单选题
【正确答案】 A
【答案解析】[听力原文]23-30
Many businesses get in a mess when they are setting up because they buy in a whole load of computers and fancy gadgets, get on the Internet and then start to panic. I believe that the biggest threat to businesses today is net having a clue about information technology and what it Can and can't do for them. The company I have set up has one aim which is to solve your 'hidden' problem. We cover everything from complex cable infrastructures to setting up work- stations and servers.
Sometimes they see how much we charge and step back saying they are too small to need this sort of help. Yes, we are expensive and no, we haven't been in this business for hundreds of years. Nobody has and that's the point. This is a relatively new area and we can't show them a list of prestigious clients who have used our services, at least, not yet.
Of course lots of companies will offer you advice and expensive consultancy but they don't stay around to see you through the difficult bit.
Once we have agreed terms my team goes in, looks at the technology requirements, advises them on it and then, crucially, goes ahead and implements those needs. We're a bit like a management consultancy, but we do the whole thing—we give them a total business solution, We don't have a stock of products we sell. What we give the customer is more of a business expertise package.
I learnt the hard way. My first attempt to set up my own computer research company was a spectacular disaster, after I fell out with my business part- nor. Unfortunately I gave him 50% of the shares, we had a major argument about how much to invest to expand the business and then despite the success of the company it all fell apart. The saddest thing was having to sack a very enthusiastic bunch of staff.
So this time I think I've learnt my lesson. I started the company in my garage. In three years it has built up to 20 staff and a £ 4 million turnover with projected profits this year of £ 300,000. There's only me taking the risks but my staff are behind me and we've moved out of the garage! I think it's clear to everybody who works for me that lam not just letting the company potter along, We are dynamic and look ahead: I think that inspires people who join us and also they know that I discuss things with them even though I make the decisions.
The most satisfying thing right now is that I have a company with a clear mission. It's relatively successful and fast-growing. Although I was a skilled finance person, I've had to develop a lot of technical and sales skills so I'm a bit of an all-rounder now. I have to be honest and say that in five years' time I don't want to be doing this. It's not that I want to give up work and live in the country, but my plan is to move on and do something different. Not another business but another lifestyle. I could do that. This should be worth up to £ 25 million by then.

由“I believe that the biggest threat to bussi-ness is not having a clue about information technology...”可知。not have a clue,习语,对…一无所知。
【正确答案】 B
【答案解析】comprehensive,全面的。“We cover everything from...to...”说明公司提供全方位的服务。
【正确答案】 C
【答案解析】由“we don't have a stock of products we sell what we give the customer is more of a business expertise package.”可知。公司不卖软硬件,只提供技能服务。
【正确答案】 C
【答案解析】“We had a major argument about how to in- vest to expand the business...it all fell apart.”
【正确答案】 A
【答案解析】汲取上次创业失败教训后。他单独开了一家公司:“I started the company in my garage.”
【正确答案】 B
【答案解析】公司上下都很有进取精神(we are dynamic and look ahead),且上下齐心。
【正确答案】 C
【答案解析】“The most satisfying thing right now that l have a company with a clear mission.”最令我满意的是公司有一个明确奋斗目标。
【正确答案】 C
【答案解析】他表示在最近的五年中(in five years' time)他不想再做这一行(I don't want to be doing this),要做点其他的(do something different)。