如何做到比一般人更好：关注细节
刘立军 供稿
TRANSCRIPT
Attention to Detail
The average person does their job. To perform above average, details matter. For example, completing a task is a basic skill. Checking to be sure things are correct, organized, and done efficiently demonstrates above-average ability.
Anticipating the wants or needs of others can also show attention to detail. While looking at a situation, think about what might come up, and be prepared to respond. When you’re at a restaurant, isn’t it nice when the waiter fills up your water glass without you having to ask, has a pleasant conversation with you, or offers a menu suggestion that makes your experience more enjoyable, rather than just doing the minimum requirement of their job? By going the extra mile, you show people you care about their needs. Whether you are creating a pleasurable dining experience or a top-level presentation to a business firm, showing that you are prepared, knowledgeable, capable and respectful of people’s time and interests, shows you are performing at an above-average level.
Business man Sebastian Barbarito said it like this, “The difference between mediocrity and excellence is attention to detail.”
VOCABULARY
1. anticipate v. to expect sth. 预料；预期
2. mediocrity n. the quality of being average or not very good 平庸；普通；平常。例如：His acting career started brilliantly, then sank into mediocrity. 他的演艺生涯刚开始轰轰烈烈，然后就沦为平庸了。
QUESTIONS
Listen to the news and choose the best answer to each question you hear.
1. What does it mean to perform above average in the workplace?
A. To do the minimum requirement of your job.
B. To complete tasks efficiently and pay attention to detail.
C. To be unprepared and not knowledgeable.
D. To not respect people’s time and interests.
2. What is the difference between an average waiter and an above-average one?
A. The average waiter only does the minimum requirement of their job.
B. The above-average waiter fills up the customer’s water glass without being asked, has a pleasant conversation and offers menu suggestions.
C. The average waiter pays no attention to customer’s needs.
D. The above-average waiter is not respectful of customer’s time and interests.
3. What does Sebastian Barbarito believe is the difference between mediocrity and excellence in business?
A. Excellence is not respecting people’s time and interests.
B. Mediocrity is being unprepared and not knowledgeable.
C. The difference is attention to detail.
D. Mediocrity is doing the minimum requirement of your job.
4. What is the importance of showing that you are prepared, knowledgeable, capable, and respectful of people’s time and interests in a business setting?
A. It demonstrates that you are not performing at an above-average level.
B. It shows that you are not committed to the cause.
C. It shows that you are not interested in people’s needs.
D. It shows that you are performing at an above-average level.
KEY
1. What does it mean to perform above average in the workplace?
A. To do the minimum requirement of your job.
B. To complete tasks efficiently and pay attention to detail.
C. To be unprepared and not knowledgeable.
D. To not respect people’s time and interests.
【答案】B
【解析】细节题。在工作中业务能力超出平均水平意味着能够高效率地完成任务并能够关注到细节。
2. What is the difference between an average waiter and an above-average one?
A. The average waiter only does the minimum requirement of their job.
B. The above-average waiter fills up the customer’s water glass without being asked, has a pleasant conversation and offers menu suggestions.
C. The average waiter pays attention to customer’s needs.
D. The above-average waiter is not respectful of customer’s time and interests.
【答案】B
【解析】细节题：普通的服务员和高水平的服务员的区别是，后者在不被要求的情况下会主动给客人填满水杯，与客人进行愉快的交流并提供菜单建议。
3. What does Sebastian Barbarito believe is the difference between mediocrity and excellence in business?
A. Excellence is not respecting people’s time and interests.
B. Mediocrity is being unprepared and not knowledgeable.
C. The difference is attention to detail.
D. Mediocrity is doing the minimum requirement of your job.
【答案】C
【解析】细节题。Sebastian Barbarito 认为商业中平庸与卓越的差别在于关注细节。
4. What is the importance of showing that you are prepared, knowledgeable, capable, and respectful of people’s time and interests in a business setting?
A. It demonstrates that you are performing at an average level.
B. It shows that you are not committed to the cause.
C. It shows that you are not interested in people’s needs.
D. It shows that you are performing at an above-average level.
【答案】D
【解析】细节题。在商业环境中，展示出自己准备充分、知识丰富、能力强且尊重他人的时间和兴趣，这十分重要，它能表明自己的业务能力是超出一般水平的。
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