It is well-established that employee engagement improves corporate culture. But doing so has proven to be difficult at work. A couple of methods have been done by organisations in ensuring the consistency of employee engagement, and implementing gamification at work has been one of the successful strategies used. The new generation of employees and customers has literally grown-up playing computer and video games; naturally, most of them gravitate towards experiences with game-like elements (Schudt & Friedemann, 2017). Thus, gamifying employees’ experiences would likely increase their engagement overall.
So, what is gamification? Gamification is using game design principles and mechanisms in non-game environments to promote motivation, engagement, and success. It makes use of people’s innate need to play, compete, and earn rewards to produce more enticing and pleasurable experiences.
Here are some of the benefits of using gamification for employee engagement:
Increased Employee Motivation
Gamification makes work more fun, challenging, and dynamic. It divides tedious activities into manageable, smaller goals so that workers can complete them and feel a sense of success. Gamification encourages employees’ intrinsic drive to perform at their highest level and make ongoing improvements by establishing clear goals, offering quick feedback, and recognising accomplishments.
To illustrate, a company might introduce a point system for completing tasks, where employees rack up points for meeting daily goals or helping their coworkers out. These points can be exchanged for rewards like vouchers or extra leave days. By breaking tasks into smaller goals and providing immediate feedback, employees feel motivated to take on challenges. This HR gamification helps create a positive work culture where everyone feels recognised for their efforts.
Better Employee Learning and Development
Gamification can also enhance employees’ learning and development by providing them with interactive, immersive, and personalised training experiences. Employees can learn new skills and knowledge more effectively and with greater engagement by using gamified training modules as opposed to conventional classroom lectures or online courses. Through simulations, tests, and role-playing games, they may put their knowledge to the test and get fast feedback on how they did. This strategy aids in improving information retention and real-world application of learning.
For example, a Malaysian retail company might send their employees to gamified training programs that include quizzes, simulations, and role-playing scenarios for customer service training. Instead of old-school lectures, employees can practise handling different customer situations in a fun and interactive way. They receive instant feedback on their performance, helping them remember what they learned and apply it in real-life situations. This engaging method makes learning more effective and enjoyable for everyone involved.
Enhanced Employee Collaboration and Communication
Gamification can foster a sense of community and collaboration among employees as they work together towards common goals. Employees can eliminate barriers across departments, foster respect and trust, and improve their interpersonal skills by participating in team-building exercises, challenges, and competitions. Additionally, gamification can inspire staff members to offer opinions, suggestions, and insights, improving problem-solving and communication.
To put this into perspective, a Malaysian tech company might organise friendly competitions where teams collaborate to solve challenges or complete projects. By participating in these gamified activities, employees from different departments can break down the ice, build trust, and learn to respect each other’s strengths and weaknesses. This method of gamification at work encourages everyone to share ideas and suggestions, leading to better problem-solving and a more connected workplace.
Increased Employee Satisfaction and Retention
Gamification can boost employee satisfaction and retention by promoting a positive work environment that values employees’ contributions, celebrates their achievements, and recognizes their potential. Employees are more inclined to stay with a firm for a longer period of time and recommend it to others when they feel inspired, engaged, and fulfilled. Gamification may assist businesses in developing a culture of excellence and innovation that draws top talent and fosters dedication and loyalty.
Put it simply, a manufacturing company might design a rewards program where employees earn badges for completing training modules, hitting sales targets, or suggesting process improvements. By celebrating these milestones publicly, like in monthly team meetings, employees feel heard and seen for their hard work. When employees are engaged and recognised for their contributions, they are more likely to stay with the company and even recommend it to others, helping build a strong, loyal workforce in the long run.
Moving Forward
In conclusion, gamification offers an effective and cutting-edge strategy for boosting employee engagement that can help businesses and their workforce. Organisations may develop more engaging, motivating, and rewarding experiences that promote greater employee performance, teamwork, learning, and retention by utilising game design principles and mechanics. As gamification in the workplace becomes more popular and sophisticated, it offers endless possibilities for companies to transform their workplace dynamics and achieve their business goals.
If you’re looking to get started but don’t know where to begin, a certified training provider in Malaysia has the right tools and expertise to help you implement gamification effectively, ensuring your team can reap all the benefits and reach success.
Reference:
Schuldt, J., & Friedemann, S. (2017). The challenges of gamification in the age of Industry 4.0: Focusing on man in future machine-driven working environments. 2017 IEEE Global Engineering Education Conference (EDUCON). doi:10.1109/educon.2017.7943066
