Down to Business English: Business News to Improve your Business English Skip Montreux, Dez Morgan & Samantha Vega | Business English Instructors

The global chocolate industry is grappling with a steep rise in cocoa prices, leading to significant changes for producers and consumers alike. This unprecedented surge, driven by unusual weather patterns and long-standing structural challenges, has sent shockwaves through the market, forcing chocolate manufacturers to rethink recipes, pricing, and sourcing strategies.

Skip Montreux and Dez Morgan take a deep dive into the cocoa crisis, unpacking the causes and consequences of rising prices. They analyze how unseasonal El Niño rains have severely impacted West African cocoa production, highlighting the underinvestment in farms and crop diseases that have worsened the supply issues. With 60% of cocoa futures contracts held by speculators, market volatility is further inflating costs, leading chocolate manufacturers to implement measures like “shrinkflation” and recipe changes to navigate this complex market.

D2B 315 offers a comprehensive look at the crisis in the cocoa market and is a vivid example of how environmental issues, market speculation, and underinvestment can collide to create global economic ripples.

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The Body Shop, once a leader in ethical consumerism and a pioneer in brand activism within the cosmetics industry, has faced a dramatic downturn. This episode of Down to Business English examines the rise and fall of a company that set the standard for corporate responsibility but has recently struggled with bankruptcy and ownership changes.

Skip Montreux and Samantha Vega unpack the history of The Body Shop, from its humble beginnings in 1976, through its global expansion, to its recent financial struggles and restructuring. The episode not only covers the company’s business strategies but also highlights the impact of its ethos on the industry and what happens when a brand loses its way.

Episode 313 of D2B offers a comprehensive look at the history of The Body Shop and the importance of adapting to changing market conditions and staying true to one’s brand values. This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in the intersections of business ethics, branding, and corporate history.

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Learn how sports betting went from being a national concern to a booming industry in the USA, all while picking up sports-related idioms and expressions that cross over into business English.

Skip Montreux and Samantha Vega look at the world of sports betting in the USA. From the 1919 World Series scandal to the monumental shift in 2018 when sports betting became legal in many states, they cover the evolution of this billion-dollar industry. Along the way, they explore the crossover of sports idioms into business English, enriching listeners’ business vocabulary.

This episode offers an educational journey through the world of US sports betting, highlighting its impact on language and the economy. It also provides insights for those interested in enhancing their business English vocabulary and listening comprehension and deepen their understanding of business trends.

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Discover the latest economic developments in Japan, focusing on the Nikkei 225 index reaching a new high and the opening of a TSMC semiconductor plant in Kumamoto. This episode is a great chance to learn business English vocabulary related to important economic changes.

Skip Montreux and Samantha Vega examine recent economic milestones in Japan, including the Nikkei index’s unprecedented performance and the strategic opening of TSMC’s semiconductor fab. They discuss the implications of these events for Japan’s economy and what it means for the global economic landscape, all while enhancing listeners’ business English skills through insightful commentary.

This episode offers a comprehensive overview of key developments in Japan’s economy and their implications for global commerce. Ideal for those interested in economic trends or looking to improve their business English, this episode provides a deep dive into Japan’s potential economic resurgence.

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The Air Cargo and Freight industry has faced many challenges over the past few years. The COVID-19 pandemic, increasing operational costs, and fluctuating customer demand have all been issues the industry has had to deal with. In this episode of Down to Business English we look at all of these factors.—perfect for anyone looking to enhance their understanding of global trade dynamics while improving their business English skills.

Skip Montreux and Samantha Vega examine the state of the air cargo and freight industry. Their discussion offers an insightful look into the sector’s response to unprecedented times, including the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, the surge in e-commerce, and the evolving needs of global supply chains.

This episode is essential for anyone wanting to learn more about the intricacies of global logistics and trade, especially in the context of the air cargo industry. It serves as a valuable tool for business professionals and students aiming to expand their business English vocabulary and enhance their listening comprehension with insights into current, real-world developments in the global economy.


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Skip Montreux and Samantha Vega explore the world of digital nomads in this enlightening episode of Down to Business English. As the concept of digital nomadism gains traction worldwide, this is a timely and relevant conversation. Listeners will gain valuable insights into this lifestyle choice while improving their business English vocabulary and listening comprehension skills. Ideal for those curious about remote work and eager to refine their English in a business context.

Skip and Samantha delve into the digital nomad trend, highlighted by Japan’s recent introduction of a 6-month work visa for digital nomads. They cover what it means to live a nomadic lifestyle in the digital age, the technological advancements facilitating this shift, and its broader implications for societies and economies globally.

This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in the intersection of work, lifestyle, and technology, particularly from the perspective of digital nomads. It’s also an excellent resource for business professionals and students looking to broaden their business English vocabulary and improve listening skills against the backdrop of real-world, global trends.


Do you like what you hear?
Become a D2B Member today for to access to audio scripts, bonus vocabulary episodes, and D2B Member-only episodes.

Visit d2benglish.com/membership for more information.