A podcast for people who use English as a Second or Foreign Language (ESL/EFL) in their work environment and want to improve their overall language skills. In each episode, hosts Skip Montreux, Dez Morgan, and Samantha Vega discuss Business news making headlines around the world. Through their discussions, Skip, Dez and Samantha introduce English vocabulary & phrases related to business, review grammar, and identify cultural differences found in International business situations. An excellent way to improve listening comprehension skills, keep up with business trends, and advance your career.
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Skip Montreux takes a look at a recent Wall Street Journal article that reported on Meta Platform Inc.’s (Facebook & Instagram) remote working policy. He summarizes the key points of the article, gives his opinion on the pros and cons of working remotely, and then looks at vocabulary surrounding this issue. Visit Apple Podcasts to subscribe to Down to Business English , rate the show, and leave a comment. Contact Skip, Dez, and Samantha at downtobusinessenglish@gmail.com Follow Skip & De...
Skip Montreux and Samantha Vega delve into the 1920s financial scandal orchestrated by Charles Ponzi, beginning with his early life as an immigrant and the 'Rob Peter to Pay Paul' scheme he witnessed. The hosts explain Ponzi's ill-fated 'arbitrage' plan involving international postal coupons and how he built his fraudulent empire. The discussion covers the media's role in exposing his operations, his eventual downfall, and the lasting legacy that made his name synonymous with investment fraud.
In this podcast episode, Skip Montreux and Dez Morgan discuss the growing problem of reverse logistics. What is reverse logistics? How is it affecting retailers? How could it hurt consumers in the future? Visit Apple Podcasts to subscribe to Down to Business English , rate the show, and leave a comment. Contact Skip, Dez, and Samantha at downtobusinessenglish@gmail.com Follow Skip & Dez Skip Montreux on Twitter Skip Montreux on Instagram Skip Montreux on Facebook Dez Morgan on Twitter RSS Fe...
In our 200th episode of Down to Business English, Skip Montreux and Samantha Vega report on the sticky situation in the maple syrup industry. Is the world heading toward a maple syrup shortage? What has put us in this situation? And what steps are being taken to avoid a potential crisis? Visit Apple Podcasts to subscribe to Down to Business English , rate the show, and leave a comment. Contact Skip, Dez, and Samantha at downtobusinessenglish@gmail.com Follow Skip & Dez Skip Montreux on Twitt...
In this podcast episode, Skip Montreux and Samantha Vega explore the topic of inflation. What is inflation? What causes it? Are we entering a period of runaway inflation not seen since the 1970s? Listen in to learn more. Visit Apple Podcasts to subscribe to Down to Business English , rate the show, and leave a comment. Contact Skip, Dez, and Samantha at downtobusinessenglish@gmail.com Follow Skip & Dez Skip Montreux on Twitter Skip Montreux on Instagram Skip Montreux on Facebook Dez Morgan o...
In this second part of a two-part interview, Corinna Andony tells Skip about her path to becoming a risk analyst, as well as opportunities in the industry for those interested in pursuing this type of professional career. Samantha Vega is here too! With great vocabulary explanations and examples. Listen in to learn more. Visit Apple Podcasts to subscribe to Down to Business English , rate the show, and leave a comment. Contact Skip, Dez, and Samantha at downtobusinessenglish@gmail.com Follow Ski...
This episode features a special report from Glasgow, Scotland, where the COP26 climate change conference is underway. Dez Morgan provides an on-the-ground perspective, covering key attendees like President Biden and Greta Thunberg, notable absences, and the ambitious goals of the summit, including achieving carbon neutrality by 2050. The discussion also touches on the local impact on Glasgow residents, the challenges in reaching climate finance commitments, and a realistic outlook on the conference's success.
Skip Montreux and Dez Morgan discuss the global semiconductor shortage – Chipageddon. What caused this shortage? How is it affecting businesses and consumers? How long will this shortage last? Listen in to learn the answers to these questions and more. Visit Apple Podcasts to subscribe to Down to Business English , rate the show, and leave a comment. Visit our website or Facebook page to ask a question, post a comment, and sign up for the Down to Business English Newsletter. Contact Skip, Dez, a...
Skip Montreux and Samantha Vega discuss The Great Resignation happening in the US and around the world. Why are so many people quitting their jobs? Is this a temporary situation? Or are we entering a new era of work? Visit Apple Podcasts to subscribe to Down to Business English , rate the show, and leave a comment. Visit our website or Facebook page to ask a question, post a comment, and sign up for the Down to Business English Newsletter. Contact Skip, Dez, and Samantha at downtobusinessenglish...
Skip Montreux and Samantha Vega discuss two corporate legal cases. The bankruptcy of Purdue Pharma and the fraud trial of Elizabeth Holmes, CEO of the bio-tech company Theranos. Visit Apple Podcasts to subscribe to Down to Business English , rate the show, and leave a comment. Visit our website or Facebook page to ask a question, post a comment, and sign up for the Down to Business English Newsletter. Contact Skip, Dez, and Samantha at downtobusinessenglish@gmail.com Follow Skip & Dez Skip M...
Skip Montreux and Samantha Vega delve into Tim Cook's 10-year tenure as Apple's CEO, tracing his journey from his early career at IBM and other tech companies to his pivotal role in rescuing Apple from the brink of bankruptcy. The discussion highlights his genius in supply chain management, strategic decisions that tripled Apple's revenue and made it the world's most valuable company, and his progressive leadership, including being the first openly gay CEO. The episode also examines how his focus on perfecting core products and services, rather than revolutionary new ones, shaped Apple's success.
Skip and Des discuss China's extensive regulatory crackdown, which began with cryptocurrency and notably halted Ant Group's massive IPO. They delve into how new regulations are reshaping industries like ride-sharing (Didi) and private education, leading to significant market value losses. The hosts analyze the government's motivations, including a push for self-reliance, Xi Jinping's power consolidation, and efforts to alleviate the "Three Mountains" financial burden (housing, healthcare, education) on its citizens, signifying a new era for doing business in China.
Skip Montreux and Samantha Vega discuss Scarlett Johansson's lawsuit against Disney over the release of Marvel's Black Widow. The conversation details how Disney's simultaneous theatrical and streaming release allegedly breached Johansson's contract, impacting her performance-based bonuses. They explore the shifting payment structures in Hollywood, Disney's defense amid the COVID-19 pandemic, and what the future holds for this high-profile legal battle.
This episode delves into the fascinating world of whisky, from Scotland's historical production and its modern resurgence, including the pivotal role of gin in new distilleries' survival. It also highlights the rapid growth of the Chinese market and the celebrated excellence of Japanese whisky, exploring its rich history and award-winning quality. Additionally, the hosts clarify the distinct spelling differences between "whisky" and "whiskey" based on origin.
Skip Montreux and Samantha Vega take a deep dive into the impact climate change is having on the global economy. Free audio script available at downtobusinessenglish.com Visit Apple Podcasts to subscribe to Down to Business English , rate the show, and leave a comment. Visit our website or Facebook page to ask a question, post a comment, and sign up for the Down to Business English Newsletter. Contact Skip, Dez, and Samantha at downtobusinessenglish@gmail.com Follow Skip & Dez Skip Montreux ...
Skip Montreux and Samantha Vega discuss the rising threat that cybercrime and ransomware pose to businesses around the world. Audio script available at downtobusinessenglish.com Visit Apple Podcasts to subscribe to Down to Business English , rate the show, and leave a comment. Visit our website or Facebook page to ask a question, post a comment, and sign up for the Down to Business English Newsletter. Contact Skip, Dez, and Samantha at downtobusinessenglish@gmail.com Follow Skip & Dez Skip M...
Dez Morgan explains the European Super League controversy, detailing its formation by 12 major European football clubs, its proposed closed structure, and the significant financial backing from JP Morgan. The discussion highlights why the league's concept was problematic, going against football's meritocratic nature, and covers the swift public outcry that led to its collapse. The hosts also define and provide examples for business English vocabulary like "unravel," "twofold," "throw out of the window," and "rankle."
Skip Montreux and Samantha Vega delve into Non-Fungible Tokens (NFTs), explaining what they are and how blockchain technology authenticates unique digital assets. They discuss the difference between fungible and non-fungible items, highlight the booming NFT marketplace with examples like Beeple's art and NBA Topshot, and explore the motivations behind NFT investments, including diversifying cryptocurrency holdings. The episode concludes with a vocabulary review and reflections on the potential future of NFTs for content creators.
Skip Montreux and Des Morgan discuss the recent Suez Canal incident, detailing how the Ever Given blocked this vital trade artery and its immediate economic fallout. They also explore the broader implications of COVID-19 on global logistics, including container imbalances, surging shipping costs, and port congestion. The episode highlights the fragile "just-in-time" delivery system and its current challenges.
Skip Montreux and Samantha Vega talk about the recent short squeeze of GameStop stock that cost institutional investors billions of dollars in losses. Audio script available at downtobusinessenglish.com Visit Apple Podcasts to subscribe to Down to Business English , rate the show, and leave a comment. Visit our website or Facebook page to ask a question, post a comment, and sign up for the Down to Business English Newsletter. Contact Skip, Dez, and Samantha at downtobusinessenglish@gmail.com Fol...
Join Skip and Samantha as they delve into the fascinating world of wind power. Discover its surprising history, from the 1970s oil crisis to its current global market dominance, with a special look at China's rapid rise. The discussion also tackles common misconceptions about wind energy's environmental impact, clarifies legitimate concerns, and highlights cutting-edge advancements like GE's powerful Haliade-X 13 turbine, alongside the fierce industry competition driving innovation. This episode offers a comprehensive overview of wind power's past, present, and future role in the energy sector.
Skip and Samantha delve into the world of social media influencers, beginning with a discussion on the broader societal impacts of social media. They define different influencer categories—mega, macro, micro, and nano—exploring their value to brands and varying earning potentials. The hosts also examine the industry's rapid evolution, including the professionalization through agencies and the new trend of virtual influencers, while integrating essential business English vocabulary.
Skip Montreux and Samantha Vega discuss the US government’s antitrust investigation into Google, Apple, Facebook, and Amazon. Audio script available at downtobusinessenglish.com Visit Apple Podcasts to subscribe to Down to Business English , rate the show, and leave a comment. Visit our website or Facebook page to ask a question, post a comment, and sign up for the Down to Business English Newsletter. Contact Skip, Dez, and Samantha at downtobusinessenglish@gmail.com Follow Skip & Dez Skip M...
Skip Montreux and Samantha Vega report on recent developments in the race to develop a vaccine for COVID-19. Audio script available at downtobusinessenglish.com Visit Apple Podcasts to subscribe to Down to Business English , rate the show, and leave a comment. Visit our website or Facebook page to ask a question, post a comment, and sign up for the Down to Business English Newsletter. Contact Skip, Dez, and Samantha at downtobusinessenglish@gmail.com Follow Skip & Dez Skip Montreux on Twitte...
Skip Montreux and Samantha Vega discuss the impact coronavirus will have on the global economy. Audio script available at downtobusinessenglish.com Visit Apple Podcasts to subscribe to Down to Business English , rate the show, and leave a comment. Visit our website or Facebook page to ask a question, post a comment, and sign up for the Down to Business English Newsletter. Contact Skip, Dez, and Samantha at downtobusinessenglish@gmail.com Follow Skip & Dez Skip Montreux on Twitter Skip Montre...
Skip Montreux and Samantha Vega talk about the reasons why palm oil has become such problem for the environment. Audio script available at downtobusinessenglish.com Visit Apple Podcasts to subscribe to Down to Business English , rate the show, and leave a comment. Visit our website or Facebook page to ask a question, post a comment, and sign up for the Down to Business English Newsletter. Contact Skip, Dez, and Samantha at downtobusinessenglish@gmail.com Follow Skip & Dez Skip Montreux on Tw...
This episode uncovers the detailed story behind the Boeing 737 Max crashes, highlighting how intense competition from Airbus pushed Boeing to rush the aircraft's development. It explains the design compromises, particularly the problematic MCAS software, which pilots were unaware of, leading to two catastrophic accidents. The discussion also covers the extensive financial and legal fallout for Boeing, including groundings, compensation, and a criminal investigation, followed by a valuable business English vocabulary lesson.
This episode delves into Donald Trump's trade tariffs, clarifying what tariffs are, who ultimately pays them, and Trump's controversial claims. It explores the escalating US-China trade war, its effects on American farmers, and the broader global impact, including the EU and Canada. A detailed case study of Harley-Davidson illustrates the complex economic repercussions, concluding that trade wars offer no real winners.
Down to Business English delves into the current crisis facing the UK casual dining sector, examining the impact of factors like Brexit, new legislation, and rising costs on major chains. The hosts define casual dining and detail the rise and fall of Jamie Oliver's restaurant empire, including his significant personal financial exposure. The episode concludes with a practical segment reviewing key business English vocabulary discussed.
Skip and Samantha delve into Amazon's extensive search for a second headquarters, dubbed Amazon H2. They explore the company's initial reasons for expansion beyond Seattle, the specific criteria cities needed to meet, and the enticing benefits Amazon offered. The hosts also detail the highly competitive bidding process, the contentious selection of New York City and Arlington, and the dramatic public backlash that ultimately led Amazon to pull out of the New York deal.
