Gamification in Onboarding: Turning Learning into an Engaging Experience
Starting a new job can be overwhelming. There’s a lot to learn and absorb as a new hire gets up to speed. This period, known as onboarding, is a critical time for setting up new employees for success. But many onboarding programs fail to engage and excite new hires. Gamification techniques can change that by making onboarding more interactive, competitive, and fun.
What is Gamification?
Gamification involves applying game design elements like points, badges, leaderboards, and friendly competition to non-game contexts. The goal is to motivate participation, increase engagement, and drive desired behaviors.?
Gamification taps into our innate human enjoyment of games and playing. A survey by TalentLMS found that 93% of employees would stay at a company longer if it gamified learning.??
Onboarding is the perfect place to leverage gamification as new hires are primed to learn. Gamification transforms boring information dumps into compelling and memorable experiences.
Onboarding Gamification Ideas
Here are some examples of gamified onboarding done right:
Scavenger Hunts
Scavenger hunts that orient new hires to the office space are a fun way to get to know the geography and meet teammates. Provide a list of items/people to find and friendly teams to compete against. Reward hunt winners with company swag or gift cards.
Quizzes and Games
Friendly trivia games reinforce company knowledge and energize new hires to interact. Questions can cover company history, vision, jargon, tools, and more. Consider creating a custom corporate Jeopardy game or online quizzes and surveys. Make it competitive with leaderboards and prizes.
Digital Badging?
Digital badges are visual representations of skills mastered. They work like Girl Scout badges, acting as motivational milestones. Badges recognize progress through onboarding course content. New hires earn badges as they complete training modules and develop competencies.
Simulations and Challenges
Immersive simulations allow new hires to practice skills in a safe environment. Salespeople could engage in simulated sales calls. Project managers could respond to an emergency scenario. Completing simulations unlocks achievements and points.??
Progress Tracking
Visible progress bars and checklists satisfy our human desire for progress. Seeing onboarding as a journey, new hires unlock levels while advancing skills. This engages their competitive spirit to reach mastery faster.
The Benefits of Onboarding Gamification
Gamified onboarding delivers measurable results:
More than just faster ramp-up, gamified onboarding boosts employee motivation, connection, and retention. Your culture reaps the benefits of excited new hires who become invested members of the team.
Let the Games Begin
Rather than treat onboarding as a boring info dump, use gamification techniques to create an experience new hires love. Tap into our natural drive to learn through play and friendly competition. Level up your onboarding and watch new hire engagement soar. It’s a winning approach for building a stellar workforce.
Sources:
Valouch, T. (2022, January 26). Using Gamification To Create A More Engaged, Passionate And Innovative Team. Forbes. https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbestechcouncil/2022/01/26/using-gamification-to-create-a-more-engaged-passionate-and-innovative-team/?sh=1dd8938a6ed8
Elearning Industry. (n.d.). How To Improve New Hire Integration And Engagement With Onboarding Gamification Examples. Retrieved February 6, 2024, from https://elearningindustry.com/how-to-improve-new-hire-integration-and-engagement-onboarding-gamification-examples