The Power of Coffee in the Workplace: Boosting Productivity, Morale, and Collaboration

Coffee: The Highlight of The Office

If you ask people what the best thing about their workplace is, chances are it’s not the stand-up desks or even the comfy swivel chairs. It’s more likely employees say it’s the coffee machine. Second only to their beloved colleagues, coffee has become a centrepiece of workplace culture.

Today, coffee is more than just a cool amenity. In offices of every kind, employees look forward to drinking a coffee for what it represents beyond a tasty warm drink: It’s a ritual around which colleagues gather. It’s an impromptu chance to catch up with a teammate. It’s a punch of alertness that helps people tackle tasks. Coffee can not only give that caffeine nudge to get things done, but it also encourages social connection.

The Caffeine Brain Boost

For some, coffee serves as a wake-up call in the morning, as caffeine increases brain alertness when the day begins. And, who doesn’t appreciate a coffee mid-afternoon when attention wanes and energy is low? Anytime you drink it, caffeine helps sharpen mental focus, so employees feel more like taking on complex work that demands focus.

But don’t take our word for it. In 2018, the Journal of Psychopharmacology even published a study which found that consuming caffeine can improve cognitive performance, specifically enhancing sustained attention and working memory. So although stopping for a moment to sip a warm beverage may seem like a break, it’s setting you up for your next mental challenge!

The Perfect Perk-Up

Want to make employees feel valued? Make sure there is quality coffee and a well-stocked coffee area. Coffee is one benefit that employees across the board seem to appreciate. And whether your office has coffee in a room of its own, or on a counter in a hallway, its presence shows that employee satisfaction and comfort are important. Gestures like providing coffee go a long way to increase workplace happiness. We think that’s an easy way for employers to get a small win.

Fueling Connection and Conversation

The coffee area doesn’t just add to employee satisfaction, it also creates an opportunity for internal networking. Coffee rooms or counters become a space where colleagues start conversations or introduce themselves to new people. Employees may end up chatting spontaneously and build rapport as they talk over the best brewing method or the perfect cappuccino.

These casual interactions may even lead to more collaboration, and encourage a more connected culture overall in a workplace.

The Perfect Setup

When thinking about adding coffee to your office, you’ll want to consider how to accommodate all employee preferences. A few things to consider when offering a selection are:

●      High-quality coffee machines - Invest in a machine that can stand up to high use and doesn’t require a lot of maintenance to run smoothly.

●      Different flavours and roast profiles to choose from

●      Dairy and non-dairy milk offerings

●      Decaf coffee for those who avoid caffeine but still want to enjoy the tradition

Carefully choosing these things will help your office create a welcoming coffee station, and encourage a variety of employees to enjoy their coffee fix.

Practical Tips for Workplace Coffee

Coffee can be a great way to bring people together at work. Simple traditions can be a good way to break the ice for new employees and encourage them to get to know others. Before you know it, employees look forward to gathering with colleagues socially at the office.

Here are some ideas for creating a coffee ritual in the workplace:

●      The Morning Strategy Session: Every morning at 9:30, team members get together for a daily "caffeine conference". This is a simple 15-minute meetup where ideas can be shared or plans can be reviewed over a fresh mug of coffee.

●      The Cross-Department Connection: In a large company, create a weekly coffee break where employees of all levels and different departments are invited. This creates an intentional mix of newbies and seasoned pros. This can encourage sharing ideas among colleagues who aren’t typically part of each others’ routine workday.

Give Employees What They Want: More Coffee

Coffee is cool, not only because it’s a delicious beverage, but because at the office it’s a strategic tool for creating culture. It ups productivity and focus, and creates a more collaborative environment where employees can feel more integrated.  For businesses who want to attract and keep top talent, a top tier coffee program is essential.

So, we’d like to hear how you plan to use coffee to create a positive, more energised workplace. We look forward to hearing about the connections that happen in your office over a great cup of coffee!