Gamification is the practice of adding game-like elements to non-game situations. By incorporating game elements into otherwise mundane tasks, gamification can increase engagement. Gamification can be used as a part of a corporate element, for example, as digital onboarding gamification.
Onboarding gamification is a method that uses game-based components including competition and scores to inspire employees when they first start their new employment and raise morale.
The contents of this article:
In this article let’s find out more on what is onboarding gamification and how it can be beneficial to your business.
Gamification explained
Let’s first go through an explanation of what gamification is so we can discuss what onboarding gamification is. “The application of game-design concepts to modify behavior in non-game contexts” is what is meant by “gamification”.
There are three terms that best describe gamification:
- mechanics,
- dynamics,
- emotions.
Game mechanics also refer to the game’s guidelines, objectives, settings, and interactions. To ensure that every player has the same gaming experience, game designers intentionally specify all these components in advance. Therefore, the gamified experience needs to be consistent across all players. Gamification aspects include things like leveling up, gaining experience, and obtaining prizes (for example badges or gifts).
We can now simply go on to the main topic of this post, onboarding gamification, now that these details have been resolved. In order to make onboarding more engaging, enjoyable, and less impersonal and bureaucratic, the term “onboarding gamification” refers to the use of game-design ideas to the onboarding process. For instance, businesses may quickly incorporate gamification features with onboarding automation.
Your onboarding procedure is crucial for you whenever you begin a new job. Meeting your new team, learning about your new employer and job, and receiving new employee training are some typical onboarding tasks (both in person and digitally).
Onboarding gamification requires your organization to use a digital employee onboarding solution, which should go without saying (or at least the example of gamification in onboarding that is covered in this article.)
Gamification implemented into onboarding process
Everyone who starts a new job is usually excited about what is to come. Beginning a new job presents an additional opportunity to advance your professional career. The onboarding process may be complicated – some parts are more exciting than others.
Games are excellent platforms for giving rewards and recognition systems that can liven up boring activities. Organizations can use games to nudge new hires toward desired business goals. For instance: quicker learning, shorter time to complete integration, and improved service delivery.
To be completely fair, onboarding’s logistical and administrative aspects are not particularly interesting. Even those tedious chores may be made more interesting by including gamification components in your onboarding.
Cues to action are one method of gamifying the onboarding process. Your onboarding software notifies you when tasks need to be finished. You can use the platform to see where you are in the onboarding process and where you are going. You can get a visual trip map that shows every stop along the way to your ultimate goal – full integration into the position and business.
Some examples of onboarding gamification could be leveling up, creating leaderboards of employees, and implementing task progress lines.
Benefits of onboarding gamification
As a new employee, you want more than just a paycheck – you want a system that enables you to get more involved and feel like you have a purpose at work. Gamified onboarding uses technology to create an engaging journey that is game-based and helps you meet your onboarding goals and become an expert at your new job.
Here are some of the main benefits of onboarding gamification in business culture.
Easy and exciting learning process
The training your employer provides you during your initial few days at work will play a key role in the ability to adapt quickly to a new environment. It takes more than just getting to know a new company’s operations to do a productive job. Training is a big part of onboarding.
How you are instructed on your work functions and responsibilities during the onboarding process says a lot. If the training process is enjoyable, gratifying, and engaging, you will be inspired and delighted. Gamified onboarding can help in this situation. Your interest will be increased and your attention to detail will increase by learning via play, activities, and rewards.
On the other hand, you won’t find the job intriguing if the experience is tedious and overpowering. As a result, adjusting to the new work environment becomes a difficult endeavor.
Increased motivation
Knowing there are rewards and prizes for successful onboarding can inspire you to give the onboarding exercise your all. Without a doubt, this leads to increased productivity and a greater ability to meet the requirements of the job.
You should be aware that the motivations and rewards don’t immediately mean just money. If employees successfully complete tasks as part of their onboarding program, they might receive points and badges in exchange. Positive reinforcement is a type of feedback that is associated with badges.
Employers honor new employers’ efforts and give the task purpose through the usage of badges. This will encourage employees to keep participating and finishing their onboarding tasks.
Perfect for remote employees
For many employees, virtual onboarding might feel lonely and isolated. Gamifying the onboarding process can make it less alienating. Inspiring a spirit of competition and teamwork in all new hires is one way to do this.
Since so many employees are competitive, it is logical to assume that every new employee wants to establish their value while beginning a new work. Your employer might encourage a modest (and healthy) competition to increase participation in onboarding activities by defining targets.
A previously mentioned leaderboard game element will make onboarding more exciting. To keep every employee engaged, the leader board will display the names of the best performers. It encourages healthy competition between you and your coworkers.
A significant number of workers claim that gaming components increase their sense of social connection and give them a sense of purpose and belonging at work. This is excellent news for remote workers who won’t have as many opportunities to connect because of their location.
In conclusion
The lack of engaging onboarding gamification is one of the reasons newly hired employees do not desire to stay with a company for an extended period of time. Onboarding can be a crucial first impression for both sides – meaning that employees also are testing the organization.
To make onboarding more enjoyable, onboarding gamification can be a good choice. And if it leads to greater work results and company goals, both parties win.
We hope you liked this article.
Read more of our articles on related topics such as Onboarding Training and Employee Preboarding.
