The small job perks that can boost engagement
Visitors to Dropbox’s office in the China Basin district of San Francisco are likely to be handed two things on entry: a name badge and a Razor scooter. Whizzing through the corridors of the 85,000 square foot space, they’ll come across a gym, tuck shops, a sprinkling of juice and coffee stations, a music room and yoga sessions.
But while the urge to pack workplaces full of all manner of mini-perks seems to have become an end in itself for some tech firms – leaving certain offices looking more like a children’s playground than the epicentre of a digital commercial revolution – the evidence suggests these companies are playing a smart game.
Indeed, a survey of 2,500 UK employees carried out by the pollster ComRes for Nespresso found that 70 per cent said the provision of high quality coffee would help to make them feel valued by their employer, coming second only to ergonomic office equipment at 81 per cent.
From the banking giants to law firms and professional services companies, the City’s employers recognise the value of providing such freebies. Google is even rumoured to have a 150-feet rule, stipulating that no staff member should have to travel further than this distance for food. Why?
ALL WARM AND FUZZY
Providing small office perks like coffee and tea has certainly been thought to play a role in boosting staff morale. But as Nespresso’s UK & Ireland Commercial Manager Ian McDonald argues, the extent to which it does can be greatly overlooked.
Indeed, Sarah Churchman, a director in charge of diversity, inclusion and employee wellbeing at PwC UK, says that the firm’s free drinks machines and ergonomic furniture have a positive impact on staff morale. “Not everybody can afford to go out of the office to buy a coffee every day.” A recent survey in the US found that 37 per cent of employees would prefer free, daily fresh gourmet coffee or tea over the company’s annual party.
These findings have implications for smaller companies too – particularly in the crucial area of talent retention. Barbara Juraszek, facilities manager at Powa Technologies said, “Our people are our greatest assets and it is important to us that they know this. While small incentives may initially appear less important than others, there’s no doubt to us that they go a long way in demonstrating that we value our workforce. With this in mind, offering quality coffee in the office thanks to Nespresso is an impactful way for us to tell our employees that we value them every day." In Nespresso’s survey, 87 per cent said that small perks like fresh fruit, snacks and decent hot drinks are important in retaining good staff. In total, 67 per cent said that the provision of fresh fruit would make them feel more valued by their employers, while 26 per cent said that they assess a company in part by the standard of the coffee it provides. There can even be implications for talent attraction. According to 65 per cent of employees, the provision of high quality coffee would make them more likely to recommend their company as a good place to work.
COFFEE IS THE NEW BUSINESS CURRENCY
But the business benefits of small perks don’t end here. It’s common to hear a colleague say that they need a cup of coffee before facing a mentally strenuous task. Evidence suggests they may be better off milling around in the kitchen for a while before going back to the desk. Roughly 40 per cent of respondents told Nespresso they’d had a creative idea or solved a difficult business problem on a coffee break. And the effect could be even more pronounced in the presence of peers.
Sarah Wood, co-founder and chief operating officer of marketing technology company Unruly, says that the firm’s kitchen is “at the heart of everyday working life”, providing bottomless coffee, breakfasts, pastries, snacks and fruit. Kitchen chats, she says, are the source of some of its most unexpected ideas, with staff using the “incontrovertible power of the Jaffa Cake to break down functional silos.” This type of “serendipitous interaction” is also encouraged at Google, according to its former UK managing director Dan Cobley.
With almost 7 in 10 telling Nespresso that they find out more about their company through conversations at the kettle than through official communications, it is clear that companies like Google, Unruly, PwC and Powa Technologies might be on to something.
WIN NESPRESSO ZENIUS MACHINE
For your chance to win one of these Nespresso business machines for your office, email lucky@CityAM.com with your name and company, answering the following question:
“Why do you think the Nespresso Zenius machine will make a difference to your office?”
Deadline for entry is Friday 12th December at 20:00 GMT. Full terms and conditions below. To find out more about Nespresso’s Business Solutions please visit www.nespresso.com/pro/uk.
Terms and Conditions of Entry:
The closing date for the competition is Friday 12th December at 20:00 GMT.The winners will be randomly drawn through a prize draw on Monday 15th December and notified the next day. For winners, the prize is a Nespresso Zenius coffee machine for the office. This competition is open to all persons aged 18 and over except Nespresso UK Ltd and CityAM employees or members of their immediate family, agents or any other person who is connected with the creation or administration of this competition. By entering this competition the entrant will be deemed to have read and understood these rules and to be bound by them and by any other requirements set out in any related promotional material. The competition is governed by English Law and any matters relating to the competition will be resolved under English Law and the Courts of England shall have exclusive jurisdiction. By accepting these terms and conditions you confirm that you are not breaching any laws in your country of residence regarding the legality of entering our competitions. The Promoter will not be held responsible for any entrant entering any of our competitions unlawfully. The winner must be resident in the UK. Acknowledgement of the prize must be received by 12:00hrs on Friday 19th December. Every reasonable effort will be made to contact the winner. If acknowledgement is not received by 12:00hrs on Friday 19th December, the prize may be awarded to another entrant. There is no cash alternative or exchange. Nespresso UK Ltd reserves the right to change or withdraw the competition and/or prize at any time, including the event being postponed or cancelled. No responsibility will be accepted for failed, partial or garbled computer transmissions, for any computer, telephone, cable, network, electronic or internet hardware or software malfunctions, failures, be giving their permission to be contacted by Nespresso UK for sales and marketing purposes. No purchase necessary.