Wednesday, August 29, 2018

A happy and healthy workforce doesn’t have to be a complex task…

We have regularly enforced the belief that happy and healthy employees brings enticing benefits to your business and it’s pleasing that the message is getting through. Aon’s 2017 Health Survey showed that just 96% of employers see a direct correlation between employee health and performance. The problem is, though, that understanding the issue and finding ways to implement ideas are two different things. It can sometimes feel like a minefield and many of us haven’t a clue where to begin. On ‘Wellbeing Wednesday’, we have put together the following article to help get your business on the path to a higher productivity level.

Firstly, let’s explore the problem.

We’ll be honest. It doesn’t make for happy reading. According to CareerBuilder, 61% of employees are burned out on the job and the top five stress symptoms causing missed work days are constant fatigue (29%); sleeplessness (26%); aches and pains (245); high levels of anxiety (235) and weight gain (18%).

Whilst this is worrying, it can be transformed into a positive if you’re prepared to work at it. 91% of workers at companies that support wellbeing efforts said they feel motivated to do their best. Additionally, organisations that operate highly effective health and productivity programmes report that 1.8 fewer days absent per employee per year on average.

So, the stats speak for themselves. Workplace wellbeing simply cannot be ignored.

Provide extensive, healthy refreshments.

So what can be done on your part, then? Ok, being a vending company, of course we’re going to shout about the benefits of providing quality workplace refreshments. But without wishing to blow our own trumpet here, it’s true. Did you know that the average British adult consumes a third of their daily calories at work? It’s therefore vital that your business provides healthy and nutritious food to ensure they’re prepared for all aspects of the working day. Vending is a terrific option that has considerably developed over time to provide both the coffee shop experience and healthy, tasty snacks and fresh food. We can of course tailor the products to suit your requirements so vending serves as a great way to boost your wellbeing on the go.

The Micro Market takes wellbeing to the extra mile.

Seeing as around half of employees don’t leave the workplace at lunch time either, there is another option you can explore. It’s important that you encourage your staff to take a break from their desks, because too much time in their typical working environment can increase stress. Stress has been proven to make us more prone to making unhealthy food choices, so this is a benefit of our Micro Market. The foundation of the Market was built on the wellbeing of the workforce and encourages staff to take a well-deserved break with colleagues, This allows them to enjoy conversations that are less formal than what would usually be the case while they are at their desk.

Express refreshments micro market store

Express refreshments micro market store

Instead of having to leave the workplace for something to eat, the Micro Market invites you into an array of refreshments for the working day and beyond. These include fresh sandwiches, wraps, salads and fruit and the scope of products regularly gets updated on the back of trends and customer feedback. It also decreases the chance of lost work time, as employees don’t have to worry about rushing back to work before their allocated time is up. As you’d expect, constantly being conscious of time may also encourage staff to visit fast food outlets, so the Micro Market provides the ultimate solution.

Are we now requesting flexible workplaces?

The purpose of this article is to both inform and educate and refreshments alone don’t provide the answer. The millennials of the working world in particular are craving flexibility with a strong desire for flexible working hours. Again, this will help combat stress in the workplace and could be something that is worth looking into.

Cost effective solutions.

Your budget is often one of the biggest stumbling blocks when trying to transform your workplace into an environment your staff are happy to work in. You have to be sure that you’re getting a return on your investment. A workforce that is both motivated and productive is arguably the best end result for you and your business. It was recently discovered that poor mental health costs employers up to £42 billion a year, so implementing methods that help to combat stress is surely a no brainer.

 

 

The post A happy and healthy workforce doesn’t have to be a complex task… appeared first on Coinadrink.



source https://coin-a-drink.co.uk/2018/08/a-happy-and-healthy-workforce-doesnt-have-to-be-a-complex-task/

Wednesday, August 22, 2018

Did you ever manage to master THAT Cadbury ‘eyebrows’ advert?

Cadbury has produced some excellent adverts of the years. From the airport trucks to the drumming gorilla, they have produced some genuine talking points amongst friends, family and colleagues. 2009 saw one of the most bizarre adverts ever released by them, but it quickly turned into one of the most memorable adverts from the noughties. Be prepared for an excellent ‘Thursday Throwback’!

In fact, the Cadbury ‘dancing eyebrows’ advert was voted the best advert of the year and topped a ‘top 20 TV adverts’ poll on tellyAds.com. Just as a recap, the advert features a brother and sister sitting for a family portrait. When the photographer walks away, the siblings show off their talents and let their eyebrows dance to Freestyle’s 1989 track Don’t Stop the Rock. The advert cost £3.7m and was created by Fallon. This is the same company that produced the drumming gorilla advert. Soon enough, the whole Nation was having a go at replicating the ad, with some experiencing more success than others.

Did you ever manage to get the hang of it? We’ve gone back through the years and dug out the advert for you to have a go again. Let us know how you get on!

The post Did you ever manage to master THAT Cadbury ‘eyebrows’ advert? appeared first on Coinadrink.



source https://coin-a-drink.co.uk/cadbury-eyebrows-advert

Monday, August 20, 2018

We’re attending the Made in the Midlands exhibition. Why should you join us?

We know what you’re thinking here. Another exhibition. Same old, same old, right? Well, no, not quite. Coinadrink has travelled the region and attended some excellent events over the years in locations ranging from Bescot Stadium in Walsall to the NEC in Birmingham. This time it’s a little different, though, because Friday 14thSeptember will see us visit the NAEC in Coventry for the Midlands Business Network Exhibition in what will be our very first time. And as a little extra pull for you, it’s FREE to attend.

We can’t wait to meet you!

As you can see from the header image, the NAEC is a pretty special location and one that we’re all very much looking forward to attending. Just by looking at the photos, you can tell the vast halls will be perfect for hosting an exhibition and we think the design of the NAEC looks stunning. Over 100 exhibitors will be there, including us! Coinadrink love exhibitions and we’ve always seen them as a great opportunity to showcase our products and make valuable connections with all you wonderful people. From 10am till 3pm on the 14thSeptember, you have the chance to share our passion. Now why wouldn’t you want to do that?!

Believe me when I say you’ll enjoy the experience.

As we said, we’re often required to attend exhibitions. The FM Show last March was a particular highlight and it really showcased just how much exhibitions have to offer for the consumer. We certainly saw a lot of interest for our own stand as well, which featured our latest vending machines including the Karisma and the Neo. All in all it was a great experience for us.

Coffee, anyone?

You should definitely be looking to attend the Midlands Business Network Expo. Now, we’re naturally going to sit here and state that vending is a must for any business, but we definitely feel that the exhibition provides a great opportunity for you to decide for yourself. We will be taking the Flavia 500 with us for the short journey down the M6, which highlights the ease in which you and your staff can enjoy delicious hot drinks. The 500 has pride of place behind our reception and is often the go to machine for staff and visitors. We can’t wait for you to try it for yourself.

Seeing as the exhibition is free for you to attend, what have you got to lose? To learn more about how we can benefit your business (and yes, we are confident about this!) come along and see us!

The post We’re attending the Made in the Midlands exhibition. Why should you join us? appeared first on Coinadrink.



source https://coin-a-drink.co.uk/different-exhibition

Thursday, August 16, 2018

Check out this perfume vending machine from 1950!

Does anyone else enjoy ‘going back in the day’ or is that just us? The history of vending is truly fascinating and the one aspect we’ve always enjoyed about the industry is seeing the flurry of old machines or products on the internet or social media. The latest one we’ve found is one that we just had to share: a perfume vending machine from 1950! How about that for a little ‘Thursday Throwback’?

This vintage dispenser was developed before even us. A dime was all that was needed for a woman to dispense a quick spray of her chosen perfume, to which the likes of Chanel was available. How good would this have been if you’ve left for a night out without remembering to have a quick spray, ladies?

From what we can make out, selection was made using a ‘plunger’. We suppose this highlights how the industry was nearly 70 years ago now. We’re quite disappointed that we didn’t manage to see this first hand if we’re honest. It’s a world away from the modern day vending machines that we’re used to, but that’s what makes it so intriguing. Make sure you click on the header image to take a good look!

The post Check out this perfume vending machine from 1950! appeared first on Coinadrink.



source https://coin-a-drink.co.uk/perfume-vending-machine

Tuesday, August 14, 2018

Homeless vending isn’t going away…and that’s great news!

Do you remember the homeless vending machine in Nottingham at the back end of last year? Set up by Action Hunger, the machine provided 24 hour access to food, clothing and hygiene products for homeless people and sounded a great idea. Unfortunately, however, it didn’t catch on. The council believed it was ‘encouraging’ people to stay on the streets, so that was that. The disappointing backtrack clearly hasn’t discouraged others, though, which is fantastic. A small charity called Gloucester City Mission has now came up with a similar initiative and they’re hoping it will prove a lot more successful.

The vending machine will be stocked with sandwiches, water, underwear, toiletries and sanitary products. Vulnerable people pick up tokens from the George Whitefield Centre in Gloucester and they can spend them on the items in the machine. The items are stocked with the help of Quedgeley company ‘Lauren’s Catering’, Sainsbury’s and Tesco and together they will make a big difference to homeless people in Gloucester.

Dave Kinhorn, of Gloucester City Mission, said: ‘As a small charity we don’t have masses of resources and this can be difficult. The idea of the machine is to give people who are rough sleeping, sofa surfing, in supported or temporary/emergency accommodation who use the centre five tokens a week and they can then use the tokens to get items they need.”

We think it’s another great scheme. We were shocked to hear that the Nottingham enterprise didn’t work out and we really think vending machines can make a valued difference to the lives of those who are most vulnerable. We’re sure we’re not alone in wishing this project every success. For those of you who need reminding of the Nottingham machine, check out the video below. It also provides a great insight into what the Gloucester machine will be like.

The post Homeless vending isn’t going away…and that’s great news! appeared first on Coinadrink.



source https://coin-a-drink.co.uk/homeless-vending-machine

Friday, August 10, 2018

MacMillan Coffee Morning – More than just coffee and cake…

MacMillan’s Coffee Morning is back on Friday 28thSeptember and Coinadrink is delighted to be taking part once again. Now, working for a vending company, we know better than most about the power of a great cup of coffee, but not even we could have forecast just how successful this annual coffee morning would be. From the first ever event in 1990, MacMillan has raised over £200 million courtesy of all you wonderful people across the globe. That’s truly excellent work!

A background to the coffee morning…

Regarded as the ‘World’s Biggest Coffee Morning’, MacMillan brings friends, family and colleagues together for a great cause.

It’s a sad but well-known fact that cancer will affect one in two of us at some point in our lives and the diagnosis can affect a person’s whole life. MacMillan has provided more than 100 years of care and support and they stand by the side of cancer sufferers as friends as well as nurses. MacMillan takes time to understand each and every person and tailor their support to suit.

Check out one of MacMillan’s adverts from last year. I thought it was a really moving portrayal of how cancer doesn’t have to change a person on the inside. How do you feel when watching it?

2017 – A successful coffee morning!

I have been with Coinadrink for a while now and it’s great to see just how much work we do for charities. Last years’ coffee morning saw us go the extra mile for MacMillan and we turned our showroom into something special with the welcome pack provided. Flags, bunting and banners helped provide a great occasion, helped further by the hard work and dedication of our employees. As it turns out, staff at Coinadrink are experts in baking as well as vending and they produced a delicious spread to help raise £100 for MacMillan Cancer Support!

Hoping for more in 2018.

I’ll hold my hands up here and admit that I don’t have the same hidden Jamie Oliver or Mary Berry that my colleagues possess, so my pre-made Battenberg’s and Lemon Cakes were significantly overshadowed. Still, they tasted good enough…For anyone who isn’t a ‘dab hand’ in the kitchen, it’s refreshing to know that Marks and Spencer’s are this years’ headline partner for the coffee morning and they have a great selection of goodies on offer for you to share around.

We have already received this years’ welcome pack and are looking forward to taking part in September’s coffee morning. We’ll be sure to keep you up to date on how we get on so make sure you keep checking back!

The post MacMillan Coffee Morning – More than just coffee and cake… appeared first on Coinadrink.



source https://coin-a-drink.co.uk/macmillan-coffee-morning

Tuesday, August 7, 2018

The Kalea Hot Drinks Machine – Another Fresh (Milk!) Addition.

‘Know what your customers want most and what your company does best. Focus on where those two meet.’ Keven Stirtz once said that. Now I know what you’re thinking because I didn’t know who this Keven Stirtz was either. But still. I quite liked the quote. You see, as reported by UK Coffee Week back in April 2018, us Brits really like coffee. I mean, really like coffee. 95 million cups are consumed every single day on our shores, destroying the stereotype that we favour a ‘builders brew’ over any other beverage. Some might say, then, that the arrival of the new Kalea hot drinks machine is ideal timing.

‘If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.’

Kalea is the latest tabletop from Evoca. It shares a lot of characteristics with its big brother, the Karisma, which means we simply had to provide it for our customers. You get the similarly classy design, an extensive coffee shop style drinks menu featuring Flat White and Americano and cutting edge brewing technology. Did I also mention that it continues to use fresh milk and coffee beans? Now I’m no Barista, but even I know that this is a recipe for success. Starbucks and Costa Coffee, arguably the two largest coffee shops in the world, swear by fresh ingredients for maximum quality. And so do we.

…With a few subtle differences to make it truly Kalea…

The Kalea has a slightly taller dispense area compared to the Karisma which means it can accommodate larger cups with greater ease, whilst there is also the addition of an optional payment system for self-serving sites. The amount of drinks it can produce per day is slightly down on the Karisma, though: 200 as opposed to 400. Meanwhile, don’t be put off by the white design. Whilst you can also have black in the Karisma, I personally feel that the white looks absolutely stunning! I’d love to hear your thoughts on the matter, though. Why not get involved on social media and tell us which one you prefer?

Sure to satisfy. Just ask our staff!

When such a premium experience is available from the workplace, it limits the need for employees to head off site during their break times. Our employees here at Coinadrink, many of which believe they are hardcore Javaphiles I might add, believe that beverages from the Karisma in the showroom are excellent. Just ask our Telemarketer Christine, who loves the Cappuccino in particular! With the same Horeca Z4000 brewing system, you can expect more of the same from the Kalea.

A sign of the times.

Make no mistake, a hot drink from the Kalea will deliver more than something that’s just ‘wet and warm’, as our Managing Director once very aptly described the previous state of hot drinks vending from many, many years ago. And whilst I don’t drink a lot of coffee, I must admit the Kalea looks and tastes a class above. Just like the Karisma, its touchscreen selection and stainless steel finish makes you realise how far the vending industry has travelled over time.

The Kalea really is something special and it’s now available. For happier employees and an enhanced workplace, don’t tell me that you’re not in the slightest bit tempted…

 

 

 

 

The post The Kalea Hot Drinks Machine – Another Fresh (Milk!) Addition. appeared first on Coinadrink.



source https://coin-a-drink.co.uk/kalea-hot-drinks-machine