Using gamification in the workplace is not an original idea. Google utilized riddles to attract interested job candidates years ago, while SAP developed an app in which sales employees took part in role-playing exercises and received badges based on their achievements. Typically, gamification in the workplace looks like making meetings, training, or continuing education into a type of game for our employees to play. We can construct contests to engage staff in a healthy “race,” and points, levels, and awards are often used as additional motivation. According to a recent poll, 83% of those who receive gamified training said they felt engaged, while 61% of those who receive non-gamified instruction said they felt bored and unproductive during the same training.
Using Gamification in Training
When it comes to mandatory training most of our employees do not jump for joy. Gamification can change this. We might have employees who receive the highest score on a company-wide workplace safety evaluation receive company merchandise. With this approach, we find employees pay more attention and attempt to get as many right answers as possible instead of simply trying to get it over with. Gamification is an excellent way to encourage all our employees to always be up to date with their training.
Using Gamification for Continuing Education
We can also use gamification to help our employees with continuing education. We can create an online course library covering a wide range of topics. We can then have employees who finish a course receive a certificate or virtual badge they can show off. Instead of using presentations or manuals to teach personnel, we can design online mini courses with amusing characters, quizzes, and a points system. We also tend to find that using interactive games enhances participation and employee engagement and helps make sure that their learning sticks. Gamification is furthermore an excellent idea because employees have different learning styles. The more ways we can present information the more likely it will be retained by our employees.
Using Gamification for Wellness Programs
Employee burnout often manifests itself as an increasing lack of enthusiasm and engagement that builds over time in response to job dissatisfaction. The consequences of burnout may include increased employee absence, lower productivity, and higher turnover, all of which can affect our company’s bottom line. This means we should consider the gamification of wellness programs to improve retention and reduce burnout. As it applies to workplace wellness programs, gamification involves incorporating aspects of “play” into the tracking of wellness initiatives. This could mean online tracking and competition between employees and groups of employees. This could also look like simple and fun progress management tools like prizes, badges, and quizzes, as well as incentives that play into a larger wellness strategy.
Building a Gamification Program
Gamification in the workplace may boost motivation and engagement, but how can we take advantage of it? First, it is critical to properly describe the game’s goals and rules. Points, leaderboards, badges, prizes, and real-life incentives are among some of the most popular gamification elements we might choose to incorporate. The game’s rules should be clear to all participants from the outset. Creating a game that builds a sense of purpose is just as crucial as building a sense of accomplishment.
Prizes for outstanding achievement, such as gift cards or baskets of goodies, should attract employees’ attention. When we incorporate gamification, we should recognize everyone’s efforts, and provide small quality-of-life incentives. We should also always take time to analyze the initiative’s success. Leadership can also participate, for example by dressing up as the company’s mascot or in cosplay if everyone reaches their yearly targets. Recognizing everyone’s contribution is crucial in order to ensure that not only the highest achievers feel valued. Employee engagement may be maintained by combining rewards like a lunch voucher or an extra day off with public acknowledgment. Public acclaim can go a long way toward encouraging involvement.
Conclusion
Gamification has numerous advantages, but it is not a panacea. To enhance our gamification approach, collect and analyze the proper data, reflect on performance, and conclude each game or challenge with a “recap” that highlights both the program’s top accomplishments and mistakes. In addition, reward and acknowledge participants, and tweak our gamification program to better align with corporate goals and employee KPIs.
