VOA 商务英语 lesson24

Challenge(难题挑战,而不说problem,比较积极)，reputation(声誉)
F: your challenge is to lower your distribution costs.
M: but not at the expense （cost）of our reputation.
F: No, you still have to deliver on time.
M: If we lower distribution costs, we can’t keep our delivery promise.
F: or(否定句中,也不能) keep your inventories¹ low.
M: it’s really an balancing act.
F: one cost goes up, another goes down.
M: It’s hard to keep things on an even keel（保持平衡）.
Q: what is his challenge?
A: The challenge is to lower distribution costs

Dialog 2:
F: nonetheless, Direct Computers has grown very rapidly in the last two years.
M: so rapidly that sales have increased over 100%.
F: You know, that may be the solution to your high distribution costs.
M: I don’t understand, I still have to deliver the computers.
F: yes, but why do it youself?
M: you mean outsouce the distribution.
F: Why not?You have the volume to negotiate some favorable rates.(优惠价)
F: Ur… we pay other companies to deliver our computers.
Q: How can direct companies lower distribution costs
A: by outsourcing the distribution.
Dialog 3:
F: There is another money-saving ideal.(比如：energy-saving,time-saving,daylight-saving time夏令时)
M: money saving or money-making?
F: both, here is what I mean, you need the components² on site(现场), right?
M: Right, so we can assemble computers quickly.
F: what about moving the suppliers to your hubs?
M: You mean to produce components at our hubs?
F: exactly. How does that strike you?(what do you think of that,征求意见)
M: Let me mull it over(think it over) , I’ll get back to you.(等我考虑好了再告诉你)
Q： What is her money-saving ideal?
A: to produce components at the hub.

Small Talk:
---I am sorry that I’am late
---never mind.

1 inventories   

n.总结( inventory的名词复数 )；细账；存货清单（或财产目录）的编制

参考例句：

• In other cases, such as inventories, inputs and outputs are both continuous. 在另一些情况下，比如存货，其投入和产出都是持续不断的。
• The store must clear its winter inventories by April 1st. 该店必须在4月1日前售清冬季存货。

2 components   

（机器、设备等的）构成要素，零件，成分； 成分( component的名词复数 )； [物理化学]组分； [数学]分量； （混合物的）组成部分

参考例句：

• the components of a machine 机器部件
• Our chemistry teacher often reduces a compound to its components in lab. 在实验室中化学老师常把化合物分解为各种成分。