孙远的研究生管理专业入学考试作文讲义(6)b
6分作文: Many people feel that products are not made to last, and correspondingly, many natural and human resources are wasted. On the other hand, it can be noted that such manufacturing practices keep costs down and hence stimulate demand. In this discussion, I shall present arguments favoring the former statement and refuting the latter statement. Products that are not made to last waste a great deal of natural and human resources. The exact amount of wasted natural resources depends on the specific product. For example in the automobile industry, the Yugo is the classic example of an underpriced vehicle that was not made to last. Considering that the average Yugo had (not “has” since they are no longer produced! ) a life expectancy of two years and 25, 000 miles, it was a terrible waste. Automobile industry standards today create vehicles that are warranted for about five years and 50, 000 miles. By producing cheap Yugos that last less than half as long as most cars are warranted, the Yugo producer is wasting valuable natural resources. These same resources could be used by Ford or Toyota to produce an Escort or Tercel that will last twice as long, thereby reducing the usage of natural resources by a factor of two. Human resources in this example are also wasteful. On the production side, manufacturers of a poor quality automobile, like the Yugo, get no personal or profession satisfaction from the fact that their product is the worst automobile in the United States. This knowledge adversely affects the productivity of the Yugo workers. Conversely, the workers at the Saturn plants constantly receive positive feedback on their successful products. Saturn prides itself with its reputation for quality and innovation as is seen in its recent massive recall to fix a defect. This recall was handled so well that Saturn s image was actually bolstered. Had a recall occurred at a Yugo plant, the bad situation would have become even worse. Another factor in the human resources area is the reaction by the consumer. A great deal of human resources have been wasted by Yugo owners waiting for the dreaded tow truck to show up to haul away the Yugo carcass. Any vehicle owner who is uncertain of his/her vehicle s performance at 7 AM as he/she is about to drive to work, senses a great deal of despair. This is a great waste of human resources for the consumer. While the consumer senses the waste of natural and human resources in a poor quality product, so does the manufacturer. People who argue that low quality manufacturing processes keep costs low for the consumer and hence stimulate demand should look at the Yugo example. In the mid-1998’s the Yugo was by far the cheapest car in the United States at $ 3995. By 1991, the Yugo was no longer sold here and was synonymous with the word “lemon.” Case Study 2: “The best way to give advice to other people is to find out what they want and then advise them how to attain it.” Discuss the extent to which you agree or disagree with the opinion expressed above. Support your point of view with reasons and/or examples from your own experiences, observations, or reading. Student Essay When I was in Senior Middle School, I was an excellent student. And all my teachers believed that I would enter into a first-class university and would have a splendid future. Unfortunately, just before the Entrance Examination, l met an accident and laid down in bed for several months. At last, I was only admitted by a second-class university. With great disappointment, I felt that my future was nothing but darkness. And also I was afraid of being blamed by my patents. Mother saw through my thoughts. She borrowed several instructive books for me and seldom mentioned the exams. For the first time, my parents asked for several days off and took me to Qingdao--the most famous scenic spot of China --for vacation. Along the seaside, Mother talked with me for many times. I can still clearly remember what she said: “The ways to successare different. If you keep positive and make efforts continuously, I believe that you will be no less excellent than those from first-class universities.” At last, eternity? Ask yourself what are you going to be in the future. Try your best, and you will reach your goal. " For so many years, Mother s words seems to have inscribed in my heart and lead me to gain successes one after another. From this personal experience, I fully understand and agree that the best way to give advice to other people is to find out what they want and then advise them how to attain it. |