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1、最牛英语口语培训模式：躺在家里练口语，全程外教一对一，三个月畅谈无阻！ 洛基英语，免费体验所有在线一对一课程： OneBill Cockburn, fresh from reforming the British Post Office, is the new Chief Executive of W.H. Smith, one of the countrys largest stationers. Last week, while issuing a profits warning along with the interim results, he admitted what every
2、one has always known, that the 200 year old W. H. Smith is unbearably smug. “There is,” said Cockburn, “a culture of complacency and a culture of explaining why we havent done what we said we would do.” If he gets this way, all that is about to go. “We should welcome reform as an opportunity, not a
3、threat. I cant understand people who are content with mediocrity and accept second best when they have the potential to be terrific.”W.H. Smith chairman Jeremy Hardie led the search to find Corkburn. I had uniformly favorable reports from everyone who had worked with him as someone who gets things d
4、one and can also bring out the best in his staff. Cockburn may have little experience of retailing in its purest sense but he is an excellent choice to lead Smith out of the cozy world of tradition and bureaucracy.He rose to power at the Post Office while it was recovering from the 1971 strike and s
5、ubsequent loss of image. He did much to improve overall performance, cutting out unprofitable services and shaking up an old-fashioned management. He is well aware of the parallels between the two businesses. The old, mature operation of W.H. Smith has a culture and working practices that go back a
6、long time. Managing change in a young business like one of our subsidiaries is easier than managing it in Smiths 549-store empire with all its tradition and resistance to new ideas. Because they have been there for such a long time, there is an exaggerated sense of prominenceCorkburn is famously sho
7、rt of sentiment when it comes to management. It is a very polite environment here. he says with a mischievous smile, I want it to be more challenging, so people can disagree with each other but are united by driving the business forward. I hope I am breaking down the barriers. The shares have alread
8、y responded to such daring talk by jumping considerably in value since Corkburn took over the running of the company.What does Cockburn say about himself and his career? Was he ambitious from the start? People would assume I was ambitious because of the speed at which I progressed through the Post O
9、ffice organization. But I did not have a view I would end up anywhere in particular. I took each job as it came and I had tremendous bosses who encouraged me. I learned from them how to take pressure and to work fast and hard. In the jobs I have aimed to create success because its good for stakehold
10、ers-customers, employees and now, in the private sector, shareholders.His management style is a mixture of enthusiasm and toughness. I believe you get the best out of people by motivating them, supporting them and setting challenging objectives. It seems to me the only way to work is to be open and
11、honest and speak your mind, he says. Twenty-eight days into the job, he has done the easy part. He has traveled around the Smith group, identified the problems and presented his first financial results. Now he has just to transform the company culture to one of one of striving for excellence. Im ver
12、y optimistic, of course, he says. The basics are great. He seems like the light man for the job.15. What is Corkburn?s attitude towards W.H. Smith?A He disagrees with people who are frightened of change there.B He warns it will be difficult to explain results to customers.C He threatens to make some
13、 people leave.D He accepts that not everyone can be first rate.16. Jeremy Hardie thinks Cockburn possesses the ability toA get on well with other people.B make profitable business deals.C motivate other people he works with.D choose the right people to work with.17. What difficulty does Cockburn hav
14、e to deal with at W.H. Smith?A the image the public has of the companyB the comparison people make with his previous jobC the competition from modern, new subsidiariesD the old, established customs in existence18. As a result of his influence, Cockburn says he would like to seeA an increase in share
15、 prices.B a better educated workforce.C a more demanding atmosphere.D a less structured organization.19. Corkburn attributes his successful career toA the support his bosses give him.B his own personal ambition.C the help he has received from clients.D his ability to do any job given.20. What does Corkburn say is the most important factor in successful management?A always thinking positivelyB not demanding too much from your staffC setting an example to your staffD saying exactly what you thinkUseful Words and Expressions:Interim; smug; complacency; be content with; prominence; senti
