Follow Me(经济英语角试运行活动）

有翻译就更好啊~~

希望有更多的各种形式啊 英语学习的~~~~

look forward for useful articles

From this passage,I know that Microsoft has paid a higher price to get the big netphone company-Skype.Some may think that this deal is a bad decision,while others may think it is worthwhile to buy it at this time.In my opinoin,we can not make wise judgements at this time,for the leaders of Microsoft has made this decision by having balancing interests and risks of all aspects.I prefer to believe it is a forethoughtful behavior rather than believe it is a ruthless decision.

Pigger1982 发表于 2011-5-11 00:56

eros_zz 发表于 2011-5-11 00:19
以身作则咯~

Microsoft to buy Skype for $8.5 billion


NEW YORK (Reuters) - Microsoft Corp plans to buy Internet phone service Skype for $8.5 billion (5.2 billion pounds) in cash, a rich price as it seeks to regain ground on growing rivals such as Google Inc.


Microsoft's interest in the money-losing but popular service highlights a need to gain new customers for its Windows and Office software. Skype has 145 million users on average each month and has gained favour among small business users.


Investors expressed scepticism over the deal, sending Microsoft shares down slightly.


"It doesn't make sense at all as a financial investment," said Andrew Bartels, an analyst at Forrester Research. "There's no way Microsoft is going to generate enough revenue and profit from Skype to compensate."


The sale marks a big payday for Skype's owners, online auction site eBay Inc and a group of investors including Silver Lake, the Canada Pension Plan Investment Board and Andreessen Horowitz.


Skype delayed plans for an initial public offering that was expected to value the company at more than $3 billion. It had been looking at other options, including tie-ups with Facebook and Google. Such a deal was expected to value Skype at $3 billion to $4 billion.


The Luxembourg-based company, which allows people to make calls at no charge but has also developed premium services, would give Microsoft a foothold in the potentially lucrative video-conferencing market as businesses shift to lower-cost ways of communicating.


Skype could be combined with Microsoft software such as Outlook to appeal to corporate users, while the voice and video communications could link to Microsoft's Xbox live gaming.


Longer-term, Skype would offer Microsoft another route to develop its mobile presence, an area it has already put more energy and resources into as PC usage comes under threat.


Skype is set to become a new business division within Microsoft with Skype Chief Executive Tony Bates in charge and reporting directly to Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer, Microsoft said.


Microsoft shares were down 13 cents, or 0.5 percent, at $25.70 in early Nasdaq trading.


The Skype deal is the biggest in the 36-year history of the world's largest software company. It was first reported late on Monday by tech blog GigaOM.


The $8.5 billion price tag was a surprise. Although the sum would not stretch cash-rich Microsoft, some said it was high for a company whose ownership has changed several times during its relatively short life.


"In this atmosphere of Internet Bubble 2.0, picking up an unprofitable online company for roughly 10 times sales probably seems downright cheap," said Shanghai-based Michael Clendenin, managing director of consulting firm RedTech Advisors.


"But if you consider (it) was just valued at about $2.5 billion 18 months ago when a chunk was sold off, then $8.5 billion seems generous and means Microsoft has a high wall to climb to prove to investors that Skype is a necessary linchpin for the company's online and mobile strategy," he added.


Skype, which was formed in 2003, was bought by eBay Inc in 2005 for $3.1 billion. Last year it had in $860 million in revenue but posted a net loss of $7 million, according to data in its initial public offering filing.


In 2009, eBay sold a majority stake in Skype to the investor group for $1.9 billion in cash and a $125 million note. EBay retained about a third.


Microsoft's Ballmer said his company did not use Wall Street advisers on the deal, approaching the investor group that owns Skype directly. Skype was advised by Goldman Sachs and JPMorgan.

this is a good news. there will be a severe fight between microsoft and apple in IM, and  the users will benefit from this duel. so welcome the big deal.

good idea!!
support!!

Years ago, Google challenged Microsoft's hegemony with its Internet advantages. But Microsoft didn't care about that. But now, as Apple & Google grew, Microsoft lost its hegemony on both hardware and software. It just wants to win in the war on the Internet~ For us, we'll meet a new technical innovation~

版主啊 你这个想法是多么多么。。。的好啊 每天坚持积累一点点。。。不为币，只为我最爱的英语和贸易

I have also seen the news of Microsoft's takeover of Skype in "the economist" webpage. The CEO of Microsoft felt "irrepressible" passionated because takeover action reflected company's dynamics. However, shareholders reminded him to be more restraint.

How Business Networking Works
There's so much buzz about business networking that you might think that it's modern man's greatest invention. You hear so much about it that some people have almost come to regard it as a bad thing, as some sort of necessary evil.

With that cultural shift in mind, you should remember two important things about business networking.

First, business networking is nothing new. It's just that the Internet age offers new networking tools. In fact, people have been networking as long as they've been communicating with one another. Business networking simply refers to building and cultivating relationships with people of similar interests in ways that can benefit all parties. When early tribes swapped information about great hunting spots or fresh water sources, they were networking.

A few decades ago, when people started out and were told, "It's not what you know that counts; it's whom you know," that was a nod to the importance of business networking. Whenever people gather for Chamber of Commerce socials, join professional associations, go to conventions, or ask friends for introductions or recommendations, they're networking
Many people network to get leads for new business, but networking can also help you find a job, change careers, hire good employees, sell products, improve your business practices or accomplish any number of professional goals.

Today's professionals use traditional forms, but they also have other choices for business networking. They might join groups, attend networking events or network in online forums.

The second thing to remember about 21st century business networking is that it's only as good as you make it. Whether it's schmoozing over wine and cheese or keeping up with contacts on a Web site, networking can be a waste of time if done incorrectly. Trading business cards with dozens of people, sending out mass e-mail blasts to everyone you know, telling everyone at a gathering about yourself or racking up hundreds of friends on Facebook may not accomplish much.