Are you familiar with the old image of co-workers meeting around the water cooler to discuss office politics? Well, that image may or may not be accurate. One thing we do know is that workers tend to achieve their best collaborative efforts away from their desks. They do their best when collaborating around the coffee machine or in the company break room.

A 2014 study conducted by Harris Poll showed that 89% of America’s workers believe that a good cup of coffee can make the difference in how well the day goes. Approximately 84% believe that good office coffee is an important perk while nearly 20% believe they do their best collaborative work around the coffee machine.

The strength of coffee as a collaborative motivator comes from the social aspects of consuming the beverage. Simply put, coffee drinking is a social experience that is generally free from outside pressures. And when workers don’t feel pressured to perform, they actually tend to perform better. Getting out of the cubicle and into a more relaxed space promotes greater creativity, freer thinking, and more willingness to look for input from others.

Redesigning Break Room Space

Having a dedicated area in the office where the coffee machine is located is one thing, but having break room space separate from the office itself is even better. A 2013 survey from Gensler revealed that only 25% of America’s workers believe their workplace environment lends itself well to productivity. Among the chief complaints is a lack of space where workers can meet to collaborate.

That same Gensler study revealed that giving employees a say in the kind of space they want for collaboration often results in redesigning break rooms to allow for gatherings of groups of employees while they share a cup of coffee and a snack. Think space that is more of a lounge than the cafeteria.

It turns out that collaboration works better in a relaxed lounge environment than a meeting room or that open floor space at the end of the office. People collaborate best in spaces where they feel relaxed and ‘away from it all’.

Companies willing to honestly look at the data are now making their employee break rooms and lounges the central meeting space for collaborative efforts. They are completely redoing these spaces to make them less institutional and more inviting – and they are reaping the rewards of doing so. Employees gathering in these less formal spaces are doing their best work.

Galaxie Coffee Can Help

Here at Galaxie Coffee, we provide office coffee throughout the greater New York metropolitan area. Our years of experience serving some of the best companies in the region makes us a perfect choice for helping you create the ideal collaborative space. Galaxie can provide the equipment, beverages and break room supplies you need to fully stock your collaborative space. Let us help you create the optimal environment for your employees with high-quality coffees, teas and other beverages.