The Real Cost Of Workplace Coffee
- Date: 2007-04-12 - Word Count: 425
Share This!
A recent survey by coffee giant Douwe Egberts discovered some intriguing facts which any company Financial Director should ignore at his/her peril. A key finding was that an average of THREE employee/days per year is lost through workers "going out" for a coffee. An amazing 13% of these actually left the office because they were in search of a "speciality" coffee, and a staggering 26% said that they went out to get a decent quality cup of coffee - something which clearly was not available at the workplace.
Intriguingly, 62% of the respindents admitted that they went for a coffee simply as an excuse to leave the office, although and encuoraging 50% said that they would stay inside if there was a better choice of brew at the office.
The research was carried out in London, England in two separate business establishments and involved 108 respondents.
The research established that fewer than one in five (or 20%) of offices have a staff canteen or coffee area where individuals can get (free or paid for) cups of coffee. Such workplaces usually supplied instant coffee vending machines, kettles or filter pots, which inevitably resulted in poor quality coffee. This was the chief reason why so many of the respondents made for the exit in search of a decent quality "pick me up" rather than make do with such meagre offerings.
Thus, the key to keeping personnel on the premises is to make sure that high quality coffee-making facilities are available at all times. However, the survey also revealed that staff have become more and more discerning in their tastes, and insist on speciality coffees, and the ability to ring the changes according to their mood and taste on the day. Supplying particular brands of coffee, or bigger cups as offered by the major coffee chains, would go a long way to persuading staff to stay at their desks rather than lose company time.
The survey confirmed the received wisdom that small businesses and small volume work sites have avoided providing good quality coffee-making machines. These are seen as an expensive luxury, often difficult to use and inevitably difficult to maintain. Hence the best such businesses can do is provide instant coffee from coin-operated machines, or just provide a kettle and spoon - or even nothing at all.
However, with the increasing trend to leave the office and spend up to 9 minutes at a time away from their desks, worker behaviour patterns are forcing a re-think on the actual costs of coffee in the workplace, and an increase in enquiries for versatile, quality coffee-making machines.
Intriguingly, 62% of the respindents admitted that they went for a coffee simply as an excuse to leave the office, although and encuoraging 50% said that they would stay inside if there was a better choice of brew at the office.
The research was carried out in London, England in two separate business establishments and involved 108 respondents.
The research established that fewer than one in five (or 20%) of offices have a staff canteen or coffee area where individuals can get (free or paid for) cups of coffee. Such workplaces usually supplied instant coffee vending machines, kettles or filter pots, which inevitably resulted in poor quality coffee. This was the chief reason why so many of the respondents made for the exit in search of a decent quality "pick me up" rather than make do with such meagre offerings.
Thus, the key to keeping personnel on the premises is to make sure that high quality coffee-making facilities are available at all times. However, the survey also revealed that staff have become more and more discerning in their tastes, and insist on speciality coffees, and the ability to ring the changes according to their mood and taste on the day. Supplying particular brands of coffee, or bigger cups as offered by the major coffee chains, would go a long way to persuading staff to stay at their desks rather than lose company time.
The survey confirmed the received wisdom that small businesses and small volume work sites have avoided providing good quality coffee-making machines. These are seen as an expensive luxury, often difficult to use and inevitably difficult to maintain. Hence the best such businesses can do is provide instant coffee from coin-operated machines, or just provide a kettle and spoon - or even nothing at all.
However, with the increasing trend to leave the office and spend up to 9 minutes at a time away from their desks, worker behaviour patterns are forcing a re-think on the actual costs of coffee in the workplace, and an increase in enquiries for versatile, quality coffee-making machines.
Related Tags: workplace, office supplies, office equipment, coffe machines
Jimi St. Pierre writes for several Office Equipment suppliers in the UK, including Principal Corporation. You can find out more about office supplies on Officemagic's comprehensive office equipment website at: => www.principalcorp.co.uk/ Your Article Search Directory : Find in Articles
Recent articles in this category:
- The No. 1 Rule For Projecting Confidence - Speak With Authority
One of the most important characteristics a person can project in a business setting - or any situat - After the Autumn Checkout European Debt Crisis and U.S. Brewing Rebound
In the commotion caused by the Fed on interest rates come to an end, the "disastrous" for the euro a - Advantages Of Arcade Game Rentals
There are many different advantages to arcade game rentals. Most people need something to release th - A General Primer on Truck Cargo Nets
In modern highways it is quite rare to see truck cargo nets in action, this is because they are usua - The United States Will Burst More Severe Financial Crisis
Not long ago, suddenly announced that the central bank to raise interest rates, the interest rate hi - Niche Marketing Profits - 3 Easy Steps to Finding a Profitable Niche Market Income in 10 Minutes
Like most beginners I was having a very difficult time trying to find a niche market to earn extra m - The Importance of Hospitality Management Consulting Firms Toronto
Businesses and the managers that help guide any business are in a constant state of improvement and - New Keynesian Theory Label
2010 winner of the Nobel Prize in Economics three theories have been labeled as "New Keynesian" labe - Federal Reserve Pouring Money QE2 Unpredictable Fortune
U.S. economist Milton Friedman proposed a "throw the cash from a helicopter" view, while the practic - Fiscal Consolidation Should no Longer Delay
British Chancellor of the Exchequer George Osborne today announced fiscal consolidation policy, shoc
Most viewed articles in this category:
- Common Financial Problems to Avoid
One must first change their habits and not procrastinate. American Consultants Inc at offers key fi - How a Bad Hire Can Hurt Your Business
What's worse - hiring the wrong person or not hiring anyone at all? Companies can become almost des - Joel Comm Is Dr. Adsense
What is Adsense? If you are new to making money online and net marketing, you may not know what Ads - 5 Steps For A Dynamic Wealth System Online
Recipe: Opportunity + knowledge + Dynamic Wealth System + Your Action = Massive Success!!! Step 1 - How To Stop Foreclosure
Losing your house to a foreclosure can be very scary. There are times when circumstances are ou - How to Always Pitch A Strike
As business owners, we are always working on new ways to convince people to become customers, client - Membrane Diffuser Solutions for Wastewater Treatment Systems
In the aeration basin of a typical wastewater treatment plant there are both organic and inorganic m - Another Year Hating Your Job or Loving Life?
Copyright © 2007 Mary Foley I've come to the conclusion that to be successful - really successf - Dyestuff Industry In India And China
World demand for dyes and organic pigments to touch $10.6 billion in 2008According to a study on dye - Cma-cgm Case : the Series of Lawsuits Continues in Syria, Lebanon, Egypt, France, England and the United States
Damietta company case : The series of lawsuits continues in Syria, Lebanon, Egypt, France, England a