

Down to Business English
Skip Montreux, Dez Morgan & Samantha Vega | Business English Instructors
A podcast for people who use English as a Second or Foreign Language (ESL/EFL) in their work environment and want to improve their overall language skills. In each episode, hosts Skip Montreux, Dez Morgan, and Samantha Vega discuss Business news making headlines around the world. Through their discussions, Skip, Dez and Samantha introduce English vocabulary & phrases related to business, review grammar, and identify cultural differences found in International business situations. An excellent way to improve listening comprehension skills, keep up with business trends, and advance your career.
Episodes
Mentioned books

May 8, 2023 • 20min
Alibaba’s Big Break up and the Return of Jack Ma
Jack Ma, the founder of Alibaba and one of China's most prominent businessmen, has recently returned to China after spending two years maintaining a low profile abroad. This event has not only reignited interest in Ma's activities but also coincides with a series of important changes within the Alibaba Group.
Skip Montreux and Dez Morgan discuss Jack Ma's return to China and Alibaba's restructuring.
Why was Jack Ma keeping a low profile over the past two years?
What are the details behind Alibaba’s restructuring?
What prompted Softbank to sell off their position in Alibaba?
Listen in to learn the answers to these questions and more.
Visit Apple Podcasts to subscribe to Down to Business English, rate the show, and leave a comment.
Contact Skip, Dez, and Samantha at
downtobusinessenglish@gmail.com
Follow Skip & Dez
Skip Montreux on Linkedin
Skip Montreux on Instagram
Skip Montreux on Twitter
Skip Montreux on Facebook
Dez Morgan on Twitter
RSS Feed

Apr 30, 2023 • 8min
The Beef with Brazilian Beef
While the beef industry’s impact on climate change is a global phenomenon, Brazil's industry is unique and has specific environmental concerns. Samantha Vega and Skip Montreux discuss the Brazilian beef industry and its impact on the environment.
They start by highlighting the size and importance of the industry in Brazil, and also discuss the major concern of the industry's role in deforestation of the Amazon rainforest.
How big is this industry?
How is it contributing to the deforestation of the Amazon?
What steps is the industry taking to reduce its impact on climate change?
Listen in to learn the answers to these questions and more.
Visit Apple Podcasts to subscribe to Down to Business English, rate the show, and leave a comment.
Contact Skip, Dez, and Samantha at
downtobusinessenglish@gmail.com
Follow Skip & Dez
Skip Montreux on Linkedin
Skip Montreux on Instagram
Skip Montreux on Twitter
Skip Montreux on Facebook
Dez Morgan on Twitter
RSS Feed

4 snips
Apr 20, 2023 • 25min
The Silicon Valley Bank Collapse
Skip Montreux and Dez Morgan delve into the history and sudden collapse of Silicon Valley Bank (SVB). Although not a household name, SVB was well-known among venture capitalists and tech start-ups for their specialized banking services.
Why did Silicon Valley Bank bank fail?
How did high interest rates and social media play a role?
And what other banks have met the same fate as SVB?
Listen in to learn the answers to these questions and more.
Visit Apple Podcasts to subscribe to Down to Business English, rate the show, and leave a comment.
Contact Skip, Dez, and Samantha at
downtobusinessenglish@gmail.com
Follow Skip & Dez
Skip Montreux on Linkedin
Skip Montreux on Instagram
Skip Montreux on Twitter
Skip Montreux on Facebook
Dez Morgan on Twitter
RSS Feed

Mar 23, 2023 • 24min
Air India’s Shopping Spree
Skip Montreux and Dez Morgan report on Air India’s record breaking purchase of aircraft from AirBus and Boeing.
How many aircraft did Air India purchase?
How does this sale compare to previous orders in the aviation industry?
Why is Air India upgrading their fleet of airplanes?
Listen in to learn the answers to these questions and more.
Visit Apple Podcasts to subscribe to Down to Business English, rate the show, and leave a comment.
Contact Skip, Dez, and Samantha at
downtobusinessenglish@gmail.com
Follow Skip & Dez
Skip Montreux on Linkedin
Skip Montreux on Instagram
Skip Montreux on Twitter
Skip Montreux on Facebook
Dez Morgan on Twitter
RSS Feed

Mar 11, 2023 • 9min
The Strong US Dollar
Skip Montreux and Dez Morgan report on the US dollar and discuss why it is such a strong currency. They also take a close look at the impact a strong dollar has on economies around the world.
Why is the US dollar so strong at the moment?
How does a strong US dollar affect global trade?
What impact does a strong US dollar have on developing and emerging economies?
Listen in to learn the answers to these questions and more.
Visit Apple Podcasts to subscribe to Down to Business English, rate the show, and leave a comment.
Contact Skip, Dez, and Samantha at
downtobusinessenglish@gmail.com
Follow Skip & Dez
Skip Montreux on Linkedin
Skip Montreux on Instagram
Skip Montreux on Twitter
Skip Montreux on Facebook
Dez Morgan on Twitter
RSS Feed

Mar 2, 2023 • 24min
Forever Chemicals
Skip Montreux and Samantha Vega report on the European Union’s proposed ban of Forever chemicals
What are Forever chemicals?
Why is the EU considering banning them?
What will the ramifications of a ban be for manufacturers who use Forever chemicals in their products?
Listen in to learn the answers to these questions and more.
Visit Apple Podcasts to subscribe to Down to Business English, rate the show, and leave a comment.
Contact Skip, Dez, and Samantha at
downtobusinessenglish@gmail.com
Follow Skip & Dez
Skip Montreux on Linkedin
Skip Montreux on Instagram
Skip Montreux on Twitter
Skip Montreux on Facebook
Dez Morgan on Twitter
RSS Feed

Jan 29, 2023 • 26min
OpenAI & ChatGPT
Skip Montreux and Samantha Vega talk about OpenAI and their disruptive AI powered chat box—ChatGPT.
What is OpenAI and ChatGPT?
What is ChatGPT capable of?
Could this new AI technology be a game changer across a wide range of industries?
Listen in to learn the answers to these questions and more.
Visit Apple Podcasts to subscribe to Down to Business English, rate the show, and leave a comment.
Contact Skip, Dez, and Samantha at
downtobusinessenglish@gmail.com
Follow Skip & Dez
Skip Montreux on Linkedin
Skip Montreux on Instagram
Skip Montreux on Twitter
Skip Montreux on Facebook
Dez Morgan on Twitter
RSS Feed

Dec 18, 2022 • 7min
The Business behind lotteries
Skip Montreux and Dez Morgan report on the economics of lotteries.
How important is lottery revenue for governments?
Why was the recent Powerball lottery in the US historic?
Who gets the most benefit from lotteries?
Listen in to learn the answers to these questions and more.
Visit Apple Podcasts to subscribe to Down to Business English, rate the show, and leave a comment.
Contact Skip, Dez, and Samantha at
downtobusinessenglish@gmail.com
Follow Skip & Dez
Skip Montreux on Linkedin
Skip Montreux on Instagram
Skip Montreux on Twitter
Skip Montreux on Facebook
Dez Morgan on Twitter
RSS Feed

Nov 12, 2022 • 20min
The Canva Story - Part 1
In part 1 of this 2 part episode, Skip Montreux and Samantha Vega talk about the online graphic design company - Canva.
What gave Melanie Perkins the idea to establish Canva?
How did they raise capital to start the company?
Is Canva a challenge to graphic design giants like Adobe?
Listen in to learn the answers to these questions and more.
Visit Apple Podcasts to subscribe to Down to Business English, rate the show, and leave a comment.
Contact Skip, Dez, and Samantha at
downtobusinessenglish@gmail.com
Follow Skip & Dez
Skip Montreux on Linkedin
Skip Montreux on Instagram
Skip Montreux on Twitter
Skip Montreux on Facebook
Dez Morgan on Twitter
RSS Feed

Oct 4, 2022 • 28min
The 3 Core Elements of an Effective Sales Plan (Part 1)
This episode is part one of a four-part interview with Gregory Kostiuk, the President and Founder of StratEx Sales.
Greg speaks with Skip about why it is important for every business to have and effective sales plan and gives 7 tips on how to create one.
What are the 3 elements of an effective sales plan?
What is an Ideal Customer Profile (ICP)?
How do you establish an ICP for your business?
Listen in to learn the answers to these questions and more.
Visit Apple Podcasts to subscribe to Down to Business English, rate the show, and leave a comment.
Contact Gregory to learn more about StratEx Sales and his Fractional VP of Sales services
StratEx Sales
Gregory Kostiuk on Linkedin
Contact Skip, Dez, and Samantha at
downtobusinessenglish@gmail.com
Follow Skip & Dez
Skip Montreux on Twitter
Skip Montreux on Instagram
Skip Montreux on Facebook
Dez Morgan on Twitter
RSS Feed