Simmonds Podcasts
Simmonds · Business English Podcast

Listen to business English until it sticks.

A new episode every day: short conversations from real working life — negotiations, meetings, phone calls — with a full transcript, vocabulary support and a comprehension test. From the team that has trained companies across Germany since 2004.

3–5minutes per episodeB1–C1levels B1–C1100 %free, no sign-up
Latest episode

Negotiating an Exit Clause Before Signing

Price and scope are agreed — but the three-year contract has no way out. Jonas negotiates a termination right with account director Michael before he signs.

B2Negotiations4 Min.

How it works

Listen first. Then test. Then read along.

Listen

A realistic conversation from working life, spoken with clear, natural voices.

Test

Six to eight comprehension questions — no penalties, every explanation points to the moment in the dialogue.

Read along

Afterwards the full transcript opens, with German support and the key phrases.

Episode catalog

Episodes by series, like a library.

Negotiations

22 Episoden
Episode 01B1

Negotiating a Deadline

A project date is slipping — how to negotiate a new deadline in English without sounding unprofessional.

Episode 02B1

Asking a Supplier for a Small Discount

A buyer asks his supplier for a small discount — politely, concretely and with a counter-offer.

Episode 03B1

Agreeing on a Delivery Date

A buyer and a supplier agree on a firm delivery date — and clear up the classic "until" vs. "by" mistake on the way.

Episode 04B1

Requesting Free Shipping on a Large Order

A large order is on the table — how to ask for free shipping in English without sounding demanding.

Episode 05B1

Offering a Discount for a Longer Contract

A client wants a lower price — how to tie the discount to a longer contract term in English.

Episode 06B1

Negotiating Who Pays the Travel Costs

Travel costs in a quotation — who pays? How to negotiate travel, hotel and expenses in English without risking the order.

Episode 07B1

Clarifying What Is Actually Included in the Price

A quotation is on the table — but what is really included in the price? How to ask in English without sounding suspicious.

Episode 08B1

Why "Eventually" Doesn't Mean "Eventuell" in a Delivery Negotiation

One word, two meanings, one near-misunderstanding: why "eventually" sounds like a firm commitment in a delivery negotiation — and German "eventuell" does not.

Episode 09B1

Asking for More Time to Review an Offer

A supplier wants a decision — you need one more week. How to ask for time to think it over, professionally, in English.

Episode 10B1

Trading a Faster Payment for a Lower Price

The early payment discount in English: how to trade a faster payment for a lower price — with the phrases to match.

Episode 11B1

Responding When a Customer Says the Quote Is Too High

"Your quote is too high" — the sentence every salesperson dreads. How to respond calmly and confidently in English.

Episode 12B1

Renegotiating After Material Costs Rise

Steel prices are soaring and the contract runs until December — how to negotiate a fair price adjustment in English.

Episode 13B2

Choosing Between a Fixed Price and an Hourly Rate

Fixed price or hourly rate? A consultant and a buyer negotiate the commercial model for a project — including a hybrid solution with a cap.

Episode 14B2

Correcting a Partner Who Confuses "Billion" and "Milliarde"

One mistranslated number can ruin an investor pitch: the German Billion is not the English billion. How to clear up the classic false friend.

Episode 15B2

Negotiating Compensation for a Delayed Shipment

The shipment arrived three weeks late — now compensation is on the table. A coach shows how to make the claim in English without damaging the relationship.

Episode 16B2

Saving a Deal When the Decision-Maker Changes

Your contact has left the company and the new head of procurement wants to start over. How to save a nearly finished deal in English.

Episode 17B2

Handling a Buyer Who Keeps Adding Last-Minute Demands

Just before signature the buyer suddenly wants more: training, longer warranty, all included. How to stay friendly in English — and firm on price.

Episode 18B2

Breaking a Deadlock Over Payment Terms

Thirty days versus sixty days payment terms — nothing is moving. How to break a stalled negotiation in English.

Episode 19B2

Renegotiating Responsibilities in a Joint Project

The division of labour in a joint project quietly tips over — how to renegotiate responsibilities in English without pointing fingers.

Episode 20B2

Explaining Why "Provision" Is Not the English Word for Sales Commission

A sales manager offers an eight per cent "provision" — and the American lawyer starts looking for the contract clause. Why the English word is "commission".

Episode 21B2

Making a Counteroffer Without Sounding Confrontational

The offer is above budget — how to phrase a counteroffer in English that strengthens the relationship instead of straining it.

Episode 22B2

Negotiating an Exit Clause Before Signing

Three years locked in with no way out? Before signing, a managing director negotiates an exit clause — and learns the difference between "until" and "by" along the way.

These series are coming next.

In production
In production

Meetings & Status Updates

24 episodes

In production

Phone & Video Calls

19 episodes

In production

Negotiations

8 episodes

In production

Small Talk & Networking

4 episodes

From the podcast to the real conversation

The podcast trains your ear — in lessons you speak yourself, with real teachers.

Learn business English online

Subscribe to the podcast:Spotify ▸RSS-Feed ▸