A Strong Foundation(2)

Ben: So I don't need to do everything myself; I just need to make sure everything gets done?
Bob: Exactly. That could mean hiring employees, but it might also mean getting an accountant to help keep the books. Then again, it could mean finding partner companies to outsource certain tasks to.
Ben: How do I do that?
Bob: I would start by checking out government programs that help small businesses. You should also look at any business incubators in your area.
Ben: What's a business incubator?
Bob: It's a business or non-profit organization that fosters the development of new companies. Generally, a business incubator provides things like consulting, office space, administrative assistance and financing to help new companies until they can operate on their own.
Ben: That sounds fantastic!
Bob: For many companies it is. Be careful though. Some programs charge fees, and incubator firms often seek equity in the companies they help.
Ben: So if I take a firm's help, it will own part of my company?
Bob: That's the idea. It invests in your company in hopes that your success will turn a profit for them as well.
Ben: I guess there is no free lunch.
Bob: Except at my hours. Let's get something to eat.
Ben: That sounds great.

Info Cloud
profit n.利潤
non-profit organization非營利組織
charitable organization慈善團體(機構)
charity n.慈善、慈善行為、佈施
charity begins at home(idiom)指先修身齊家，才能治國平天下。

Grammar Gym
* Ben: If I take a firm's help, it will own part of my company?
   Bob: That's the idea.
* A: So if we follow the plan, we'll first hike up    the mountain and then  eat lunch there.
   Be: Yes, that's the idea.
* A: By participating in the charitable event, sponsors could also get free publicity, right?
   B: That's the idea.

Language Lab
outsource v.委外生產、外包
* The company outsourced their customer service department to a company in India.
這家公司將客服部門外包給一家在印度的公司
* Outsourcing the designs can lower our production cost.
將設計部份外包，可以降低我們的生產成本。
administrative adj.行政的、管理的
administer v.管理、執行
* Frank is not good at administrative jobs.
Frank並不擅長行政事務
* It's not an easy task to administer such a corporation.
要管理一個這樣的公司，並不是一件簡單的任務。
equity n.公平、公正；股票、股份
* When George retired, he sold his equity in the company.
當George退休時，他賣了公司的股票。
* Sam's portfolio includes equities and bonds.
Sam的投資規畫包括股票和債券
free lunch(idiom)白吃的午餐、不須花錢得到的好處。
* There's no such thing as a free lunch in show business.
演藝圈裡沒有所謂的白吃的午餐
* I get to go to Japan for 5 days, but I also have to do a presentation in our branch office.
我可以去日本五天，但是，我必須去我們的分公司做簡報。
* Well, there's no such thing as a free lunch.
天下沒有白吃的午餐