Monday, September 25, 2006
Coffee and the Office Kitty
Last week, Starbucks announced that it is raising prices. Panic ensues across North America.
Coffee is an important part of office life. And offices across the globe handle "office coffee" in one of four basic ways:
1. BYO: Employees bring in /buy their own coffee from outside the office.
2. KITTY: Employees pitch in to help maintain a community refreshment area.
3. THE MAN: The company maintains a community refreshment area.
4. NOTHING: No one drinks at their desks.
I have worked at all four different types of companies. My take?
The BYO approach -- is dismal, as it fails to promote a sense of community among employees. When everyone brings in their own Starbucks or Thermos, you lose the opportunity to create a common bond among teammates. BYO companies have trouble with getting employees to function as a team.
Contrast that with the KITTY -- where you foster a water-cooler, gossipy buzz among coworkers by creating a place for folks to bump into each other. An inviting aroma is welcoming not only to employees, but to customers.
THE MAN -- When THE MAN buys coffee, it also demonstrates a company that cares about the well-being of both customers and employees. It's not just the caffeine -- it's the aroma and ambience that makes everyone feel good about working.
NOTHING -- Company leaders worry that a coffee spill could wipe out a computer, that drinking and cleaning up is a productivity drain, and that coffee-drinking leads to frivolous conversation and fraternization. This is all ridiculous, fear-based stuff. No one wants to work with company leadership that openly states its fears without recognizing the big business benefits that coffee brings.
Coffee is a part of business life. It fuels inspiration and conversation. It makes customers feel welcome. And done well, the coffee area gives employees an opportunity to bond.
What's your preferred method of handling the office coffee situation? ¶ 9/25/2006 05:05:00 PM
Last week, Starbucks announced that it is raising prices. Panic ensues across North America.
Coffee is an important part of office life. And offices across the globe handle "office coffee" in one of four basic ways:
1. BYO: Employees bring in /buy their own coffee from outside the office.
2. KITTY: Employees pitch in to help maintain a community refreshment area.
3. THE MAN: The company maintains a community refreshment area.
4. NOTHING: No one drinks at their desks.
I have worked at all four different types of companies. My take?
The BYO approach -- is dismal, as it fails to promote a sense of community among employees. When everyone brings in their own Starbucks or Thermos, you lose the opportunity to create a common bond among teammates. BYO companies have trouble with getting employees to function as a team.
Contrast that with the KITTY -- where you foster a water-cooler, gossipy buzz among coworkers by creating a place for folks to bump into each other. An inviting aroma is welcoming not only to employees, but to customers.
THE MAN -- When THE MAN buys coffee, it also demonstrates a company that cares about the well-being of both customers and employees. It's not just the caffeine -- it's the aroma and ambience that makes everyone feel good about working.
NOTHING -- Company leaders worry that a coffee spill could wipe out a computer, that drinking and cleaning up is a productivity drain, and that coffee-drinking leads to frivolous conversation and fraternization. This is all ridiculous, fear-based stuff. No one wants to work with company leadership that openly states its fears without recognizing the big business benefits that coffee brings.
Coffee is a part of business life. It fuels inspiration and conversation. It makes customers feel welcome. And done well, the coffee area gives employees an opportunity to bond.
What's your preferred method of handling the office coffee situation? ¶ 9/25/2006 05:05:00 PM
