English File Business Upper intermediate Photocopiable © Oxford University Press 2003 A perfect working environment? 1 What makes a good work environment? Look at the list below and add some suggestions of your own. Which elements are the most important to you? 1 ecological design © 2 good view 1 fresh air alot of light 2. Now read about the four different work environments below. Are the features in your list included in these case studies? Ericsson Mobile Communications, ‘Sweden The building has four levels and the three Lshaped wings are connected by a large stairwell with glass staits. This stairwel i the heart ofall communication in the building, All levels have a cafevera-style Kitchen with tables but no chairs, which forms a hub {or communication between employees. Each wing is identified by colour to help people find their way ‘around, The entrance level contains 2 reception, meeting rooms, the restaurant, and a showroom, Siemens Nixdorf, Sweden | The ey words atthe emens Naot head offe ae | flexibility, job satistaction, and efficiency. At the new bulng. emboyeesr warized by busines wea rather than in hed wiles Each employes has a | tmobie desk on wel containing thet own paperor sand fice mate. Inte ring the employee clei hs or her ‘estand tales 0 a fee written, Ech business area has sal room thi ephone ine lor anyone whing { so workin peace or have potentially noisy meetings without disturbing others 3 Below are summaries of the four 4 Decide if ‘working environments inthe text. ‘Try to match each summary with the 1 heart correct company. 1 This is an ecological building 2 wing where the climate of the building is carefully controlled. 2 All staff can move their desks to different parts of the building. 3 There are no private offices in this building in order to promote a feeling of equality among all staff. 4 ‘The use of different colours helps staff to find their way around this building, 5 What do 4 artery 5 avenue 3 environment ALR LG Lessor, Denmark ‘The building comprises a large, round atrium, circled by 22 office rooms on two levels. On the entrance level are the reception, shared areas, meeting rooms, and the canteen, with the second floor holding the employees’ personal office roams. The aim was ‘that the building should be self-sufficient and should not damage the environment. The building has its own water supply from purified rainwater, which is used for taps, toilets and washing-up. ‘There are also drinking fountains using spring water. To achieve a balanced air humidity level, rainwater also falls down from the top of the building over specially planted flowers. This indoor waterfall collects the dust particles in the air and creates a pleasant sound. British Airways, UK British Airway’ new affcei vided into sx buldings linked by “the set ~ the main artery of the fice complex This isan open area with activities for work, relaxation, and pleasure. Bridges cross. the teat at various levels, ging opportunities for contac. There are na personal rooms, not even for dtectrs and managers. The idea is that hierarchies should be broken down and an informal, flee working climate shuld be created, Each lor is 16.5 meres wide, allowing plenty of ight nt the builing, and inthe centre ofeach level here isan ‘avenue’. Coe areas, photocopying facilities, and meeting places are side by ide in the open layout, the aim being to stimulate communication. wor uoydor2 nat these words used in the text have a literal meaning (a) ‘or a metaphorical meaning (b). 4a large organ that pumps blood round the body b the central most important part of something aa part ofa bird’s or insect’s body used for flying b part of a building @ athe natural world the conditions in which something operates 4 tube that carries blood from the heart to the rest, of the body b the most important road or path a awide straight road or path b direction or opportunity you think the advantages and the disadvantages of each building are? Which of the four buildings would you prefer to work in? 32English File Business Upper-Intermediste Photocopiable © Oxford University Press 2003 Speal Design your own workplace 1 If you could design your own workplace, what would it be like? ‘What features would you include? What would you definitely ‘want to avoid? Write your ideas in the table below. ssc i Desinbie ust be avoded 2. Now compare your preferences with a partner and add any new ideas 4 Make a plan of the building in to your list general and the working area inside the building. Remember to include as many features as possible from your joint ist in 2, as well as reasons for your choices, 3 Your company has decided to ask its employees to design its new head office and is running a competition for the best design, Read these specifications for the design. 5 Present your design to the rest of the class and give your opinion on workplace design ter de then fe eee eae mcusione orator ieee The area forthe bulging measures approciately 500 2, though tis posible ‘to cxtend tis area by nather 300m by reducing the gardens around the building. Essential features ~ Space for 186 workers (1 generl manage, 5 decors § secretes, and 125 wots civded among 5 diferent 2635) > Cantes/resaurant At east one erge meeting room ~ Cor parking with atleast 40 paces ~ Maximum 2 fons above ground lve ~ Workers must net be visble from publi ares Desirable features = Restaren = Ecologia features | Impressive entrance for vistors ~ Atracive gardens around the bulling | Eee ere eer corr eeraeer ocr cer epee oper eeeeeceeere 3Ey Vocabulary English File Business Upper-Intermediate Photocopiable © Oxford University Press 2003 I Loan words in business 1 Below are some words from other languages often used in Business English. Try to match each word with its definition. ballot embargo en masse guerrilla guru eput lessexfsire tycoon broken (German) without interference (French) stoppage, prohibition (Spanish) leader or chief (Hindi) powerful businessman (Japanese) irregular soldier/fighter (Spanish) vote (Italian) —— ina group, all together (French) 1 2 3 4 5 6 8 2. Latin words and phrases are also common in Business English. Read the two memos and match the underlined phrases or abbreviations with their defintions. Memo From: Client Services To: Human Resources Asyou know, interviewed Simon Taller last Monday p.m. to see if he would be suitable for our client service department. His CV was certainly impressive (cf. my memo of last Friday). e.g. he has three years’ experience, but fim | not sure he's a client service expert. Memo From: Sales To: Marketing Re, your email of yesterday, the current spend per capite of our range in the domestic market is € 50 per annum, {.¢, 6% higher than last year's igure. in other words / that is ‘compare / refer to for example —— pet head (of population) every year with reference to 7 —__ curriculum vitae (summary of qualifications and experience) afternoon 1 2 3 4 5 6 8 Er 3 Replace the underlined words in these sentences with words, phrases, or abbreviations from 1 and 2 1 In reply to your email of the 10th, I will be able to attend the conference, 2 attach a document which contains my ‘qualifications, experience, and interests. 3 We cannot tolerate a careless attitude towards punctuality. 4: The average salary for this kind of post is around € 30,000 a year, 5 Agricultural workers are migrating in large sumbers to the city 6 The average income for each individual person rose by 1.5% last year, 7 Personal communication (things like emails and telephone calls) should be kept to « minimum during office hours. 8 A new union representative will be chosen by a secret vote 9 We cat’'t all expect to become wealthy powerfull executives overnight, 10 All claims for expenses must be accompanied by receipts (look at the Staff Handbook p7). 4 Discuss these questions: 1 Which words from other languages are commonly sed in your business? 1 Wich are the most important imtemationa business languages? 18 Do you think this i kely to change?