How to Communicate Better with Your Clients and Partners in English

Five Business English Topics to Keep the Conversation Flowing

Making small talk with international colleagues and clients is a great way to engage, bond, and get to know them better. But discussing the weather and your hobbies and showing people endless photos of your kids and wedding day has a shelf life.

At the end of the day, we don't want to bore our partners to death, and anyway, at some point, you will have to fill up those awkward silences and talk about the one thing that has brought you together: business.

This is where it can get challenging. Can you hold a conversation confidently about a range of business topics? It's not easy knowing where to start, but don't worry; we've come to the rescue and put together a list of questions for you to fall back on. Nothing flatters another person more than when you show interest in them and ask them about themselves or their business, so that's a great place to begin.

Here are five useful business topics and conversation starters to get both you and the conversation flowing.

1. Businesses

● How's business at the moment? How are you getting on after lockdown?
● So, what is it exactly that your company does?
● What are your company's USPs/competitive advantages?
● Who are your biggest competitors?
● What are your plans for next year?

2. Your job

● What do you do?
● What are you responsible for?
● What line of business are you in?
● What's the most challenging thing about your job?
● What do you most like/dislike about your job?

3. Job Interviews

● How do you feel about job interviews? Do you get nervous? How do you deal with nerves?
● Do you have a plan or strategy for interviews/interviewing?
● What was the best/worst interview you have ever had?

4. Working Abroad

● Have you ever worked in another country?
● What do you find most challenging about working abroad?
● Are there any foreign markets you are interested in?
● If you could choose, where would you like to work abroad?
● What are some cultural differences between your country and foreign countries your company does business with?

5. Career development

● Where do you see yourself five years from now?
● Have you done/would you like to do an MBA?
● How did you get into finance/marketing/IT/HR?

So, here are just a few business themes to get you started. Of course, there are many other business and general topics to discuss with your clients and colleagues. Try to find out more about their culture, business, interests, and hobbies and then you can practice and prepare better and take your business relationship to the next level.

Get in touch with us today for a free demo lesson and free needs analysis. For more information on business and general English courses and a free speaking test, contact Anthony directly (director@bblc.ru).