BE THE BOSS自己當老闆2

Cheaper choices

If you don’t have the money to start a store but want to try retail, consider one of the alternatives. Whether building your own website or using an existing system, like Yahoo! Auctions, starting an e-business has never been easier. On the downside, online businesses often have difficulty attracting and retaining customers. You might also consider direct sales through a company like Amway or Avon. Be careful, though. Finding the right company can be tough, and critics say it can be very difficult to make a profit through direct sales.

Make your own products

Not interested in retail? Why not create your own products? Advances in technology are making it easier than ever to set up micro-factories even in limited facilities. Outsourcing is also an increasingly practical option for small businesses. You can even produce your products by hand.

Becoming a producer has some obvious advantages. Owners have nearly complete control over cost, quality and design of the products they produce. Unfortunately, producing your own goods can also consume a lot of time. The alternative – outsourcing – means dealing with supply chain management, quality and cost controls.

【Grammar on the go】

On the downside, online businesses often have difficulty attracting and retaining customers.

On the downside

Downside=the part that is challenging or not so good

EX1:

The nice thing about taking the bus is that it’s cheaper; the downside is it takes longer to get to where you want to go.

EX2:

Bob’s job pays very well. The downside is he doesn’t have a lot of time with his kids.

【Chat room】

Alternative

Choice

Option

Multiple choice question 選擇題

Alternative後備、可供替代的選擇

Retain保持、留住

The team successively retained their lead through out the whole game.

這支隊伍持續地在整個比賽中都保持領先

Sherry tried to retain her control, but failed when she yelled at her boss.

Sherry試著要保持她的控制力，但當她被老闆大吼的時候就前功盡棄了

Outsourcing委外、外包

Outsourcing customer services is an efficient way to cut expenses, which many companies use now.

將客服外包是目前許多公司採取來節省開支的有效方法

Outsourcing sometimes means less local job opportunities.

外包有時代表著當地工作機會減少

Consume消耗、耗費

My kids can consume large amounts of food in a very short period of time.

These fancy cars might look nice, but they consume a lot of gasoline.

這些漂亮的車子看起來非常的棒，但他們相當的耗油。