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Happiness & Tulsa Employees | Break Room Solutions | Micro-Market Service

7 Ways to Boost Tulsa Employees’ Happiness with Break Room Services

April 12, 2023March 15, 2023 by Katie Waxman

Employee happiness is a vital part of a solid corporate culture. When your team is happy, everybody benefits. People who love their jobs are more productive. Additionally, satisfied employees support each other. Thus, it’s important to improve office morale.

Employee happiness starts with a better break room. Here are seven ways to promote staff satisfaction with Tulsa break room services.

1. Creates a Serene Space

Hectic workdays can be stressful. Therefore, give employees a soothing space to recharge. Add comfy seats to your break room. Cozy couches give coworkers a place to chat. To ease stiff muscles, consider getting a massage chair.

Calming colors work wonders. For instance, paint the walls blue or green. Let the sunlight shine in. Plants are the perfect finishing touch.

2. Increase Happiness with Specialty Coffee Drinks

It’s no secret that employees love specialty coffee drinks. As such, treat them to an in-office café! Add a Tulsa single-cup brewer to your break room. This brewer makes coffee by the pod. Thus, users can pick their favorite flavors. Furthermore, single-cup brewers offer endless options. They even make tea!

3. Keep Hunger at Bay

Hunger puts an end to employee happiness. Satisfy growling stomachs with a fully-stocked micro-market. Tulsa micro-markets offer lots of food variety. For example, fresh food, dairy snacks, and caffeinated drinks are all in the cooler. Candy and snacks are in the customizable racks. Then there’s always quality food on-site. Employees don’t have to drive to a restaurant.

Additionally, micro-markets promote workplace wellness. That’s because employees can pick healthy options. To demonstrate, they can buy salads or wraps. As a result, employees will feel their best!

Tulsa office pantry services also improve employee happiness. Nothing beats free food! It shows your staff how much you care. Employees will feel more appreciated.

4. Use FreeVend to Boost Happiness

Free treats are always big hits! Ask us to put your Tulsa vending machines on FreeVend. Employees can help themselves to complimentary snacks and drinks. No money is needed! This is perfect for special events or as a way to offer freebies at your next holiday party.

5. Host Helpful Classes

Top talent is your company’s best investment. Therefore, it’s important to support self-development. Host lunch and learns in the break room so employees can learn new skills. Or offer virtual classes with experts around the country. This improves employee engagement.

Don’t just offer work-related classes. Teach employees other valuable skills. For starters, offer yoga classes. Financial planning classes are also beneficial.

6. Promote Workplace Wellness

Healthy employees are happy employees! Help your crew feel their best, by eating better. For starters, you can have us add labels to the healthy items in your vending machine. This makes it easy for employers to pick healthy options.

Furthermore, Tulsa water filtration services keep folks hydrated. That’s because water always tastes fresh. Employees can enjoy cold, crisp water. Or, they can add filtered water to hot beverages. Best of all, hydration improves mood levels!

7. Celebrate the Seasons

Spread some festive cheer! Decorate your space for the seasons. For example, hang wreaths or green garlands for the holidays. Flowers and bunnies are perfect for spring! Consider transforming the break room into a beach during summer!

Ask Blue Sky Supply about our seasonal coffee creamers too. Tempt taste buds with French Vanilla. Almond Joy creamer is another yummy spring treat! We also offer tea flavors and holiday snacks.

Blue Sky Supply Can Bolster Employee Happiness

Blue Sky Supply has everything you need to keep employees happy. We offer vending, micro-market, and office coffee solutions. Call (918) 599-9100 to learn more!

Oklahoma City Corporate Community | Improve Morale | Build Collaboration

Build Community with Oklahoma City Break Room Services

April 12, 2023February 15, 2023 by Katie Waxman

It’s essential to build community in the workplace. After all, humans are naturally social creatures. We spend about one-third of our lives at work, according to Gettysburg College research. That means interacting with coworkers is important. It deepens connections and creates a strong sense of belonging.

Oklahoma City break room services can create an inclusive and inspiring space. Want to learn more? Here’s how to build community in your break room.

Micro-Markets Attract More Employees

An Oklahoma City micro-market is a great way to build community. These mini marketplaces draw more people in. That’s because they provide endless options. For instance, you can buy healthy snacks. There are plenty of fresh fruits and veggies in the glass-front coolers. This makes it easy for employees to eat better. Furthermore, staff can buy meals on-site. Employees don’t have to drive to a store or restaurant. Therefore, they can spend more time bonding with colleagues.

Best of all, employees can pay their way. Blue Sky Supply’s micro-markets accept cash and credit cards. They also accept mobile payments. This convenience can prompt more people to visit.

Create a Coffee House Vibe to Build Community

Cafes are cozy places to connect. People can connect over cups of gourmet coffee. Or, hash out an innovative work solution. Create a coffee-house feel in your break room with Oklahoma City office coffee service. For example, a single-cup brewer makes fresh coffee. Users can also pick their favorite flavors.

Or, try an Oklahoma City bean-to-cup brewer. These machines make coffee, lattes, and cappuccinos. Additionally, they also offer milk and flavoring options. Employees can easily order specialty coffee drinks on a touchscreen. Enjoy cafe-quality hot beverages without the barista!

Break Room Enhancements

Lastly, improve the break room experience with the right enhancements. Comfy seats are great spots to relax. Coworkers can chat on a couch. Or, tables give them a space to eat lunch together. They can also grab a snack from the vending machine and share ideas. This promotes collaboration.

Another smart idea is a Oklahoma City water filtration service. Everyone loves water cooler talk! Coworkers can have casual conversations at these hydration stations. Water filters make your office water taste fresh. Plus, employees can use filtered water in their hot beverages. Their coffee and tea will taste better.

Blue Sky Supply Can Help You Build Community

To conclude, creating community in the workplace is important. Employees will be happier and more engaged. Plus, they may be more productive.

Blue Sky Supply can help build community in your break room. We’ll help you choose the best solutions for your staff. To learn more, call us today at (918) 599-9100.

Tulsa Refreshments | Office Essentials | Break Room Trends

3 Break Room Essentials for Tulsa Workplaces

April 12, 2023January 26, 2023 by Katie Waxman

The right service partner provides the best break room essentials. Thus, your Tulsa break room will be fully stocked with everything your team needs. From coffee to the latest creamers, Blue Sky Supply can transform your ordinary break room into an employee oasis.

Need more convincing? Here are three reasons why our services are break room must-haves.

1. Fresh, Flavorful Office Coffee

A top-shelf Tulsa office coffee service is a break room necessity. For starters, caffeine energizes sluggish workers. This improves focus and concentration levels. Employees suffering a midday slump can get an instant energy boost. Additionally, employee perks, like coffee, boost office morale. Employees are more motivated and may work harder. They are more likely to stick around, which can increase retention rates.

At Blue Sky Supply, we are proud to offer a variety of office coffee solutions. For instance, we have traditional and single-cup brewers. Traditional brewers make coffee by the pot. They’re great for offices with large coffee consumption. On the other hand, single-cup brewers make coffee by the pod. Users can customize their favorite flavors. Furthermore, the coffee is always made fresh.

2. Single-Serve Options

Offices are bustling with activity. Employees are always on the move. As such, your break room needs to have grab-and-go options. Cold drinks and packaged snacks make it convenient—and easy—for employees to stay fueled.

Tulsa vending machines make it simple for busy employees to nourish their bodies. Firstly, vending machines are always open. Employees have 24/7 access to food and cold beverages. At Blue Sky Supply, we carry many popular brands, including Dr Pepper, Vitamin Water, and Lay’s. Your staff can always get their favorite flavors.

Additionally, snacking has become more ubiquitous in offices. Oftentimes, employees will replace meals with snacks. Therefore, you should offer a greater number of options. A Tulsa micro-market will do the trick! These self-serve mini-stores hold many foods and drinks, including healthy meals. For instance, fresh wraps and salads are available in the glass-front coolers. Best of all, everything is packaged for one. This makes it easier to eat better.

3. Break Room Essentials Include Stellar Service

Lastly, your break room needs continuous servicing. Tulsa coffee products and grab-and-go foods are great. But what happens if something breaks? That’s where Blue Sky Supply rides in to save the day. Our dependable technicians are on hand if you have any issues. We strive to deliver timely and effective solutions.

Furthermore, we’ll keep your vending machines or micro-market fully stocked. You have the benefit of refreshments for your team without time-consuming inventory or trips to the store. We’ll keep a close eye on your inventory levels and restock when needed.

Blue Sky Supply Has All of Your Break Room Essentials

Need fresh office coffee? How about single-serve snacks? Blue Sky Supply provides all of these and more. Plus, we back our products up with superior services. Whether you need micro-market or vending solutions, we can help.

To learn more, call us today at (918) 599-9100. We have all of your break room essentials!

Tulsa Break Rooms | Healthy | Micro-market | Workplace Culture

4 Ways Break Rooms Can Become an Essential Part of Tulsa Workplace Culture

March 11, 2021 by Katie Waxman

When you think of workplace culture in Tulsa, multiple things come to mind, perhaps employee perks, integrated leadership, and a shared system of values. What you may not think about is your break room services. But break rooms do more than offer your employees a place to eat lunch. With the right amenities, the break room becomes an essential part of your workplace culture.

Break Rooms Encourage Breaks

Many employees don’t take daily lunch breaks. They believe management will think they’re not hard workers and that coworkers will judge them. When employees don’t take breaks, their health and wellness suffer.

Encourage employees to take breaks by providing a variety of healthy snacks and meals through micro-markets and vending services. By providing snacks and foods your employees want to eat, they’ll be more likely to act on the opportunity.

Break Rooms Increase Engagement

When employees do take breaks, productivity and engagement metrics improve. Team members feel refreshed and rejuvenated and are less likely to get stuck in an afternoon slump. They also report higher job satisfaction and are more likely to recommend their employer to friends and family in Tulsa.

Increase the likelihood of employees taking breaks by providing incentives, such as free snacks or office coffee service. Holding a “break challenge,” where employees must record at least one break a day, adds to workplace culture and creates a healthy office competition.

Break Rooms Make Employees Feel Valued

A well-stocked and comfortable break room makes employees feel valued and increases the sense of community. When break rooms are designed for comfort and relaxation, they become a gathering place of team members from different departments, allowing employees to interact with staff they don’t normally see.

Inspire this sense of community by adding comfortable furniture, such as a loveseat or plush chairs. Encourage your management team to lead by example and use the break room. This can bridge the gap between executives and staff, creating a stronger workplace culture.

Break Rooms Support Corporate Wellness Goals

Healthy living is important, both to your employees and your company’s wellness goals. Use a vending service to fill your break room with nutritious and healthy snacks. Micro-markets offer healthy meals, which allow team members to forego fast food, and instead grab a few minutes of downtime during breaks.

When your employees adopt healthy habits, such as utilizing their breaks and eating healthy, they have a significant decrease in stress. This decrease improves their health and wellness and works to avoid workplace burnout.

Need Healthy Break Room Snacks in Tulsa?

If you’re looking for vending services in Tulsa, look no further than Blue Sky Supply, the local leader in break room services. We offer a range of services to meet your needs, from office coffee services to micro-markets. Call (918) 599-9100 today to learn more!

Tulsa Break Room Additions

February 25, 2021February 15, 2021 by Katie Waxman

Great-tasting food, cold drinks, and coffee are a must in any break room. But, did you know that there are several other things that every Tulsa break room should have?

Adding some or all of the following categories can turn a bare-bones space into a break room that your employees will want to visit daily.

The Not-so-Extra Extras

Paper Products

Basic supplies such as napkins, paper towels, eating utensils, and plates, bowls, and cups should be offered and easy to find. After visiting the micro-market for lunch or the vending machine for an afternoon snack, employees shouldn’t have to go on a hunt to find a fork or knife or a napkin.

More Break Room Flavor

Almost everyone adds some type of additional seasoning to their food. For snacks or meals, that often means salt, pepper, ketchup, mustard, mayo, or hot sauce. The key is to offer the condiments that go best with your break room’s menu.

Coffee Station

Unless your Tulsa employees only drink their coffee black, a variety of coffee additions should be available. Common options include sugar, artificial sweeteners, alternative sweeteners like honey, creamer and non-dairy creamer options, and flavorings. Paper products such as stir sticks, cups, lids, and coffee sleeves will make sure everyone has what they need.

The Break Room Space

A break room should not only be a separate space from the rest of the workplace, but it should also feel different. Let’s look at two important components.

Seating

Offer multiple types of seating that encourage conversation, a coffee or meal break, or a few minutes of relaxation. That might include different areas with sofas, tables and chairs, booths or even a rocking chair or two. And don’t forget to offer easily accessible outlets or charging stations.

Break Room Décor

Lack of color or bland colors have been shown to make people feel sad or gloomy, and that is especially true at work where access to the outdoors can be limited. Yellows evoke friendliness and cheer while blues and greens create a sense of peace and tranquility. One word of caution; before running to the paint store, remember that colors affect people differently.

To make your break room more appealing and relaxing, add natural lighting and décor such as plants, wood, or water. Plants are especially functional as they help clean the office air too.

Small additions or changes in your Tulsa break room can make a big difference. But you don’t have to do it alone. We can help. For more information about our vending services or to update your current space or menu, please call Blue Sky Supply at (918) 599-9100.

Break Room Visits Help Tulsa Employees

February 25, 2021December 18, 2020 by Katie Waxman

Your Tulsa break room has potential. It doesn’t have to be a place that employees avoid or use sporadically. Instead, employees should be able to find a relaxing space with vending machines or a micro-market that offers delicious lunch options.

While breakfast is referred to as the most important meal of the day, lunch plays a crucial role in making the afternoon a success. Unfortunately, the lunch break is disappearing.

But isn’t this dedication to one’s career or job good for business? No. In fact, the opposite may be true. Rather than focusing on eating, many employees feel they need to do something more meaningful. They also feel guilty for not always being available.

Even employees who are working from home because of COVID-19 need a break too. Spending too much time at a desk without taking a break can decrease productivity and hurt the bottom line.

Creativity and Community

Everyone, including Tulsa employees, needs a change of scenery every now and then. Creative thinking and new ideas are more likely to occur after taking a break or moving to a new workspace. Going outside for a walk or sitting in the sun help solutions to form.

Studies also suggest that taking time off in the middle of the day, whether to eat, walk or take a coffee break with coworkers, creates a community culture within the workplace and happier, more productive employees.

Rejuvenate your Break Room

Although a walk outside can be beneficial, too much of a good thing can turn into a bad thing, especially when a short break becomes an extended time away from the office. To create a sense of community and a pleasant place to go when getting away from the office isn’t ideal, create a better break space.

Offer quality coffee service (a high-value benefit at a lower cost) and healthy snacks and beverages. For a bonus, consider offering micro-market or vending options for free or at a reduced cost.
If possible, bring some of the outdoors inside with potted plants, oversized windows, or natural scenery wall murals.

Regardless of how you encourage your employees to get away from their desks, it’s essential that you do it. Whether it’s lunch out, a walk around the block, or a foosball tournament in your break room, your Tulsa employees will appreciate it.

To learn more about updating your break room or adding office coffee service, vending machines, or a micro-market, contact Blue Sky Supply at (918) 599-9100. We look forward to hearing from you.

Break Room Service Providers Lead the Way in Tulsa

May 12, 2020 by Katie Waxman

Workstations, desks, and the break room are just a few of the physical spaces that businesses have to consider as they begin the process of reopening. In addition, Tulsa employers are developing new procedures and accommodations to ensure employee safety amidst ongoing concerns about COVID-19. Decisions made regarding the break room should be an important part of the plan.

Last week, members of the refreshment services industry gathered virtually to send a heartfelt and reassuring message to everyone. Shot in isolation from each individual’s home or business, the message is an inspiring 2-minute video. The takeaway is clear: break room service providers everywhere are here to support companies as they transition toward a new work environment.

Blue Sky Supply is responding appropriately and following the state’s COVID-19 re-opening schedules and guidelines as well as adopting stricter health and safety procedures for our employees.

In addition to maintaining social distancing practices, our route drivers are washing their hands or changing into a new pair of gloves before each visit. They are also sanitizing all contact surfaces and high touch areas at the end of every service call. Their goal is to leave Tulsa break rooms cleaner than when they arrived. Additionally, we have implemented social distancing policies in our offices and distribution centers and are closely monitoring our employees’ health.

Before COVID-19, break rooms were an important resource, but today, they have become an even more valuable benefit for Tulsa employees. Micro-markets and vending machines provide a safer way for employees to access fresh foods, snacks, and beverages. Products available in micro-markets and vending machines are individually wrapped in secure packaging for a quick, grab-and-go experience. Vending machines and micro-markets also offer cashless payment options, limiting contact even further.

Providing employees with plenty of fresh foods, snacks, and beverages in the break room not only encourages employees to stay on-site but also limits potential exposure to viruses that can occur during off-site trips. Let’s work together to keep everyone safe.

For more information about customizing a refreshment menu or our safety procedures, please contact us at (918) 599-9100.

Vending Industry Shines at NAMA Show

May 17, 2019May 15, 2019 by Katie Waxman

Earlier this month, leaders in the Nashville vending industry joined their counterparts nationwide in attending the annual NAMA show in Las Vegas. Their goal was to explore new trends, technology, and products to bring to their customers. The show is an annual tradition sponsored by the National Automatic Merchandising Association, a group representing the $25 billion convenience service industry in the United States.

Advancements in vending machines, coffee service, micro-markets, and pantry services were on display. Attendees took advantage of the opportunity to learn about them and connect with other industry members. Some of the world’s most popular brands were represented. They were complimented by new showings from fledgling entrepreneurs. Over 100 new exhibitors joined the show this year, and overall the show welcomed over 360 exhibitors and 4,500 members.

A total of 125 new products premiered at the show, and it is clear that healthy snacks and beverages continue to be a key growth category. The show’s Better For You Pavilion featured a collection of healthier items, and healthy products as a whole occupied its largest space ever at the show. Visitors discovered new items that continue to increase the appeal of healthier food options.

Advancements in technology were also on display at the show. New and easier ways of processing digital payments that keep pace with consumer’s desire for quick, cashless payment at vending machines and in micro-markets were presented. Innovative systems that optimize up-to-the-minute sales data, maximize delivery route efficiencies, and minimize out-of-stock occurrences were also revealed.

The NAMA Show also featured a large number of educational speakers who are experts in their fields. Speaker Neil Swindale discussed marketing strategies that will help vending providers thrive in our quickly evolving digital age. Neil is the owner of VendCentral, a top marketing agency for the vending industry, and an expert in customer lead generation and engagement.

With the vending industry constantly changing, keeping up with the latest technology and best practices is a great way for Blue Sky Supply to ensure that we are up-to-date with what is going on and provide the best products and services to you, our clients. We offer complete vending solutions to businesses and organizations in Nashville. Contact us at (918) 599-9100 for more information and a free consultation.

Break Room Perks in Tulsa Change With Each Generation

February 4, 2019December 12, 2018 by Katie Waxman

Which break room benefit do your Tulsa employees value the most? The answer might surprise you. It depends on which generation the majority of your employees is from. As of 2017, the Pew Research Center determined that 35 percent of the U.S. labor force were Millennials followed by Generation X at 33 percent. To be a sought after perk in 2018, a break room has to offer what current and potential employees are looking for, and that means understanding what Tulsa Millennials want.

While the age difference between Millennials and Gen Xers may not be very far apart, many Millennials (those born between 1981 and 1996) came of age during the recession. For a variety reasons, the recession had a strong impact on Millennials and triggered the need to find value in what they purchase. Words that describe a product or brand that convey value to Millennials include “well-priced given the quality,” “reliable,” “high quality,” “trustworthy,” and “loyal to customers.” Next in line are words that indicate social responsibility like “fair-minded,” “ethical,” “moral,” and “transparent.”

Whether the product in question is a piece of clothing, a smartphone, or a snack or beverage purchased from a vending machine or micro-market, value matters. So, how does this generational shift impact your Tulsa break room? Unfortunately, there is no single answer for all break rooms. To figure out what matters in your break room, consider the following questions.

Who was your current break room designed for, and what did they value? What do your current employees value? Does that match what Millennials value?

Depending on the age of your organization, your current employees might be those who the space was designed for. But if that’s not the case, what do your current employees value? Are they looking for healthy snacks, beverages, or food that have a functional purpose? Does that snack need to be organic or be made with as few ingredients as possible?

The next step in this process is to compare those answers to what Tulsa Millennials are looking for in the break room. Based on the results of the Pew Research Center study, most Millennials will look for a welcoming, comfortable space that offers snacks, beverages, and food that are well-priced and made with high-quality ingredients by companies that are trustworthy, transparent, and care about their customers. And that sounds like something everyone would enjoy.

Take the first step toward a high-value break room by designing a customized menu full of delicious and healthy snacks, beverages, and meals. Consider increasing the value by offering the same options to your Tulsa employees at no cost via pantry service or by adding a cafe-style office coffee service. For more information about increasing the value of an important employee perk, contact Blue Sky Supply at 847.423.2448. We look forward to hearing from you.

Updated Break Room in Tulsa and Oklahoma City

Make Your Tulsa and Oklahoma City Break Room New Again

February 4, 2019May 15, 2017 by Katie Waxman

In Gulfport, Mississippi, high school students in the National Technical Honor Society built a vending machine that, from a distance, appears to be a normal vending machine. After taking a closer look, however, it is clear that this vending machine is unique and special. It is an older vending machine that has been turned into a solar-powered vending machine that dispenses free personal hygiene products to the homeless in the community.

While researching project ideas for a device that blended STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics) research with a community need, the students realized that there was a gap between when shelters and soup kitchens were open, and when homeless individuals needed help. To fill that need, they took an item that had a specific purpose, was no longer being used, and melded it into something new to meet a current need. Their approach is not new and can be adopted by anyone including Tulsa and Oklahoma City organizations that need to change up their office break room to provide important benefits for their employees.

The older office break room or office kitchen, as it was known, is usually an unloved space located in an out-of-the-way location. Often it included poor lighting, a basic table and chairs, minimal amenities, and a traditional vending machine. Employees, especially Millennials, are looking for something different and have changed the way office break rooms are viewed. They are now seen as an important space that should inspire creativity and productivity, provide a spot to relax and interact with coworkers, and enjoy a meal or healthy snack.

To encourage your Tulsa and Oklahoma City employees to stay on site to enjoy that meal or snack consider offering pantry service, specialty coffee service, or an onsite micro-market as a benefit in your office break room. Below are a few important points to know about each option.

Pantry Service

Employees pay part of none of the cost for beverages, snacks, or meals while they are at work
Pantry service’s perceived value by employees is higher than the actual cost to the employer
Employees are less likely to leave the office for a meal or break, which can increase overall productivity

Specialty Coffee Service

Many specialty coffee services use sourced coffee beans and locally roasted coffees creating a unique coffee experience
In addition to specialty hot coffees, many vendors now offer cold brew coffees as well
Encourages employees to enjoy a well-made cup of joe without leaving the office

Micro-Markets

Offer employees a wide range of healthy snacks, beverages, and meal options
Use self-checkout kiosks so employees can access healthy choices at any time of the day and don’t have to worry about potential problems with a vending machine
Help employers attract and retain employees (it’s an awesome benefit!) and decrease expenses related to other types of food service

Have you considered adding one of these great benefits to your Tulsa and Oklahoma City office break room? We’d love to help you determine which one fits your needs best. If you already offer specialty coffee service or a micro-market and are looking to change-up your offerings, we can help you with that too. Contact Blue Sky Supply at (918) 599-9100 to learn more.