With the world moving to a work-from-home model, the old-age tradition of buying someone coffee has come to a standstill. However, Microsoft aims to change that by allowing people to give each other Starbucks gift cards through Teams.
When Starbucks and Microsoft Teams Come Together
If you're in the mood to give someone a much-needed caffeinated jolt, be sure to check out the official Starbucks app announcement on Microsoft 365.
This new feature was made possible by Starbucks Technology, the IT-based side of the chain, which presumably features the world's best office coffee machines.
Starbucks-designed apps are nothing new, as the company released its Spotify app integration a few years ago. Now, Starbucks Technology has developed a brand new app for Teams, which was vetted and approved by Microsoft.
The app allows you to give someone a Starbucks gift card through Teams itself. To use it, first, download the Starbucks app into Teams, then sign in to your Starbucks Reward account.
Once done, you'll notice a little Starbucks icon appear under the text entry box in a conversation. Click it, fill out the details and the amount, then select a payment method to send a gift card to the recipient.
A New World of Socialising With Co-Workers
This move by both Microsoft and Starbucks is an interesting insight into companies predict workers will interact in the future. With COVID-19 still making the rounds and people working from home when they can, taking co-workers to a coffee shop isn't as possible as it once was.
However, instead of drumming its fingers on the counter and waiting for COVID-19 to go away, Starbucks brings that tradition to the digital world instead. It shows that the companies are willing to accept that the pandemic lockdown is here to stay and adapt as a result.
It's not nearly as good as bringing someone to a coffee shop, but with everyone now stuck at home for the foreseeable future, it's a lot better than nothing. As such, this may be the first of many adaptations to bring office culture online.
Grabbing a Coffee Over Microsoft Teams
If you need a caffeinated beverage to keep you going during a workday, why not share the happiness? Microsoft Teams now has a Starbucks app that lets you buy each other coffee, and it may be the first step in bringing the feel of the office into the work-at-home scene.
Now that the coffee is sorted, why not use Teams to catch up with co-workers over a hot brew? With the recent announcement of all-day calls in Microsoft Teams, you can now chat away with your friends for as long as you like.
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