PART TWO
1. It seemed like the right thing to do at the time, and it's paid off（付清 ; 見成效） in some ways. Certainly we did need to make savings in order to compete with other companies. We were paying out far too much on basic services. It just wasn't allowing for realistic profit margins. Well, the new premises are attractive, the whole place looked much smarter, more in line with （符合） the image we're looking to project（展現(xiàn)）. And there's no problem yet, with getting the customers in. It's pretty busy in fact. The advertising does seem to be helping to keep the products moving.
? ? But in terms of staffing, while there's no problem recruiting them round here, it is proving tricky (棘手的，難辦的) to get their skills up to standard. We're just too busy dealing with the customers to have time to work on that.

to reduce overheads | lack of time for training

2. It's gone fairly well. I mean it was never going to be straightforward（簡單的）, shifting an operation of this size（這種規(guī)模的企業(yè)） somewhere completely different. Anyway it had to be done, because so much of the shopfloor（展層，車間）was empty（閑置的）. We just didn't require that sort of area for the equipment. The suppliers seem to have adapted well. Productivity is up, the managers are happy, the facilities aren't perfect, but they'll do（還過得去）.

?? What we didn't do was properly predict how many new operatives（操作人員）we'll be needing, and that does mean that the ones we have got are having to do far too much overtime（加班） to make up the shortfall（不足之量,差額). Still I hope the new adverts will attract a new way of applications（求職者）.

to make more efficient use of space | too few new staff recruited

3. I don't know. I just can't get used to it. Everything's so different here. Not just the building, although of course that's a big factor. But it's also their ways of going about（做;處理;從事）things. It's a completely different corporate culture they've brought with them. I guess it must be a recipe for success, otherwise they wouldn't have been able to buy us out（買下…的股權(quán)或產(chǎn)權(quán)）.
?? But it would help if this place was better, I mean the whole building's so ugly. Just to look at it when you arrive in the morning makes you feel depressed. And the canteen's too small for all of us, and there's only one lift. Most of the managers seem unhappy, and I don't blame them. I'm not sure I'm going to stay, to be honest.

to share premises with new parent company | inadequate staff facilities

4. I feel we had little choice but to go. I think it would have been very different if it had been part of our plan. Right up until the last minute, I thought we were going to be able to renegotiate. But they were just so stubborn about the terms, so it was impossible to sign the renewal（續(xù)約）. Well, at least we've finally got the computers, phones and so on sorted out（整理好了） - that was a real nightmare at the beginning. And the papework's back under control, so the managers are looking a bit more content.
?? It's a pity it's so much harder to get to than the last place, and it means more people are inevitably turning up late. I'm really not sure what to do about that side of things.

to avoid problems with a contract | staff transport difficulties

5. I still don't know if we made the right decision, to be honest. I thought it was logic at the time, that it was fairly straightforward to shift the equipment, arrange a new lease, and so on, and that we'd then be much better place for getting deliveries. And that has worked out okay; I mean, they are managing to get things to us on time now, with the shorter distance to come.?

?? But in the food business, you depend on your reputation, and I think that one bad review has done us an awful lot of damage. We're just not getting enough customers through the door. The waiters are spending time doing nothing, because of the empty tables.

to be nearer suppliers | unfavorable publicity

project 表現(xiàn) present yourself

[VN] ? ~ (yourself)? 展現(xiàn)；表現(xiàn)；確立（好印象）

to present sb/sth/yourself to other people in a particular way, especially one that gives a good impression

They sought advice on how to project a more positive image of their company.

他們就如何加強(qiáng)樹立公司的良好形象征詢意見。

She projects an air of calm self-confidence.

她表現(xiàn)出鎮(zhèn)定自若的神態(tài)。

PART THREE
A: Oh, I am exhausted.
B: Me too, so tiring, isn't it?
A: Yeah, concentating for that long.
B: Well, we still have to decide who to choose for the job.
A: While it's still fresh in our minds.
B: It's such a responsibility, isn't it? I mean even just remembering who's who after seeing so many.
A: Twelve in a day is a lot. But I can still picture them, what with their application form and CVs with the photos to remind us. The real problem for me is I feel I end up comparing them to each other.
B: Well, that's only natural.
A: Yes, but we should be relating them to the criteria we've established. I mean keeping to that system of judging their suitability, and not letting our personal opinions get in the way.
B: Not just saying oh he was better than him.
A: Well, by any measurement I thought Michael White was hopeless.
B: Oh quite. Though he was eager to please.
A: And he did say some intelligent things.
B: But you just can't trust someone who's not held down the same position for more than a year.
A: At the most. No, absolutely despite his list of qualifications, definitely not.
B: That's why I think the test...
A: The personality profile?
B: Mm, psychology one, is so helpful. It shows up that kind of thing.
A: The attitude to management structures?
B: Well, I was thinking more of how it highlights attitudes, shows the reactions to the dynamics of operation in groups.
A: I have to say I'm more convinced by the case study.
B: Because it shows the candidates in real life situations?
A: I was thinking of the insights it gives you into what they think is the most important, the values they attach to things.
B: Because they've got time to work it through（解決, 完成） logically.
A: Yes, and I think it's vital...
B: ... given (考慮到) what the job involves. What's crucial for the position? Is the way he or she, whoever it is, is going to handle applying developments from Head Office, new approaches...
A:... significant alterations in direction.
B:... of strategy... that are going to define, shape how the company develops over the next few years. Because the IT department will take responsibility for the technology side of things.
A: But it's a question of following one project through all its stages, isn't it?
B: Yes, I do wish David...
A: Which David?
B: David James, Development.
A: Now he is a good manager.
B: Yes, and that's why we should have had him here.
A: Absolutely. He's so good at interviewing.
B: I've never seen him conducting one, actually.
A: But he wouldn't have much direct contact with the new person.
B: No, but he did come up with the specifications (工作描述? job description，產(chǎn)品規(guī)格) for the post.
A: Yeah, and so his input would have been useful.
B: Right, anyway, he wasn't, so it's up to us. Personally, I'd go for Elaine Harris.
A: Me too. Though her track record（業(yè)績記錄）' s little short.
B: Ture, and she does lack some of the wider knowledge I'd like to have seen.
A: But she's clearly a quick learner.
B: That's the thing, isn't it? Her approach just seems right.
A: Very can-do.
B: Mmm.
A: So that's it?
B: Yeah, I'm stressed out！
A: Well, if we've got it wrong, imagine what it would cost in the end.
B: Well, that's life. But I just find it so hard, that process of holding all the various factors in my head simultaneously, balancing. Fitting it all together（組合起來） in my mind.
A: Well, I'll send David an email tomorrow morning. I'm in early, so I can do it first thing. And then, assuming he is agreement...

what with something

used to list the various reasons for sth

What with the cold weather and my bad leg, I haven't been out for weeks.

由于天氣很冷，我的腿又不好，我已經(jīng)好幾個(gè)星期沒有出門了。

ADV?? (用于猜測時(shí))嗯，哦

You use what to indicate that you are making a guess about something such as an amount or value.????????
It's, what, eleven years or more since he's seen him...
打從他上次見他，已有，嗯，11年甚至更久了。

hold down

1 PHRASAL VERB 保住（工作或位置）
If you hold down a job or a place in a team, you manage to keep it.
He never could hold down a job...
他從來都保不住自己的工作。
2 PHRASAL VERB 壓制;限制
If you hold someone down, you keep them under control and do not allow them to have much freedom or power or many rights.
Everyone thinks there is some vast conspiracy wanting to hold down the younger generation.
大家都認(rèn)為有一個(gè)想壓制年輕一代的大陰謀。

dynamics

N-PLURAL 相互作用;動(dòng)態(tài)
The dynamics of a situation or group of people are the opposing forces within it that cause it to change.
...the dynamics of the social system...
社會(huì)體制的動(dòng)態(tài)
N-UNCOUNT 驅(qū)動(dòng)力
Dynamics are forces which produce power or movement.
Scientists observe the same dynamics in fluids.
科學(xué)家們?cè)谝后w中觀察到了同樣的驅(qū)動(dòng)力。

go for

1 PHRASAL VERB 選擇；挑選
If you go for a particular thing or way of doing something, you choose it.
People tried to persuade him to go for a more gradual reform programme.
人們?cè)噲D說服他采取更為漸進(jìn)的改革方案。
2 PHRASAL VERB 非常喜歡；傾心于
If you go for someone or something, you like them very much.
I tend to go for large dark men.
我非常喜歡身材魁梧、膚色偏黑的男人

track record

N-COUNT (個(gè)人、公司、產(chǎn)品在各自領(lǐng)域活動(dòng)的)成績記錄
If you talk about the track record of a person, company, or product, you are referring to their past performance, achievements, or failures in it.
The job needs someone with a good track record in investment...
這項(xiàng)工作需要有良好投資業(yè)績的人來擔(dān)當(dāng)。

can-do

ADJ 能干的;積極進(jìn)取的;勇往直前的

If you say that someone has a can-do attitude, you approve of them because they are confident and willing to deal with problems or new tasks, rather than complaining or giving up.
He is known for his optimistic can-do attitude...
他因樂觀敢闖而聞名。