One of the keys to being a good businessperson is to always stay properly caffeinated. It's like coffee and work go hand in hand. It's the beverage of choice by many people who need a little help waking up or staying awake to remain productive during the work day. Meeting over a cup of coffee is also a great way to get to know and pitch potential clients or build relationships with other professionals.
Now, professionals who use Microsoft Outlook can finally use coffee to help them connect, reward and maintain business relationships thanks to the new Starbucks add-in.
After being unveiled back in March during Microsoft's Build developer conference, the Starbucks add-in for Outlook is now live.
The Starbucks add-in allows users of Microsoft's email platform to send contacts beverages and treats via gift cards from the Seattle-based coffee giant, as well as schedule meetings at a local Starbucks location.
Using this add-in can be a great way for a boss to say thank you to an employee for their hard work or for an employee treating a co-worker to a brew for helping them with a task.
How To Download The Starbucks Add-In
Users can download and install the add-in for free in Microsoft's Office Store for the new Outlook.com, Outlook 2016, Outlook 2013, and for Outlook on the web users with Office 365 or Exchange 2016 and Exchange 2013 mailboxes. Outlook for Mac and mobile support will be added in "the coming months."
Those using the email service for Outlook.com or Office 365 can start using the new feature and begin the installation process.
The rest of the users can follow these instructions:
1. In Outlook 2013 or Outlook 2016, click Store from the Home tab on the ribbon. In Outlook on the web, click the gear icon (top right) and select Manage Add-ins.
2. Type in "Starbucks" in the search bar on the top right.
3. The search will return the "Starbucks for Outlook" add-in. Set the toggle to "on" to install the add-in.
4. The add-in will appear in the command bar ribbon on the top.
Users who do not see the add-in in Outlook 2013 can do the following:
1. Click Store from the Home tab on the ribbon, then click Manage Add-ins.
2. In the Manage Add-ins page, click the + sign and then select the "Starbucks for Outlook" add-in from the Office Store.
3. Click the "Add" button to begin installation.
How To Send eGift Cards
Once the add-in is properly installed, users can start sending cups of coffee to their contacts directly from their inbox with just a few clicks. This is done by presenting clients, co-workers, friends and family a Starbucks eGift Card. Click on the "Message" tab and look to the right to see the Starbucks logo in the ribbon.
The user should fill out the recipient's email address and the rest of the email and will see a window to the right that will let them choose their eGift Card. Options include saying thank you for the hard work and celebrating events like birthdays. Tap on the card to add it to the email and follow any other prompts.
It's important to note that a Starbucks account is required in order to purchase the eGift Cards.
How To Schedule A Starbucks Meeting
Lucky for users, they do not need a Starbucks account to set up a Starbucks meeting, another feature of the add-in. Users can schedule a meeting with their employees, a co-worker or a business associate by looking for the "Meet at Starbucks" icon location in the ribbon in the Outlook inbox.
Once the user clicks on this, they will be able to search for a nearby store to set as the meeting location. Enter in a city and state to see all the Starbucks locations provided by Google Maps when meeting halfway, or enter in a precise address with zip code to find a Starbucks by the office.
