The T.E.A. Team Theory “A good team is a tea team” Prof. Brad Van Chapman, ph.D. Dr. Ivan Wakeman, ph.D. University of Berkeley, California, USA

IF YOU ’ VE GOT AN OFFICE WITH NO SOUL, LIFE OR ATMOSPHERE MAYBE YOU SHOULD HIRE THE T.E.A. TEAM

REMEMBER: While there’s no “I” in “TEAM”, there is “T” “E” “A”… Now that’s “M”mmm…!

Remember your Teas! T - TerrificT - Team E - ExcellentE - Enhancing A - AceA - Amazing M - Mmmmm!M - Magic

The Tea Team Theory The Tea Team Theory not only propagates the theory that tea encourages sociability and team work within the workplace, but also that it aids creativity and concentration, provides important breaks away from the PC and is tasty and healthy to boot!

The Tea Team Theory Test Although based in the States, Chapman and Wakeman were shrewd enough to realise that more tea drinking per capita is probably done in UK (to the tune of 150 million cups a day, in fact) than in the States, so their major and still ground-breaking study was carried out in the offices of an anonymous fitness company in the East End of London during an average week (17-21 October 2005). Their ten test subjects ranged in age (the youngest being 21, the eldest 41), sex (male and female), nationality (British, New Zealand, South Korean, Kurdish) and type (nasty and nice). They had little or no knowledge that their tea consumption was being monitored eight hours a day, five days a week. Their results were startling…

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Main Conclusions The study results clearly show that ‘James’ made the most cups of tea, followed by ‘Barnaby’, then closely by ‘Chris’ and ‘Halmat’. Interestingly, all the women (and ‘Ken’) made the least tea (though they were nearer the kitchen). It should be stated that ‘Helen’ and ‘Clare’ did not appear to drink tea at all. The four main tea drinkers displayed a certain amount of bantering and interaction, arising from the tea-making. Some of it was even work- related, and wouldn’t have been discussed were it not for the tea. It seemed to be the only release from the chains of their desks. As ‘James’ said, with a hint of sarcasm, “[tea] gives me a break from my exciting tasks”. There were more heated debates about tea (and who was making it or not making it) than any other subject. Quantity shouldn’t be confused with quality.

Other General Conclusions Tea is healthy, tea is productive, tea is nice, tea is good. Tea is character building too. Tea is social – both at the desk and in the kitchen. Asking your team who wants a cuppa, and collecting the cups, may be the only interaction you get with some of your team mates. Think of it as an informal chance to discuss a work matter or discuss last night’s Eastenders. Waiting for the kettle to boil and chatting with other non- team mates in the kitchen may be the only time you socialise with other non-departmental team mates. Seize upon these times! Have a chat about tea (see Fun Tea Facts) or something fascinating to do with the company you work for. Apart from lunch and the toilet, making tea may be the only other time you get up.

Fun Tea Facts (F.T.F.) Tea is healthy because it contains flavonoids, antioxidants which help combat ageing and cancer Recent work in the European Journal of Clinical Nutrition dispels the common belief that tea dehydrates. The researchers recommend people consume three to four cups a day. Tea not only rehydrates as well as water does, but it can also protect against heart disease and some cancers, UK nutritionists found Tea is said to have been discovered in 2732 BC by Chinese emperor Shen Nung. When he was drinking hot water, tea leaves blew into his cup The tea bag was invented accidentally in 1908 by New York importer Thomas Sullivan. To save money, he handed out samples of tea in small silk bags. Instead of opening them, drinkers put the whole bag into cups of hot water Indigenous to India and China from the seventh century, tea was first introduced to Britain in 1650 All three main types of tea (green, black and oolong) come from the plant Camellia sinensis, but flavours differ because of how they are processed

Pantone Tea Colour References (P.T.C.R.) There is nothing worse than a bad cup of tea. A simple Pantone colour chart like the one below will ensure you never make a bad cup of tea again! Simply choose your nearest Pantone tea colour match and making tea is as easy as 1, 2, Tea!

Think tea, make tea, drink tea, talk tea and your business will prosper!