节目资讯
刊物:空中英语教室
日期:2013-05-16
难易度:High
关键字:exceptional, amenity, formulate, perk, nap pod, craft
Well, we are talking about wants and needs today.
Of course, Ben and Sandy Johnson have a new office, and they're going to make a
game room.
They want a game room.
Maybe Ben thinks they need a game room.
This is kind of an amenity that their office or company might like.
But Uncle Bob has another idea.
He doesn't think that it will necessarily benefit the company, or maybe it won't
benefit the staff.
Uncle Bob and Ben think a little differently about this idea.
Well, it's time for us to continue enjoying this conversation between Ben and
his Uncle Bob.
(Music).
Wants and Needs.
What do you mean?
Sometimes they're the same thing.
Not really.
Needs are things that you really can't do without.
Wants are things you would like to have.
But what's wrong with wanting a game room?
There's nothing wrong with wanting a game room.
You just need to remember that the things you want aren't always good for you.
And that is especially true in business.
But what about Google?
They offer free meals, fitness centers and nap pods.
For successful companies, perks like those are offered as part of a carefully
crafted business strategy.
Well, I think Uncle Bob is making some good points here to his nephew Ben.
And Ben has the first line, so I'll start.
What do you mean?
Sometimes they're the same thing.
And he's talking about wants and needs.
That's right.
So Uncle Bob says: Not really.
Needs are things that you really can't do without.
Wants are things you would like to have.
So do you see the difference there?
If you cannot do without something, what does that mean, Carolyn?
Well, it means that you have to have it.
You need it in order to survive even.
Here a business might need something very important, but perhaps you want
something that isn't quite as necessary.
That's right.
Well, what are some things that you can't do without in your life?
Earlier this month we talked about mothers.
What a mother is worth.
I think I can't do without my mom's love.
But what about you?
How can you use this sentence?
What can you not do without, you really need it?
That's right.
Well, Ben has some ideas about things that he needs and wants.
He says: But what's wrong with wanting a game room?
Well, there's nothing wrong with wanting a game room.
You just need to remember that the things you want aren't always good for you.
And that is especially true in business.
Oh. I think that's especially true in many parts of our lives.
Things that we want to have aren't always what we need to have.
And sometimes they can actually hurt us.
I think so, too.
Actually I think of children.
When you're small, you learn this lesson as you grow older.
Maybe you really want something, but your mom or dad says: No, you shouldn't
have that now.
You really want to eat a nice, delicious sweet treat.
But your mom says: No. You must have your dinner first.
Maybe you can have that later.
Or maybe you've had too much.
Sometimes the things you want are not what you need, and they're not what is
good for you.
That's right.
And here we're talking about the wants and needs of Ben's company that makes
apps.
Well, Ben says: But what about Google?
They offer free meals, fitness centers and nap pods.
Carolyn, I love that idea.
I mean, free meals is fine, and a fitness center is great.
But a nap pod, that is wonderful!
I mean, to be able to take a nap in a special room that's cozy, comfortable - a
nap pod - every day after lunch for five hours.
Well, I don't know if five hours is considered a nap, Gabe.
But it does sound like there are some very good benefits for working for a
company that has all of these extra special amenities like free meals and nap
pods,
and even a fitness center that you can use before or after your shift at work.
That's right.
So it sounds like some companies have this, and Ben is maybe comparing his
little office with Google.
But what does Uncle Bob say about this?
He says: For successful companies, perks like those are offered as part of a
carefully crafted business strategy.
So there's a little bit of a difference.
This company has thought a lot about this, and it will actually help them a lot.
It helps Google when they have these things.
That's right.
And we see that they're called perks.
These special extra things that they have at their company is called a perk, an
extra benefit.
So what is a perk?
Well, it's from our Word Bank.
And as Carolyn said, it's an extra benefit.
It's something special.
It's something that most people like.
A perk is positive most of the time.
So what kinds of perks do you have at the company you work for?
Or maybe you're a student.
What kinds of perks do you have as... as a student in your class?
Or are there any perks?
I know that a lot of students get discounts with their student ID.
That is one perk of being a student.
Well, one of our perks here at Studio Classroom is that we get to watch review
skits.
So we're going to do that now.
And then we'll join Michelle in the Language Lab.
(Music).
Hello, Uncle Bob. It's a great day.
Well, yes.
Why are you so happy?
Because my new business is doing very well.
I'm not surprised.
You've had lots of free advice.
That's true.
And how about the new office?
Oh, it's really nice.
Come visit some time.
OK. Let's go.
Uh... no. No, not yet.
Wait until we finish the game room.
The game room?
Oh, yeah. It's going to be exceptional.
Why are you putting in a game room?
Why not?
A lot of tech companies have amenities in their offices.
Yeah. But all companies aren't formulated the same.
Hmm, true.
But I really want a game room.
What's wrong with that?
Nothing's wrong with wanting one.
But do you really need it?
Do I need it? Well... Uh, it's a good perk.
And perks can be offered as a good business strategy for successful companies.
So no game room?
You may need that money for something else.
But I really want a game room!
Remember, Ben, the things you want aren't always good for you, especially in
business.
OK.
(Chinese).
And now let's return to our teachers.
Well, Ben and his Uncle Bob have been talking all about wants and needs,
and what you want for your company might be different from what your company
actually needs.
Well, I kind of wonder if you could have some special perks or amenities where
you work or where you go to school.
What would you want?
Gabe, what kind of perks would you want at work?
Well, I like this idea of a game room.
I think it's wonderful to be able to take a break for maybe five or ten minutes,
and go on play a game with somebody to get your mind going.
Maybe it would help me be even more creative at what I'm doing.
That's true.
It could help you with your creativity.
I think I would probably really enjoy a nap pod just for a 10- or 15-minute nap
in the afternoon.
Well, we have a lot more to learn with the conversation going on here tomorrow.
So we'll see you then right here on Studio Classroom.
See you next time.