One Day Business Skills for Kids & Beginners

Justin, a software engineer, is searching for a senior level professional position at an IT software company.  He has decided to register with a staff agency for outplacement.  He will also search related career publications, websites (i.e., Monster, LinkedIn), social media and contact lists to find a vacancy, and he will keep his eyes and ears open for television and radio ads.  He is considering attending a job fair.  There are a few companies Justin is interested in that he will approach directly. Eventually, Justin finds a new position at a global software company.

Business Collocations: plan on; apply for; prepare for; get ready; get a job; decide on; demand for; depend on; fear of; depends on; focus on; golden opportunity; hire staff; business model; big break; big chance; big decision; bright future; gray area; web page; interested in; on TV

Vocabulary: advertisement; advice; description; employee; employer; enquiry; environment; instructions; interest; product; production; profit; turnover; deadline; decrease; facilities; factory; increase; industry; admit; advertise; complete; consider; dismiss; employ; join; recruit

Justin will need to prepare a detailed, yet easy-to-read resume and accompanying cover letter.  In the letter of intent, he should include his intention to apply for the position, where he found information regarding the vacancy, what he likes about it and why he is qualified.  He should include brief bullets listing his educational and professional background.  The letter should close with when he is available for an interview.

When drafting his resume, Justin should include his educational achievements, professional affiliations and awards and job history.  He should also include a summary of his skills set, including soft skills.  Justin should be prepared to answer questions regarding anything he puts on his resume during an interview.

*A sample copy of Justin’s resume and cover letter will be included in this small chapter.

Business Collocations: send a copy; send a message; great skill; take your time; from scratch; good at; graduate from; in charge of; write an email; write a letter; write a note; business people; good chance; looks good/bad; send a letter; big mistake

Vocabulary: experience; explanation; knowledge; limit; message; mistake; objective; sales; add; lengthen; send; separate; shorten; split; structure; succeed; share; advantage; difference; disadvantage; guarantee; encourage

Areana is a manager at a global software company looking for a senior level professional to join her team. 

She has created a shortlist of candidates she plans to interview.  She selects Justin as one potential candidate after reviewing his cover letter and resume.  Given his prior experience and stated skills set, she feels he may be a good fit.  Areana will review and explain the job description during the interview process.  She will also be prepared to discuss certain aspects of the company, including the company’s mission statement, product lines and customer base.  She will provide specific position details, including the salary, benefits package and any extra incentives. 

Areana plans to choose a candidate who is open, honest, a good communicator and experienced.  Therefore, she asks “Why should I hire you?” searching for the best answer, and allowing Justin to explain why he is a strong candidate.  She will also administer a brief quiz to test his knowledge.  In turn, Justin will need to make sure he thoroughly researches the company and position, and is prepared to discuss the skills he brings to the table.

Business Collocations: conference room; benefits package; employee benefits; stock options; invest money; invest resources; invest time; accept a job; sign a contract; accept an offer; accept a position; join an organization; make a decision; make an offer; change one’s mind; get excited; go well; smile at; high/low risk; high/low salary; honest answer; straight answer; strong belief; strong feeling; strong opinion; stiff competition; wise choice; honest answer; daily commute; daily routine; business plan; age discrimination; take a test/quiz

Vocabulary: commission; comparison; competition; competitor; confirmation; decision; feedback; goal; goods; growth; offer; opinion; option; promotion; possibility; salary; schedule; stock; success; signature; suggestion; apology; accept; confirm; reply; resign; respond; return

At the advice of Areana, Justin schedules an internal meeting to discuss the launch of a new software product and its associated marketing campaign.  Acting as the chairperson for this meeting, he will collect relevant information from Areana, use this to create an agenda and a presentation, then contact everyone who must attend.  Both Areana and Justin ultimately facilitate the meeting, deciding to contact a large-scale retail store.

Business Collocations: conference call; call attention; cancel a meeting; chair a meeting; develop a strategy; exchange ideas; raise questions; reach an agreement; reach a consensus; reach a decision; do well; do your best; do your duty; do your part; do your share; participate in
on a committee; take part in; have an appointment; have an argument; have a conversation; have a meeting; have problems; have a talk; have time; have trouble; take notes; advertising campaign; brand awareness; brand identity; brand name; brand recognition; break into a market; competitive advantage

Vocabulary: reminder; agenda; department; distribution; count; mention; organize; remind; suggest

Justin will be calling a manager at a large-scale retail store with which he is hoping to do business in his new position.  He will have a conversation with a representative named David, advising him how his company’s IT software would benefit the company.  But, first, he must go through the steps of actually connecting directly with this individual.  He speaks to the gatekeeper (the company’s receptionist) first and eventually is transferred to schedule an in-person appointment.

Business Collocations: perfect example; positive attitude; top priority; customer satisfaction; customer service; product line; on the phone; make a telephone call; get started; get used to; accept a meeting request; make an appointment

Vocabulary: customer; creditor; debt; debtor; advise;
complain; maintain; manage; sell

Justin and Areana deliver a presentation of their new product to David.  They discuss the purpose of the presentation, outline their findings, and ask for input.  David asks questions, which the two answer effectively.  Eventually, David decides to introduce their product line.

Business Collocations: gain knowledge; gain experience; launch a product; present a problem; raise awareness; get the message; get motivated; in depth; in great detail; product launch

Vocabulary: report; responsibility; result; rise; risk; brand; budget; deficit; comparison; delivery; improvement; loss; margin; market; target; develop; dispatch; distribute; fix; improve; Increase; inform; install; invest; measure; plan; present; promote; provide; purchase; raise; reach; receive; rise

David gives Justin a call after the new product is implemented, because it has a serious problem.  Justin tries to explain and solve the program using his negotiation skills.  In the end, he is able to problem solve and diffuse the tense situation.

Business Collocations: apply pressure; sales team; boost confidence; build trust; cancel an order; close a deal; cut costs; fix a problem; gain ground; reach a compromise; save money; save time; do business; do a favor; do good/bad; do research; agree on something; agree with someone; aware of; believe in; in control

Vocabulary: equipment; estimate; goods; inventory; invoice; reduction; repairs; output; supply; support; wholesaler; afford; approve; authorize; avoid; borrow; convince; build; buy; calculate; cancel; change; choose; decide; decrease; deliver; discount; establish; exchange; lend; lower; owe; pay; prevent; process; produce; promise; reduce; refuse; reject; accept responsibility; make a complaint; get angry; argue about something; argue with someone; by accident; cause of; trouble with 

Areana conducts an annual performance review for Justin using Key Performance Indicators (KPI).  For the most part, she is pleased with Justin’s performance.  They discuss what he’s done well, what he’ll need to improve upon and exchange ideas regarding future performance goals.

Business Collocations: business partner; cost reduction; performance review; sales figures; time management; accept responsibility; admit fault; admit a mistake; measure progress; meet criteria; meet a deadline; provide assistance; provide support; make an attempt; make a change; make a choice; make a difference; make an effort; make progress; take responsibility; responsible for; trouble with; rely on; immediate impact; make a mistake; satisfied with; admit fault; take responsibility; by mistake; customer base; mission statement

Justin and Areana plan to travel together from the U.S. to their company’s headquarters in Germany to attend an annual meeting.  They will interact frequently in order to schedule the transportation and accommodations.  Justin ultimately books their flight and hotel rooms online. 

The two then travel together, with continued discussions at the airport, including a conversation Justin must have with a customs official.  Finally, they make it to Germany and Justin speaks with a hotel receptionist to check into their hotel. 

Business Collocations: on a list; on a plane/bus/train; on a team; business trip; company policy; go home; go ahead; go home; go to work; plan for; in a car/taxi; heavy traffic; in a group;
in advance; in charge

Vocabulary: transport; pack; penalty; invoice

Justin and Areana will be representing their team at the annual conference.  They will network with other industry professionals, discussing their company, products, and positions.  They will also discuss properly submitting documentation for reimbursement at the conclusion of the trip, including all transportation, hotel, shopping and dining receipts.

Justin and Areana meet with Sarah who is the director at the headquarters during the conference and report their progress.  She is pleased and gives Areana an award for excellent salesmanship.

Business Collocations: restrictions on; pay for (something); get permission; have coffee/tea; have breakfast/lunch/dinner; have work

Vocabulary: purchase; refund; authorization; bill; retailer; fund; remove; order; payment; charge; check