SPEAKING FE

Unit 1: Communication:
1. Think of a poor or bad communicator you know. How could they improve their skills? What advice
would you give them?
2. What makes a good communicator?
3. “Business is best done face to face.” Do you agree?
4. What are advantages and disadvantages of using emails, mobile phones, and conference callings? Do
you agree that face-to-face meeting is the best form of communication in business? Why?
5. Imagine you are a leader of a company which are faced with some communication problems. How
can communication be improved in your company?
6. How will communication change in the future? Do you think communication is getting better thanks to
new technologies?

Unit 2: International Marketing:

7. What are some problems companies may face when they try to internationalize a brand?
8. What products do you know that rely on their heritage and cultural background?
9. Would you ever buy a fake product?
10. What are some marketing strategies? What can be advantages and/or drawbacks of standardized
and adapted marketing? Give examples of standardised and adapted marketing.

**Standardized Marketing:**

- **Advantages:**

- Keeps brand message consistent everywhere.

- Saves money by using the same ads for different places.

- Easy to manage for big companies.

- **Drawbacks:**

- Might not connect well with local people.

- Could miss out on opportunities in different places.

- People might not like it if it feels out of touch.

**Adapted Marketing:*

- **Advantages:**

- Tailors marketing to fit local cultures and preferences.

- Can be more effective because it feels personal.

- Helps stand out from competitors.

- **Drawbacks:**

- Can be more complicated and expensive.

- Hard to keep everything consistent across different places.

- Might not always get the balance right between adaptation and staying true to the brand.
Unit 3: Building Relationship:
11. A foreign company is opening a brand in your country. What factors should it consider?

12. In your opinion, are certain nationalities better at building relationships than others? If so, which ones?

While cultural influences can shape how people approach relationships, it's not accurate or fair to say
that certain nationalities are inherently better at building relationships than others. Every individual is
unique, and factors like upbringing, personal traits, and experiences play a significant role in how they
interact with others. It's important to avoid stereotypes and instead focus on understanding and
appreciating people as individuals, regardless of their nationality.

13. In what way can you think of to cement or sour relationships?

To strengthen relationships, communication, trust, and empathy are key. Regularly expressing
appreciation, listening actively, and being reliable can cement relationships. Conversely, behaviors like
dishonesty, lack of respect, or neglecting others' feelings can sour relationships.

14 How can a company build strong relatioships with customers/Clients/other companies? Present an
example of (TPB/Dienmayxanh/Mobifone. ...)

Understanding Needs and Expectations: Companies should

invest time and effort in understanding the needs, preferences,
and expectations of their customers, clients, and business
partners. This could involve conducting market research,
gathering feedback through surveys or focus groups, and
analyzing data to identify trends and insights.
Excellent Customer Service: Providing exceptional customer
service is crucial for building and maintaining strong relationships.
This includes being responsive to inquiries and concerns,
resolving issues promptly and effectively, and going above and
beyond to exceed expectations.
15. Where can Asian and Western people meet to build business relationships? What do you think will be
the main reasons why guests do not return to a hotel?

Where Asian and Western people can meet for business:

1. Business Events: Attend conferences, trade shows, or industry-specific gatherings where people from
different backgrounds come together..

3. Online Platforms: Use websites like LinkedIn or industry forums to connect virtually with professionals
from around the world.

4. Networking Groups: Join formal or informal groups where professionals meet to share ideas and
opportunities.

Reasons guests might not return to a hotel:

1. Bad Service: If guests experience rude staff or unaddressed complaints, they won't want to come back.
2. Cleanliness Issues: Dirty rooms or maintenance problems can make guests uncomfortable.

3. Noise Problems: Loud neighbors or construction noise can disrupt sleep and deter return visits.

4. Price and Value: If guests feel they didn't get their money's worth, they'll look elsewhere next time.

6. Location: If the hotel isn't conveniently located, guests might prefer a different place next time.

7. Bad Reputation: Negative reviews or word-of-mouth can turn potential guests away.

16. A recent US survey showed children preferred parents to go out and earn money rather than spend
more time with them. What does this show, in your opinion?

Unit 5: Job Satisfaction:

17. Would you prefer a male or female boss? - Why?
18. For what reasons might people change their jobs? Compare your generations' reasons and your
parents'.
19. What factors would motivate you to work harder? Which one is the most important?
20. What is the importance of employee job security for business success?

Employee job security is crucial for business success because it fosters loyalty, commitment, and
productivity. When employees feel secure in their jobs, they are more likely to invest their time and effort
into achieving the company's goals. Job security also reduces turnover rates, saving the company time
and money on recruitment and training. Additionally, it creates a positive work environment
21. What problems concerning behaviors at work might you face in the environment of a “long-hours”
culture? Choose one and present some solutions to it?

Unit 6: Risk: n
22. Identify internal and external risks businesses face? Choose ONE INDUSTRY in your country and
analyse the types and levels of risk the industry might face?

Internal risks businesses face:

1. Operational Risks: Issues related to processes, systems, and infrastructure that can disrupt operations
or cause inefficiencies.

2. Financial Risks: Concerns about financial management, cash flow, investments, and profitability.

3. Human Resource Risks: Challenges associated with recruitment, training, and workforce management.

External risks businesses face:

1. Economic Risks: Fluctuations in the economy, such as recessions, inflation, or currency fluctuations,
can impact demand, costs, and revenues.

2. Market Risks: Changes in market trends, competition, or consumer preferences can affect sales and
market share.

5. Environmental Risks: Risks related to climate change, natural disasters, or environmental regulations
can affect production, distribution, and sustainability efforts.

23. As a business executive, what are the key steps to risk management would you apply? Choose ONE
BUSINESS and analyze the measures the business has applied to manage risks?
Identify Risks: The first step is to identify potential risks that could affect the business. This involves
analyzing internal and external factors that could impact operations, finances, reputation, and other
aspects of the business.

Assess Risks: Once risks are identified, they need to be assessed potential impact on the business. This
helps prioritize which risks need immediate attention and allocation of resources for mitigation.

Mitigate Risks: After assessing risks, strategies should be developed to mitigate or reduce the impact of
identified risks..

Monitor and Review: Risk management is an ongoing process that requires continuous monitoring and
review. Regularly assessing the effectiveness of risk mitigation strategies allows for adjustments to be
made as needed and ensures that the business remains resilient to emerging threats.

24. Choose one business or industry that failed to manage risk and analyze the consequences that the
business or industry has faced?

**Consequences of Risk Management Failure in the Banking Industry during the 2008 Financial Crisis:**

1. **Bank Failures:** Many banks went bankrupt due to risky lending and bad investments.

2. **Economic Recession:** The crisis caused a severe economic downturn, leading to job losses and
reduced spending.

4. **Global Impact:** The crisis spread worldwide, causing debt crises in many countries and requiring
international cooperation to stabilize markets.

5. **Regulatory Changes:** Governments enacted new rules to prevent future crises, like stricter
oversight and higher capital requirements for banks.

25. What types of insurance are popular in Vietnam? What are possible reasons why a high percentage
of Vietnamese people and businesses refuse to take out insurance for their properties?. What are
consequences of low insurance density? What benefits do risk carriers bring to sufferers? (For each case,
take one example for analysis).

In Vietnam, several types of insurance are popular, including:

1. **Motor Vehicle Insurance:** This type of insurance covers damages to vehicles and liabilities arising
from accidents involving vehicles.

2. **Health Insurance:** Health insurance provides coverage for medical expenses, hospitalization, and
treatments, offering financial protection against unexpected healthcare costs.

3. **Property Insurance:** Property insurance protects against losses or damages to physical assets such
as homes, businesses, and belongings due to events like fire, theft, or natural disasters.

Despite the availability of various insurance options, a high percentage of Vietnamese people and
businesses may refuse to take out insurance for their properties due to several reasons:

1. **Perceived Cost:** Many individuals and businesses may view insurance premiums as an additional
expense that they cannot afford, especially if they have limited financial resources.

2. **Lack of Awareness:** Some people may not fully understand the importance of insurance or the risks
they face, leading to a lack of awareness about the need for coverage.
 3. **Trust Issues:** There may be a lack of trust in insurance companies or skepticism about the reliability
of insurance products and services, particularly in cases where there is a perception of poor claim
settlement practices or bureaucratic hurdles.

Consequences of low insurance density in Vietnam include:

1. **Financial Vulnerability:** Without insurance coverage, individuals and businesses are more
vulnerable to financial losses resulting from unforeseen events such as accidents, natural disasters, or
illnesses. This can lead to financial distress and hardship.

An example illustrating the benefits of insurance coverage is property insurance for businesses:

**Case Example: Property Insurance for a Vietnamese Business**

Imagine a small manufacturing company in Vietnam that produces electronic components. Despite
operating in an area prone to flooding during the rainy season, the business decides not to purchase
property insurance due to perceived cost concerns.

However, during a particularly severe flood, the company's factory sustains significant damage, resulting
in the destruction of machinery and inventory. Without insurance coverage, the business faces substantial
financial losses, including repair and replacement costs, as well as the loss of income due to disrupted
operations.

In contrast, had the company invested in property insurance, it would have been able to file a claim to
cover the repair and replacement expenses, mitigating the financial impact of the flood. Additionally,
insurance coverage could have provided the business with access to resources and support services to
expedite the recovery process, allowing it to resume operations more quickly and minimize the disruption
to its business activities.

26. What types of risks will the insurance industry have to cover in the future? As a risk manager in the
finance, banking, or logistics ... fields, anticipate possible risks facing the field?

1. Climate Change and Environmental Risks: The insurance industry will

face challenges related to climate change, including extreme weather
events, rising sea levels, and environmental degradation. Insurers may need
to develop new products to cover property damage, business interruption,
and liability associated with climate-related risks.
**Anticipated Risks in Finance, Banking, and Logistics:**

Financial Market fluctiation: In the finance sector, risks

associated with market volatility, including fluctuations in interest
rates, exchange rates, and asset prices, can impact the
profitability and stability of financial institutions. Risk managers
need to monitor and manage market risks effectively to mitigate
potential losses.
.

27. What things do you and your family insure against?

28. What sort of things do big international companies need to insure against?

Unit 9: Raising Finance:

29. Imagine you need to borrow money, which of these sources (a bank, a friend or colleague, a loan
shark, a member of your family, a pawnbroker, a credit-card company) will be your first choice? Explain.
30. Borrowing money from a loan shark used to be very popular financial activity in many different
countries. What are the advantages and disadvantages of this activity in comparison with other sources of
borrowing (bank, a friend or colleague, credit-card company)?
31. Give an overview on the "usury" (the illegal action or practice of lending money at unreasonably high
rates of interest) in your country? Should it be banned or not?
32. What are possible ways businesses raise finance? What are advantages and disadvantages of each?
33. Choose a business in Vietnam and analyze the measures the company applies to mobilize capital.

Unit 10: Customer Service:

34. How important to a company’s success is customer care?
35. In what situations can too much customer service become a problem? Have you ever experienced it?
36. It's said that customer is never wrong. How true is it in your country? What irritates you the most when
dealing with customer service departments? Choose a business whose customer service satisfied you
and another one that made you feel frustrated, describe the incidents and explain.
37. What is the worst and the best customer service you have had in a restaurant? Imagine you own a
restaurant, what customer expectations would you consider and how would you deal with customers'
complaints?
38. What is a demanding customer in your opinion? Explain the reasons why customers are becoming
more and more demanding nowadays.
39. How has customer service changed? What are the reasons for these changes? What are
some pieces of advice for companies that want to improve their customer service nowadays?