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Whether you have a small or a large office, an office coffee station is vital to the vibe of a workplace culture. It can save you the money you would otherwise spend on an office coffee service and boost the productivity of your employees. If you’re looking for for coffee machine hire in Adelaide, this blog is for you!
Read on to find out how you can create a great coffee experience for your employees with some setup considerations that don’t push your budget but make a difference.
Factors to Consider When Creating An Office Coffee Station
Consider these eight factors to create the perfect coffee spot at your workplace:
The type of coffee machines
Choose the coffee machine that best fits your employee’s needs. You might be deciding whether you’re looking for an automatic or semi automatic coffee machine for your office. You’ll typically find these types of machines:
- Manual Espresso Machine
- Automatic Office Coffee Machine
- Semi Automatic Coffee Machine
More importantly, you need to consider the size of your staff when you pick a workplace coffee machine. This is an important factor, especially if you have a specific budget for a small office.
Some machines serve workplaces of 50 employees to 80 employees, and then there are larger ones with the capacity for 100+ staff members.
The spot for coffee-making in the office
The office coffee bar should be at an easily accessible spot for every employee. Cafeterias are also realistic locations to install office coffee machines. An electric socket for the power supply and a water source should also be close enough. If not, look for a machine with wires long enough for range. Also, it should be near a sink, so you do not have to take the coffee machine to the sink to wash it. In case you have a big office space, placing a coffee machine in each department’s common room is ideal since it will save your employees time and energy.
To optimise your costs in this setting, you can rent or buy multiple small coffee machines that serve an average of 50 cups each instead of a medium or large machine suitable for a staff of 80+. We have even set up coffee stations in conference and meeting rooms. According to a few employers, coffee stations in these office settings helped when important meetings and presentations took longer than the scheduled period. A small coffee machine for book lovers also elevates the reading spirit if you have an office library.
The quality of coffee beans in the office
Good beans make or break the overall coffee experience. That’s logical because good beans produce good coffee, resulting in a happy and energised employee. But what exactly counts as ‘quality’ for coffee beans? A good quality coffee bean means balancing the sweetness, bitterness, coffee roast, body and acidity, origin, brewing style and freshness. Consider all of these aspects when you choose coffee beans: how they taste, how much they cost, their aroma, and the cost. These factors decide if specific beans are suitable for your coffee machine. You would not want to buy beans that are too big for your coffee grinder or too acidic for the liking of your employees.
Coffee supplies and accessories in the workplace
Except for beans and machines, everything you need for a complete coffee experience is a part of supplies and accessories. The most popular coffee essentials include:
- Cups: there are plenty of options for cups and mugs. While some organisations prefer the on-the-go feel with disposable paper cups, others choose aesthetic, branded, and sometimes custom-made coffee mugs for each employee.
- Sweeteners: you can keep different types of sugars since this is one common concern amongst coffee lovers. Some like real sugar, while others prefer brown sugar, Splenda or stevia.
- Creamers: milk and creamers of seasonal flavours are also getting trendier. You can go for different aromas like cinnamon or pick exotic fruit essences.
- Stir sticks: your employees who want the perfect coffee blend will thank you if you keep stirrers and spoons of different sizes.
And some marshmallows, hot chocolate cubes, and tea bags for employees who don’t love coffee.
Regular cleaning of the office coffee machine
The cleanliness of the coffee-making equipment is an integral part of a pleasing coffee experience. While keeping the coffee machine clean will keep it going for a long time, it also affects the visual aesthetics of the workplace, especially the space dedicated as the coffee spot.
Staff education
The employees must understand how to use the coffee machine. Otherwise, they will not be able to use it properly, or worse, it can break down, and then you have to get it fixed, which will be an additional cost in your budget allocated for the coffee station. Most importantly the designated office barista (DOB) is going to want to know how to brew the perfect cup of coffee with your brand new office coffee machine! Educate the staff on how the specific coffee machine works and its limits. It includes grinding, choosing the right brewing method, and setting the time. Ideally, you can place a manual with visuals next to the machine.
Dedicated coffee break area
It is also a good idea to dedicate a space for coffee breaks, and that’s exactly where you set up an office coffee station. In our experience, dedicating a space for a coffee bar and decorating it with warm visuals affects the office culture. This will allow employees to take a quick break close to their workstations, and they might not have to go all the way to the cafeteria in the middle of something important. You can also keep a few chairs and a small table around the area for employees to sit and enjoy their coffee break.
Office coffee machine maintenance
Providing a coffee setup and space is one thing, and creating a satisfying coffee vibe is an altogether different thing – and most coffeeholics will settle for the latter. Having a coffee machine that malfunctions are even worse than not having one at all. So, when you finally choose to buy or rent an office coffee machine, dedicate a space, create an environment, and ensure the machine – the centre of everybody’s attention- is in good health.
Office coffee wrap up…
Setting up an office coffee station is a small task, but keeping it running and making it more attractive for the employees can be a job. The tips we have shared will help you set the standards of your coffee bar high.
Are you looking for a high-quality coffee machine for your office in Adelaide? Look no further than Biz Cup! Our coffee machines are perfect for offices of all sizes and will impress your employees and clients. With a variety of options to choose from, you can find the perfect machine to fit the needs and budget of your workplace.
Give us a call: 1800 249 287
Email us: [email protected]
About The Author
Ponti Capoccia – Founder and Director of Biz-Cup
Ponti Capoccia, is a specialist in the rental and sale of office coffee machines in Adelaide, South Australia. Over the past 5 years, he has been dedicated to keeping up with the latest advancements in the office coffee machine industry. Ponti has leased dozens of office coffee machines across the entire region of South Australia.
