Powell Software's Virtual Coffee Machine is a first-of-its-kind app within Microsoft Teams that helps employees connect with one another and take regular breaks while working from home. The app helps to provide a sense of togetherness, even when teams are working apart, and it encourages work-life balance—which can be a challenge when one's living space doubles as an office.
Virtual Coffee Machine meetings use an algorithm to compare calendars and other factors, so that invitations can be sent to the appropriate number of people for the event. The app intentionally avoids one-to-one and full team meetings, and in doing so, it creates spaces for short breaks with a few colleagues.
As lockdowns continue and people continue to work remotely where possible, innovations are being created to support healthy connections and keep the workplace culture alive.
Virtual Coffee Machines
Powell Software's Microsoft Teams App Supports Workplace Culture from Home
Trend Themes
1. Virtual Team Building - The Virtual Coffee Machine app shows that there is a need for virtual team building solutions that facilitate social interaction and connection in remote work environments.
2. Algorithms for Virtual Events - The algorithm used by the Virtual Coffee Machine app demonstrates the potential uses of similar algorithms for planning and executing virtual events.
3. Work-life Balance in Remote Work - The Virtual Coffee Machine app highlights the challenge of maintaining work-life balance in a remote work setting, and underscores the need for innovative solutions to this issue.
Industry Implications
1. Collaboration Software - The Virtual Coffee Machine app is an example of how collaboration software companies can innovate to address the needs of remote work environments and facilitate virtual interactions.
2. Employee Engagement - The Virtual Coffee Machine app shows the potential for employee engagement solutions to support remote workers and promote workplace culture, even from a distance.
3. Event Planning Software - The algorithm used by the Virtual Coffee Machine app suggests that event planning software companies can explore the use of similar algorithms for organizing and managing virtual events.