Employee Gamification: 5 Unique Ideas to Boost Engagement

Ever wondered how to make work feel less like, well, work? Enter employee gamification – the art of bringing game-like elements into the workplace. Gamification in the workplace is about tapping into our natural love for challenges, achievements, and a bit of friendly competition.

You might be thinking, “Why bother?” Well, engaged employees are the secret to a thriving business. Research from Gallup shows that highly engaged teams are 21% more profitable.

In this post, we’re going to explore five creative ways to add gamification in the workplace and boost engagement. And the best part? You don’t need to be a game developer to make it happen.

With software like PuzzleMe, you can add gamification to your workplace effortlessly. PuzzleMe is the best digital platform for smart games trusted by industry leaders like The New Yorker, The Atlantic, WeWork, etc. Want to see gamification in action right now?

5 Unique Ideas for Employee Gamification

Let’s dive in and discover how you can transform your team’s everyday tasks into engaging experiences. From skill-building challenges to wellness campaigns, we’ve got something for every team.

Skill-Building Challenges

Who said learning can’t be fun? Skill-building challenges turn the process of acquiring new knowledge into an exciting game. By introducing varied games you can transform mundane training sessions into captivating quests.

Take Penske Logistics, for example. They’ve revolutionized their approach to teaching supply chain concepts using PuzzleMe crosswords. Instead of dry manuals, employees engage with interactive puzzles that test and reinforce their industry knowledge. By gamifying the workplace, Penske boosted engagement seamlessly.

The benefits are twofold. Employees grow their skills in an engaging way, making them more likely to retain and apply what they’ve learned. Meanwhile, your company builds a more knowledgeable, competent workforce. It’s a win-win that makes continuous learning a natural part of the workday.

Another interesting use-case is Mubdala who developed a Cybersecurity Crossword on PuzzleMe for gamifying complex security concepts. Try your hand here!

Performance Leaderboards

Performance leaderboards introduce competitive elements into the workplace, leveraging employees’ natural desire for achievement and recognition. These tools can track and display various performance metrics, fostering a sense of healthy competition among individuals or departments.

For example, a company might implement a departmental leaderboard showcasing key performance indicators (KPIs) such as sales targets, customer satisfaction scores, or project completion rates. Similarly, individual leaderboards could highlight personal achievements in areas like productivity, innovation, or learning progress.

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While gamification in the workplace can drive performance, it’s crucial to maintain a balance with collaboration. Effective implementation of leaderboards should:

• Rotate metrics regularly to prevent focus on a single aspect of performance
• Include team-based leaderboards to encourage collective effort
• Recognize improvement and effort, not just top performers
• Ensure transparency in scoring methods

When properly balanced, leaderboards can motivate employees, increase transparency, and provide clear performance benchmarks while maintaining a collaborative work environment.

Team-Building Quests

Collaborative gamification presents an opportunity to transform team projects into engaging group activities. This approach aims to enhance teamwork, improve problem-solving skills, and foster a more collaborative work environment.

A prime example of this strategy can be found in PuzzleMe’s multiplayer puzzle offerings. This digital tool can facilitate group jigsaw puzzles and team sudoku challenges which serve as practical exercises in communication, strategic thinking, and collective problem-solving. And the best part? It works wonders with remote teams as well.

The benefits of such activities extend beyond the immediate task. These shared experiences contribute to improved team cohesion and more effective communication. Participants learn to identify and utilize individual strengths within the group, leading to more efficient problem-solving in real work scenarios. Moreover, the sense of shared accomplishment can positively influence overall workplace culture.

Inclusivity Campaigns

Inclusivity campaigns leverage gamification to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in the workplace. These initiatives aim to increase awareness, foster understanding, and encourage inclusive behaviors among employees.

PuzzleMe offers customizable puzzles and quizzes that can be effectively used for inclusivity campaigns. For example:

• • • Daily diversity fact crosswords
    • Cultural awareness word searches
    • Inclusive language challenge puzzle

A real-world application of this approach comes from MiQ, a leading programmatic media partner. MiQ implemented daily LGBTQ+themed Custom Wordle/Wordrow puzzles to increase awareness and discussions around inclusivity, reinforcing MiQ’s commitment to diversity. Try yourself:

Onboarding Adventures

Gamifying the onboarding process can transform new employee orientation into an engaging and memorable experience. This approach aims to make the integration of new hires more efficient and enjoyable, potentially improving retention rates.

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One effective method involves the use of interactive quizzes focused on company culture and history. A notable example is the ‘Celebrating 150 Years of Innovation’ quiz created for Unisys, which helps new employees learn about the company’s long history and achievements in an interactive manner.

By incorporating employee gamification into the onboarding process, organizations can create a more positive first impression, potentially leading to better long-term employee retention and faster integration of new team members.

Take the First Step

Implementing gamification in the workplace doesn’t require a complete overhaul of existing systems. The key is to start small and refine your approach based on employee feedback and observed results.

Consider beginning with a single gamification element, such as a weekly team puzzle or a monthly skill-building challenge. As you gauge its effectiveness and reception, you can gradually expand your gamification strategy.

PuzzleMe offers a versatile platform to explore various gamification options for your workplace. From customizable quizzes to interactive team challenges, our tools can help you enhance employee engagement in a measurable and enjoyable way.