Down to Business English
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.
Episodes
Scarcity can make people want something more — even if they didn’t want it in the first place. Whether it’s the new Nintendo Switch 2 or a rare collectible toy, businesses are using clever marketing strategies to create hype and boost sales. But what exactly is scarcity marketing, and why does it work so well?
Skip Montreux and Dez Morgan explore the world of scarcity marketing — a strategy used by companies to drive demand...
Artificial Intelligence is no longer something from the future — it is already here. From helping people work faster to causing job losses, AI is changing how we live and work. But are we ready for these big changes?
Skip Montreux and Dez Morgan talk about how AI is changing the modern workplace. They explain what generative AI is, how companies are using it to improve productivity, and the problems it is causing — especial...
You’ve seen them streak across the sky — tiny points of light that are not stars. Satellites are now so numerous, they are changing the night sky and creating new challenges.
Skip Montreux and Samantha Vega look at the booming business of commercial satellites. From SpaceX’s Starlink to Amazon’s Project Kuiper, they examine how private companies are transforming space into the next frontier of global internet infrastructure...
Robots competing in a half marathon? It might sound like science fiction, but it recently happened in Beijing. Humanoid robots are moving out of the lab and into the real world — and the race to bring them to market is heating up.
Skip Montreux and Dez Morgan explore the fast-growing industry of humanoid robots. From Tesla’s Optimus project to China’s state-backed 'robot schools', they discuss the companies pushing developm...
When people think of New Zealand, they often imagine green fields and lots of sheep. But the country’s red meat industry — beef and lamb — is facing big changes. Global trade problems, climate rules, and new food trends are creating serious challenges.
Skip Montreux and Samantha Vega look at New Zealand’s red meat industry and how it is changing. They explain the history of the industry, its importance to the economy, and t...
You might not recognize the name Hong Fu Industrial Group — but chances are, you've worn their products. As the second-largest manufacturer of sports shoes in the world, Hong Fu produces footwear for major brands like Nike and Adidas. Now, with changing global markets, Hong Fu is making a big move into India.
Skip Montreux and Dez Morgan dive into the story of Hong Fu Industrial Group, a Taiwanese OEM powerhouse in the spor...
Some products are famous because of where they come from — like Champagne from France or Scotch whisky from Scotland. Products like these are protected by something called a Geographical Indication, or GI. A GI means the product must be made in a certain place and follow certain rules. But sometimes, these rules can cause problems. In Jamaica, a new rule about Jamaican rum is causing a big debate.
Skip Montreux and Dez Morg...
China is fast becoming a major player in the global pharmaceutical and biotech industries. Once focused primarily on generic and me-too drugs, Chinese companies are now making headlines with innovative breakthroughs in oncology and gene therapy. Foreign investors are taking notice, pouring billions into partnerships and research projects across the country. But can China maintain this momentum — or will political pressure and...
Daylight Saving Time — a simple clock adjustment with far-reaching consequences. As countries debate whether to keep, ditch, or make DST permanent, the economic and health implications of this time-shifting practice are coming under increasing scrutiny.
In this episode of Down to Business English, Skip Montreux and Samantha Vega explore the origins, impact, and ongoing debate surrounding Daylight Saving Time (DST). From its...
Rare Earth Elements are everywhere — in your phone, your car, even your headphones — and the world can’t function without them. As demand for green tech and high-performance electronics surges, so does the race to secure reliable access to these crucial elements.
Skip Montreux and Dez Morgan dive deep into the world of Rare Earth Elements (REEs). They clarify the difference between Rare Earth Elements and Rare Earth Mineral...
Brazil is facing a currency and debt crisis as investor confidence in the country’s economic policies plummets. Since President Lula da Silva returned to office in 2023, increased public spending and rising debt levels have fueled concerns about Brazil’s financial stability. The Brazilian Real has weakened significantly, inflation remains high, and interest rates are soaring. Can Brazil pull itself out of this downward spiral...
In a surprising turn of events, the outgoing Biden administration blocked a $14.9 billion deal for Nippon Steel to acquire US Steel, citing national security concerns. This decision has sparked legal battles, raised diplomatic questions, and left the future of one of America’s most iconic companies uncertain. But is this move purely about security, or are there deeper implications for global business?
Skip Montreux and Sama...
The Arctic is warming at an alarming rate, leading to dramatic declines in sea ice. A UK-based start-up, Real Ice, is tackling this crisis by developing innovative technology to thicken Arctic sea ice. But can this ambitious project succeed, and is it financially sustainable?
Skip Montreux and Samantha Vega explore the environmental and business implications of Real Ice’s mission to save the Arctic. They discuss the science...
Hot Ones, the wildly popular YouTube interview show where celebrities tackle spicy chicken wings, has a new home. BuzzFeed recently sold the production company behind the hit series, First We Feast, to a group of investors led by an affiliate of George Soros’s fund.
Skip Montreux and Samantha Vega examine the financial pressures that led BuzzFeed to sell Hot Ones. They explore BuzzFeed’s rise as a digital media pioneer, it...
The coffee industry is brewing big changes as Starbucks navigates high CEO turnover and faces a new challenge from Luckin Coffee, China’s largest coffee chain. These developments signal a potential shake-up in the competitive landscape of the global coffee market.
Skip Montreux and Dez Morgan report on two major developments in the coffee world. First, Skip examines Starbucks’ history of leadership changes, highlighting it...
The BRICS nations — Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa— are taking steps to challenge the influence of the G7 by promoting economic cooperation, reducing reliance on the US dollar, and creating opportunities for the Global South.
Skip Montreux and Dez Morgan explore the origins and evolution of BRICS, from its beginnings as a term coined by a Goldman Sachs economist to its expansion as a formal organization. Th...
China is taking action to boost its slowing economy with different types of economic support. By lowering interest rates, making it easier to borrow money, and helping local governments buy unsold real estate, China hopes to increase growth.
Skip Montreux and Dez Morgan talk about how the Chinese government is using economic stimulus to improve its economy. The People’s Bank of China (PBOC) recently took steps to encourage...
Big Tech is turning to an unexpected solution to meet the soaring power demands of artificial intelligence — nuclear energy. With Microsoft, Amazon, and Google investing heavily in nuclear technology, this move could reshape energy use in the tech industry.
Skip Montreux and Samantha Vega explore the surprising steps that Big Tech is taking to secure power for their AI-driven future. Microsoft recently made headlines by sig...
Ponzi schemes are one of the most famous types of financial fraud, promising big returns but often leaving investors with huge losses. But where did the term "Ponzi scheme" come from, and how do these scams work?
In this episode of Down to Business English, Skip Montreux and Samantha Vega discuss the history of the Ponzi scheme and its infamous founder, Charles Ponzi. They explore how Ponzi scammed investors in the early 19...
Mars Inc., known for its chocolate products like Mars bars and M&Ms, is making a major move into the savory snack market. With a $35.9 billion deal to acquire Kellanova, Mars is positioning itself to compete with industry giants like PepsiCo. This acquisition could reshape the savory snack landscape and help Mars diversify beyond its traditional chocolate-based portfolio.
Skip Montreux and Dez Morgan discuss Mars Inc.’s acq...
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