Concerning engaging within the digital world, more and more is expected from employees on a daily basis. Company executives switch between CRM systems whenever a better option comes along, or suddenly decide to start operating the firm from the cloud. The following ‘information overload’ puts a serious strain on employees. But can we, paradoxically, find an IT solution for this IT overload?
Gamification is the transformation of a serious topic into something more akin to a game. Gamification has been proven to interact with, and more often than not increase, the intrinsic motivation of someone. This intrinsic motivation is rooted in curiosity, enjoyment, and ultimately mastery of the topic. An effective gamification experience nudges an employee to combine internal emotions with external goals, thereby internalizing the goal. As such, it is one of the most subtle, yet effective, tools an HR executive can apply to increase job satisfaction while boosting performance.
Trailhead, a huge gamification ecosystem, has been shown to be a key driver of the steep learning curves in new Salesforce hires (Salesforce, 2019). Furthermore, companies have experimented with providing gamification in customer relationships. Especially in complex supply chains or B2B businesses, such features can significantly increase customer loyalty through enhanced engagement and knowledge on the topics the focal firm cares about. A last key feature of gamification is the fact that through direct feedback and suggested next steps, one keeps on ‘climbing the ladder’ and naturally finds his or her way to both a fun experience and an extensive learning curve.
All in all, concerning costs and benefits, applying gamification to your future company seems a highly effective strategy to achieve HR goals, thereby lifting the company as a whole.
