晨读英语美文 Problems and Opportunities

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Problems and Opportunities

[00:07.97]We live in an unusual time with corporate downsizing, restructuring, 

[00:16.94]and the increase in global competition. 

[00:19.12]Some view these times as problematic; 

[00:22.19]others see the incredible opportunities created by such change.

[00:26.67]In the last decade there has been a huge growth 

[00:30.83]in home-based and service-industry businesses. 

[00:33.34]These businesses have been started by individuals 

[00:37.06]with the courage to pursue their dreams. 

[00:39.14]Yet, for every idea that is implemented, 

[00:43.08]thousands of ideas never get beyond the conceptual stage— 

[00:47.01]from the imagination to a plan of action.

[00:49.54]What holds people back from pursuing their dreams 

[00:54.91]and acting on their great ideas? 

[00:56.75]I believe it's fear of failure. 

[00:58.72]Someone once said there are a lot of ways to become a failure, 

[01:03.31]but never taking a chance is the most successful way. 

[01:07.04]I've also heard it said that 

[01:09.88]people don't plan to fail...they fail to plan.

[01:13.92]Companies these days must be willing and able to change constantly. 

[01:20.60]Sometimes companies change course to survive, 

[01:24.10]and sometimes they do so 

[01:26.46]because an opportunity is too good to resist. 

[01:28.58]I know of a small company 

[01:31.96]that provided a messenger service several years ago. 

[01:34.38]A sudden major increase in corporate use of fax machines 

[01:38.65]nearly put this small company out of business. 

[01:41.38]Fortunately, 

[01:43.29]the owner of the company was astute enough 

[01:46.23]to realize other global corporate trends 

[01:48.21]happening at the same time. 

[01:49.85]The owner shifted gears from offering a messenger service 

[01:53.79]to providing an offsite records storage service, 

[01:56.64]and soon business was booming once again.

[01:59.70]It all comes down to perspective. 

[02:03.30]When there was a downturn in the economy, 

[02:05.71]some people could say This is terrible! 

[02:08.55]With the downturn in the economy, 

[02:10.75]nobody will have a budget for my service. 

[02:13.37]Or others thought This is great! 

[02:16.43]With the tightening of budgets and the loss of support staff, 

[02:20.04]there's an even greater need for professionals to be effective,

[02:23.32]which is precisely what I'm here to help them do!