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Strategies for Bringing Employees Back to the Office in 2022… and Keeping Remote Team Members Engaged

Judson Kleinman March 3, 2022

It’s 2022 and in the almost-post-COVID era, the return to the office is really happening. Many companies are figuring out how to bring employees back to their locations in the new normal of the on-site workplace. There’s a lot to consider to ensure that team members are comfortable, protected, and happy to be back. Those water cooler moments or break room gatherings might look slightly different today, workspaces could be reconfigured, and for the NY and NJ clients we serve, indoor restaurant dining may not yet be comfortable for everyone. Employers must also support their remote employees who still want to feel “part of the team.” Keeping WFH team members engaged and satisfied presents new challenges that require fresh thinking. In addition, many employers might have to balance a hybrid on-site/off-site workforce. These factors present challenges to maintaining a positive company culture and employee connections to each other and to

Corporate Essentials Single Source Provider

Single Source for Office Coffee, Refreshment & Pantry Services NYC NJ

Judson Kleinman January 21, 2022

Strategies for Creating a Safe Workplace, Positive Company Culture and Keeping Employees Happy As experts in corporate coffee service, pantry services, and corporate break room design, we help corporations create safe, satisfying spaces that deliver what your team craves. Touchless craft coffee, better-for-you snacks, and curated fresh office catering, including grab-and-go meals. The Convenient, Cost-Effective Solution for All Your Workplace Essentials For 25 years+, we’ve grown along with our clients’ needs and market demands. With Corporate Essentials, you’ll save time, money, and the hassles of dealing with multiple service providers. Turn to us as your convenient single source for superior customer service, high-quality equipment, and the newest trends in healthy snacks and beverages your team craves. Everything Your Company Needs. Everything Your Team Wants. Pantry Services Our goal: to help keep your employees fueled, focused, and well fed (and keep your pantry fully stocked.) We provide the highest quality brands

The Importance of Maintaining Proper Sanitization in the Workplace

Judson Kleinman November 30, 2021

As employees are returning to the workplace, it’s time for employers to take a hard look at ways to keep their teams safe and comfortable being back together again. The company break room will likely be a gathering place once again for co-workers, so keeping that space sanitized is important for your entire team’s safety and well-being. Break Room Sanitization Audit Look around your office break room and office coffee station for an informal break room audit. Are there adequate cleaning and sanitization supplies readily available for everyone to use? Is there proper signage for hand washing? Is your space set up physically, or are there guidelines in place to enable social distancing? Do you have PPE on hand for those who feel more comfortable wearing a mask or using gloves to handle items in common areas? Have you implemented air and/or surface sanitization protocols or installed products that inactivate

Establishing a Corporate Wellness Program To Create a Successful Team

Judson Kleinman November 23, 2021

Establishing a Corporate Wellness Program Will Give Your Business a Shot in the Arm Time for a Wellness Visit—at the Office There are excellent reasons for companies to initiate a corporate wellness program and now is the perfect time, as employees return to the office. Not only will it improve your team’s overall health and productivity, but it can also lower health care, workman’s comp, and disability costs; reduce absenteeism; and increase employee motivation and loyalty. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 7 of the top 10 causes of death were chronic diseases–among the most costly and preventable. By providing a health and wellness program at the workplace, you support your team with education and resources on topics like nutrition, substance and tobacco abuse, and mental health that positively impact their wellbeing and reduce your employees’ risk of disease. This results in fewer sick days, better

Rediscovering the Lost Art of Small Talk in the Workplace

Judson Kleinman November 18, 2021

The isolation of the pandemic has brought about the realization that we’ve forgotten the fine art of small talk. Although it may seem relatively trivial, small talk is essential to our development as a society. The ability to converse in a light, friendly manner helps put people at ease and fosters open communication between friends and colleagues. At work, it allows us to transition to more serious subjects, learn about ourselves and others, and develop a healthy rapport. In fact, research shows that spontaneous conversations with our coworkers can spark collaboration, improve creativity, generate innovation, and heighten employee performance and foster a feeling of being a part of the team. In a recent study analyzing smalltalk productivity, subjects reported feeling more positive emotions–including friendliness, gratitude, pride, and energy on the days when they experienced small talk in the morning. That energy elevated their well-being and made them feel less burned

Benefits Beyond the Basics Create a Happier Workplace

Judson Kleinman October 21, 2021

During his tenure as mayor of New York City from 1978-1989, Ed Koch was commonly heard asking his constituents, “How am I doing?” Koch was ahead of the curve in understanding that honest feedback from the residents of New York was a critical part of knowing how to best serve the city. When applying that philosophy to the workplace, the same holds true. Asking for feedback from employees increases motivation, empowerment, and contentment in the workplace. Although they are intangible qualities, they are inherently beneficial to growing a successful business. Employees crave appreciation, work-life balance, honesty, and transparency, which may require intentionally creating a healthier culture at the workplace. For instance, a benefit trends study by MetLife reveals that 69% of employees say that having a more comprehensive array of benefits would increase loyalty to their employer. Another statistic notes that 59% state that their employers provide benefits and programs

The Break Room Breakdown: Office Pantries vs. Micro Markets

Judson Kleinman September 28, 2021

Business owners are quickly realizing the benefits of showing a little extra love to their employees post-pandemic . . . and what better way than to keep them healthfully fed and fueled? Two popular ways to provide refreshments and meals to your team throughout the day are office pantries and micro markets. These employee perks will help your business attract the best talent and build positive culture and morale. But, how do you know which one is right for you? Here’s the breakdown: Office Pantry Services Office pantries—also called free vend service—are designed to offer beverages and snacks free of cost to employees with all expenses picked up by the employer. Pantries have reach-in coolers and racks filled with drinks and snacks ready for team members to grab at will. Inventory and layout design can be customized according to budget, needs, and space requirements. This service is also a time-saver

25 Years of Corporate Essentials – Judson Kleinman Interview

Judson Kleinman September 15, 2021

A Retrospective Look at 25 Years of Corporate Essentials with CEO Judson Kleinman In late September, we’re celebrating our 25th anniversary. Founder and CEO Judson Kleinman looks back at the company that began strictly as an office coffee service provider in this Q&A. Why did you start the company? I always had a dream to start my own company. After college, I worked for a foodservice company where I learned a lot about the industry—especially how much I liked it. In 1996, Starbucks was coming onto the scene and people were noticing the difference of freshly brewed, well-roasted coffees over the status quo. I saw an opportunity to provide excellent coffee that employees would really appreciate. It was a market gap that had not yet been filled. What was your vision of what Corporate Essential could or would be? I liken it to the “Field of Dreams.” Have great coffee

Tips for Keeping Your Remote Employees Connected and Engaged

Judson Kleinman September 2, 2021

With workplace habits turned upside down, work from home (WFH) moving from trend to long-term model, and employers coordinating hybrid work scenarios, there’s a lot to think about from a human resources perspective. While you’re welcoming back your team to the office with new protocols in place (and getting that break room restocked), one important consideration is how to keep your remote employees connected and engaged. Employee engagement is a crucial part of the health and wellness of a company as well as its team. As noted by a career writer on Business News Daily: “Keeping remote workers engaged is a necessary part of leading a remote team, company or employee . . . . Without the ability to have organic conversations in the break room or at each other’s cubicles, it takes a more concentrated effort for remote workers to engage with others.” The writer goes on to say

Food for Thought: Micro Markets in the Workplace

Judson Kleinman August 4, 2021

Summer’s here, the pandemic is passing, and your team is coming back to the office. After months of working virtually, there may be a bit of an adjustment period as everyone adapts to structured breaks and lunch hours. With that in mind, you may want to consider the addition of a micro market to your office floor plan. What Are Micro Markets? A significant corporate trend, micro markets are miniature food retail spaces with self-checkout technology. These facilities provide a convenient, healthy, and straightforward fueling experience for the workplace. They are easy to use and are open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. They can be designed to fit virtually any space, need no staffing, and employees love the convenience. They are intended to be used with auto-payment apps that promote touch-free transactions through mobile devices. Why are Micro Markets Better than Vending Machines? Unlike traditional vending machines,

Workplace Dining: The Delicious New Perk at Work

Judson Kleinman July 29, 2021

What happens to lavish office perks in a post-pandemic world? Unlimited vacation, casual dress codes, foosball tables, hammocks, nap rooms and video games may attract millennials and Gen Z to a workplace—but they may not “nourish” employees enough. As CNBC reports, free food is still the perk that attracts top talent most often. Food is a great motivator for influencing productivity, engagement, and community. Simply put, the more edible benefits available to your team, the more excited they’ll be to come to work. In fact, the free-food-at-work trend was cited back in 2018, when a Society for Human Resources Management report noted that the percentage of employers offering free food had grown from 20% in 2014 to 32%. The trend continues. A recent survey by Knight Frank Research listed onsite food and beverage as the #1 planned amenity among top facilities companies. It concluded: “As companies rebuild themselves, employee wellbeing is particularly

How High Does Your Team Rank for Emotional Intelligence?

Judson Kleinman July 22, 2021

We all know what intelligence is—the ability to acquire and apply knowledge and skills, measured as IQ (intelligence quotient). But what about emotional intelligence? Emotional intelligence was coined in the 1960s by Peter Salvoes and John D. Mayer to indicate self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, and social skills—all valuable attributes to have in any company. The term was popularized in the 1995 book by Daniel Goleman titled “Emotional Intelligence: Why it Can Matter More Than IQ.” Emotional intelligence is also referred to as someone’s EQ (emotional quotient). Hiring for both types of intelligence Of course, decision makers will screen prospective employees for characteristics such as education, job experience and performance, signs of logical thinking (and perhaps the ability to think on one’s feet in response to interview questions). Imagine finding a candidate who not only has all the qualifications for a position but also has strong emotional intelligence? Everyone at work

Office Culture

Strategies for Bringing Employees Back to the Office in 2022… and Keeping Remote Team Members Engaged

Single Source for Office Coffee, Refreshment & Pantry Services NYC NJ

The Importance of Maintaining Proper Sanitization in the Workplace

Establishing a Corporate Wellness Program To Create a Successful Team

Rediscovering the Lost Art of Small Talk in the Workplace

Benefits Beyond the Basics Create a Happier Workplace

The Break Room Breakdown: Office Pantries vs. Micro Markets

25 Years of Corporate Essentials – Judson Kleinman Interview

Tips for Keeping Your Remote Employees Connected and Engaged

Food for Thought: Micro Markets in the Workplace

Workplace Dining: The Delicious New Perk at Work

How High Does Your Team Rank for Emotional Intelligence?

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