Dr. Tracy Brower is a recognized authority on workplace happiness. In a recent article for Forbes, she emphasized that “when individuals feel compelled to perform a task, their motivation declines significantly, alongside their perception of encountering major hurdles. This contrasts sharply with instances where actions stem from genuine desire.” This insight comes from a study featured in the Journal of Research in Personality.
This mindset, characterized by resistance, plays a crucial role in the concept of coffee badging.
The Power of Free Food
Brower pointed out the effectiveness of providing complimentary food options, noting, “Offering appealing snacks, delightful afternoon treats, or even free meals is a fantastic strategy. For instance, consider providing free snacks during breaks, allowing employees to step away from their desks and enjoy a quick bite with coworkers. Additionally, hosting [discounted or free] meals on specific days can encourage lunches between mentors and mentees or enable teammates to catch up.”
Highlighting the Benefits
In today’s hybrid work environment, where employees seek flexible arrangements to avoid mandatory office attendance, there’s a significant opportunity for managers to promote free or subsidized breakfasts and lunches as incentives for the coffee-badging crowd to extend their time in the office. This presents a considerable challenge for office leaders striving to reconcile return-to-work policies with remote work preferences. It’s vital for service providers to showcase the value they bring in alleviating these challenges through enticing food offerings, especially when clients are willing to share the costs.
So, how can the strategic use of food facilitate a return to office engagement, enhance well-being, and foster a vibrant workplace culture? Brower proposes several strategies that can be implemented by operators, sparking valuable conversations with clients.
1. Establish a Routine
“People thrive on predictability, so it’s essential to offer food at regular intervals. Establish a routine that helps employees plan their office days, meetings, lunches, and social interactions. Foster an environment where gatherings occur over shared meals.”
2. Create Engaging Offerings
“Be innovative with your food offerings. Employees enjoy bonding over unique or shared moments. For example, serving an irresistible Caesar salad every Wednesday could become a talking point, creating a buzz around the anticipated weekly highlight. Alternatively, introducing make-your-own ice cream sundaes as a spring surprise invites shared experiences that connect staff.”
3. Develop Meaningful Events
“Incorporating food into significant events is a smart move. Consider hosting iced tea and cheese networking sessions for executives to meet new hires or organizing a late-afternoon tasting event for interns, allowing them to explore various departments and build professional relationships.”
Bringing a client on board may require dedication and persuasion, but given the current challenges with return-to-work strategies—more prevalent than ever—operators provide a straightforward solution that transforms coffee badging into “coffee, snack, and lunch badging.” This shift stands to benefit both employers and operators alike.
