Paul Holmes -
University
English Professor

Free Materials For ESL Teachers and Learners

“Business” ESL Discussion Questions

I. Starting a Business
1. What inspired you to start your own business?
2. How did you choose your business’s name?
3. What resources did you use to start your business?
4. How important is networking for your business?
5. What challenges did you face when starting your business?
6. How did you find your first customers or clients?

II. Marketing and Advertising
7. How do you promote your business?
8. Which social media platforms are best for your business?
9. How do you measure the success of your marketing efforts?
10. What is your favorite marketing strategy?
11. How do you handle negative reviews or feedback?

III. Managing Employees
12. How do you recruit and hire employees?
13. What qualities do you look for in employees?
14. How do you maintain a positive work environment?
15. What do you do to motivate and reward your employees?
16. How do you handle conflicts between employees?

IV. Finance and Budgeting
17. How did you secure funding for your business?
18. How do you manage your business’s finances?
19. How do you create a budget for your business?
20. How do you handle financial risks?
21. How do you save money for your business?

V. Customer Service
22. How do you ensure customer satisfaction?
23. How do you handle customer complaints?
24. How important is repeat business to your success?
25. What strategies do you use to build customer loyalty?
26. How do you collect feedback from customers?

VI. Products and Services
27. How did you develop your products or services?
28. How do you ensure the quality of your products or services?
29. What makes your products or services unique?
30. How do you deal with product or service failures?
31. How do you determine pricing for your products or services?

VII. Business Growth
32. How do you measure your business’s success?
33. What strategies have you used to grow your business?
34. How do you handle increased competition?
35. What are your future goals for your business?
36. How do you stay innovative and adapt to change?

VIII. Ethics and Social Responsibility
37. How important are ethics in your business?
38. What steps do you take to be environmentally friendly?
39. How does your business give back to the community?
40. How do you handle ethical dilemmas in your business?
41. How do you promote diversity and inclusion in your business?

IX. Work-Life Balance
42. How do you manage work-life balance as a business owner?
43. How do you handle stress and avoid burnout?
44. What hobbies or activities help you relax outside of work?
45. How do you maintain your physical and mental health?
46. How do you make time for family and friends?

X. Networking and Collaboration
47. How do you build relationships with other businesses?
48. How important is collaboration in your industry?
49. How do you find partners or collaborators?
50. What benefits have you gained from networking?
51. How do you maintain strong connections with others in your field?

XI. Learning and Development
52. What books or resources have helped you in your business journey?
53. How important is continuous learning for business success?
54. What conferences or events do you attend for professional development?
55. How do you stay updated on industry trends and news?
56. How do you encourage your employees to learn and grow?

XII. Challenges and Successes
57. What has been your biggest business challenge?
58. How did you overcome that challenge?
59. What has been your proudest business accomplishment?
60. What advice would you give to someone starting a business?