This business English presentation aims to give students some useful language points for discussing company history. It is intended for intermediate students beginning a business English course. Check out the full lesson plan here: http://davidteaching.blogspot.com/2017/03/business-english-vocabulary-company.html

1. Company History
Common language for describing company history

2. The Beginning
We describe the beginning of a company as its founding. We
often use the passive voice, unless we are stating who founded
the company.
• We were founded in 1962.
• The company was founded in 1885.
• Jeff Bezos founded Amazon in 1994.
Other expressions:
• This company was set up in 1925.
• We were established in 1987.

3. Important Events
A merger is when two companies unite and become a single
new company.
• The company merged with its competitor in 2005.
• The two businesses merged last year.
When a company begins to be publically traded, we say it has
been floated and is now listed on the stock market.
• The start-up company was soon floated on the stock market.
• Since 1998, we have been listed on the NASDAQ.

4. Important Events
Sometimes parts of a business may be sold for some reason,
and the company restructured.
• That division was sold off last March. The rest of the company
was split up into six new divisions.
Small companies often need investment from outside sources to
help with new projects.
• The billionaire funded the start-up’s revolutionary new
product.
• Our recent ventures were funded by a group of investors.

5. Important Events
When something new happens, we might say it “was
introduced.”
• A new logo was introduced in 1990.
• Rising to market demands, a new product was introduced.
We might also say it was “first sold in____”
• The iPhone was first sold in 2007.
• Our original device was first sold in 1989.

6. Products
• We make cell phones.
• We produce car components.
• We manufacture airplane parts.
• We supply glass products.
• We launched a new product last month.
• We have pioneered new video game designs.
• We are researching VR technologies.
• We are developing environmentally friendly vehicles.

7. • Learn more business English skills or IELTS English practice