Consider yourself an expert who has been called in to discuss a business topic before a group of interested people. Because your time is limited, prepare a concise yet powerful presentation with effective visual aids.

Your Task. 

Select a report topic from the following suggestions or from the expanded list of Report Topics available at the accompanying student site. Prepare a five- to ten-minute oral presentation.

a. What options (think aid, grants, and scholarships) do students have to finance their college tuition and fees as costs continue to rise?

b. Which is financially more beneficial to a business, leasing or buying company cars?

c. Tablet computers and other mobile devices are eroding the market share previously held by laptops and netbooks. Which brands are businesses embracing, and why? Which features are a must-have for businesspeople?

d. What kind of marketing works best with students on college campuses? Word of mouth? Internet banner advertising? Social media? Free samples? How do students prefer to get information about goods and services?

e. How can your organization appeal to its members to prevent them from texting while driving or from driving under the influence?

f. Some brands are not afraid to poke fun at themselves. Take Buick, maker of vehicles many associate with older drivers. The company leveraged this perception into a discussion of what Buick is today in a successful series of “Experience the New Buick”
ads. Find three or more examples of companies admitting weaknesses, and draw conclusions from their strategies. Would you recommend this as a smart marketing ploy?

g. How can students and other citizens contribute to conserving gasoline and other fossil fuel to save money and address the global climate crisis?

h. What is the career outlook in a field of your choice? Consider job growth, compensation, and benefits. What kind of academic or other experience is typically required in your field?

i. What is the economic outlook for a given product, such as electric cars, laptop computers, digital cameras, fitness equipment, or a product of your choice?

j. What kinds of workers can most easily work from home? Examine how the COVID-19 pandemic has changed telecommuting.

k. What are the Webby Awards, and what criteria do the judges use to evaluate websites? Alternatively, examine the Clio Awards or Cannes Lions Awards. Consider evaluation criteria and several of the most recent winners.

l. What franchise would offer the best investment opportunity for an entrepreneur in your area?

m. What should a guide to proper smartphone etiquette include?

n. Why should a company have a written e-mail, Web use, and social media policy?

o. Where should your organization hold its next convention?

p. What is the outlook for real estate (commercial or residential) investment in your area?

q. What do the personal assistants for celebrities do, and how does one become a personal assistant? (Investigate the Association of Celebrity Personal Assistants.)

r. What kinds of gifts are appropriate for businesses to give clients and customers during the holiday season?

s. What rip-offs are on the Federal Trade Commission’s list of top ten consumer scams, and how can consumers avoid falling for them?

t. How can your organization or institution improve its image?

u. What are the pros and cons of using Prezi zoom presentations? Would they be appropriate in your field?

v. How can consumers protect themselves against identity theft?

w. How could people be persuaded to start saving for retirement, considering the magic of compound interest, which allows even small contributions to grow substantially over long periods of time? How could very young people who may not give much thought to retiring be motivated to start?

x. What are the differences among casual, business casual, and business formal attire?

y. What is a sustainable business? What can companies do to become sustainable?

z. What smartphone apps are available that will improve a businessperson’s productivity?