Passage 2

Curley says the most easily justified e-business investments are those that provide business value and improve IT efficiency. One example he cites: peer-to-peer enabled e-learning, or distance learning facilitated by technology. This provides just-in-time instruction that can be more effective and efficient than traditional education—and uses the existing corporate IT infrastructure. “This makes the investment attractive to both the business and the information technology organization,” Curley says.

What makes e-business investments the same as other IT investments? Curley says it’s the need to understand the goals and the investment’s expected impact. Is the impact improved business efficiency, effectiveness or perhaps business transformation?

But what makes e-business investments different? For starters, there is the pace at which investments may need to be made. The faster you move, the less likely you are to have operational excellence. The key is getting everyone to agree on the right tradeoff.

Experts note healthy trends as a result of the economic downturn. Rather than blindly pouring cash into Internet divisions, for example, executives are recognizing that business is business — whether online or in person. They also recognize that all the returns aren’t obvious at the start.

34、According to the first paragraph, peer-to-peer enabled e-learning is a justified e-business investment because ______.

为了获得市场份额，他们必须竭尽全力。(market share, go to lengths)

愿意买该产品的人越多，价格就降得越多。(the more, the more)

我们要在出发前把一切都规划好。(plan out, departure)

阅读下面的短文，然后把划线的句子翻译成汉语。

It has been a tumultuous time for dot-com start-ups. In fact, Gartner, Inc. estimates that over 75% of e-commerce start-ups will end in failure. (71) [While it is tempting to blame prevailing market conditions for this failure rate, the fact is that early planning ultimately determines the potential success or failure of a start-up.] This whitepaper helps managers understand the characteristics that contribute to successful start-ups. (72)[Importantly, this work also includes a valuable diagnostic survey that helps entrepreneurs quantify the strength of the business and identify problem areas.]

One thing is clear: There are a lot of ways for a new business to go out of business. (73) [Loss of focus, an inability to fulfill customer orders or service, and a mismatch of top management with the corporate culture are but a few common reasons that businesses fail.] To increase the chances of success, managers need to consider four crucial inputs:

Management / People:The single most vital component of any business, every start-up needs a skilled management team that can execute the business plan, adapt to changing environments, and attract and retain valuable staff.

Market Opportunity:To succeed, a venture requires a business model that is adaptable, scalable, defensible, and able to generate both revenue and profits. (74) [In addition, management must recognize the company’s market position and the potential of its ideas in the market.]

Funding:The ability of the venture to raise operating cash in order to establish profitability.

Product and Service:This defines the demand for the product, including the degree to which it addresses customer needs and the ability to provide fulfillment and client service functions.

 (75) [By keeping a close eye on these found areas — strong leadership and management, good people, a solid business plan, and a product that people want to purchase — businesses can position themselves to weather inevitable challenges.]

电子商务的交易通常涉及几个互动的步骤。 (involve, interactive steps)

我们怎样才能防止这种疾病蔓延?(prevent…from, disease)

information technology

human resources

market share

Federal Express