Business English Skills Quiz

Business English

• Business English is widely used in the business community.
• It's not easily adaptable to other industries where employees' native languages dominate.
• Potential for significant differences arises if Business English is employed.

Business English Definition

• Business English refers to the English used in business settings.
• It encompasses communication in meetings, presentations, and general business communication.

Low Business English Index

• A 2012 study (GlobalEnglish) assessed global employees' Business English proficiency.
• The Business English Index (BEI) ranged from 1 to 10.
• Countries with lower scores (below 4.0) struggled in the global marketplace.
•  A substantial percentage (almost 4 out of 10) of global workers couldn't understand basic information on global conference calls.
• One in five global workers in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) fields are non-native English speakers in the U.S.

Kinds of Business English Classes

• Traditional Classes
• Intensive Classes
• Public Speaking in English Classes
• Distance Learning Classes
• Pronunciation Classes
• Learning by Doing Classes
• Conversation Classes
• Lunchtime Conversation Classes

Importance of Business English Courses

• Regular Degree/Academic Program: Participants are learners in an academic program. Characteristics include varied abilities and group sizes; duration is usually longer and full-time, spanning more than a semester.
• Professional Development Program: Participants are professional trainees with uniform or mixed abilities; group size varies. Duration typically is shorter, over weeks and part-time.

Difference Between Business English and General English

• General English: Aims for high standards in everyday English, covering reading, writing, listening, and speaking skills.
• Business English: Seeks high standards in business communication, including skills for meetings, presentations, negotiations, and communication.

Difference Between Business Communication and Business English

• Business Communication: Focuses on communication promoting a product, service, or organization within a business or for official statements from companies.
• Business English: Is the English language, primarily used in international trade and businesses. ENGL 3310 is a combination of both.

Uses of Business English

• International Trades
• Negotiations
• Emails/Telephones
• Meetings
• Presentations
• Management
• Team-Leading
• Bilingualism
• Fluency
• Communication
• Cultural Integration
• International Language
• Working overseas
• Management

Business English Improves

• Language Knowledge: Pronunciation, Vocabulary, Grammar
• Communication Skills: Presentations, Negotiations, Meetings

Objectives of Business English

• To build confidence and fluency in employees to effectively communicate in their working lives.
• To enable employees to interact with international colleagues and clients in both business and social environments.
• To identify the differences between business English and general English.

Pros of Business English

• Learning new things and developing new skills.
• Students have specific learning goals.
• Ability to communicate anytime, anywhere.
• Opportunities to meet professionals and explore work cultures globally.
• Improved chances of success for the student.

Cons of Business English

• Instructors might not be fully familiar with the specific vocabulary required.
• Difficulty adapting to meet all students' individual needs.
• Business course books potentially can be dry and lack engaging application examples.
• Instructors who are younger than students might have to work to establish credibility.
• Some possible downsides to business English courses.

Importance of Business English

• Effective communication with superiors, colleagues, subordinates, and representatives from other enterprises.
• Support for English-speaking individuals hosting business partners from abroad.
• Enable participation in the social life of an enterprise while visiting business partners abroad.

Conclusion

• Business English enables preparation for business or commercial careers.
• It helps grasp the dynamics of international business and trade.
• It is the principal mode of communication in the workplace, used in meetings, presentations, negotiations, overseas work, management, and team-leading.

The Concept of Khalifa in Business

• Khalifa is derived from the Arabic word meaning successor or representative, referring to a leader inheriting a position.

• It points to someone inheriting a position or responsibility, a successor.

• In Islam, it involves inheriting the mantle of leadership from the Prophet Muhammad.

• Khalifa extends beyond governance; it encompasses justice, compassion, and wisdom.

• The role of Khalifa is crucial for guiding, governing, and embodying the values of Islam.

• Business activities in Islam(Ibadah), or good deeds.

• Islamic entrepreneurs ("Khalifahs") foster prosperity through business, and uphold Ibadah duties.

• Islamic entrepreneurship operates within Islamic economic systems to build global acceptance.

• Success in Islamic business follows the Islamic principles within the Qur'an and Hadith.

• The Muslim entrepreneur is obligated to develop prosperity and success for the community by actively operating as a Khalifa.

Function of Business in Islam

• Production: A process of transforming input (resources) into finished/semi-finished goods and services.
• Marketing: A system for planning and executing the conception, pricing, promotion, and distribution of goods, services, and ideas, aiming to meet consumer needs and organizational goals.
• Financial Management: Deals with individual, business, and non-business organizations; includes functions like managing funds, forecasting funding requirements, raising capital, and ensuring the best use of resources.
• Human Resources: Staff that includes employees and managers, offering talent, knowledge, skills, and experience to the organization. Without the staff the organization cannot exist

Business Environments

• Customers
• Suppliers
• Financing
• Competitors
• Government
• Employee
• Economic
• Politics & Regulations
• Sociocultural
• Technology

The Types of Business

• Proprietorship: Owned by individuals with little capital. Follows Islamic principles. Businesses do not deal with prohibited products like alcohol, gambling, and dishonesty.
• Partnership: A business run by co-owners who share profits. In Islamic partnerships, if a partner borrows beyond capital, their liabilities are unlimited. 
• Mudarabah: A relationship between a capital provider (the proprietor) and a business manager (the entrepreneur). Profits are shared according to an agreement.

Challenges and Business Prospects in Islam

• Corruption: Actions forbidden in Islam causing hostility and inequality. The rich get richer, the poor get poorer.
• Fraud: Involves deceit from buyer, seller, or goods (measurement).
• Gharar (Uncertainty): Deals with uncertainty in transactions (e.g., sales of animals or products not yet procured).

Business Letters

• Purpose: Maintain or build business relationships, informing, congratulating, inquiring, ordering, requesting, collecting dues, complaining, adjusting, selling, or applying for a job.
• Structure Includes:
  • Heading: Company name, address, phone numbers
  • Date
  • Inside Address: Recipient's name, address, company
  • Salutation: Formal greetings (e.g., "Dear Mr Smith") or for an unknown gender.
  • Subject Line: If needed, summarizing the letter topic. (optional)
  • Message: Body of the letter, with each paragraph separated by a blank line. Formatting choices like bold, italics, bulleted lists are acceptable and should follow the organisation's style/policy.
  • Complimentary Closing: Formal expressions (e.g., "Sincerely").
  • Signature: Writer's signature, full name, company title -Enclosure Notation: Listing attachments

7 C's of Communication

• Completeness: The message should include all necessary information. (who, what, when, where, why)
• Conciseness: The message contains only relevant information and avoids unnecessary repetition.
• Consideration: Empathize with the receiver/audience.
• Concreteness: Use specific facts and figures rather than vague descriptions.
• Clarity: Use simple language and sentences, avoiding jargon.
• Correctness: Ensure grammatical accuracy and use of correct terminology.
• Courtesy: Politeness and respect in your approach.

Resume Writing

• The primary purpose of a resume is to attract an interview.
• A well-crafted resume paints a positive picture of you, setting the stage for a successful interview.
• Successful resumes follow steps like focusing your target job, identifying required skills and experience, and showcasing relevant accomplishments.

Job Interview

• Dealing with Interview Anxiety: Preparation is key to reducing interview anxiety.
• Purpose: To evaluate your skills, interests, and motivations, learn about the employer, and assess if both parties are a good match.
• Interview Types: Directed, Undirected, Stress, Behavioral, Auditions, Panel/Board, Telephone, and Second/Follow up
• Before the Interview: Research the company, ask questions, and prepare.
• During the Interview: Be on time, be friendly, have a good attitude, and maintain eye contact; listen, focus, present yourself honestly, and avoid criticizing previous employers; stay aware of body language.
• Post-Interview: Follow up with a thank you note.
• Dressing: Suit for men and conservative two-piece attire for women.
• Possible Interview Questions: Questions about your goals, experience, career choices, skills strengths, what you can bring to the company, etc.
• Salary Questions: Raise pay when the conversation turns to compensation.

Test your knowledge of Business English and its applications in the workplace. This quiz covers various aspects such as communication with international clients, negotiation techniques, and skill development. Improve your business vocabulary and enhance your professional interaction capabilities.