%Would you ever consider a career as a retailer? Why 9not?)an you think of products that are generally considered to be moneyspinners? Why do you think they are?What would you consider to be a normal advertising spent for (') and do

you think this to be true for common products as well? &laborate%10 ;&conomies of scale+ can be protable but there might be a limit to them%

&laborate%Would you . as a salesperson . accept air travel in economy class or wouldyou opt for business class even if you had to pay the di*erence? &laborate%Would you consider e!penditure on =>2 useless? Why 9not and what wouldbe 9more sensible instead?Would you . as a salesperson . prefer to work in a rst time user market to areplacement market and what might be the 9disadvantages of yourpreference?Would you prefer working in emerging markets or in a well-

establishedDripe market? 7nstead of giving a discount6 suppliers couldalso lower their prices so you wouldn+t feel disappointed when youdon+t get a discount% What is your opinion in this matter?What do you think of companies that systematically postpone payables andeven don+t respect the given trade credit?What can $'&s undertake against large companies that systematically forcethem to accept less favourable payment terms?What can be done against business terms that force you to settle an invoiceeven when a court case is pending?Would you ;complain+ if a company forgot to send you an invoice after delivery of goods?

20 ow would you react after having paid an invoice and not receiving any goods

afterwards? &laborate%Would you return goods to a company after it turns out you have to pay e!tracharges for import or custom ta!?Would you . as an individual - ever consider paying upfront for ;unique+goodsDservices that can only be delivered "4 months later? Why 9not? Whymight enterprises be eager to do so?2o you consider intangible assets such as goodwill or brands as real assetsand how would you deal with such assets when you want to buy acompany?Would you amorti


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and why 9not?7s window dressing absolutely revolting or would you considerDunderstandit inDunder certain circumstances?

30 7s a prot and loss account always a good indicator of performance or should onetake other elements into account as well?7s making a prot a goal always to strive for by companies or might there besome e!emptions?

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Would you prefer share to loan capital and support your choice with ttingreasons%

Would you . as an investor . look for an angel or private investor or gofor crowdfunding? &laborate%2o you think that dividends are a fair compensation for small shareholders orwould you go for a seat in the Ioard?Would you ever consider investing in a company that doesn+t pay dividendsand could you nd arguments e!plaining why investors do so?2o you consider equity as a risky investment in comparison to other kinds ofinvestment?Would you ever invest in company bonds or do you prefer government bonds?&laborate%Would you ever work in the banking industry after the mishaps during thebanking crisis?

40 Would you . as a small business owner - ever give your family home as collateralto a bank or would you nd other ways to funding? &laborate%What kind of way out would you . as a )&8 - come up with when yourcompany has too much debt in relation to its share capital?$ome industriesDglobal companies are known to sit on cash mountains% Whatwould you do as a )&8 when antitrust regulators would prohibit you to growany further?What is . according to you . the highest bearable debt burden for agovernment and can a country keep on living on debts? &laborate?Would you . as a person . ask your bank for a rescheduling of your debtsbefore you miss a repayment or would you nd other ways to stay;unnoticed+?2o you think that bailing out the bank Jehman Irothers by the /$overnment would have saved the world a nancial crisis? &laborate%5re bankruptcies an e!pected stage in the lifecycle of companies or should

they be avoided at all costs? &laborate%Would you ever consider a minority stake in a company or is it onlyworthwhile to go for EAB and " share% &laborate%Would you be afraid to opt for a merger knowing that your companymay have to adapt considerably or even vanish in the end?)ould you list some advantages of a merger? &laborate%

50 Would you prefer a joint venture to a merger? Why 9not?7s an acquisition in a business conte!t always a preferableoption? Why 9not? Would you always fend o* takeovers whenthe bid is hostile?7s a poison pill the best way to fend o* hostile bids or would you consider other

tactics as well? What might be the advantage of working for a subsidiaryinstead of working at the headquarters of the parent company?'ight there be strategic reasons for a company not to stick to its coreactivities? 1ustify your answer%/nder which circumstances would you . as a )&8 - opt for diversication?Would you ever consider working for an international conglomerate or do youprefer a $'&?Would you ever consider a joint account with a partner and what might be the9disadvantages?

60 7s it still worthwhile in the current situation where almost no interest is paid tohave a savings account? Which alternatives are you thinking of?2o you prefer a credit card to a bankcard and what might be the best optionin the long run? Would you ever consider a mortgage in a foreign currencyor is this really too risky for ordinary people?7s onlineDinternet banking the only possible future for banking or will brick-and-mortar banks always e!ist?7s it worthwhile for youngsters to save up for a private pension? Why 9not?


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2o you consider an inheritance of your parents as a self-evident automatismor do they have the right to give away large parts to charity?Would you ever consider a life-insurance policy for yourself once you havechildren? &laborate%

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Would you invent Wall street if it hadn+t been there or would you abolish oreven eradicate it as soon as possible? Why?

708s are only made to make speculators rich6 as there is no reason why a stockcan rise or fall more than 4AB in one day% 5re you of the same opinion? Why9not?Irokers in derivatives are in a speculative business and trade should actuallybe forbidden% What is your opinion in this matter?5n options contract for securities6 currencies or commodities is a kind ofinsurance against sudden

70 price changes but large companies should still be very prudent using thiskind of contract6 as it remains speculative% 0lease comment%Would you apply for a job with a company listed on the stock market evenwhen its stock price would have fallen drastically in recent days? 0leasecomment%Would you still invest in company shares knowing that a lot of buying andselling can be done instantly over global computer networks6 and thatmarkets can change really rapidly? )omment% Would you . as a person .

consider buying shares in Gew Lork6 Jondon6 (rankfurt6 Tokyo or other stocke!changes and what might be the 9disadvantages?Would you . as a person - ever consider investing in commodities? Why 9not?Would you consider working in a nancial centre or even in a stockmarket knowing that employees live under tremendous stress?)omment%Would you as a )&8 of an $'& ever plan a stock market listing or are listingsonly for large global players? )omment%2o you think that it is worthwhile to invest in blue chips or are they overrated?&laborate%7t is said that investing money in a bullish market is just a waste of money%

What is your opinion? 2oes it matter to postpone buying shares when theturnover on a particular stock market is high or doesn+t that really bother you?&laborate%

80 Which company would you buy shares in today6 and why?What might be . according to you - the advantage of buying stock on aforeign market and are there disadvantages as well?Would you ever sell shares during a panic selling?Why 9not? Which economic indicators do youconsider important and why? Would you prefer highination to low ination? Why?What consequences might be linked to labour shortages in the short andin the long run? 2o you consider a trade surplus better than a trade

decit and what should a country do to overcome the disadvantages?2o you think that the 20 is always the best standard to rate a country orare other indicators useful as well?What might be dangerous about a double-digit growth rate? &laborate%7s a negative growth rate to avoid at all cost or would you accept it under certaincircumstances?

90 Would you consider buying economical products as a waste of money? Why9not?5re unemployment gures good indicators of a country+s economic situationor might they hide underlying problems?7s a further shift from industry to services unavoidable in the

Western &urope? 5re low fuel prices a blessing or a curse?2o you think that the &)I should maintain low interest rates for a longerperiod? Why 9not? $hould the government reduce income ta! in Ielgiumand what about the debts?What might be advantageous about recessions or should they be avoided at all


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cost?

2o uctuations between currencies indicate real economic shifts or are theymerely speculations? Why?)an a high ination be advantageous in certain situations?

5re you more afraid of ination than deation? Why?"AA )ould you give some recipes to overcome stagnation?

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Conversation questions "thics and sustaina#ility(modules $%-$6)

1 7s it possible for large organisations to fully secure internal information so they may notbe accused of insider trading? &laborate%What makes price !ing so despicable?

Would you consider a monopoly as a sort of market rigging?Would you prefer nancial crimes to be punished by banning perpetratorsfrom e!ercising their trade in future6 by ning them heavily or just sendingthem for a couple of years to prison? 0lease comment%2o you consider bribery as illegal even when it would help you - as an individual- to get things done much quicker?2o you consider a free dinner6 an invitation to an event6 etc% as possible acts of bribery as well and if not6 where would you set the limit?Would you protest if you saw acts of corruption by o3cials in a foreigncountry and whom would you complain to?Would corruption be acceptable if it made a developing country functionadequately?

$hould identical standards be used in ghting corruption all over the world?10 Would you allow people to be brought to court for corruption in your country even when

the act of corruption was committed in another continent?What might be needed to ght widespread corruption such as the maa?Would you denounce a colleague committing fraud even when only smallamounts or less valuable items are involved?2o you consider ;calling in sick even when you are not+ as fraud and wouldyou be of a di*erent opinion if you were an employer or a manager?Would you distinguish between di*erent kinds of counterfeiting or would youpunish all acts of counterfeiting equally?Would you le an o3cial complaint if you discovered you had boughtcounterfeited goods? )an a modern e-society defend itself successfully

against identity theft and protect itself againstpossible consequences or do we have to accept permanent vulnerability andpass on the bill to the insurance companies?)ould you list and discuss a number of measures an employer couldtake against potential embe


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Would you allow a stimulating but stressful job to interfere in your relationship?)omment%

Would your professional ambition outweigh a comfortable work-life balance?)omment%

30 )ould part-time work be an acceptable option to you even when this seriously limits

your nancial comfort?Would you consider a career in the army6 navy or air force6 where ordershave to be e!ecuted unconditionally? Why 9not?What do you think of the statement that one is bornas a leader? What do you consider basic leadershipskills?2o you consider dynamic6 visionary and charismatic leaders as a certainrecipe for success or is more needed? &laborate%What kind of manager would you like to work for?7t is said that female managers are more consensual% What do you think of this statement and would you actually like to work for a female manager?7s the current educational system preparing future workers for empowerment?)omment%

Which key activities and decisions shouldn+t managers delegate if they want tokeep control of their business?2o you consider corporate culture to be important for an organisation? Why 9not?

40 7n which way and to which e!tent may cultural stereotypes inuenceinternational business? 7n which way may cultural and regional di*erencesobstruct international business?What might drive you to permanently leave the cultural safety of

your country? Which continent9s would you prefer to immigrate to

for professional reasons?

Would you be able to survive in an organisation working for a manager forthe rest of your life? )omment%7s a M-to-E job an option for you? Why 9not?Would you decline a management career making youwork long hours? Would you accept working overtimewhen compensated nancially? Would you agree workingnight shifts? Why 9not?7n some industries employees are forced to take holidays when companiesclose down completely% Which implications wouldn+t you like in particular?

50 7n the leisure industry it is common not to take holidays when the general public is onholiday% ow would you cope?Would you mind a systematic lack of punctuality and how would you reactto e!treme andDor persistent latecomers?

What is your opinion about workplaces where neither (acebook nor personalcalls are permitted and how would you react to it?ow would you react to colleagues repeatedly entering your physical comfort


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principles?

60 7f your colleague wasn+t pulling hisDher weight6 and doing hisDher fair share of the work6would you be the whistle blower and inform your boss?ow important is accountability to you in business and in your personal life? 5reyou answerable to anyone?

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Would you rather pay more and work with a reputable company that has been

recommended6 or would you pay less and work with a company you know

nothing about?

Would you describe yourself as being principled and having high moral standards?

$hould companies be obliged to produce sustainability reports?

2o you consider 9profession 5 more ethical than 9profession I? &laborate%

2o you consider favouritism as unethical as counterfeiting? Why 9not ?

2o you think that plagiarism is more unethical than skipping classes? &!plain%

7s ta! dodging less unethical than embellishing your ),?


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conversation questions english for business 1516

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