At GiftCard Partners, we’ve been hearing a lot about how corporations are targeting gaming as a way to attract employees to workplace motivation and incentive programs. Interactive games are a fun and effective way to educate and train employees, and promote behavior changes. According to the National Training Laboratories, learners who engage with games as part of their educational process retain 75 % of the knowledge they acquire.
The fun and innovative nature of games may also be key to helping companies overcome the challenges of increasing enrollment and participation in health and wellness programs, sales incentive programs, training, and workplace safety programs. The corporate gaming tipping point may not be far off. A recent Gartner study says that by 2015, 50% of companies will embrace gamification. “Gamification gets people more engaged, helps change behaviors and stimulates innovation”, Gartner said.
“The applications in business include accelerating feedback cycles by incenting users to give feedback. Gamification sets clear rules and a compelling narrative for players to feel empowered at a task. And it sets up tasks that are achievable”, says Dean Takahashi of GamesBeat.
What “prizes” or rewards are utilized for gaming? Many online or computer games include token economies (points) that can be redeemed for rewards like gift cards. Gift cards continue to hold top placement as the incentive of choice with 8 out of ten employees preferring a gift card as incentive. They hold trophy value for program participants of and their flexibility allows employees to select their own rewards, creating motivation for long term engagement with the program.
Gift cards like CVS/pharmacy® and Nutrisystem® cards are integrated into health and wellness programs, fashion gift cards like Charming Shoppes (Lane Bryant®, Fashion Bug®, and Catherines®) promote professional dress in the workplace, and employers reward with Brinker gift cards (Chili's Grill® & Bar, Romano's Macaroni Grill®, On The Border® and Maggiano’s Little Italy®) Inter-company social media will be a great vehicle for promoting games.
Check out our blog about how social media is being used to promote employee recognition: More Ways to Use Social Media for Employee Recognition
