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Five reasons to invest in a coffee machine for the office

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Your employees work hard during the day so it’s important to create a space within the office that they can feel comfortable in, and what better way is there to relax than sitting comfortably with a nice, fresh hot cup of coffee?

In our latest blog, we’ve explored some of the top reasons why adding a coffee machine to your workplace is a positive move and explain the different machines available.

Boost your employee morale

Employers have a duty of care to ensure that their employees are happy in the office and we all know how important those first few cups of tea and coffee are to kick start your day. After all, a happy employee equals a productive one! Andrew Sykes Ltd recently found that 48% of companies do not offer free tea or coffee to their employees yet over 59% of workers said that free coffee and tea is the most appealing perk a workplace can offer.

Make your clients will also feel welcome

It’s not just your employees that will benefit from a coffee machine, your clients will also be impressed and see that not only do you care about looking after your employees, you also want to create the right the first impression.

Reduce the amount of time spent on the daily ‘tea round’

A fresh hot drink always goes down a treat at work and at Quills, we particularly love a good cup of tea or coffee in the morning and afternoon. But how much time do your employees waste when making 15 different drinks and waiting for the kettle to boil? Let your new automated machine reduce the time spent in the kitchen and have instant, delicious tasting drinks within seconds. We all smile and feel happy when we’re about to take that first sip of our hot drink and even more so if it’s a speciality coffee (mmmm).

Get through those Monday morning blues

Even the dullest Monday mornings can be improved with a delicious cup of coffee. Need we say anymore?

Improve mental health

Various studies have shown that coffee doesn’t just improve physical health, it also has a positive impact on our mental health. This is because coffee releases dopamine (the hormone that makes us feel happy) so it’s good for your employees if they’re having a bad day and it’s good for everyone else that they work with.  Happy employees, happy office!

 

Which machine is right for our office?

There are a number of coffee machines available that are suitable for offices of all sizes, whether you have three or 300 employees. But all that coffee jargon surrounding bean to cup coffee and filter machines doesn’t make the selection process an easy one. So, we’ve simplified the process for you and here are our top recommendations:

1. Compare the features, style and size

Key things to consider include:

  • Coffee preference: Would you prefer fresh filter coffee or bean to cup coffee?
  • Quantity/staff headcount: Will you be making five cups a day or 200 cups a day?
  • Location: How much space is available in your staff room?
  • Plumbed or unplumbed?
  • Fresh milk or powdered? Do you know the advantages of these options?
  • What type of bean would you like? Mild roast or medium, Fairtrade or triple certified?

Our coffee experts can visit you to talk through your option and recommend some suitable machines and once you’ve decided on a machine, we can provide a free site survey to ensure the environment and plumbing will be suitable.

2. How much do you want to spend?

The price of coffee machines vary and a quote can be tailored for your desired machine upon your request. We’d suggest having a pre-determined budget in mind so that you can see what is available at that price before you buy. Also, take into consideration the cost of extra optional accessories that can assist the machine such as heated cup storage or a milk fridge.

 Start exploring?

Quills provide a range of coffee machines and other beverage solutions including juice dispensers, hot chocolate machines, hot water boilers and much more for you to explore. Our extensive range means that there is something for every office and every budget.

Simply click here to explore our full range or get in touch for your free quote today!

Top tips for staying cool in the office

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Summer has officially started and the MET office has already announced some scorching hot days ahead this June. So why not beat the heat and be prepared with these top tips to help you stay cool in the office…

 

Keep the blinds down

It may sound obvious but lower the blinds in the office before the sun rises as the piercing sun will only heat up the office. Having the sunlight shining through the office all day will cause what is known as the ‘Greenhouse Effect’.

 

Workwear

Wardrobe choices are essential when it’s a hot summer’s day. Whilst some outfit choices may be restricted due to the office dress code, carefully consider what you’re going to wear and opt for clothes which are made of a looser material e.g. cotton to help you stay comfortable throughout the day as well as lighter colours which will reflect the suns radiation. Thick and heavy clothes such as woolly skirts or fully lined suits are a definite no-no!

 

Stay hydrated

This sounds like an obvious one, but many people don’t realise that you can quickly dehydrate even if you’re just sitting at a desk all day. It’s essential to drink plenty of water, approximately around 2 litres minimum a day. Also, keep your water in the fridge or freezer so that it stays nice and cool for when you come to drink it.

 

Should I drink hot drinks?

Yes! It’s a common myth that drinking caffeine dehydrates you, so don’t worry, you can still enjoy that morning cup of tea or coffee to help get your day started.

 

Apply water on your wrists

You may look slightly bonkers carrying out this tip, but if you’re in the office kitchen or bathroom, it’s most certainly worth it. Run cool water over your wrists every couple of hours for approximately 5 seconds. This will help cool down the main veins running through them as well as your pulse points and will ultimately help to lower your blood flow temperature. Try it!

 

Invest in a personal fan

One of the best investments you’ll make this year…we promise! Having your own personal fan enables you to have a constant fresh breeze without having to share with other employees and all cramp into one corner where there’s air con in the office. Luckily, there is a huge range of fans available at great prices including personal clip-on fans and desktop fans; both which are ideal for the office and for travelling.

 

To get yourself and the office ready for those long, hot summer days ahead, if you have an account why not head over to the Quills website where we have a huge supply of fans including office fans, personal clip-on fans, floor standing fans, air con units and much more. We also have great prices available and bulk offer discounts. Simply click here to find out more or get in touch today to see where you can start saving!

 

How to make meetings more productive

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Out-of-the-box thinking doesn’t happen in a box…right? In this article, we consider some different ways to help reignite the motivation for attending those weekly or monthly meetings.

Some people might say that most meetings in the workplace are often pointless and attendees feel anxious as there are always deadlines to meet and work that needs to be done. But what if the problem isn’t the actual meeting itself but more the environment and layout that it’s being held in which can sometimes be formal and uninviting…

Take a look at our tips for making meetings more inviting…

1. Only hold meetings if they’re essential

Save meetings for projects that are a necessity and for when all the team can get involved. If it can be replaced by a telephone call or an email, don’t hold it. If the meeting does need to be held, be conscious of time and try to keep it short – schedule no longer than 45 minutes per meeting so that employees recognise that you value their time and have an agenda.

2. Don’t get into a routine

If you schedule meetings for the same time every week, in the same location; eventually employee motivation and interest is going to plummet. If you want your team to find a solution to a task or you’re working on a long project, then you need to mix it up a little, try mornings and afternoons and see which time provides the best engagement and ideas. Consider carrying out some meetings outside of the office, perhaps in a coffee shop or over some lunch.

3. Is your meeting space inviting and inspiring for ideas?

If not, it might be worth considering re-decorating your meeting room and introducing some artwork to make it a more welcoming space for being creative. According to Forbes, 78% of respondents in a survey of over 800 employees working for 32 U.S companies claimed that art in the workplace helped reduce their stress.

4. Consider standing desks

Employees spend most of their working day sitting at a desk so it’s not particularly motivating to move from one rolling chair to another. It’s been mentioned time and again that sitting does you no good… yet the same is true about standing all day! What you really want to do is alternate between the two with the help of a sit-stand desk. This will ultimately help you reduce the health risks posed by both. Consider ditching the standard table and chair set up and opt for this healthier way of working. Meetings may then seem like a refreshing change of scenery.

5. Informal workspace meetings

Sometimes a formal meeting isn’t required, have you thought about introducing informal employee workspaces where ideas can be brought to life away from your desk without the need to be in a meeting room? Curious? Take a look at some ideas here or check out this brochure for inspiration.

6. Offer incentives and rewards


Competitions and mini-games can be a great way to encourage enthusiasm and attendance for meetings. After all, everyone loves a freebie. Giving away snacks and refreshments during the meeting will generate interest and depending on your budget, consider rewards for the best ideas that are brought to the table.