china daily 雙語新聞：我們需要年輕人
Once I was the youngest person in the room. Now, at 50 I’m often the oldest. This is good news.
我曾經(jīng)是辦公室里最年輕的，而如今，現(xiàn)年50歲的我往往是最年長(zhǎng)的。這是個(gè)好消息。
Organisations dominated by geriatrics tend not to prosper. Fresh blood must be injected regularly across any institution to maintain vigour and faith in the future.
由老人主導(dǎo)的組織往往不會(huì)興旺。任何組織都必須定期注入新鮮血液，以保持活力和對(duì)未來的信心。
Every business should involve 20- and 30-somethings at the top as a matter of policy. For example, a retailing friend has formed a “youth board” for his business. This comprises six of his brightest up-and-comers, who meet monthly to debate strategy and operations. Their role is to challenge the statutory directors and address the concerns and opportunities of customers under 40. Responsibility has been thrust on their shoulders and suddenly they are taking decisions and feeling empowered. This is how they will learn to handle authority and make a difference.
每個(gè)企業(yè)都應(yīng)建立一項(xiàng)政策：把二、三十歲的年輕人吸收進(jìn)高層。例如，一位零售業(yè)的朋友在自己的企業(yè)中建立了“年輕人董事會(huì)”。這個(gè)董事會(huì)包括6名最有才華的新秀，他們每月開會(huì)討論戰(zhàn)略和運(yùn)營(yíng)問題。他們的作用是挑戰(zhàn)法定董事和處理關(guān)于40歲以下客戶的問題和機(jī)會(huì)。責(zé)任壓到了他們的肩上，突然之間，他們開始做決定，并感覺獲得了權(quán)力。他們就是這樣學(xué)會(huì)掌握權(quán)力并有所作為的。
Currently, those over 50 own virtually all the assets in western society and control almost all the levers of power. Meanwhile, across much of Europe more than a quarter of young people are unemployed. They feel disenfranchised and demoralised. But talent on that scale cannot be allowed to go to waste – or we risk intergenerational conflict.
如今的西方社會(huì)，50歲以上的人實(shí)際上擁有所有資產(chǎn)，幾乎控制著權(quán)力的方方面面。與此同時(shí)，在歐洲大部分地區(qū)，逾25%的年輕人失業(yè)。他們感覺權(quán)利被剝奪，意志消沉。但不能讓這樣多的人才荒廢，否則我們可能會(huì)引發(fā)代際沖突。
The disruption tearing across companies and institutions in every field means the old rules no longer apply. Those senior managers who have comfortably navigated the past few decades are finding it impossible to adjust their thinking. Industries such as retailing, travel, finance and media are facing wholesale reinvention or irresistible decline. Much of the established hierarchy is falling apart.
這種在所有領(lǐng)域的企業(yè)和組織都可見到的割裂，意味著過去的規(guī)則不再適用。那些過去數(shù)十年輕松度日的高級(jí)經(jīng)理人發(fā)現(xiàn)無法調(diào)整自己的思想。零售、旅游、金融和媒體等行業(yè)面臨大規(guī)模的重塑，否則就會(huì)不可避免地衰退。許多既有的層級(jí)結(jié)構(gòu)都在分崩離析。
Part of the reason I enjoy the hospitality sector and the start-up scene is that both are full of young go-getters who have taken charge. Many restaurant managers are in their 20s and lead teams of as many as 30, running a multimillion-pound operation. The same is true of high-tech entrepreneurs.
我喜歡餐飲業(yè)和初創(chuàng)企業(yè)的部分原因在于，它們都有大量踏實(shí)干事的年輕主管。許多餐館經(jīng)理都是20多歲的年輕人，手下有多達(dá)30個(gè)員工，經(jīng)營(yíng)著數(shù)百萬英鎊的業(yè)務(wù)。高科技企業(yè)中也是如此。
So why young people?
為什么年輕人對(duì)企業(yè)發(fā)展而言那么重要？
●They understand technology better. The young are vastly more engaged with the online world. They know how to market, recruit, procure, research, analyse and facilitate using computing power. They livedigitally and see the internet’s potential in a way that traditionalists cannot.
●他們更懂得技術(shù)。年輕人與網(wǎng)絡(luò)世界打交道更多。他們知道如何使用計(jì)算機(jī)進(jìn)行銷售、招聘、采購、研究、分析和促進(jìn)便利。他們熟悉數(shù)碼世界，并能看到傳統(tǒng)主義者們所不能看到的互聯(lián)網(wǎng)潛力。
●They are more optimistic. There is less cynicism and bitterness among the young. As Joseph Conrad wrote: “I remember my youth and the feeling that will never come back any more – the feeling that I could last forever, outlast the sea, the earth, and all men.”
●他們更加樂觀。年輕人不太憤世嫉俗，也沒有經(jīng)歷多少苦難。正如約瑟夫·康拉德(Joseph Conrad)寫的那樣：“我記得我的青春和那一去不復(fù)返的感覺——那種認(rèn)為自己能夠永生、認(rèn)為自己的生命將超越海洋、超越大地、超越所有人的感覺?！?BR> ●They have energy. Pulling all-nighters among start-ups with 20-something founders is standard practice. They tend not to have the family commitments and the sense of entitlement of those who have slogged away for decades.
●他們精力充沛。在20多歲的人發(fā)起的初創(chuàng)企業(yè)中，通宵達(dá)旦工作是常有的事情。他們往往沒有家庭羈絆，也沒有那些已苦干幾十年的人所有的那種福利意識(shí)。
●They are flexible. Perhaps through compulsion, perhaps because this is an age of improvisation, these upstarts know classic conformism won’t work any more. This is a dynamic and diverse time – tired networks and prejudices are history.
●他們善于變通?；蛟S是出于沖動(dòng)，或許是因?yàn)檫@是一個(gè)隨性的時(shí)代，這些后起之秀明白，傳統(tǒng)的因循守舊將不再行得通。這是一個(gè)充滿活力和多樣化的時(shí)代，陳舊的關(guān)系網(wǎng)和偏見已經(jīng)成為歷史。
●They represent creative destruction. Globalisation, recession and the digital revolution mean Joseph Schumpeter’s dictum – in which new ideas and practices continually challenge and displace old ones – is truer than ever. Someone at the start of their career is built to embrace this whirlwind of change.
●他們代表著“創(chuàng)造性的破壞力”。全球化、經(jīng)濟(jì)衰退和數(shù)碼革命意味著約瑟夫·熊彼特(Joseph Schumpeter)的名言比以往任何時(shí)候都更正確：新思想和行為持續(xù)挑戰(zhàn)和取代舊思想和行為。一些剛開始創(chuàng)業(yè)的人就是為這種天翻地覆的改變而生的。
They may lack wisdom, but as Francis Bacon said, “Young men are fitter to invent than to judge; fitter for execution than for counsel; and fitter for new projects than settled business.”
他們可能缺乏智慧，但正如弗朗西斯·培根(Francis Bacon)所言：“年輕人更適合創(chuàng)新而不是判斷，更適合實(shí)干而不是給人勸告，更適合開創(chuàng)新事業(yè)而不是因循守舊”。
Europe cannot afford to become a theme park for ageing baby boomers, obsessed by nostalgia, dreaming of glory days. Countries such as Italy and Japan are ruled by cadres of old men who cling to power and wealth like grim death. Outdated structures and cultures must adapt – those that resist are condemned to decay. Greedy sexagenarians such as the Rolling Stones should leave the stage and let some newcomers grab the limelight – after all, their best song, Paint It Black, was recorded 46 years ago.
正在進(jìn)入老年的嬰兒潮一代沉溺于懷舊之情，夢(mèng)想著過去的光輝歲月，歐洲當(dāng)不起他們的主題公園。意大利和日本等國家由老年官僚統(tǒng)治，他們緊緊把持著權(quán)力和財(cái)富。過時(shí)的體制和文化必須改變——抵制改變的人注定會(huì)沒落。像滾石樂隊(duì)(Rolling Stones)這樣貪婪的老年人應(yīng)該離開舞臺(tái)，讓一些新人吸引聚光燈的注意——畢竟，他們的歌曲《Paint It Black》是46年前錄制的。
I would like to see more collaboration between the generations. The old should mentor the young, and take a risk by promoting them early. Experience matters, but so does vitality and imagination. Partnering with those who are much younger makes compelling sense: they are the inheritors, and will be around when we have all retired or died.
我希望看到新老兩代人之間有更多的合作。老年人應(yīng)該指導(dǎo)年輕人，要敢于冒險(xiǎn)盡早提拔他們。經(jīng)驗(yàn)很重要，但活力和想象力同樣重要。與年輕人合作有一條不可辯駁的理由：他們是繼承者，當(dāng)我們?nèi)纪诵莼蛩廊r(shí)，他們將繼承我們的事業(yè)。
The writer runs Risk Capital Partners, a private equity firm, and is chairman of StartUp Britain
本文作者經(jīng)營(yíng)著私人股本公司Risk Capital Partners，并擔(dān)任StartUp Britain主席。
Once I was the youngest person in the room. Now, at 50 I’m often the oldest. This is good news.
我曾經(jīng)是辦公室里最年輕的，而如今，現(xiàn)年50歲的我往往是最年長(zhǎng)的。這是個(gè)好消息。
Organisations dominated by geriatrics tend not to prosper. Fresh blood must be injected regularly across any institution to maintain vigour and faith in the future.
由老人主導(dǎo)的組織往往不會(huì)興旺。任何組織都必須定期注入新鮮血液，以保持活力和對(duì)未來的信心。
Every business should involve 20- and 30-somethings at the top as a matter of policy. For example, a retailing friend has formed a “youth board” for his business. This comprises six of his brightest up-and-comers, who meet monthly to debate strategy and operations. Their role is to challenge the statutory directors and address the concerns and opportunities of customers under 40. Responsibility has been thrust on their shoulders and suddenly they are taking decisions and feeling empowered. This is how they will learn to handle authority and make a difference.
每個(gè)企業(yè)都應(yīng)建立一項(xiàng)政策：把二、三十歲的年輕人吸收進(jìn)高層。例如，一位零售業(yè)的朋友在自己的企業(yè)中建立了“年輕人董事會(huì)”。這個(gè)董事會(huì)包括6名最有才華的新秀，他們每月開會(huì)討論戰(zhàn)略和運(yùn)營(yíng)問題。他們的作用是挑戰(zhàn)法定董事和處理關(guān)于40歲以下客戶的問題和機(jī)會(huì)。責(zé)任壓到了他們的肩上，突然之間，他們開始做決定，并感覺獲得了權(quán)力。他們就是這樣學(xué)會(huì)掌握權(quán)力并有所作為的。
Currently, those over 50 own virtually all the assets in western society and control almost all the levers of power. Meanwhile, across much of Europe more than a quarter of young people are unemployed. They feel disenfranchised and demoralised. But talent on that scale cannot be allowed to go to waste – or we risk intergenerational conflict.
如今的西方社會(huì)，50歲以上的人實(shí)際上擁有所有資產(chǎn)，幾乎控制著權(quán)力的方方面面。與此同時(shí)，在歐洲大部分地區(qū)，逾25%的年輕人失業(yè)。他們感覺權(quán)利被剝奪，意志消沉。但不能讓這樣多的人才荒廢，否則我們可能會(huì)引發(fā)代際沖突。
The disruption tearing across companies and institutions in every field means the old rules no longer apply. Those senior managers who have comfortably navigated the past few decades are finding it impossible to adjust their thinking. Industries such as retailing, travel, finance and media are facing wholesale reinvention or irresistible decline. Much of the established hierarchy is falling apart.
這種在所有領(lǐng)域的企業(yè)和組織都可見到的割裂，意味著過去的規(guī)則不再適用。那些過去數(shù)十年輕松度日的高級(jí)經(jīng)理人發(fā)現(xiàn)無法調(diào)整自己的思想。零售、旅游、金融和媒體等行業(yè)面臨大規(guī)模的重塑，否則就會(huì)不可避免地衰退。許多既有的層級(jí)結(jié)構(gòu)都在分崩離析。
Part of the reason I enjoy the hospitality sector and the start-up scene is that both are full of young go-getters who have taken charge. Many restaurant managers are in their 20s and lead teams of as many as 30, running a multimillion-pound operation. The same is true of high-tech entrepreneurs.
我喜歡餐飲業(yè)和初創(chuàng)企業(yè)的部分原因在于，它們都有大量踏實(shí)干事的年輕主管。許多餐館經(jīng)理都是20多歲的年輕人，手下有多達(dá)30個(gè)員工，經(jīng)營(yíng)著數(shù)百萬英鎊的業(yè)務(wù)。高科技企業(yè)中也是如此。
So why young people?
為什么年輕人對(duì)企業(yè)發(fā)展而言那么重要？
●They understand technology better. The young are vastly more engaged with the online world. They know how to market, recruit, procure, research, analyse and facilitate using computing power. They livedigitally and see the internet’s potential in a way that traditionalists cannot.
●他們更懂得技術(shù)。年輕人與網(wǎng)絡(luò)世界打交道更多。他們知道如何使用計(jì)算機(jī)進(jìn)行銷售、招聘、采購、研究、分析和促進(jìn)便利。他們熟悉數(shù)碼世界，并能看到傳統(tǒng)主義者們所不能看到的互聯(lián)網(wǎng)潛力。
●They are more optimistic. There is less cynicism and bitterness among the young. As Joseph Conrad wrote: “I remember my youth and the feeling that will never come back any more – the feeling that I could last forever, outlast the sea, the earth, and all men.”
●他們更加樂觀。年輕人不太憤世嫉俗，也沒有經(jīng)歷多少苦難。正如約瑟夫·康拉德(Joseph Conrad)寫的那樣：“我記得我的青春和那一去不復(fù)返的感覺——那種認(rèn)為自己能夠永生、認(rèn)為自己的生命將超越海洋、超越大地、超越所有人的感覺?！?BR> ●They have energy. Pulling all-nighters among start-ups with 20-something founders is standard practice. They tend not to have the family commitments and the sense of entitlement of those who have slogged away for decades.
●他們精力充沛。在20多歲的人發(fā)起的初創(chuàng)企業(yè)中，通宵達(dá)旦工作是常有的事情。他們往往沒有家庭羈絆，也沒有那些已苦干幾十年的人所有的那種福利意識(shí)。
●They are flexible. Perhaps through compulsion, perhaps because this is an age of improvisation, these upstarts know classic conformism won’t work any more. This is a dynamic and diverse time – tired networks and prejudices are history.
●他們善于變通?；蛟S是出于沖動(dòng)，或許是因?yàn)檫@是一個(gè)隨性的時(shí)代，這些后起之秀明白，傳統(tǒng)的因循守舊將不再行得通。這是一個(gè)充滿活力和多樣化的時(shí)代，陳舊的關(guān)系網(wǎng)和偏見已經(jīng)成為歷史。
●They represent creative destruction. Globalisation, recession and the digital revolution mean Joseph Schumpeter’s dictum – in which new ideas and practices continually challenge and displace old ones – is truer than ever. Someone at the start of their career is built to embrace this whirlwind of change.
●他們代表著“創(chuàng)造性的破壞力”。全球化、經(jīng)濟(jì)衰退和數(shù)碼革命意味著約瑟夫·熊彼特(Joseph Schumpeter)的名言比以往任何時(shí)候都更正確：新思想和行為持續(xù)挑戰(zhàn)和取代舊思想和行為。一些剛開始創(chuàng)業(yè)的人就是為這種天翻地覆的改變而生的。
They may lack wisdom, but as Francis Bacon said, “Young men are fitter to invent than to judge; fitter for execution than for counsel; and fitter for new projects than settled business.”
他們可能缺乏智慧，但正如弗朗西斯·培根(Francis Bacon)所言：“年輕人更適合創(chuàng)新而不是判斷，更適合實(shí)干而不是給人勸告，更適合開創(chuàng)新事業(yè)而不是因循守舊”。
Europe cannot afford to become a theme park for ageing baby boomers, obsessed by nostalgia, dreaming of glory days. Countries such as Italy and Japan are ruled by cadres of old men who cling to power and wealth like grim death. Outdated structures and cultures must adapt – those that resist are condemned to decay. Greedy sexagenarians such as the Rolling Stones should leave the stage and let some newcomers grab the limelight – after all, their best song, Paint It Black, was recorded 46 years ago.
正在進(jìn)入老年的嬰兒潮一代沉溺于懷舊之情，夢(mèng)想著過去的光輝歲月，歐洲當(dāng)不起他們的主題公園。意大利和日本等國家由老年官僚統(tǒng)治，他們緊緊把持著權(quán)力和財(cái)富。過時(shí)的體制和文化必須改變——抵制改變的人注定會(huì)沒落。像滾石樂隊(duì)(Rolling Stones)這樣貪婪的老年人應(yīng)該離開舞臺(tái)，讓一些新人吸引聚光燈的注意——畢竟，他們的歌曲《Paint It Black》是46年前錄制的。
I would like to see more collaboration between the generations. The old should mentor the young, and take a risk by promoting them early. Experience matters, but so does vitality and imagination. Partnering with those who are much younger makes compelling sense: they are the inheritors, and will be around when we have all retired or died.
我希望看到新老兩代人之間有更多的合作。老年人應(yīng)該指導(dǎo)年輕人，要敢于冒險(xiǎn)盡早提拔他們。經(jīng)驗(yàn)很重要，但活力和想象力同樣重要。與年輕人合作有一條不可辯駁的理由：他們是繼承者，當(dāng)我們?nèi)纪诵莼蛩廊r(shí)，他們將繼承我們的事業(yè)。
The writer runs Risk Capital Partners, a private equity firm, and is chairman of StartUp Britain
本文作者經(jīng)營(yíng)著私人股本公司Risk Capital Partners，并擔(dān)任StartUp Britain主席。