Does Gamification Actually Work?

Gamification of frontline processes and workflows improves employee performance and the productivity of an organization. More effective customer service and seamless frontline interactions also enhance customer satisfaction.

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However, some people are skeptical about incorporating game-like elements into business activities and whether gamification affects motivation. This may be because they don’t fully understand how advanced gamification software works, how it can improve employee effectiveness, or how it can be implemented in an enterprise.

Gamification Explained

Gamification is the application of game-like elements and principles to non-game contexts. In the workplace, gamification of workplace training can motivate employees and enhance their level of engagement.

This concept has been adopted in many industry sectors, including marketing, education, healthcare, workforce training, and employee performance management. Here are some ways to integrate gamification into your workplace:

Points and scores: Employees earn points or scores for completing tasks, accomplishing goals, and upholding professional standards.
Rewards and incentives: Bonuses, acknowledgments, and privileges can be given to employees for achieving specific goals.
Challenges and quests: Employees who complete special tasks and assessments within a set timeline are rewarded with gifts or time off from work.
Badges and achievements: Visual symbols of accomplishments (e.g., certificates of completion, employee of the year signage, etc.) are awarded to employees when they perform well.
Leaderboards: Rankings are displayed on a board to show how employees stack up against their colleagues. Rankings are based on points, scores, achievements, and other performance indicators.
Levels and progression: Specific milestones are set for each employee to show their career growth and advancement.

How Effective Is Gamification in a Workplace?

The success of your gamification efforts may vary depending on the context, user engagement, implementation method, and other factors. The Self-Determination Theory of human motivation and personality suggests that gamification is more effective when aligned with an employee’s inherent motivation. This way, it will satisfy personal needs such as self-sufficiency, competence, and connection.

Productivity

Gamification improves an employee’s productivity by fostering a sense of achievement and competition, which motivates them to work harder. Adding an element of fun to daily tasks helps reduce boredom at the workplace and improve overall productivity.

Health and Fitness

Gamification can promote healthier workplace behaviors by encouraging workers to develop fitness routines and join fitness challenges. For instance, a fitness center at the workplace where employees can go before and after work could have a monthly contest for the time spent participating in group fitness classes, riding stationary bicycles, or using weight machines.

Better Customer Engagement

You can improve customer engagement by incorporating fun and alluring gaming elements into the customer experience. This also creates a sense of community that includes customers.

Workplace Gamification Best Practices

When considering ways to integrate games into the workplace and workflows, here are a few considerations to keep in mind:

User-Centered Design

Start by understanding your employees so you can design gaming elements that resonate with them. If your clients will interact with these elements, make sure they align with their preferences and needs.

Feedback and Iteration

Continuously gather feedback on the gamification design to improve its effectiveness. Make changes and updates based on what you learn from your users.

Create a Balance

Don’t overload with rewards (such as points and badges). People derive internal satisfaction and pride from mastering new responsibilities and personal development. A combination of the two will provide more sustainable engagement.

Final Thoughts

Gamification works effectively in various contexts, but its success largely depends on its design, sustainability of user engagement, and continual improvement. If you want a workplace gamification platform that works effectively, check out Centrical today!