2011年8月26日 星期五

BE THE BOSS自己當老闆

Understanding your small-business choices
了解適合你的小型企業類型

Want to start your own business? Maybe you don’t like the job you have. Maybe you want to be your own boss or just make some extra money. Whatever your motivation, there are many small-business choices available to you. Unfortunately, not all start-up strategies are created equal, and finding the right approach for your business can be difficult. To help you navigate the world of entrepreneurship, Studio Classroom has created this review of small-business start-up strategies.

Start a store
If you love the idea of owning a store, you aren’t alone. Storeowners get to decide what they will sell, where their store will be and what it will look like. They also have the chance to perform different roles in the business such as accountant, salesperson and head of human resources. A successful store can be a big moneymaker. But be prepared to pay for things like shop space and the cost of filling your store with products. You should also be ready to deal with tough competitors like large chain stores.


Navigate àfinding your way or finding the right way to go
Entrepreneurship

【Chat room】
Not all start-up strategies are created equal
All men are created equal. 人人生而平等
源自The Declaration of Independence 美國的獨立宣言
林肯總統在著名的Gettysburg Address 演講時引用了這句名言
並不是All men are created equally. (會變成重點在create 創造的這個過程)

【Key word】
Motivation 動機、動力、誘因
His family’s poor background gave Dave strong motivation to succeed.
Motive動機、目的(可數名詞)
We already began to question his motives for helping us.
我們已經開始質疑他幫助我們的動機

Start-up 新創立、新營運的公司
Over just ten years, this small start-up grew to become an international enterprise.
僅僅十年的時間,這家新創立的小公司就變成了國際型的企業了
Start-ups are especially vulnerable in times of financial depression.
在經濟肅條的時候,新創立的小公司特別脆弱。

Navigate 導航、航行
Even though the radar was broken, he navigated the ship to the port safely.
雖然雷達壞掉了,他安全地把船開到了港口

Navigate 在今天課文中是指"找到正確的方向"
Brenda needs a good agent to help her navigate the world of entertainment business.
Brenda需要一個很好的經紀人來幫助她在娛樂圈找到很好的方向

2011年8月3日 星期三

LONGBOARDING 你玩過長板了嗎?2

From style to sport

Most longboarders enjoy the feeling that the board gives, a sensation similar to surfing. But some adventures riders want more than a sensation. The sport of speedboarding appeals to these thrill-seekers who are looking for an adrenalin rush. Downhill longboards, or speedboards, are designed for riding down hills at high speeds while maintaining balance. Speedboarders compete in races or “freeride” down hills purely for enjoyment, flying down slopes in snake-like patterns. Since the sport can be dangerous, riders usually wear protective gear like suits and helmets, in the event of a fall.

Those who don’t have the need for speed put their longboards to other good uses. Riders can contend in slalom racing or long-distance riding, both of which require accuracy and strength. If you want something completely unique, there is even longboard dancing. This stylish set of moves is performed while rolling on a board. For sensation, speed or style, give a longboard a try. You might just discover you enjoy the ride.


Sensationàthe feeling
Adrenalin 腎上腺素
gear
contend
slalom 障礙、迴旋曲折
unique

【Chat room】
今天課文提到:in the event of a fall
in the event of something
event事件
in the event of 意指“如果發生什麼事”
通常代表不好的事,例如:火災、空難、地震、海嘯….等
disaster  emergency

【Key word】
Sensation感覺
The boy had a nauseated sensation after riding the roller-coaster.
這個男孩搭了雲霄飛車後有噁心的感覺
The tingling sensation, caused by the ointment, disappeared quickly.
這個藥膏造成的刺癢感覺,很快就消失了
Sensation轟動一時的人事物
The band caused a sensation in the 70’s.
這個樂團在70年代紅極一時

Contend競爭、爭奪
Top singers from all around the country contended in this singing contest on television.
All participants contending in the competition must be amateur tennis players.
這個比賽的所有參賽者都必須是業餘的網球選手

Unique獨一無二的、唯一的
The unique hairstyle became Elvis’s trademark.
貓王獨特的髮型成為了他的商標
Lack of water is not a unique problem in this region.
不是這個區域才有缺水的問題