Everything You Need to Know About Enterprise Gamification (Updated for 2024)

"Work from anywhere" has undoubtedly revolutionized work.

It's changed how we work, when we work, and with who we work. It's opened doors to diverse talent pools in various markets and locations, enriching our workforce diversity.

And it's this transformation that's prompting employers to adopt new & novel methods to engage remote & hybrid employees, sparking an increased interest in enterprise gamification.

So, what exactly is enterprise gamification?

It's important we start here, because so many people have an incorrect idea of what gamification in the workplace actually is.

In a basic sense – it involves integrating game-like elements such as storytelling, points, badges, levels, leaderboards, customization, celebration, status & more into non-gaming contexts like training, learning & development.

This strategy aims to harness both intrinsic motivators (like autonomy, mastery, and purpose) and extrinsic rewards (such as prizes and monetary incentives).

But here's the thing: gamification in the workplace isn't a new concept. While the term 'gamification' gained prominence in the 2000s, it's existed in various forms since well before the digital age.

Initial attempts at enterprise gamification often failed due to a simplistic approach of adding points and leaderboards to mundane tasks, expecting this to automatically make them exciting.

In 2012, Gartner predicted that 80% of these gamification efforts would fail within two years, a statistic often cited, though it lacks follow-up verification. At its peak, gamification faced criticism, with skeptics commonly describing it as "superficial."

In recent times, however, gamification has seen a resurgence, driven by the integration of human-centered design and behavioral psychology into business processes.

Effective gamification isn't just about temporary dopamine boosts from point scoring. It aims to stimulate other positive neurochemical responses like serotonin (associated with teamwork and respect) and oxytocin (related to safety and bonding).

This approach, grounded in behavioral psychology and coupled with thoughtful game design, makes gamification a powerful tool for sustained employee engagement.

How can enterprises benefit from gamification?

Richard Bartle's Taxonomy of Player Types provides insights into this.

Bartle identified four player types—Killers, Explorers, Achievers, and Socializers—each with unique motivations and gaming preferences.

Applying this taxonomy to workplace dynamics demonstrates how gamification can effectively motivate and engage employees, making it particularly useful for training, onboarding, and connecting remote employees.

How does gamification align with enterprise objectives?

Employee experience is fundamental to customer satisfaction, and thriving employees lead to successful companies. Company values like collaboration, passion, and accountability are essential for success. Properly designed and implemented, enterprise gamification promotes these values, using tools that encourage behaviors aligned with organizational goals.

Gamification can revitalize various business aspects, such as:

• Modernizing training programs
• Enhancing employee onboarding experiences
• Encouraging employees to stay updated on company and compliance changes
• Increasing engagement and reducing turnover
• Fostering collaboration through team challenges

In corporate training, enterprise gamification shifts the focus from compliance-driven exercises to a more interactive and engaging learning experience. This approach contrasts with traditional exam-style tests, promoting a mindset open to trial and error without fear of failure.

Advanced AI technologies in enterprise settings are now personalizing learning experiences, making them more relevant and appealing.

This personalization also introduces micro-learning, which delivers concise learning modules as needed, enhancing engagement and allowing employees to track their progress.

Best practices for implementing enterprise gamification include:

1. Ensuring meaningful achievements.
2. Exploring various game mechanics beyond basic point systems.
3. Emphasizing behavior change, combining motivation and ability.

In conclusion, thoughtful and purposeful enterprise gamification can significantly enhance employee engagement.

Key points to remember include its ability to integrate gaming mechanics into business workflows, its evolution alongside human-centered design and behavioral psychology, and its effectiveness in diverse working environments.

Enterprises benefit from increased engagement, improved training outcomes, and enhanced team unity.

To explore the latest in enterprise gamification, be sure to check out Engagify's offering.