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Study disapproves beliefs about business, swimming

  1. Posted on Thursday 7 July 2011 - 14:53
    neondo
    Image of neondo
    By Henry Neondo
    Contradicting reports of swelling waistbands and increasing obesity, business people are actually so bent on fitness that they won’t leave home without their costumes or tracksuits - even when they travel for work!
    Over 17,000 respondents from more than 80 countries were asked what was the most unusual thing they habitually take on a business trip and more than a quarter of business travelers (27%) declared that they are inseparable from their fitness clothing, according to a new survey from workplace environment specialist Regus.
    Some weirder responses include: hair curlers, a ventriloquist’s dummy, a haggis, a surfboard and a chainsaw helmet - evidently expecting heavy duty quizzing from the board! Other personal things that may be caught peeping out of a briefcase could easily be a photograph of the family carried by 16% of soppy respondents and a gift for hosts, packed by a thoughtful 15%, highlighting that the ‘human touch’ in business has not lost its importance even in today’s fast paced environment.
    Joanne Bushell, Vice-President for Middle-East & Africa comments: “The weird and wonderful things people were found to take on business trips, from fitness equipment to favorite foods and objects, often reveal how personal and professional lives struggle to co-exist in today’s high pressured work environment. Evidently the line between business and pleasure is blurring with more people feeling they need to take a bit of home away with them. This may well be because people are working more and more in flexible workspaces, so they like to have something with them that adds the personal touch wherever they are.
    “After all, flexible work arrangements are certainly going to grow, both in terms of office hours and location, so that employees can maximize their free time while also giving real commitment on the business front. Of course with thousands of businesses now turning to video communications to avoid unnecessary business travel, in future business people won’t need to bring their trunks abroad so often!”

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