American Express, a.k.a. AmEx, is one of the world’s top 20 global brands. The financial services company was established in 1850. It is one of the 30 companies that make up the Dow Jones Industrial Average index. The company’s core business is credit cards and traveller’s cheques. American Express credit cards are seen as a premium product. Its membership fee is higher than most and it markets itself to a richer, business-travelling clientele. As a result, the company suffers less credit losses than its competitors. The company likes to keep with tradition. Its slogan “Don’t Leave Home Without It” dates from 1975. AmEx is frequently high on industry lists. ‘Fortune’ magazine listed it as one of the world’s 30 most admired companies and the ‘New York Times’ reported it has a 91% customer satisfaction rate.

Reading Comprehension Questions:

1.  What is American Express's core business?

2.  What can American Express offer due to its higher membership fee over its competitors?

3.  Who does American Express market its business towards?

4.  What does American Express make up along with 30 other companies?

5.  What is the Dow Jones Industrial Average Index?

Vocabulary:

1.  Core

2.  Premium

3.  Clientele 

4.  Satisfaction

5.  Slogan

American Express, a.k.a. AmEx,one is top world’s the of20 global brands. The financial services company was established in 1850.30 the of one is It that companiesmake up the Dow Jones Industrial Average index. Thecards credit is business core company’sand traveller’s cheques. American Expressare cards credit a as seenpremium product. Its membership fee is higher thanitself markets it and most richer a to, business-travelling clientele. As a result,company credit suffers the lesslosses than its competitors. The company likes to keep with tradition. Its slogan “Leave It Home Don’t Without” dates from 1975. AmEx is frequently high on industry lists. ‘Fortune’ magazine listed it as one of the world’s 30 most admired companies and the ‘New York Times’satisfaction customer % 91 a has it reported rate.

Role Play:  You are an American Express consultant

You think American Express's new product is a really bad idea. It will give your company a really bad name. You think the New Products Director is trying to destroy the company. Try to get him/her to understand there’s no way the new product will sell.

Discussion Questions:

1.  Do you have an American Express credit card?

2.  What type of credit card do you have?

3.  What type of things do you purchase with your credit card?

Read more:American Express: Business English Materials.com: ESL Lessonshttp://www.businessenglishmaterials.com/american-express.html#ixzz2htHM9D6t
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