在世界各地，年轻企业家层出不穷。但这些乳臭未干且胸怀大志的年青人到底知道自己在干什么吗？本期《随身英语》讨论年轻人创业从商。

课文内容

词汇: 商业

Do you have a business brain? Are you always looking for the next big idea? Maybe, like me, you might feel setting up a new company is something you might do when you're older, when you have more experience. But that's not always the case. 

While some of us may feel young adulthood is a time of tentatively finding our place in the world, sleeping late and partying hard, others are already on a path to great business success. Take the founder of Microsoft, Bill Gates, who started his company as a young university student at Harvard in the US. There are many other examples of young entrepreneurs who have become hugely successful, proving that there's no minimum age to becoming top dog.

But to be the next business executive requires effort. You need to acquire a keen mind and good business acumen and above all, you need enthusiasm. Starting a new business comes with an element of risk but if you are able to spot the next big idea, it's probably worth giving it a try. Jessica Rose owns a jewellery making business and admits that "when I first started I had no business training whatsoever… but I kind of woke up one day and thought I'd really love to be a jewellery designer." She went on to be a successful young entrepreneur.

Being young and in business does have its drawbacks; you may worry you have nothing to bring to the table and that the people who work for you tend to be older and wiser. That's what young British entrepreneur Suleman Sacranie found. He started his third business whilst studying chemistry at university. He says "now I've got two additional directors who have grey hair" but when they first started he says he "could tell they were thinking in the back of their heads, 'I've got a kid sitting in front of me.'"

You may think setting up a new start-up is easier said than done. As well as ideas, you need financial backing and expert guidance. But if you're studying hard at university and don't have the desire to go into business and make your fortune, keep on studying – an education is priceless!

词汇表

a business brain 经商头脑，商业头脑
big idea 创意，想法
founder 创始人
entrepreneur 企业家
top dog 权威，优胜者
executive 主管，经理
acquire 获得，取得
a keen mind 敏锐的头脑
acumen 敏锐，精明
drawback 弱点，缺点
to bring to the table 提供有用的东西
easier said than done 说来容易做来难
financial backing 资金支持，财政支援
priceless 无价的

测验与练习

1. 阅读课文并回答问题。

1. Where was Bill Gates studying when he founded his company, Microsoft?
2. What did British entrepreneur Suleman Sacranie say to suggest that two of his employees were much older than him?
3. Name something, mentioned in the article, that you need to start up a new business.
4. True or false? You have to be at least 21 years old to start out in business.
5.Which word in the text means having a lot of energy or excitement about something?

2. 请你在不参考课文的情况下完成下列练习。选择一个意思合适的单词填入句子的空格处 。

1. John thought he was _________ and would boss everyone around even though he wasn't actually the boss. 

top cat     topping dog      top dog      dog top

2. She has _________ the knowledge to be able to do all the online accounts.

founded     acquired      backed     required

3. One of the ________ of going by train is that it takes much longer than going by plane.

drawbridges      drawbacks   drawbacked  drawback

4. I'll never replace my stolen engagement ring. It was _________ .

cheap     priceful     worthless     priceless

5. Jim can finally open his new cafe now that he has the _________ .

big idea      founding        financial backing      top dog

答案

1. 阅读课文并回答问题。

1. Where was Bill Gates studying when he founded his company, Microsoft?
Harvard in the US.

2. What did British entrepreneur Suleman Sacranie say to suggest two of his employees were much older than him?
He said two of his directors have 'grey hair'.

3.  Name something mentioned in the article that you need to start up a new business.
Ideas, financial backing, expert guidance.

4.  True or false? You have to be at least 21 years old to start out in business.
False. The article says "there's no minimum age to becoming top dog."

5.  Which word in the text means having a lot of energy or excitement about something?
Enthusiasm.

2. 请你在不参考课文的情况下完成下列练习。选择一个意思合适的单词填入句子的空格处 。

1. John thought he was top dog and would boss everyone around even though he wasn't actually the boss.  

2. She has acquired the knowledge to be able to do all the online accounts.

3. One of the drawbacks of going by train is that it takes much longer than going by plane.

4. I'll never replace my stolen engagement ring. It was priceless.

5. Jim can finally open his new cafe now that he has the financial backing.