Expensive Beans, Big Returns

Last September IDES reached a specific profit goal, and as a reward we purchased a rather hefty priced coffee machine.  Most of the people in our company were thinking of it as an incentive that we worked towards, and as a prize when we finally ordered it from Amazon.

On the other hand, I thought it was a great marketing tool for our company.  How can this be you ask?  Often in marketing we think too deeply, when it all really boils down to simple facts and gut instinct.  So the answer to why an expensive coffee machine has been a great marketing tool for IDES is simple.

The coffee that's 'extruded' from the machine is exquisite.  Most everyone at IDES is a recreational to avid coffee drinker, and they now drink more coffee which equals more juice for the brain which has resulted in higher productivity and better input into our products and services.  I'm not saying we're caffeine addicts, but I've watched over the past few months since we purchased the amazing wonder and have enjoyed seeing more of my colleagues walk by my office more frequently for more coffee.

The added bonus?  Since more of the IDES team walks by my office to get coffee, it often sparks conversation about projects we're working on and 10 times out of 10, ideas discussed are not only great, but quickly implemented, resulting in more remarkable products and services for our customers.

Bottoms up!
- Nathan

Have comments about this article? I'd love your feedback and to hear your stories, which I'll share in this blog with other plastics marketers.