Business English Topics to Ignite Conversation

Conversation Topics for Business English

1. Businesses What can businesses do to succeed? What is your idea of a “business”? What businesses are successful in your country/industry? Why? Why do you think some businesses fail? “Business is a combination of war and sport.” Do you agree? Why/why

2. Negotiations How good are you at negotiating? What are some good negotiation tactics? Do you do negotiations in your work, personal like or while shopping? What have you had to negotiate for in your life? (Examples: House, car, items at a bazaar) Do you think men or women are better at negotiations? Why?

3. Job Interviews How do you feel about job interviews? What is the most important part of a job interview? What advice do you have for a successful interview? What questions are common in job interviews in your company/industry/country? What was the worst interview you have ever had?

4. Working Abroad Have you ever worked in another country? What difficulties can working abroad have? If you could choose, where would you like to work abroad? What work experience have you had with colleagues from abroad? What are some cultural differences between your country and foreign countries your company does business with?

5. Crisis How do you manage crises? What kinds of crises occur in your workplace? What sorts of crises have affected your country? What is your back-up plan for a major crisis? What have you learned from past crises?

6. Leaders What is your definition of a leader? What makes an excellent leader? How is the leadership in your company/industry/country? Describe the best leader you have worked for/with Zolpidem. How good of a leader do you believe you are?

7. Business Presentations What makes a good presentation? What makes a bad presentation? Do you have to give any presentations at work? If so, what are they about? How do you feel about giving presentations? How do you feel about watching presentations?

8. Meetings How often do you have meetings at work? Do you like meetings at work? Why/why not? What is often discussed at your meetings? What are the advantages/disadvantages to having meetings? “If you must have a meeting, lose the chairs.” Do you agree? Why/why

9. Termination Have you ever been terminated? How does one get terminated at your job? Have you ever had to terminate anyone? How can you prevent getting terminated? If you were terminated, what would you do?

10. Managers What do you think about your manager(s)? What qualities make a good manager? How does your manager spend their time? How can a manager motivate employees? What is your manager’s managing style?

11. Small Business Are small businesses common in your country? What challenges do small businesses have in your country? What are some successful small businesses in your town/city? How can a small business become successful? If you had a small business, what kind would it be?

12. Work Appraisals Do you have performance reviews in your company? How often? How do you feel about them? What do your performance reviews cover? How important do you think appraisals are? What happens if you have a good/bad appraisal? How do you feel about feedback about yourself?

13. Retirement What is the retirement age in your country? What do people in your country usually do once they are retired? Where do retired people usually live in your country? What are the advantages/disadvantages to retirement? What do you think you will do when you retire?

14. Work Experience What work experience do you have? How did you like your previous work? What can you gain from work experience? What have you learned from your work experience? What have you learned about yourself?

15. Overtime How much overtime do you usually work? How do you feel about working overtime? What is the overtime policy like in your company? Describe the worst overtime experience you have ever had. What is a solution to reducing overtime?