|
它们与风向标最普通的设计，即传统公鸡形状的风向标相差甚远。
格雷汉姆做的第一个风向标不是公鸡形状的，而是一个在长柄扫帚上的女巫。朋友们都羡慕他这份给妻子带来惊喜的礼物，开始纷纷要求为他们也制作风向标。他说，“我意识到当涉及用风向标可以表现的题材时，其可能性是无穷无尽的。”
格雷汉姆决定把精力投入到风向标生意上。他曾经当过精密度工程师学徒，并在这个行业中工作了15年，然后他和妻子同意交换一下角色——妻子外出工作，当助理建筑工程师，而丈夫留在家中照顾孩子并建立自己的事业。
那是五年前的事了，格雷汉姆对自己选择的新方向没有后悔。他说，“我以前的工作没有任何艺术性，而现在这种工作充满了刺激与创造性，我真的喜欢设计。”
格雷汉姆现在已经完善了100多个原创设计。他精工细作，总是在动手制作前先让顾客对轮廓的设计满意。
格雷汉姆也保留了很多传统设计，因为它们被证实与偶然的创造一样受欢迎。他说，“看上去人们对手工制作很感兴趣，他们想有机会获得一些与众不同的东西”。
格雷汉姆没有扩展（工作室）规模的计划，因为他想把它保持为一种乡村手工艺。
他说，“我已经在市场上占有了一席之地。人们喜爱个性化的东西，而当我看到一个没有任何特色的形状变得栩栩如生时，感到非常满足。”
他解释到，“几个世纪以来，风向标发送引起天气变化的风向转变的信号，从而使人类社会与天气保持联系。”
“然而现在，随着越来越多的人迁入乡村，很多人想给自己的财产做最后的独特的修饰。这促进了我这样的手工艺的发展。”
格雷汉姆越来越忙，忙着给世界各地的顾客供应平整包装的风向标。
美国和丹麦顾客特别感兴趣。他解释说，“价格的制定取决于设计的复杂性。”他最近的定单是一只卷毛狗。无论什么情况下，格雷汉姆都可以制作出与众不同的礼物。
6、Directions:
You are going to read a list of headings and a text about preparing in the academic community. Choose the most suitable heading from the list A-F for each numbered paragraph (41-45). The first and last paragraphs of the text are not numbered. There is one extra heading which you do not need to use. Mark your answers on ANSWER SHEET 1. (10 points)
Have you ever considered what makes a good boss good? The answer to that question is admittedly mercurial, as one person’s view of a top-notch employer will differ from somebody else’s. However, there are a number of traits, attitudes and abilities that are common to all good bosses. Moreover, the need for solid leadership skills is especially telling with smaller businesses.
“Being a good boss is important in any organization, but it’s particularly important for small business,” says Rob Sheehan, director of executive education at the James MacGregor Burns Academy of Leadership at the University of Maryland. “With smaller businesses, you really have the opportunity to set the tone for the entire company.”
Bearing in mind the importance of good leadership to business, consider t, he following lineup of skills, strategies and attributes:
41. Be inclusive.
With a smaller operation, it’s essential that everyone feels like an equal and involved part of the team. A good employer is certain to treat each employee fairly, not only in terms of salary and other forms of compensation, but also in how that employee is involved in the daily function of the business. Encourage feedback, innovation and creativity so employees feel genuinely engaged.
42. Mission, not just money.
Very few businesses operate out of sheer altruism, but that’s not to say that turning a profit is the primary philosophical and practical focus. Rather, an effective boss establishes a genuine business mission. How that takes shape depends both on the business and on the overriding focus the boss wants to set.
43. Nothing to fear but fear itself.
Many of us have had bosses who would be right at home with a knife next to their desk calendars. Make one mistake on the job and feel free to slip your head right in beneath the blade. Conversely, an effective boss encourages his or her employees not to be gun shy about occasional chaos along the road toward better job performance.
44. It’s their careers, too.
Don’t forget that the people who work for you are looking to you to help them navigate and advance their careers. As I said, it’s not all about money. But it is all about making your employees see how to improve and create meaningful careers for themselves.
45. Made, not necessarily born.
|
