“When a customer enters my store, forget me. He is King, ’’said John Wanamaker, who in l876 turned an abandoned railway station in Philadelphia into one of me world’s first department stores. This revolutionary concept,1the face of retailing (零售业) and led to the development of advertising and marketing as we know it today.
But convincing as that slogan was,2the shopper was cheated out of the crown. Although manufacturing efficiency increased the variety of goods and lowered prices, people still relied on3to get most information about products. Through much of the past century, ads spoke to an audience restricted to just a few radio or television channels or a4number of publications. Now media choice, has5too, and consumers select what they want from a far greater variety of sources—especially with a few clicks of a computer mouse.6the internet, the consumer is finally seizing power. As our survey shows,7has great implications for companies, because it is changing the way the world shops. Many firms already claim to be “customer-driven” or “consumer-centered”. Now their8will be tested as never before. Taking advantage of shoppers’9will no longer be possible: people will know—and soon tell others, even those without the internet—that prices in the next town are cheaper or that certain goods are inferior. The internet is working wonders in10standards. Good and honest firms should benefit most.
“Welcome, Mary,” I said. She raised her head and looked into my eyes. The smile on my face1. Dear God, I thought, what2has entered the life of this little girl?
After settling Mary into her new desk and3her, I went to the headmaster. She said, “Sit down and I’114you in. Mary’s mother who loved her very much was shot and killed in her5one night at their house. Mary, screaming, escaped to a neighbor’s. Then the child went into6. She hadn’t cried or7her mother since.”I returned only to discover that the children were already avoiding this “8” child. “Mary’s been hurt badly, but we can do a lot to help her,” I explained gently. Bless all children. How loving they can be9they understand.In spite of our10, we seemed to be getting no closer to Mary and even my faith was wearing11. My heart ached so badly, wanting this child to come alive, to be aware of the beauty, the wonder, the fun, and even the12of living.Spring approaching, children13to make flower baskets for room decoration. During the lunch time, a girl came hurrying to me. “Come to see Mary’s basket,” she said14. “You’11 never believe it!” I15my breath at its beauty, for it couldn’t have been the work from a child that16. “Mary,” I said. “This is beautiful. How did you ever17?” She looked at me with the shining eyes of any18little girl, saying, “My mother loved flowers.” Thank you, God, You’ve19us the miracle(奇迹). I knelt and put my arms around the child. Then the tears came, slowly at first, but soon she was20her heart out against my shoulder. The other children had tears in their eyes, too, but theirs—like mine—were tears of joy.
" You probably don't remember me," she said. Then she pulled out a piece of paper from her1and gave it to me. It was my handwriting.
As the assistant of the Honors Programs at the university, one of my2was to review student transcripts(成绩单) to make sure they could3in Honors. It was common for students to have a(n)4start and they could no longer continue in Honors after their first term. However, sometimes their5term report cards would still be sent to us even though the students were no longer in the program.The note she handed me6, " Congratulations on your excellent second term. You may have been7with your grades, but you should feel8of how you've made some progress. Best of luck in keeping up the good work, and you'11 be able to succeed."The student went on and said, " You can't know what this9to me. I've carried it in my purse for three years and pulled it out anytime I didn't want to do my10. For three years I've been11to enter your office and giving you this note and this12. " she handed me her latest transcript with good marks.We were both13. She cried and I14to. Writing the note seemed like nothing to me, but it meant so15to her. I really had no idea that my actions had such meaning.