CONVERSATION: Business English Topics

Students are asked to agree or disagree with the following statements, and explain why.

1. It doesn't matter whether you enjoy your job or not as long as it's a well-paid job.
   
   
2. Self-employment is more stimulating than working for a large organisation.
   
   
3. Working from home makes life easier for employees.
   
   
4. Social networks have rapidly become communication tools for many companies.
   They will be further developed for business in the future.
   
   
5. Innovation is different from invention.
   
   
6. In the future most companies will be online companies.
   There will be fewer offices and more call centres.
   
   
7. Anyone who has contact with a customer is a salesperson - and that includes the person who answers the phone!
   
   
8. Small companies can adapt more quickly to changes in the market place than large corporations.
   
   
9. Companies become more efficient as they grow in size.
   
   
10. More time is wasted during meetings than during any other business activity.
    
    
11. It is impossible to have a successful career and a happy family life.
    You have to choose one or the other.
    
    


12. It is impossible for young people to find a (good) job today without help from someone.
    
    
13. Qualifications are more important today than ever before.
    
    
14. A successful salesperson knows the strengths and weaknesses of competing products.
    
    
15. Small companies cannot offer employees opportunities for promotion.
    
    
16. There is more creativity in multinational companies than in small firms.
    
    
17. Some companies do not adhere to proper rules of conduct.
    
    
18. It is dishonest for companies to avoid paying income tax in the countries where they are established.
    
    
19. Men and women are not always treated equally in the workplace.
    Women often face discrimination.
    
    
20. Whenever possible, employees should be allowed to choose their own working hours.
    
    
21. Technology has changed business methods to the detriment of human relations.