全通翻譯/翻譯社

人氣俠客告別籃壇原汁原味退休感言

First of all, I'd like to thank everyone for coming out. Appreciate you guys very, very much. Never thought this day would come, and Father Time has finally caught up with Shaquille O'Neal and I just wanna say — (he is handed a cell phone) who's this? Yes. For real? You want me to come up and apply for the New York Knick general manager job? Ok sure, I'll be up right after the press conference. OK. Sure. Thank you. That was the president of the Knicks. He want[s] me to fly out right after the press conference and try out for the general manager job. After 19 years, I'm announcing my retirement from professional basketball. It is now time for me to begin my new life.

I'm going to miss a lot about the game. I'm going to miss the competition, the camaraderie, the friendship, the fans, joking with the media, and I'm really going to miss the free throws. Basketball has opened many doors in my life. I've represented the country in the Olympics, I secured my Master's degree, and I'm now working on my Ph.D in human resource development in [at] Barry University of Miami. I've acted in award-winning movies such as “Kazam,” I've created business opportunities, I've created lifelong friendships, and — most important — I was able to help those in need.

Paul Mitchell's Key to Success

Thirty years ago, a celebrated hairstylist and a struggling salesman had a vision of a company catering specifically to hair salons. They started their business with a loan of US$700. Today, the company, John Paul Mitchell Systems, Inc., is perhaps the most recognized name in the beauty industry, boasting 100 trademarks, and products in over 100,000 U.S. salons and 80 countries. Churning out US$900 million in revenues every year, John Paul Mitchell Systems has also set up more than 100 beauty schools around the world.

The success did not come easily, though. The founders, Paul Mitchell and John Paul DeJoria, encountered a setback at the onset when a friend unexpectedly pulled out US$500,000 of funding. The economic recession in the U.S. at that time put a double whammy on their plan. To get through these financial difficulties, cost reduction was the top priority. The partners went for simple black-and-white product packaging, which turned out to be the company's iconic look.

When “No” Is the Only Answer

Most of us want to be amenable at work, but we're often put in positions where we want to say “no.” Indeed, sometimes it's the only real option. When refusing a request, diplomacy is important, especially when dealing with managers. Here are some tips on how to give your boss a polite brush-off.

● Spell Out Your Priorities

資料來源：biz 互動英語電子報