Business conversation questions

Business

 * Do you run your own business, or would you like to do so?
 * What kind of people are good at business?
 * What do you think are/would be the advantages and disadvantages of being your own boss?
 * If you are presently self-employed - why did you decide to be so?
 * What do you have to do to become self-employed in your country?
 * If you are presently employed then describe your present boss.
 * What is recession?
 * What businesses will do well during the recession?
 * What businesses will have the most problems during the recession?
 * Has your country experienced recession?
 * What is a pyramid scheme? Are they legal in your country?
 * To whom should business be most responsible - to their employees, their customers or their shareholders?
 * What are the problems and benefits associated with capitalism?
 * Do you think technology is a must to grow a business?

Customer service

 * Customer service is important for successful companies. Can you think of any companies with good or bad customer service?  What is good or bad about their service?
 * What reputation for customer service do internet service providers and telephone companies have in your country?
 * If you have a complaint about a company how is it usually received in your country?
 * Writing letters of complaint is a favourite exam task. Have you ever actually written a letter of complaint?   What was the result?
 * When you are using a company's customer service what do you expect from them? e.g. to be knowledgeable, courteous, responsive and timely or attentive.
 * Is the customer always right?

Monopolies and cartels

 * Are monopolies ever a good thing?
 * Are government monopolies acceptable but private ones not?
 * What do you think about cartels (situations where a group of independent companies works together to control a market)?
 * What is your opinion of OPEC?
 * Do countries have the right to do what they like with their oil?
 * Why not have other cartels for wood, copper, and gas?

Business ethics

 * Would you ever date a co-worker or your boss?
 * What do you understand by the term 'business ethics'?
 * Can you think of any companies or business which would be considered ethical or unethical? Which ones and why?
 * If you received a very good salary would you be prepared to work for a tobacco company or for a company which damaged the environment?
 * What would you do if you discovered that your company was stealing vast amounts of client or government money?
 * Is making money the only thing a company should be concerned about? If not, what else should companies be concerned about?

Companies

 * Is there a particular company you would like to be a part of? Why?
 * Is there a particular company you would definitely not want to be a part of? Why?
 * Would you prefer to work in a large international company or a small local company? Why?
 * Which type of company do you think treats their staff better - small family companies or big international ones?
 * How would you feel if your company asked you to move to a different country to help your career?