Leveraging Gamification for Enhanced Employee Training and Development

by Gabby Davis Mar 4,2024
Engagedly
PODCAST

The People Strategy Leaders Podcast

with Srikant Chellappa, CEO

Gamification is a powerful tool for enhancing employee training and development. Studies have shown that 89% of employees report that gamification enhances their sense of productivity in the workplace.  

It allows new employees to progress at their own pace, choose their learning paths, and receive targeted feedback based on their performance, which can cater to diverse learning styles and preferences. 

This personalized approach enhances the effectiveness of training programs by ensuring that content is relevant, engaging, and impactful for each participant. So, let’s explore how gamification can revolutionize your organization’s training programs.

Understanding Gamification in the Workplace

Gamification is more than just a buzzword; it’s a dynamic approach that infuses game design elements into training programs. By incorporating features like points, badges, leaderboards, and challenges, gamification transforms mundane learning experiences into engaging, interactive tasks. Imagine turning compliance training into an event where employees eagerly tackle challenges and earn rewards.

The concept of gamification isn’t new. It draws inspiration from game theory, behavioral psychology, and good old-fashioned fun. Remember those gold stars you received in elementary school for taking a spelling test? That’s a basic form of gamification! Organizations worldwide are leveraging this approach to boost employee engagement and knowledge retention.

The Need for Enhanced Employee Training

Our workplaces are evolving faster than ever. Remote work, hybrid models, and rapid technological advancements demand adaptable employees. Employees can benefit massively from new forms of corporate training that address the issues in a modern workplace. Traditional training methods struggle to keep up with these changes. Enter gamification—a fresh approach that aligns with modern work dynamics.

Learning isn’t a one-time event; it’s a lifelong journey. Gamification encourages continuous learning by making it enjoyable. When employees actively participate in their development, they become more agile, innovative, and resilient. 

Let’s face it: PowerPoint presentations and lengthy manuals don’t always cut it. Employees zone out, and knowledge retention suffers. Gamification injects life into training, making it memorable and impactful.

Benefits of Gamification in Employee Training

Gamification has many benefits across various industries and can be a valuable tool for problem-solving

Here, we will cover a few of the significant benefits gamification has for employee training: 

  • Increased Engagement and Motivation: The reward system in gamification makes learning enjoyable. Employees willingly dive into training modules fueled by the desire to earn points, unlock achievements, and climb leaderboards. It’s like turning work into a captivating game.
  • Real-time Feedback and Performance Tracking: Gamified platforms provide instant feedback. Employees know where they stand, identify areas for improvement, and adjust their strategies accordingly. No more waiting for annual reviews!
  • Enhanced Knowledge Retention: When learning feels like play, information sticks. Gamification taps into our brain’s reward centers, reinforcing memory pathways. Say goodbye to forgettable training sessions.
  • Collaboration and Team Building: Competing with colleagues in friendly challenges fosters teamwork. Whether it’s solving puzzles or collaborating on virtual quests, gamification strengthens bonds among employees.
  • Fueling Healthy Competition: Within the gamification of employee training, leaderboards emerge as powerful motivators. Suddenly, learning becomes a race—a friendly competition where you strive to climb higher, earn more points, and secure your spot at the top. But it’s not just about bragging; leaderboards foster healthy competition

Implementing Gamification: Best Practices

There are a few best practices to take into account when deciding to implement gamification in a company. Below are a few best practices that can aid in the implementation of gamification into employee training

  • Assess Training Needs and Objectives: Understanding your organization’s unique requirements before diving into gamification. What skills do employees need? What goals should they achieve? Align gamified content with these objectives.
  • Design Engaging Modules: Create bite-sized, interactive modules. Use storytelling, scenarios, and relatable characters. Remember, learning should be fun, not a chore.
  • Choose the Right Tools: Explore gamification platforms and tools. Look for user-friendly interfaces, customization options, and analytics capabilities. Your L&D team will thank you.
  • Integrate with Learning Management Systems (LMS): Seamlessly blend gamified content into your existing LMS. This ensures a cohesive learning experience and easy tracking of progress.

Goal Setting Module

Challenges and Considerations

Leveraging gamification for employee training and development can be highly effective, but it also comes with its own set of challenges and considerations. Here are some key points to keep in mind:

  • Resource Intensiveness: Developing a comprehensive gamified training program can be resource-intensive. It requires careful planning, design, and possibly the integration of new technologies or platforms.
  • Robust Design: Successful implementation of gamification in training requires thoughtful design. It’s not just about adding game elements to existing programs; it’s about integrating them to align with learning objectives and organizational goals.
  • Employee Buy-In: Not all employees may immediately embrace gamified training. Some might be resistant to change or skeptical about the effectiveness of gamification. Ensuring employee buy-in and addressing any concerns is crucial.
  • Effective Communication: Clear communication about the purpose and benefits of gamification is essential. Employees must understand how gamified training will enhance their learning experience and contribute to their professional growth.
  • Navigating the Platform: Employees should receive proper training on how to navigate the gamified training platform. This includes understanding game mechanics, earning points, and unlocking achievements.

Gamification Platforms to Get You Started

The following platforms can help you set up your employee training and development. These platforms will help gamify your training and keep employees engaged.

Engagedly 

Engagedly’s gamification features add an engaging element to the workplace. The platform helps to increase engagement and motivation among employees. Engagedly incorporates points, badges, and leaderboards to create friendly competition in the workplace. 

Employees earn points by completing tasks that are aligned with company values. This can help encourage participation and recognition within a company. Engagedly’s feature set creates an engaging work environment, enhancing employee motivation and satisfaction.

The platform also has a gamified HR platform that provides valuable insights for data-driven decisions. The implementation of gamified goal-setting ensures seamless alignment between individual and company-wide objectives.

Brame

Brame is a gamification marketing platform that empowers businesses to engage with customers. With Brame, you can create interactive experiences using their no-code builder that can increase employee engagement

This platform has leveled up promotions, loyalty programs, and data collection by incorporating gamified elements. Brame enables businesses to stand out, generate high-quality leads, and increase customer loyalty by leveraging features like points, badges, and leaderboards. 

Brame can also be used in employee training and development. When applied to employee training, their gamification tools can help shorten the time it takes for new employees to get up to speed with new information on projects, and they can be used to help verify employees’ skills.

EdApp

EdApp enables users to develop engaging training modules seamlessly. Their cloud-hosted authoring solution facilitates the creation of comprehensive courses spanning various subjects such as diversity and inclusion, leadership, and anti-bullying training. 

With an extensive array of more than 80 interactive e-learning templates, games, and quizzes, EdApp ensures employees a dynamic and enjoyable learning experience. Users can integrate gamification features like drag-and-drop, sequencing, and true or false, among others, to enhance engagement. 

Incorporating leaderboards fosters healthy competition, while customized achievements offer personalized rewards aligned with training objectives. EdApp’s platform is readily accessible with a free initial setup, effortlessly catering to diverse training needs.

Gametize

This enterprise-level gamification platform streamlines employee onboarding and training. Gametize helps transform learning materials into engaging e-learning courses. 

You can choose from an extensive library of game templates, categorized by employee engagement, learning and development, talent acquisition, and health and fitness topics.

Final Word 

Gamification holds immense potential for enhancing employee training and development in the modern workplace. Engagement, motivation, and collaboration in gamified training programs empower employees to acquire new skills, drive performance, and contribute to organizational success. 

As businesses continue to embrace digital transformation and adapt to evolving workforce dynamics, gamification will undoubtedly shape the future of employee learning and development.

When employees embrace gamification in training, organizations can unlock possibilities and create a thriving culture of continuous learning and growth. As we embark on this journey towards a gamified workplace, let’s harness the power of play to unleash the full potential of our workforce and drive sustainable business success.

Talent Management


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Gabby Davis

Gabby Davis is the Lead Trainer for the US Division of the Customer Experience Team. She develops and implements processes and collaterals related to the client onboarding experience and guides clients across all tiers through the initial implementation of Engagedly as well as Mentoring Complete. She is passionate about delivering stellar client experiences and ensuring high adoption rates of the Engagedly product through engaging and impactful training and onboarding.

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