Describe a successful business you know (Part 2/3) – IELTS Practice Online (Band 9)

Refer to the sample IELTS Speaking Part 2 with the topic Describe a successful business you know below to practice effectively at home and conquer a high band score in the real Speaking exam!

Describe a successful business you know.

You should say:

• What it is
• How you know about it
• How it becomes successful

 And explain how you felt about it

Sample Answer

I’m not the kind of person who pays much attention to the business world, but there’s a company that has inspired me a lot in everything I do. That’s Apple – a giant tech company, the first trillion-dollar business and the most valuable brand in the world. They are renowned for producing the highest-quality technological devices, including smartphones, laptops, desktops, and headphones, among which the iPhone is considered a revolutionary product that changed the world with its release. 

The first time I saw an iPhone, it completely blew me away, because it was unlike any other phone on the market at that time. Then I looked up the company behind the product, and was immediately intrigued by its fascinating success story.

Many people probably don’t know this, but before becoming this successful, Apple struggled a lot and almost went bankrupt. Its first line of products was not welcomed by the public, and its infamous founder, Steve Jobs, was even fired from his own company. However, with the release of the original Macintosh and the iPhone, Apple managed to pull in lots of attention, and the sales of their products skyrocketed. Its success can be attributed to a few factors.

First of all, it adapts very well to the demand of the market. From a first mover with lots of innovative devices, Apple now waits for a new technology to perfect itself before implementing it in their own products, offering their users not necessarily the first, but certainly the best experience. In this saturated market, no new technology can wow consumers, but an optimal experience can, and Apple is aiming for that.

Besides, Apple is a marketing genius, coming up with brilliant catchphrases and creative campaigns to popularize their products. They also offer the best services in the tech world, overshadowing most of their competitors in this aspect. 

I don’t consider myself an Apple fanatic, but its business principles and practice have inspired me a lot, as I always try to provide my students with the best experience, and never give them any half-baked product or service. The company is definitely having a positive influence on me.

IELTS Speaking Part 3: Business

1. What do you think is the retirement age for men and women?

It is my opinion that there should be no restriction regarding the age to which men and women can work. As long as their health allows and their company requires their services, they can keep on contributing, and retire only when they feel that they have reached their limit. Old employees’ experience and wisdom can be extremely valuable, and I think it is a huge loss when they are forced to retire while they are still physically and mentally capable.

2. What kinds of qualities do people need to run their own business?

There are a few factors that come into play, but at the top of the list, I think a business owner must be extremely well-organized. Running a business is no simple feat, and if an entrepreneur can’t plan things well and manage the many different aspects of a company, the situation will be very chaotic. In addition, those who want to be their own boss should have a clear vision, because no business can thrive without its identity figured out and a well-thought-out development plan. 

3. What do you think are the key factors that contribute to the success of a business?

I personally think that, more than anything, a company must have a competitive advantage in order to become successful. In other words, they should gain an edge over their competitors in a particular aspect, be it price, user experience or uniqueness.

Besides, a strong team can be a major contributor to the success of a business. A good smartphone, for example, may not sell if there isn’t a strong marketing team to bring it to the public eye and a capable sales team to convince its customers to make a purchase.