by Alana Horowitz<\/p>\n
What\u2019s the first thing you do when you get to work in the morning? For many Americans, it\u2019s enjoying a fresh cup of coffee. It\u2019s a simple pleasure, but it\u2019s one that people depend on. Thirty-eight percent of workers think they couldn\u2019t live without it, according to a\u00a0recent study<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n Small business owners, listen up. Providing your employees with free coffee is an easy, cheap way to keep them happy. Here\u2019s why:<\/p>\n Workers love coffee.<\/strong>\u00a0Java has long been a staple of the American office. Sixty-five percent of workers\u00a0drink coffee on the job<\/a>, an average of three cups a day. Chances are, your employees are included in that figure. With today\u2019s soaring Starbucks prices, giving your employees free coffee will help them manage their budgets.<\/p>\n Coffee improves performance.<\/strong>\u00a0Science doesn’t lie<\/a>. Caffeine keeps people awake, alert, and focused. It also improves memory and concentration, which helps reduce the number of mistakes they make. For those who work long or late hours, caffeine has also been proven to help prevent work-related injuries.<\/p>\n Coffee breaks create a positive office culture.<\/strong>\u00a0The coffee pot is\u00a0the new water cooler<\/a>. Giving your employees coffee won\u2019t just improve their abilities; it\u2019ll better their environment. Taking coffee breaks with colleagues is an easy way to get to know them better. A coffee maker can also facilitate teamwork. Forty percent of surveyed employees said they\u2019ve had productive work conversations over coffee.<\/p>\n Perks improve office morale.<\/strong>\u00a0Giving your employees free stuff helps them feel valued and appreciated. Thirty-seven percent of people would prefer having free coffee every day to the company Christmas party, says\u00a0another recent survey<\/a>. In tough economic times, when other perks are cut, keeping a decent pot of coffee in the break room is a way of telling your employees that things aren\u2019t hopeless.<\/p>\n It won\u2019t cost you much. These days, you can get a\u00a0decent coffee maker<\/a>\u00a0for $10. If you have a little extra cash, splurge on a\u00a0single cup brewer<\/a>. Fresher coffee means happier workers<\/p>\n\n