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4. Proposal improving the Business English program

Dear Mr. Foster,

I wanted to share some ideas for improving the Business English program, specifically for Business and HR students. My goal is to make the program even more beneficial and attractive to students.

Here are my suggestions:

The program's strength lies in its practical approach, emphasizing real-world language use. This approach has been invaluable for our students, allowing them to apply what they learn directly to their future careers. It's essential to maintain and expand this aspect of the program.

While the program is effective, we can enhance its interactivity. Incorporating more group activities, discussions, and debates will make the learning experience more engaging. This promotes active participation and improved communication skills. By example, implementing a structured system for students to monitor their progress and receive personalized feedback, could be the solution. It allows them to identify areas for improvement and celebrate their achievements.

To motivate students to invest more in the program, I suggest the introduction of a reward system. Recognizing and celebrating milestones, such as achieving language proficiency or delivering successful presentations, can boost students' confidence and incentivize their participation.

In conclusion, by building on the practical application, fostering interactive learning, and providing progress tracking, we could create a more engaging and effective Business English program. Implementing a reward system will further encouragestudents to invest in their language skills development.

Thank you for considering these suggestions. I look forward to your reaction.

Yours sincerely,

Ilsa Dekker

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3. Unfamiliar words

Three words that were unfamiliar to me and can be used in various proffesional en business contexts are:

Conducive: Conducive means making a specific outcome or situation more likely or favorable. For instance, "A peaceful and supportive work environment is conducive to productivity. (in the context of education for example). Bron: https://pure.rug.nl/ws/portalfiles/portal/581236838/Chapter_1.pd

Compliance: Compliance involves adhering to rules, regulations, or standards. In a sentence, "The company ensures strict compliance with industry safety regulations." Bron: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/7622833/

Disruption: Disruption refers to a significant change or disturbance that can alter traditional methods or industries. For instance, "The digital revolution brought disruption to the traditional publishing industry. Bron: https://hbr.org/2015/12/what-is-disruptive-innovation

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2. Writing a letter to the manager of the company where I completed my research internship

Dear Mr Dijk,

I hope this letter finds you well. In this letter, I want to take a moment to express my gratitude for all the experiences I have gained during my research internship at DWA in Gouda. It has been an incredibly educational and valuable period, and I look back on it with great pleasure.

First and foremost, I would like to compliment the entire team at DWA for their unwavering commitment to quality and excellence in their work. The dedication and professionalism, shown by each member of the team, have been truly inspiring to me.

Secondly, I must express my admiration for the field of building engineering, where I had the opportunity to contribute and conduct research. Here, the innovative approach and the collaborative spirit I experienced within the team, were admirable. 

Furthermore, I appreciate the emphasis that DWA places on continuous learning and professional growth. Their commitment to employee development is evident, and I am grateful for the numerous opportunities I've had to expand my skill set and knowledge during my internship.

I also want to express my heartfelt gratitude for your personal mentoring and guidance during the final weeks of our research report. The support you provided greatly contributed to the success of our research.

As a piece of advice, and as a result of our research report, I would encourage DWA to further explore and experiment with the application and use of circular business cases in building projects. In an era of increasing environmental consciousness, embracing such sustainable business practices could not only benefit the environment but also enhance the company's reputation and appeal to a broader customer base.

Once again, thank you for the wonderful opportunity to complete my internship at DWA, which has allowed me to acquire newly knowledge and gain a deeper understanding of the building industry. I am confident that this experience will undoubtedly benefit my future career.

Yours sincerely,

Ilsa Dekker

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1. The most significant personal experiences I had during my time as a business administration student 

This report provides/offers a description/explanation of the most significant personal experiences I had during my time as a student at Christelijke Hogeschool Ede. 

In 2020 I embarked on my business administration studies at CHE in Ede. During my period as a student business administration, I have encountered numerous pivotal experiences that substantially contributed to my personal en professional development. These experiences came in various forms, encompassing both academic and extracurricular activities. 

One of the most profound experiences was my research internship at DWA, a company located in Gouda, during my third year.During this period, I gained substantial new knowledge in engineering, circular construction, circular business cases and the concept of a circular economy. Moreover/furthermore, this period also allowed me to further refine my collaboration skills and my investigative and problem-solving skills as well.

Another noteworthy learning point was my six-month intership by Your Next Concepts in Utrecht. This software company specializes in producing software applications for education institutions. During this period, I worked as a Marketing & Sales stagiaire. Besides this, I was also busy working on an internal research report. However, I experienced that the work I was doing as a Marketing & Sales intern didn’t align with my true passion: it simply wasn’t my cup of tea. 

Additionally, my interaction with professors and their mentorship during my time as a student, also played a pivotal role in my growth as business professional. Their colleges and guidance deepened my subject knowledge and encouraged me to think critically and explore my interests beyond the curriculum.

In summary, my time/journey as a student has been rich in experiences that have shaped/molded me into a more competent and well-rounded business professional. These experiences have undeniably broadened my horizons, equipped me with invaluable skills, and nurtured/stimulated a proactive approach to learning, which I believe will be indispensable /essential in my future career. 

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The Power of Purpose in Business | Ashley M. Grice | TED

Brief summary

This TED talk explores the profound impact of purpose in the business world. The speaker, Ashley M. Grice, begins with a brief anecdote to convey the message she intends to discuss later in the TED talk.

She shares a personal experience illustrating how companies operate when they truly grasp the core purpose of their business. They effectively communicate the essence of their business practices and the positive outcomes that result when this language aligns seamlessly with the customer experience. Purpose thrived at Delta Company; it had become ingrained as muscle memory and a cultural norm.

Ashley strongly emphasizes the value of integrating purpose into companies. She views purpose, the "why" of companies, as significantly more important than mission or vision, despite acknowledging the importance of the latter as corporate drivers. However, mission and vision play distinct roles compared to purpose. The key difference is that, unlike purpose, mission and vision can be influenced and adapted.

The point she wishes to emphasize is the critical importance of effectively embedding purpose within companies. It should be done so effectively that it adds the most value and becomes second nature. Therefore, the solution is as follows. First, the purpose must be authentic to enable conviction in communication. Second, CEOs must take a critical approach to unearth purpose from within the organization. Purpose can be uncomfortable, as it introduces a tension between idealism and realism. Lastly, purpose must be applicable across the entire organization because it revolves around the value the company provides, transcending any single individual. Purpose should serve as a unifying framework that aligns mission and vision while influencing your strategic agenda.

The overarching lesson is this: if you consistently implement purpose throughout your culture, strategy, and brand for years, it becomes ingrained as muscle memory and evolves into a cultural norm. This norm encourages employees to make a meaningful contribution, which then becomes a story that a loyal customer shares with the world.

My opinion

I believe that the power of purpose in business, as highlighted in this TED talk, cannot be understated. Ashley M. Grice's insights into the significance of embedding purpose within companies resonate strongly with me. It's clear that when companies genuinely understand their core purpose, it becomes a driving force that not only influences their actions but also becomes an integral part of their culture. Grice's message about consistently implementing purpose across culture, strategy, and brand resonates with me as a formula for success. It's a reminder that purpose, when fully embraced, can become a cultural norm that motivates employees to make a difference and create compelling stories that loyal customers eagerly share with others.

Words

Excavated - opgegraven

Ingrained - ingebakken

Muscle memory - spiergeheugen

Embedding - inbedden

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Words

Bartering: sharing goods

Realm: rich

Pursuit: an occupation

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Intercultural experiences in Kenya

Last summerholiday I was in Kenya. I stayed there by friends who live there. They have a beautiful house in the middle of the masai territory. In two weeks I explored a lot of the country as well of the culture. I was amazed by the beauty of the Kenia nature, but was surprised by the very bad roads, the much pollution and the great poverty in kenya. Typical in Kenya are the many touring scooters on which boys and men ride, which function as taxis. I also was amazed by the many stalls along the side of the road. There is just so much concurrention. As a tourist in Kenya, you get very friendly attention, although that is nog always appreciated;). In Kenya we got to know the Masai. The masai are a very conservative and traditional tribe who live according to the ancient tradition. Within the tribe they have their own laws and rules. It was very interesting to meet these masai people with there strange, separate habits. For example, they drink milk with animal blood and they also eat animal organs. Although it can be said that the local people are very hospitable.

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Article 3: U.S. single-family housing starts decline further in August

Source: https://www.cnbc.com/2021/09/21/us-housing-starts-beat-expectations-in-august.html

Date: 13/10/2021

Summary

It turned out that the buildings of single-familiy home in the US has fallen terribly in the month August. This is partly due to the shortages of materials where building companies are struggling with. Besides, builders also struggle with a lack of labour. Especially during corona time, the need of working home grew, so did the need of having more living space at home. Now, when the pandemic is slowly fading, the demand for housing remains strong thanks to the low mortgage rates and rising wages from a tightening labor market. Even though lumber futures have tumbled, building costs remain an issue. The sad part of the story is that the need of people to buy or to build a (bigger) living space cannot be answered when there will remain a lack of labour and materials, and because of this, house prices are extremely rising. That makes it very difficult for first buyers to buy a house.

My opinion

When reading this article, it realized me that covid-19 has so much effect on many aspects in live. Covid-19 causes relationship affects. Homebuilding is one of these examples. Because of covid there’s been a shortage of labour and materials and because of that, there now is a problem with housebuilding. Not only one country is struggling with these problems, but many others also do. In my opinion it is important that, despite corona, trading between countries keeps going by not closing borders because of covid. Only when trading will carry on the problems of lack in countries will sooner be solved and that will prevent further financial and social problems.

Words

New -  known as

Lumber – wood

Density – compactness

Conjecture – suspect

Constrain – to limit

Decline - reject

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Article 2: Tesla’s Texas Move Is Latest Sign of California Losing Tech Grip

Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-58838874

Date: 11/10/2021

Summary

This article is about Tesla who is planning to move there headquarter from California to somewhere else. Tesla is planning to move to Texas. Elon Musk, the founder of Tesla, gave several reasons for the decision of Tesla to move from California to Texas. First, he says that the factory in California was jammed. Second, it was difficult for employees to find housing, last, there were less grow opportunities for Tesla in California. Unfortunately, the governor of California is not happy with the idea that one of the most important companies in edge manufacturing and green technology is moving. It means it has also consequences for the state of California, which was named as a very high rated in edge manufacturing and green technology due to Tesla. With the move of Tesla, that imago will change too.

My opinion

I understand that there are some different feelings and thoughts about the decision of Tesla’s moving from California to Texas. I can understand the reasons of Tesla that it’s the best option for them to move, because it will bring them more advantages. Although, for the state of California the movement of Tesla is a very big disadvantage. However, I believe that the movement of Tesla to Texas will bring the whole world more opportunities, because it gives Tesla the oppurtunity to keep growing and keep improving, which will result more jobs and international trade. At the other hand, I also can’t really support the movement of Tesla from California, because it will have its impact on the economy of California as well on the world economy. In my opinion the best option should be that Tesla stays in countries where they’re based and expands in new countries as well.

Words

New     -   Known as

Reckoning - settlement

Jammed - getting stuck

Fractious - fickle

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Ted Talk 3: How great leaders inspire action, Simon Sinek

Date: 11/10/2021

Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qp0HIF3SfI4&t=962s

This ted talk is very interesting as well as inspiring to me. In this Ted talk Simon Sinek explains his theory of reasons why companies are so successful, as well became so famous and popular. He argues that there is one of a three components which is very important for companies to become unique and popular. The two components which every company carries out is what and how. What is about the product of the service you sell, and how is about in which way you make you company work. However, Sinek tells that only the greatest companies do have an apparently propagated why. It concludes the believe of the company, which make them special. To gather loyal customers, this is an indispensable part, which is very important for companies to be really successful.

Start with why an important statement of Sinek is. This statement is inspiring because it hides the success of companies.

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Ted Talk 2: The single biggest reason why start-ups succeed

Date: 11/10/2021

Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bNpx7gpSqbY

Personal opinion

In this Ted Talk Bill mentioned factors which matter the most for start-ups to succeed. He explains five essential elements that makes a start-up successful. These elements are ideas, team, business model, funding, and timing. Bill says that he set up many businesses. Some were successful others weren’t. He compared some of his successful and not successful business based on these five elements and did this by famous companies too. By statistic comparing he concluded that the element time is by far the most important and essential factor to let a start-up be successful. I didn’t realize at first that this element by far could be most important to let a start-up be successful. Very interesting.

Bill believes that start-ups are one of the greatest forms to make the world a better place. This is an interesting quote because start-ups can be successful, but don’t always intend to make the world a better place. When they do, it can be a really important business.

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Lecture 1: Finding your Purpose in a World of Financial Capitalism

Robert Shiller 5/4/2012

Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2_pDTWgJg94&list=PL8FB14A2200B87185&index=23

Date: 24/9/2021

Summery

In the following Yale lecture economist Robert Shiller talks about Finance. He says that finance is like a language, it also includes jargons and concepts. It’s about how we get things happen. However, Finance may not have purpose, it can be compared as a tool. Shiller explains that finance allocates scarce resources, it also incentivizes people to do good work and it manages risk. In the lecture he mentioned seven themes who are related to financial matters:

-       morality of finance: this connotes a phycological feeling which is related to society and includes topics of wealth, charity, and financial gifts. -       Hopelessness: briefly it connotes the feeling you can’t make differences, regardless of whether you have money or not. It’s a passive way of thinking. -       financial theory: there’s a lot we can do with finance to make life better. Search for the purpose. Managing properties of land for a good purpose. For example, starting nonprofit foundations, but also by bringing ventures together to achieve bigger things. -       wealth and poverty: the thought of wealthy people is controlling the world. -       world of the next century: polarization is expanding. The breadth of inequality is widening. -       financial as integral part of live/democratization of finance: the theme of democratization is to make a movement to the cosmopolitan class, it refers to ‘’how to get things done’’, ‘’how to raise capital’’ and ‘’how to manage risks’’. Inequality is due to failure in risks, Shiller empathized. -       career: a difference thinking about serving and giving in the context of doing good to society.

Personal opinion

I found this lecture interesting because it empathized the real purpose of finance. When we deal with finance, we must presume that it’s not about money, but that it’s a tool for which we get things done. Finance has no purpose in itself at all. It’s a purpose of people that manifests itself in the way they deal with finance. It teaches us something about how to view finance. As a financial worker it’s important to understand the financial theory, which connotes that there’s a lot we can do with finance to make life better. But this purpose and conviction must come from within. The theory of this lecture helps me think about my purpose in a world of financial capitalism.

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Ted Talk 1: How to speak so that people want to listen

Date: 18/9/2021

SOURCE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eIho2S0ZahI

Summary

In the TED talk ‘How to speak so that people want to listen’’ Julian Treasure says that the human voice is a powerful instrument that we all do use. However, many people have the feelings that others do not listen to them. Therefore, Julian Treasure give 7 examples of mistakes we use in speaking: Gossiping, Judging, Negativity, Complaining, Excuses, Lying and Dogmatism. I acknowledge that it’s true we sometimes make these mistakes in speaking. But how then we can ensure a better communication? In order Julian Treasure mentioned four interesting aspects that will ensure better communication. He calls it HAIL: Honesty; be clear and straight. Authenticity: be yourself. Integrity; be your word. Love: wish them well. I do agree with his opinion about this.

On the question ‘’what increases the power of your speaking’’ Julian Treasure answers that there are four tools:

-          Register: use a deep voice.

-          Prosody: watch your language, use intonation.

-          Pace: talk slowly, use silences.

-          Pitch: use energy.

-          Volume: alternating loud and soft voice.

Personal response

These are very good tools to practice, and I believe that it will have positive effects on communication with other people. I believe that in business live it is necessary to master these speaking skills.

At last Julian Treasure shared the following sentence which I found inspiring: ‘’the success of speaking is not about what you say, but how you say it’’. This sentence inspires me because it exposes the essence of the success of speaking.

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Article 1: Marks & Spencer blames Brexit as it closes 11 French stores

Date: 18/9/2021

SOURCE: https://www.bbc.com/news/business-58582860

Summery

The article is about the US retail giant Mark & Spencer. Apparently, they’re not happy with the Brexit, because it caused eleven French shops to be shut. M&S said that each of the shops struggled with supply chain problems because of the Brexit. It wasn’t possible anymore to maintain standards of food supply as well as made it near impossible for M&S to serve fresh and chilled products to customers to the high expected standards. Besides, a lot of work was required to supply the shops. The costs just simply no longer outweighed the benefits. This fact has affected the performance of the company. They decided eleven High Street stores to be closed, because M&S sees no viable alternative for them anymore. However, nine M&S stores at French travel hubs will remain.

My opinion

The Brexit caused more effects than people initially thought. It has caused very bad economic situations for the UK as well for European countries. With the Brexit they said that they wanted back control, but at the same time control is seeming to be getting out in some areas. In my opinion, for economic reasons, the Brexit might not be the very best choice in the first place. By signing the Brexit deal the UK is tying their country to border controls and delays. Many businesses are facing costs because of this. My vision is that the Brexit is creating an unfavorable economic situation for many businesses and companies. Besides, this decision also impacts the world economic. Many countries who trade with the UK in history will be faced with new laws and rules.

In the text I learned some new synonym words like:

-       Baffling: I knew this word as ‘’mind blow’

-       Muddle: I only knew this word as ‘’mess’’.

-       Chilled: before I came across this word I only knew the  word ‘’refrigerated’’, which has the same meaning as chilled.

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My English language history

Date: 9/9/2021

My English history goes back to elementary school. From grade five until grade eight at elementary school, I started to learn some English words. At the time I was ten years old, I heard my uncle and aunt speaking English very often, while I was staying there at the weekend. In this time, I learned a few English words from my aunt. After elementary school, I broadened my English vocabulary on Havo level for five years in secondary school. 

When I started my Havo education at secondary school, I followed a three-year extra English programme. This lasted from year one till year three. The program was called Havo veto. That meant I took history and physical education subjects in English. During the first three years of my secondary school time, I used to watch a lot of (English) movies and series with English subtitles. This really improved my English. I used to get good grades as well for vocabulary as for grammar. From class one to three, we also followed the Holmwoods programme. That includes, we had to watch English spoken videos and had to fill in questions about it afterwards. The purpose of this was to improve our English listening skills. Furthermore, we also had to read English stories to practice our reading skills. We also worked with Rosetta Stones in this time. This is a self-studying language software. With Rosetta Stones, we especially both trained and practiced our English pronunciation. And thanks to Rosetta Stones, I also learned a lot of new words. 

Before finishing my third year in havo, I completed an Anglia exam at A2 level. After my third year of Havo I moved to the fourth year, the first superstructure year of Havo. In both the upper years of four and five Havo we didn’t do Holmwoods and Rosetta Stones anymore. Mainly in these two years at (secondary) school, we began to watch world news and Ted movies to improve our speaking and listening, which I really enjoyed. We also had to read some English books. Afterwards we had read the books, the story of the book was being tested. Unfortunately, I can’t really remember which books I have read all. In these two last years of Havo, the focus mostly lied on learning new words, as well as improving listening, reading and speaking skills. Less attention was paid to grammar and spelling. By finishing year five of my Havo education, I have reached B1 level of English.

When I went to a University of Applied Sciences in Ede called CHE, I especially started to learn a lot of business (English) vocabulary during my study of business administration. We also learned how to write business emails and letters, as well as write them in good grammar and spelling. Because I do like to work abroad in the future, this is both necessary as useful for me. Last summer of 2021 I went to Kenya to meet some friends. They only spoke English. In that case, I had to speak English a lot! By having many conversations with local people, I learned again many new words. I noticed that this has improved my English level as well. Besides, it motivates me to learn more (about) English to conduct conversations in the future even better.