You have built a great business and have hired excellent employees but how do you turn them into a team? Creating a positive workplace culture doesn't just happen by accident. You must create it with intention and having food and drink as office perks can play a major role in helping to nurture a friendly and productive environment.
SHARED MEALS
No matter who you are or what part of the world you are from we all understand the importance of breaking bread together. There is something about being around a table and sharing food that helps us connect in a way few other things do.
Hosting regular meals for your employees is a great way to help your team feel relaxed and get to know one another. In a more comfortable situation your staff can share ideas, facilitating a creative brew that could be the secret ingredient to future business success.
Breakfast is the most important meal of the day so why not share it together? Whether its once a month, once a week or daily giving employees a chance to mix at the start of the day is sure to get everyone off on the right foot.
Breakfast doesn't have to be complicated. Sitting together to enjoy coffee, muffins, juice and some fruit are all you need and its quick to assemble. Having automatic coffee machines mean that the hot drinks can be prepared at the touch of a button.
You could also take a leaf out of the Scandinavian's book and enjoy Fika. Help beat the afternoon slump by enjoying office coffee, tea & cake together as a team. Stopping to refresh and enjoy each other's company is a great way to recharge and spend some time together chatting.
This time together can really help your team mesh and help promote feelings of inclusiveness and fun which can not only help you attract the best talent but retain them as well.
Shared meals can also be a great way to get those hybrid work employees back into the office to stay in touch and see how much comradery they are missing out on. This can help them feel less isolated and a more integrated part of the team.
Don't forget to participate. This is your chance to get to know your staff and also hear about what they are working on and achieving. You never know what can float to the surface in a casual setting.
SNACKS - HEALTHY & FREE
Google famously ensures that staff are always no further than 200ft away from free food and its a great idea. Most of us are easily motivated by food and ensuring easy access to something to eat or drink helps employees keep their energy levels up.
When thinking about which drinks and snacks to offer try to keep it healthy. Workplace Wellness is the vibe you are after and offering fresh fruit, yogurt, high fibre biscuits and crackers, and protein bars can be a great way to keep staff energised.
Try not to have too many things like cookies, pastries and doughnuts. If you load them up with high fat, high sugar treats then the crashes will prevent them performing at their best. Think about what will help them feel good.
Make sure that your snacks and drinks are diverse. Check and see if there are any allergies on site. Make sure that there are vegan options. Our Flavia Creation 600, for example, is able to make fresh milk coffees with any dairy alternative such as oat milk.
Make sure the Coffee and tea are high quality. Good coffee is no longer a luxury and sad instant coffee and a kettle will no longer do. Many companies understand the importance of coffee culture and create cafe style areas for people to enjoy.
We have an excellent range of hot drinks machines including bean to cup coffee machines, some of which are of such a high standard that many can't tell it wasn't made by hand especially when paired with Lavazza coffee beans.
Consider creation a snack station. A simple bar in a quiet part of the workplace is a great place to install a hot drinks machines and have stylish storage bins full of everyone's favourite snacks and if you have a water connection we could install a beautiful Borg & Overstrom tap or water cooler to help keep people hydrated.
Its important to keep any snack area clean and well organised. Make sure there are ample cleaning products and a bin. Single serve coffee pod machines are a great way to keep shared spaces mess free.
A COMFORTABLE SPACE
Having a relaxing space away from desks and phones for employees to enjoy a cup of coffee together is a great way to get people to mix and collaborate. A clean, tidy and functioning breakroom is a great start but also consider a casual seating area with a few chairs and comfy sofas where your team can feel at ease while conversing and exchanging ideas.
Office Barista are breakroom solution experts with over 60 years of experience. We are able to help you choose hot drinks machines and water coolers that will help create the positive company culture that you need.
Just give us a shout anytime to discuss your options!
