新视野大学英语视听说教程 4 Unit 5-11

V. Let’s Talk
Script
Kathy: Well, now that everybody I here, let’s call the meeting to order. Today we have to discuss the operation of our software development department. We’re all aware that nowadays market competition is becoming more intense than ever before. If we want to keep our competitive¹ edge, the only way is to offer excellent and considerate service to our customer and, at the same time, lower our prices. So, what I’m thinking is, maybe we could outsource the software side of out business to another company. But what impact will it have on our engineers? It’s a big problem. Mm, I’d be interested to know your thoughts, Warton.
Warton: I totally agree with you.
Kathy:  Could you go into more detail about your opinion?
Warton: I think that outsourcing this part of our operation to another company certainly makes a lot sense. Our software engineers ate getting a bit too old, and their technology is a bit out of date. Worse still, their salaries are quite high. Many professional software-designing companies are offering better products at lower rates. With outsourcing, we can give some of the engineers the sack.
Jennifer: Sorry to interrupt you. Coming from the PR department, I look at this issue from a different perspective. I think we should consider all sides of this issue before we make a decision.

Kathy: Jennifer, I’d be interested t o knot your view too.
Jennifer: I think as a large company we should consider not only customers and prices, but also our employees. Our workers have contributed a lot to our company.   Some of them even started working here when our company opened. I hope we can find a solution that won’t require us t o lay off our loyal and trust employees.
Kathy: I’m very much impressed by what you said. We’d better give this issue more careful consideration.

Kathy	Maybe we could outsource the software side of out business to another company. But what impact will it have on our engineers?
Warton	Our software engineers ate getting a bit too old, and their technology is a bit out of date. Worse still, their salaries are quite high. Many professional software-designing companies are offering better products at lower rates. With outsourcing, we can give some of the engineers the sack.
Jennifer:	Our workers have contributed a lot to our company.   Some of them even started working here when our company opened. I hope we can find a solution that won’t require us t o lay off our loyal and trust employees.
Kathy	We’d better give this issue more careful consideration.

1 competitive   

adj.竞争的，比赛的，好竞争的，有竞争力的

参考例句：

• Some kinds of business are competitive.有些商业是要竞争的。
• These businessmen are both competitive and honourable.这些商人既有竞争性又很诚实。