The pros here at Corporate Essentials spend a lot of time telling people in offices throughout NYC and New Jersey all the great reasons that their workplace deserves the best office coffee system on earth.
We try to keep it positive because no one likes to think about the horror show where the office coffee system malfunctions.
Today, we are going to give you a glimpse into a world where it all goes wrong. We do this because we care enough to show you all of the glitches and dysfunction that your office is spared thanks to your foresight in installing office coffee systems that are perfectly in tune with what your busy staff need to make it through the day.
Sub-par coffee
The most obvious problem with office coffee systems is that the coffee available does not suit the palates of the people who are consuming it. This can be because of a number of different factors, all of which come together to create the quality of the coffee you are offering your teams.
- Low-quality coffee – whether it is a blend of lower-quality beans, a brand that is not as popular, a grind that is unsuited for the machine it is being used in or something less obvious, low-quality coffee is going to result in a poor cup.
- Coffee that is less than fresh – whether it was delivered yesterday or three weeks ago can make a big difference as to the quality of the beans you are using, especially if the coffee in question is already ground. Experts agree that the flavor of coffee degrades rapidly once exposed to oxygen – grinding the beans kickstarts that process.
- Unsuitable equipment – whether your office coffee systems are five months or five years old, the constant demands of your workplace will take their toll on the coffee makers in your break room(s). Dirty machines make dirty coffee – and the proof is easy to taste.
These are just three examples of what causes bad office coffee – the examples of what bad office coffee can lead to are so numerous we could not possibly list them all. But consider the general funk people are in before they have their coffee in the morning, then add a splash of unhappiness (from being decaffeinated) and a sprinkling of angst (because they are behind on their work), then multiply that by a heap of disappointment (because the coffee on offer was bad). There is no good result in that equation.
Limited products
Lack of variety in the office coffee vendor’s catalog can also lead to unhappiness in the workplace. Some people are happy enough with whatever coffee the machine can offer day in and day out, but others need to change it up now and then to avoid boredom. Whether it is a desire to usher in different seasons with familiar favorites or a need to explore new taste frontiers, having a variety of office coffee products and other beverages to choose from is important to maintaining a happy workforce.
One of the main advantages to having an office coffee service is that your staff is able to look forward to the offerings in the break room. New flavors, familiar favorites and a variety of fresh snacks provide workers with a reason to take short breaks during the day, allowing them to focus better on the work at hand.
When the break room offering is boring, staff are more likely to take longer breaks off site looking for the drinks or snacks that appeal to their needs at any given moment. Longer breaks away from the office lead to reduced productivity, which can have serious implications across the team and throughout the wider workplace.
Limited services
Because office coffee systems are an integral part of the functionality of your workplace, it is important to engage a corporate coffee service that provides adequate support. Support for your office coffee machines should include:
- Routine maintenance and repair service – most office coffee equipment has a regular service interval, failing to be sure machines are maintained as needed can lead to malfunction and failure. Which means your machines are not available when staff need them, and that defeats the entire object of having an office coffee system on site.
- Break room supplies – having to manage multiple accounts to get the office coffee, snacks, other beverages and break room supplies your staff demands can be a real drag.
- Flexible deliveries – being able to choose delivery days that suit your workplace is key to having a successful break room operation. Offering fresh fruit and seasonal produce, juices, smoothies and even bakery treats is a great bonus for staff – but it is not possible to offer such treats without daily delivery as an option.
Choosing an office coffee service with limited options boxes your firm into an agreement that cannot grow and change as the needs of your workplace shift over time. This inevitably leads to unsatisfied staff.
Lack of knowledgeable staff
An office coffee system should be provided by a coffee service with staff who understand not only the needs of a busy workplace, but the coffee equipment that they provide to businesses. Being able to make recommendations based on the demand for different kinds of beverages in the workplace is an integral part of providing a successful office coffee service.
Your in-house team should be able to rely on their expertise and guidance when it comes to everything from making new snack selections to upgrading those old coffee makers on the fourth floor. When your team is unable to rely on the professionals they are consulting with, money is easily wasted through uninformed choices.
Unimpressed guest and client visits
It is always nice to impress a guest with a great cup of coffee, and one of the best perks to having a great office coffee system is being able to do just that. But, when your office coffee service is less than stellar, your coffee equipment is not up to scratch or the beverage selection is limited, your guests are less likely to be wowed by their experience in your break or meeting rooms.
Whether you are trying to woo a new client, impress an old colleague or simply provide a solid offering of refreshments to the shareholders meeting, knowing you have chosen an office coffee service capable of meeting those needs is vital.
Finding a great coffee service – one that truly understands the needs of your business, has the staff to answer the questions you have and the products to satisfy your diverse team – is of vital importance to your company. If you are concerned about getting the best from your office coffee systems, contact one of the industry’s leading experts at Corporate Essentials.
