Down to Business English

Working from home: Marissa Mayer & Yahoo’s work policy

March 10, 2013 No comments

Woman working at home with laptop computer

Are employees more productive working at their desk or from the comfort of their own home?

Does giving workers more freedom lead to a more successful company? Today on Down to Business English, Skip and Dez talk about Yahoo’s recent policy change regarding employees working from home.

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Skip: Hello everyone this is Skip Montreux and welcome back to a new episode of Down to Business English. Back on our regular schedule again.

Dez: And this is Dez Morgan. It’s certainly good to be back. If I don’t talk to you every few weeks, I miss you Skip.

Skip: Well thank you Dez, and of course I miss you too. How are things anyway?

Dez: Busy actually, I’ve been doing IELTS testing every weekend over the last few weekends, which means that I don’t really get a weekend to relax.

Skip: That sounds tough. I too have been really busy at work planning new classes and making materials and tests to use. In fact I have been taking a lot of work home every night as well.

Dez: Yeah, me too. I have been taking work home as well to try and catch up.

Skip: Well welcome to my world Dez, but at least we don’t work for Yahoo.

Dez: Really why do you say that?

Skip: Well. Marissa Mayer, Yahoo’s CEO has just banned working from home saying that the speed and quality of people’s work suffers when they work from home.

Dez: She was talking about people working from home during the working day I think.

Skip: She was, but her comments have opened a whole debate on whether it is better for people to work in an office, or at home at all times.

Dez: And I’m guessing that that’s our story for this week?

Skip: You would be guessing right then Dez.

Dez: So let’s do it. Let’s get D2B…Down to Business with Working from Home: Is it good for employers, good for employees, or perhaps good for both?

Argentinian Debt

February 22, 2013 No comments

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Argentina’s President Cristina Fernandez unveils the new 100 Argentine pesos

Are austerity measures the only way for a country to reduce debt? Today on Down to Business English, Dez explains to Skip how Argentina is doing the opposite in an attempt to spend their way back from the brink of economic ruin.

Free Audio Script PDF

Dez: Hello everyone, this is Dez Morgan.

Skip: And I’m Skip Montreux. Welcome to an all new episode of Down to Business English.

Dez: Yes, a warm welcome to both new and regular listeners.

Skip: So it seems like it has been a million years since we have gotten together for a show.

Dez: It does seem like it has been an age.

Skip: How are things with you Dez?

Dez: You know, just working and enjoying the lovely weather at the moment.

Skip: Yes, I’m always a little jealous of you in this season, sunshine everyday when all of the rest of us are freezing.

Dez: Well all of you in the Northern Hemisphere anyway.

Skip: True enough.

Dez: Interestingly it’s from the Southern Hemisphere that our story comes from today.

Skip: Oh, Brazil maybe?

Dez: Nope.

Skip: Hmmm. The other soccer powerhouse then; Argentina?

Dez: That is correct. Our story today concerns Argentina, and its rejection of a US ruling that it should repay the debt that it defaulted on in 2001.

Skip: Great. So let’s do it. Let’s get D2B…Down to Business with the ongoing story of Argentina and its debt default. continue reading…

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Taxing the Rich

September 15, 2012 No comments

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Today on Down to Business English, Skip Montreux and Dez Morgan discuss the trend of increasing taxes on the super wealthy. Is it the right thing to do?

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Dez: Hello everyone this is Dez Morgan here reporting in, back in Abu Dhabi.

Skip: And this is Skip Montreux coming to you from Tokyo, Japan.

Dez: And you’re listening to an all new episode of Down to Business English.

Skip: I have to begin by sending out a very big sorry to all of our loyal listeners who have been waiting for a new show. Both Dez and I have been really busy throughout the summer and have been unable to get together and record until now.

Dez: You can say that again Skip.

Skip: Both Dez and I have been really, really busy throughout the summer and have been unable ...

Dez: Very funny. As you and many of our listeners know, ‘You can say that again’ means that I agree with you.

Skip: I know, just a little joke. Anyway Dez what have you been so busy doing over the last few months?

Dez: Initially I was back in the UK without a stable internet connection for about 6 weeks. I returned here and moved into a new villa, without internet, so as you can see it has been difficult for me to get online and record.

Skip: Oooh a villa, haven’t we gone up in the world.

Dez: OK, a house really with a bit of sand outside that we call a garden. Is that better?

Skip: Yes, much better. I really don’t like it when you start to become so full of yourself, Mr. Morgan.

Dez: By full of myself, you mean when I start to think that I’m better than I am?

Skip: Exactly.

Dez: I could always blame the heat, say that it has gone to my head but the summer is almost over now.

Skip: Anyway, now that the summer is pretty much over the main event on the horizon seems to be the US election and one of the key issues appears to be taxation.

Dez: Taxation. You mean one candidate wants more and the other wants less?

Skip: Yes President Obama wants to tax the rich more while the Republican candidate, Mitt Romney wants to pay less tax himself. Sorry, I meant wants to keep the tax on the rich at the same low rate that was favored by ex-President George Bush.

Dez: Is the US the only country where the question of who should shoulder the burden of higher taxes an issue?

Skip: The overwhelming answer to that question is no, it is happening in a lot of other countries as well. But the rates of tax that are being proposed are far, far greater than those in the US.

Dez: Is that our story today?

Skip: It certainly is. So, let’s do it, let’s get D2B...Down to Business with one country’s plans to increase taxation on the rich to nosebleed levels.

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The LIBOR Scandal

July 20, 2012 No comments

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Today on Down to Business English, Skip Montreux and Dez Morgan talk through the LIBOR Scandal.What is the LIBOR? How did this scandal work? What penalties will the banks involved in this receive?

Free Audio Script PDF

Skip: Hello everyone this is Skip Montreux signing in from Tokyo, Japan.

Dez: And this is Dez Morgan still in the sweltering city of Abu Dhabi, at least for a couple of days longer.

Skip: Welcome Dez and a great big warm welcome to all of our listeners to an all new episode of Down to Business English.

Skip: So Dez, you say that you only have a couple of more days left in the heat of the UAE?

Dez: That’s right, I’m off to London in a few days.

Skip: Oh great, will you be taking in some of the Olympics?

Dez: I’m not planning on it as my main focus will be looking for a house.

Skip: Aren’t houses in London incredibly expensive, Dez?

Dez: They are, which is why I will be looking for something very small on the outskirts somewhere. I have the mortgage agreement in place although the interest rates that I’m being charged is a bit higher as I am an expat.

Skip: I guess you are more risky than someone living in their home country. Your mortgage isn’t with Barclays I hope, as they have been involved in quite the financial scandal recently.

Dez: No it’s with another bank so seems to be safe enough. I heard about that scandal too and thought that we must do a show on that as in parts it’s quite hard to understand.

Skip: Don’t worry Dez I am up on all of the details. So let’s do it let’s get D2B…Down to Business with the Libor rate manipulation scandal: What does LIBOR actually mean and how and why was it manipulated?

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Deflation: What is it? Why is a problem for Japan?

July 13, 2012 No comments

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Dez Morgan explains the concept of deflation. What exactly is meant by this term. Is it good or bad for an economy? Why has it been an economic reality for the Japanese economy for the past 20 years?

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Hello everyone Dez Morgan here reporting in as ever, from Abu Dhabi in the UAE. And you’re listening to Down to Business English.

I’m bringing you a solo episode today as both Skip and myself have become increasingly busy and our schedules have made it next to impossible for us to get together at the same time. The report that I would like to share with you today is a follow on from the two part special on inflation that was released on February 9th and April 2nd of last year. A few of our Japanese listeners wrote in shortly after those episodes and asked if we could put together a story on deflation. So, better late than never, here it is; Deflation. What is it? What causes it? And why is it such a persistent problem in Japan? And what can be done to fight it? continue reading…

RFID Chips

June 23, 2012 No comments

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Today on Down to Business English, Skip and Dez talk about what RFID chips are and the applications they have in both the public and private sectors.

Skip: Hello everyone, this is Skip Montreux in Tokyo, Japan. Welcome to the podcast that keeps you up to date with business news from around the world, helps improve your English listening skills and expands your range of business related vocabulary.

Dez: You certainly can’t ask for more than that. Im Dez Morgan in Abu Dhabi UAE, and you’re listening to Down to Business English.

Skip: So Dez, it is also time for me to welcome you into the Apple community. I understand that you are the proud new owner of the New iPad.

Dez: Thanks Skip.

Skip: For the record, I am very jealous.

Dez: But I only have one because the college that I work at is going paperless, so all of the textbooks and all other materials will be only available on the iPad.

Skip: Wow, now I am even more jealous. That sounds great! You will never have to worry about your students forgetting their books at home again.

Dez: True. They might forget their iPads though, as might I.

Skip: Be careful. It is so lightweight that forgetting it behind is not hard to do. Fortunately, I haven’t forgotten mine yet and have it with me when ever I go out. It is so useful for taking notes, preparing D2B shows, looking at maps, looking at ……..

Dez: Okay, okay I get the picture, you love your iPad.

Skip: I do, I really,really do.

Dez: So is that our story for today, another Skip loves Apple love fest?

Skip: No actually it isn’t, but our story today is connected to technology and that technology is RFID chips and one unusual way that they are being used in Asia.

Dez: I have no idea what an RFID chip is, but let’s do it, let’s get D2B…Down to Business with…. those chips, what are they, what are they used for and what is the unusual use for them in Asia?

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Front Row Seats: a behind the scenes look at ticket pricing

May 26, 2012 No comments

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When was the last time you attended a live concert or sporting event? How much did you pay for the ticket? As it becomes more and more common to purchase event tickets online, the service fees and extra charges added to those tickets have become more and more expensive.Today on Down to Business English Skip & Dez talk about concert ticket pricing and the controversy surrounding one of the giants in the industry –Ticketmaster.

Skip: This is Skip Montreux in Tokyo Japan.

Dez: And I’m Dez Morgan in Abu Dhabi the UAE.

Skip: And you are listening to an all new episode of Down to Business English.

Skip: Mr. Dez Morgan. It has been a long time.

Dez: It certainly has Skip. I have really been putting my all into my work recently.

Skip: Good to hear.

Dez: How have you been?

Skip: Very well as a matter of fact. Here in Japan the new fiscal year started back at the beginning of April and the last 6 weeks have been very busy with many corporate clients starting new courses.

Dez: Right. For those of you who don’t know, Skip works closely with many Japanese companies, helping employees improve their English skills in order to do business overseas.

Skip: That’s right. A lot of the focus is on teleconference skills, negotiating, giving presentations, those types of scenarios.

Dez: I was just reading about Japan over breakfast this morning as matter of fact. I see that Lady Gaga was recently performing in Tokyo.

Skip: Yes, that’s right. Although she has been running into protests over her act in other Asian countries such as South Korea and Indonesia, she sold out 3 consecutive concerts at the Saitama Super Arena.

Dez: Wow. If I remember correctly, doesn’t the Super Arena have a capacity of something like 30,000 seats?

Skip: 37,000 to be exact. And with ticket prices ranging between ¥8000 and ¥40,000…well the thought of it makes me a little gaga.

Dez: That is certainly a lot of revenue but you have to keep in mind that artists only get a portion of the ticket price.

Skip: That is true Dez. But currently there is a battle brewing in the US over this very topic.

Dez: Is that right. Are artists demanding a higher cut of ticket revenue?

Skip: Not the artists, but fans are raising concerns with the increasing fees being applied to tickets. And the issue doesn’t only pertain to music events, but to any organization that sells stadium tickets, such as professional and amateur sports teams.

Dez: Sounds very interesting.

Skip: Well let’s do it. Let’s get D2B…Down to Business with Front Row Seats: a behind the scenes look at ticket pricing.

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Health Care: The Real Cost of Obesity & Smoking

April 2, 2012 No comments

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With governments around the world looking everywhere and anywhere for places to cut costs, a huge target is often a nation’s healthcare system. Two healthcare areas that excessively drain health budgets budgets are Obesity & Smoking.

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Dez: Hello everyone, this is Dez Morgan here reporting in from Abu Dhabi in the UAE.

Skip: And I am Skip Montreux coming to you from Tokyo, Japan.

Dez: Welcome to an all new episode of Down to Business English.

Skip: So Dez, tell me, how is the healthy living going now that you have given up smoking?

Dez: Pretty good actually. I feel a lot better and I’m exercising more now that I don’t get out of breath all of the time. So on the whole life is certainly better.

Skip: Other people I know who have stopped smoking say that when they gave up, they started to eat more, especially chocolate and sweets.

Dez: Well yes that’s certainly happened to me too and it’s difficult to keep the weight off.

Skip: Well being a little overweight is probably better than smoking, isn’t it?

Dez: Well, surprisingly in overall terms, obesity is a much greater problem than smoking. The campaigns to stop smoking have been pretty successful over the last few years so in overall cost terms, in the UK, obesity costs the health service at least double what smoking does.

Skip: Wow! And that is our story today, so let’s do it. Let’s get D2B…. Down to Business with the real health costs of obesity and smoking and how they are a major drag on the economies of the developed world.

Facebook’s IPO: What is it? Is it a good investment?

March 10, 2012 No comments

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Since announcing its intention to become a Publicly traded company, Wall Street and the Tech world has been buzzing with speculation. Wall Street investors are focused on how much money is to be made while Tech experts are questioning what changes this will bring to the Social Media giant.

Today on Down to Business English, Skip and Dez take a close look at what an IPO is, how this IPO might change Facebook, and is it a good investment?

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Skip: This is Skip Montreux in Tokyo Japan

Dez: And I’m Dez Morgan in Abu Dhabi in the UAE.

Skip: And you are listening to an all new episode of Down to Business English.

Skip: Good to hear your voice Dez. I trust that all is well with you.

Dez: Thanks Skip. As a matter of fact things are going really well at the moment.

Skip: Oh? Anything in particular happen to put you in such a perky mood?

Dez: Well it’s a culmination of things I suppose. I’ve been enjoying the weather recently, I’m working with a nice group of students at the moment, and to top it all off, my stock portfolio is starting to see a glimmer of hope.

Skip: That is good news indeed. I imagine more people in your position are seeing similar results with stock markets in North America and Asia slowly climbing back to the levels before the crash in 2008.

Dez: Perhaps, but managing your own stock portfolio is still a very tough slog.

Skip: Best left to the experts I suppose.

Dez: I wouldn’t recommend going it alone, unless you have a knack for doing research. It takes a lot of time to evaluate companies, look for trends, and take the pulse of world events.

Skip: Sounds very demanding. So I guess you are all up to date with what is happening with the recently announced Facebook IPO?

Dez: Well, embarrassingly enough, no I’m not. To tell the truth, I don’t invest that much in tech stocks or Internet companies, so I don’t follow them as closely as other sectors.

Skip: Oh, you are more into traditional investments?

Dez: Yes, I tend to stick with commodities for short term trades and large blue chip companies for the longer term. However I did hear their announcement last month about going public, but I’m not quite up to speed on the details.

Skip: No problem. If you can help by explaining what an IPO is, I will fill everyone in with the nitty gritty details the Facebook IPO.

Dez: Yeah, sounds fair.

Skip: So lets do it. Let’s get D2B…Down to Business with Facebook’s IPO: what is it, how will it change Facebook, and most importantly—is it a good investment?

The Future of Work: 10 Ways Work is Changing

February 20, 2012 No comments

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We live in an age where Technology and the Internet is changing our lives at an ever quickening pace. How have these changes impacted the way we work? What changes are in store in the future? Today on Down to Business we look at the Future of Work: 10 Ways Work is Changing.

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Dez: Hello everyone, this is Dez Morgan in Abu Dhabi, the UAE.

Skip: And I’m Skip Montreux in Tokyo, Japan.

Dez: Welcome to an all new episode of Down to Business English.

Dez: So Skip, how’s life treating you at the moment?

Skip: Nothing particularly special. I’ve been very busy at work as usual but then that is hardly news is it?

Dez: No I guess not. You always seem to have some project on the go.

Skip: Yes, it’s never ending. The real problem though, is that with a computer and an Internet connection I can always finish off things from home. These days I really can’t escape the office.

Dez: Interesting you should say that as the BBC has a special series of interviews running through February on how people’s working lives have changed and how these changes will accelerate into the future.

Skip: Sounds like an interesting topic for a show. So let’s do it, let’s get D2B…Down to Business with 10 key ways that the world of work is changing and will continue to change in the future.

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Working from home: Marissa Mayer & Yahoo’s work policy

Download FREE Audio script PDF

Argentinian Debt

Free Audio Script PDF

Taxing the Rich

Free Audio Script PDF

The LIBOR Scandal

Free Audio Script PDF

Deflation: What is it? Why is a problem for Japan?

Download Free Audio Script PDF

RFID Chips

Download Audio script PDF

Front Row Seats: a behind the scenes look at ticket pricing

Download FREE Audio Script PDF

Health Care: The Real Cost of Obesity & Smoking

Download Free Audio Script PDF

Facebook’s IPO: What is it? Is it a good investment?

Download Free Audio Script PDF

The Future of Work: 10 Ways Work is Changing

Download FREE Audio Script PDF

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