Suntory's Shacho no Ogori Jihanki (Company President’s Treat Vending Machine) gives out drinks for free for coworkers that arrive together. The vending machine has a pair of card readers at the center of its unit and people are invited to place their employee ID cards on the panels, then choose the beverage of their choice.
Without spending money, coworkers will receive a tasty refreshment, while the company benefits from boosted morale and perhaps even the next big idea. Shin Mori, Suntory’s project head for the new machine, says "Ideas are solutions are sometimes born out of small talk, and we hope that this will be a way to facilitate that and create better workplaces and work teams."
Like a regular vending machine, the unit can also be used to pay for individual drinks, and companies can specify limits for free drinks.
Team-Building Vending Machines
Suntory's Treat Vending Machine Gifts Drinks to Pairs of Coworkers
Trend Themes
1. Collaborative Vending Machines - Opportunity to develop vending machines that promote collaboration and team-building by encouraging social interactions between coworkers.
2. Employee Morale Boosters in the Workplace - Opportunity to create innovative solutions to increase employee morale and happiness in the workplace.
3. Gamification of Team-building Activities - Opportunity to create gamified team-building activities with rewards such as complimentary drinks from company vending machines.
Industry Implications
1. Vending Machine Industry - Opportunity for vending machine companies to develop and distribute similar machines that promote teamwork and collaboration as a unique selling point.
2. Human Resources Industry - Opportunity for HR companies to incorporate team-building vending machines as a part of their offered employee engagement and satisfaction services.
3. Corporate Wellness Industry - Opportunity for wellness companies to propose vending machines as one of their solutions for improving workplace culture and employee satisfaction.