How can you gamify orientation sessions for new hires?

New joiners orientation is a key step in any onboarding process. Studies have shown that up to 70% of new joiners leave their job from the first year, for feeling lost and disoriented. Therefore when preparing for an orientation, outcomes should be clearly defined. When it comes to gamification, it is noted that presenting information in an innovative learning setup using engaging activities will increase the learning, therefore the following is important when using this technique: - select games that serve the purpose of the orientation - select games that will further embed the values of the organization in the heads of joiners - reinforce the understanding of learning outcomes rather then plugging in games for the sake of entertainment

The crispier the employee orientation, the more empowered and effective the employees tend to be. Engaging Onboarding Activities: Craft interactive sessions with quizzes and challenges to make essential information enjoyable and easy to absorb. Team-Building Scavenger Hunts: Foster camaraderie through virtual or office scavenger hunts. Celebrate Achievements: Recognize accomplishments with points or badges, transforming the onboarding journey into a rewarding experience. Real-World Simulations: Introduce role-playing scenarios to simulate actual work situations, for immersive and practical learning. Connect Through Games: Strengthen relationships with team-building games, ensuring a welcoming and collaborative atmosphere for new hires.

Welcoming new hires to an organization is a critical process that sets the tone for their journey within the company. To enhance engagement and foster a positive onboarding experience, organizations are increasingly turning to gamification. Create a Storyline: Develop a compelling storyline that guides new hires through their onboarding journey and introduce characters, challenges, and milestones to weave a narrative that connects with the company's culture and values.

Create bingo cards with different tasks or activities that new hires need to complete during their orientation. Organize a virtual or physical scavenger hunt where new hires need to find information, resources, or key locations within the organization.Develop an orientation-themed escape room challenge. It could be a series of puzzles or tasks that new hires must solve collaboratively to "escape."Host a quiz show-style orientation session where new hires can answer questions about company history, values, and policies. Turn orientation topics into interactive workshops or games.Create games that mimic real work scenarios. Use a (LMS) with gamification features to create interactive and engaging modules. Include quizzes, badges.

I believe that setting learning objectives clearly is a necessary step in gamifying orientation sessions for new hires. Set clear objectives, such as promoting teamwork, becoming familiar with policies, and comprehending the company's principles. You can customize gamified components to address important onboarding process components and make it more efficient by defining these goals.

Role-playing Simulations Introduce role-playing simulations that mimic real workplace scenarios. Companies can allow new hires to make decisions and solve problems, providing a hands-on experience that enhances their understanding of company processes.

Choosing the right game components is essential, in my opinion, when gamifying new recruit orientation sessions. Include elements that correspond with learning objectives, such as challenges, interactive scenarios, or quizzes. Select components that align with the company culture to guarantee an enjoyable and educational encounter. Collaboration and competition in moderation can boost engagement and improve the effectiveness and pleasure of the onboarding process.

Think about the goals of the orientation session, and design a game that aligns with those goals. This can involve creating a storyline or quest and incorporating interactive elements that engage new hires and help them learn. Make sure to choose a game that's appropriate for the audience and the workplace culture, and design the game mechanics in a way that encourages participation and collaboration. And don't forget to include rewards and incentives, such as points or badges, to motivate new hires and make the game more engaging.

Creating game mechanics is, in my opinion, essential to gamifying orientation programs. Establish systems that track employees' progress, such as levels, badges, or point systems. Incorporate incentives to encourage engagement and cultivate a feeling of accomplishment. Make sure the mechanics support learning objectives so that the onboarding process is lively and interesting. Finding a balance between teamwork and competitiveness improves communication, which makes the orientation successful and memorable.

Implementing gamification well, in my opinion, requires careful execution and assessment. Keep an eye on the feedback, completion rates, and participant involvement. If necessary, change the game's elements to improve the experience. Make sure the impact is in line with organizational goals by regularly evaluating how it affects learning objectives. Refine the gamification approach for upcoming orientation sessions by analyzing data to promote ongoing development and an engaging onboarding process.

I think that the secret to gamifying orientation sessions is constant development. Get participant input to determine your strengths and shortcomings. Based on this feedback, change the game's mechanics, obstacles, or prizes. Make sure the gamification strategy is in line with the changing needs of the organization by periodically reviewing it. You may successfully include gamification into the onboarding process for new workers and create an engaging experience by remaining flexible and responsive.

Starting a new job is already difficult enough. Don't overcomplicate the process by over-designing new hire training. Keep it simple, personal, relevant and value-focused. That said, you can still find meaningful ways to leverage game mechanics to enhance the experience. For example, leverage the concept of progression to help people understand where they are meeting/falling short of expectations as they get started. Don't force them into competitions. Instead, set milestones and provide a clear view of their individual progress. If you deploy badges, make sure they have value within the workflow (aka having the badge means you can do something on the job).

You can make the onboarding journey a phased experience with gamification both in ticking certain elements of the onboarding process in a online onboarding plan and to compare with the other new starters and also as a ‘sceletor’ of the onboarding day program.