Gamifying a work environment

April 15, 2022

Gamification is incorporating gaming mechanics into a non-game environment (i.e., businesses, education) to increase participants' engagement, interaction, creativity, and productivity. It is as simple as incentivizing participants to complete the most tasks through the use of leaderboards to promoting teamwork through the use of reward badges or points. Gamification does not entail the latest Playstation games or gaming technology. Instead, "it has more to do with psychology than technology."[1]  Thus, gamifying your office environment requires that you find the right system or games that align with your objectives and strategies.

According to Pete Jenkins, founder of GAMIFICATION+ and international speaker, adviser, and trainer in gamification, gamification is simple to implement. However, "it needs custom work, modification, and plenty of play-testing to fit your business needs and company culture… there is no one way to do it that will work every time."[2]  If you are a large business, you can implement gamification in various departments (i.e., sales, marketing, or human resources). Similarly, if you are a small business, you can use gamification to motivate your employees to complete tasks that drive sales.

First, defining gamification and engagement strategies and objectives is essential. The goal is a long-term engagement with as many employees as possible. Thus select gamification that will keep your staff on their toes as people tend to lose interest quickly. And make sure everyone understands the game and the goal.

Second, budget and resources to fund the gamifying process may or may not be an issue depending if you are a small or large business. One option for companies with limited or no funds for gamification is to use free tools. Another option is to be inventive; develop a new gamification model that you believe may fit well with your business. 

Third, select a team or group of people who will focus on the gamification process of your business. As mentioned earlier, gamifying your business requires "custom work, modification, and plenty of play testing," hence the need for a gamification team. However, ensure that the managers develop gamification ideas because "they know what is expected and how to get to the end goal."[3]  Moreover, managers wanted their subordinates to excel at their tasks. 

Remember to celebrate all your employees, not just the top performers. You should measure performance based on participation while rewarding the top performers so that every employee feels valued and wants to continue participating in the game. Gamification is not only about boosting employees' engagement; it is also a simple way for employees to view their progress and build continued engagement within the company.

[1] Venxhin Pang, “‘Not Just Playing Games at Work’-Experts on Why Gamifying HR Is Worth All the Trouble,” Vulcan Post, July 9, 2018, https://vulcanpost.com/642391/hr-gamification-malaysia-opinion-office/.

[2] Venxhin Pang, “‘Not Just Playing Games at Work’-Experts on Why Gamifying HR Is Worth All the Trouble,” Vulcan Post, July 9, 2018, https://vulcanpost.com/642391/hr-gamification-malaysia-opinion-office/.

[3] Laura Moss, “6 Gamification Strategy Tips & Techniques for Your Business,” EveryoneSocial, June 14, 2022, https://everyonesocial.com/blog/gamification-strategy-tips/#:~:text=What%20Is%20Gamification%20Strategy%3F,t%20an%20actual%20game%20though.