Intelligent Business Elementary Unit 4.2.

The workout you can do at work

Workers can lose weight by walking as they work

Obesity experts have designed a vertical workstation treadmill that allows the overweight to exercise on a treadmill without leaving the comfort of their desks.

A 'vertical workstation' is a machine designed by experts. It allows workers to exercise without leaving their desks. The 'vertical workstation' is a high desk. It has a place for a computer and keyboard. Under the desk is a treadmill. The desk is made of steel and plastic. It also contains space for pens, papers and flower vases.

Office workers who find it hard to visit the gym can exercise as they work. They simply get on the treadmill and type while they walk. When workers don't want to use the treadmill, they can use the desk with a normal office chair. Men and women who use the machine use three times more energy than they use when they sit at a desk. The desk's designers, from the Mayo Clinic in New York, say that people who use it for just three hours a day can lose up to 25 kilos in a year.

Intelligent Business Elementary Unit 5.1.

The office picnic

An office picnic can be a delicious opportunity to have fun with your colleagues

The annual office picnic is a popular social event for many companies in the USA. Employees go to local parks with food and their families each summer. At the moment, company picnics aren't a regular event in Britain. But some British businesses think they could be a good opportunity for employees to socialise in an informal way.

Abel & Cole is a British catering company. The company has a big office picnic every year. Gary Congress organises Abel & Coles annual picnic. 'Christmas parties are great but they are quite formal; with a picnic it's much more relaxed,' he says, employees like picnics because they can arrive and leave when they want to. They relax, eat and play games with family and colleagues.

But are picnics more of a problem to organise than other events? Many people don't like insects, noisy children or bad weather – and these can all happen on a picnic. Food is probably the main health and safety concern because hot weather makes it difficult to keep food cool and edible. Some types of food, such as fish, meat and cheese, are dangerous if they are in the sun too long.

A catering company can deliver food to a picnic. This is useful for companies with a large stall because it helps the food stay fresh. Managers can enjoy the picnic without worrying that half the workers may be ill the next day. Gary Congress recommends picnics as a staff social event. 'We put photos from the summer picnic all over the office and it brings back great memories.'

George's on 4th 21 4th Avenue Parkhurst, Johannesburg, South Africa

Parkhurst is a popular part of town with lots of new restaurants. George's on 4th has outdoor tables. It is a good choice for lunch or dinner. The salmon steaks are very good.

The Moomba 52 Circular Rd, Singapore

This small restaurant is a good place for people who like meat. It has Australian specialities such as excellent steak, kangaroo, lamb and fish. The restaurant isn't expensive and is popular with people who work in the area.

Coffee Mania 13 Bolshaya Nikitskaya, Moscow

Coffee Mania has thirty different kinds of coffee. It also has good desserts. It has an interesting menu with Russian and European food. It is a good place to go to a breakfast meeting, but it is often busy at lunch and weekends.