Onboarding is a critical part of the hiring process that no organization can afford to overlook. It involves introducing new employees to company culture, processes, and procedures that enable them to become productive members of the team. Unfortunately, traditional onboarding methods can be tedious, overwhelming, and often fail to keep new employees engaged. However, by incorporating gamification into the onboarding process, companies can make the process more fun, interactive, and engaging.
Gamification in HR has become increasingly popular over the years, with Deloitte reporting that more than 70% of companies use gamification in one form or another. This post will explore how gamifying employee onboarding can enhance the process, using real case studies and examples. We’ll also look at some of the best employee onboarding experiences, the employee onboarding playbook, and ideas for introducing gamification to the onboarding process.
To understand the concept of gamification for onboarding, we must first understand what it entails. Gamification of onboarding involves incorporating game mechanics into various aspects of the process, transforming a dull and boring series of tasks into something entertaining and interactive. It allows new employees to learn about the company culture, values, history, and other critical information in a fun and engaging way.
In this post, we’ll also cover some essential onboarding concepts, such as the 5 C’s of employee onboarding and the need for training and development in organizations. We’ll share examples of companies currently using gamification to enhance their onboarding processes and their respective results. If you’re looking to improve your onboarding processes, this post is perfect for you. So, let’s dive in and explore the power of gamification in employee onboarding!
The Benefits of Implementing Employee Onboarding Gamification
Employee onboarding can be a tedious process for both the new hires and their employers. It requires a lot of time and effort, and if not properly executed, can lead to high employee turnover rates. However, with the rise of gamification, more organizations are turning to game-based training methods to increase engagement and create a more fun and interactive onboarding process. But how exactly does gamification benefit the employee onboarding process?
Boosts Engagement and Motivation
One of the key benefits of gamification in employee onboarding is that it effectively boosts engagement and motivation levels among new hires. Traditional onboarding methods often involve long training sessions and repetitive activities that can quickly become boring or overwhelming. However, with gamification, onboarding becomes more interactive and enjoyable, leading to higher retention rates and better learning outcomes.
Enhances Learning Retention
Gamification also enhances learning retention by creating a more immersive learning experience. Rather than simply reading or listening to information, new hires can actively participate in games and challenges that reinforce key concepts and skills. This helps to solidify the information in their minds, making it more likely to stick with them over the long term.
Fosters Healthy Competition
Another benefit of gamification in employee onboarding is that it fosters healthy competition. Games and challenges can create a sense of friendly rivalry among new hires, encouraging them to push themselves to perform better and learn more quickly. This can lead to a more collaborative and engaged team overall.
Improves Overall Job Satisfaction
Gamification can also improve overall job satisfaction levels among new hires. By making onboarding more fun, interactive, and engaging, employees feel more valued and invested in the company’s success. This, in turn, can lead to greater loyalty and job satisfaction, reducing turnover rates and increasing productivity levels.
Overall, gamification is a powerful tool that can greatly enhance the employee onboarding process. By creating a more engaging and enjoyable learning experience, new hires are more likely to retain information, stay motivated, and become valuable members of the team.
Deloitte: Utilizing Gamification in Employee Onboarding
Deloitte is one of the top consulting firms in the world, with over 312,000 employees in over 150 countries. They are known for their innovative strategies in employee onboarding, and gamification is at the forefront of that strategy.
What is Gamification
Gamification is the use of game design elements in non-game contexts, such as employee onboarding. It is a fun and engaging way to teach employees about company culture, policies, and procedures.
How Did Deloitte Incorporate Gamification in Employee Onboarding
Deloitte created a game called “uBegin,” which is an interactive online platform that helps new employees learn about the company, its values, and its culture in an engaging way.
The game takes new hires on a virtual journey through Deloitte’s history, values, and culture. Along the way, they must complete tasks and answer questions to earn points and rewards. This not only helps them learn about the company but also builds a sense of camaraderie and competition among new employees.
How Successful is Deloitte’s Gamification Strategy
According to Deloitte’s internal data, the gamification strategy has had a significant impact on employee engagement. The platform has resulted in a significant reduction in the time it takes new hires to become fully productive in their roles. In addition, it has created a sense of community among new hires, which has led to higher levels of employee satisfaction and retention.
Incorporating gamification into employee onboarding is a fun and engaging way to teach new hires about the company culture, policies, and procedures. Deloitte’s uBegin platform is a great example of how gamification can be used to create a sense of community among new employees and improve employee engagement.
Gamification in HR Examples
Gamification in HR has become a popular way to engage and motivate employees. From skill-building to knowledge retention, gamification has been used in HR to help employees learn, grow, and perform better.
Onboarding
Onboarding is an ideal area to implement gamification. Companies can use games and simulations to help new hires learn about their role, company culture, and core values. For example, a company could use a scavenger hunt game to encourage new employees to explore the office and learn more about the company.
Training and Development
Gamification can be used to make training and development more engaging. For example, a company could use a game-based eLearning platform to help employees learn new skills. The platform could include leaderboards, badges, and rewards to encourage employees to complete training modules.
Performance Evaluation
Gamification can also be used in performance evaluation. Companies can use games to help employees track their progress against performance metrics. For example, a company could use a game to help sales representatives track their progress towards a sales quota.
Rewards and Recognition
Finally, gamification can be used to reward and recognize employee achievements. Companies can use games to reward employees for hitting milestones or achieving goals. For example, a company could use a game to reward employees who hit their sales targets with a prize or recognition.
In conclusion, gamification in HR has many applications, from onboarding to rewards and recognition. With the help of games and simulations, companies can engage and motivate employees to learn and grow.
Employee Onboarding Case Study
One of the most significant challenges of employee onboarding is keeping new hires engaged throughout the process. This is where employee onboarding gamification comes in. By incorporating game elements into the onboarding process, employers can increase engagement and retention.
One successful example of gamification in employee onboarding is the case study of XYZ Company. XYZ Company used a mobile app-based onboarding system that rewarded new hires for completing various onboarding tasks, such as filling out paperwork and attending orientation.
The Problem
Before implementing the gamified onboarding system, XYZ Company faced many challenges with their existing traditional onboarding process. New hires often felt overwhelmed with the sheer amount of information they received during the first few days on the job. This led to disengagement and a lack of retention.
The Solution
XYZ Company’s HR team decided to create a gamified onboarding process to tackle these challenges. They used a mobile app that allowed new hires to work through a series of tasks and challenges that taught them about the company culture, policies, and procedures. The app took a fun, interactive approach to onboarding, making it less daunting for new hires.
The Results
The gamified onboarding system was a huge success at XYZ Company. The retention rate of new hires increased, and they reported feeling more engaged and confident in their new role. The HR team found that the gamification of the onboarding process made it more memorable and enjoyable for new hires.
Employee onboarding gamification has become increasingly popular in recent years due to its effectiveness in keeping new hires engaged and increasing retention rates. The case study of XYZ Company demonstrates how gamification can transform a traditional, mundane onboarding process into a fun, interactive experience that benefits both employers and employees.
Best employee onboarding experiences
When it comes to onboarding new employees, an engaging and memorable experience is the key to success. In this subsection, we’ll explore some of the best onboarding experiences that have been implemented by companies of all sizes and industries.
Personalized Onboarding Plans
One way to create a great onboarding experience is to offer personalized plans for each employee. This involves tailoring the onboarding process to meet the specific needs and goals of each individual. Employees feel valued and supported when they’re given a plan that’s been designed just for them, and this can lead to higher engagement and productivity.
Gamification
Gamification is another popular approach to employee onboarding. By using game-like elements such as badges, points, and leaderboards, employers can make the onboarding process more engaging and interactive. This approach can help to reinforce training and make learning more enjoyable.
Mentorship Programs
Mentorship programs can also be an effective way to onboard new employees. Pairing new hires with more experienced staff members can help to build relationships and provide valuable guidance. This can lead to a faster integration into the company culture and a deeper understanding of the company’s values and goals.
Virtual Tours
Virtual tours can be a great way to introduce new employees to the company and its culture. By using technology such as 360-degree videos or virtual reality, new hires can explore the company’s offices, meet their colleagues, and learn about the company’s products and services. This approach can help to create excitement and anticipation for their new role.
In conclusion, while there is no one-size-fits-all approach to employee onboarding, implementing some of these best practices can help to create a positive and memorable experience for new hires. By investing in a great onboarding experience, companies can set their employees up for success and create a culture of engaged and motivated staff.
Employee Onboarding Gamification Ideas
One of the most effective ways to motivate and engage new employees during the onboarding process is through gamification. By adding game-like elements to the onboarding experience, employers can increase participation, improve information retention, and make the process more fun and enjoyable. Here are some employee onboarding gamification ideas to consider:
1. Onboarding Scavenger Hunt
Create a scavenger hunt for new employees to complete during their first week on the job. The hunt could include tasks such as finding and introducing themselves to specific team members, completing a certain training module, and exploring the company’s intranet. Offer a prize for those who complete the scavenger hunt within the designated timeframe, such as a gift card or extra PTO.
2. Employee Bingo
Create a customized bingo card for new employees to fill out during their first few days on the job. The squares could include tasks such as “meet with your manager,” “attend a team meeting,” and “schedule a mentorship session.” The first employee to fill out their entire bingo card wins a prize.
3. Manager for a Day
Offer employees the chance to shadow a manager for a day as part of their onboarding experience. This will give them an opportunity to see how the organization operates from a higher level and gain insight into the decision-making process. To make it even more engaging, create a quiz or scavenger hunt for them to complete during their day as “manager for a day.”
4. Gamified Training Modules
Gamify training modules by building them as interactive games rather than traditional instructional content. Scenario-based learning, branching scenarios, and quizzes with immediate feedback can make training feel less like work and more like a game. This will help employees retain information and make the onboarding process more enjoyable.
5. New Employee Welcome Portal
Create a welcome portal on the company intranet for new hires. The portal should include information on HR policies, company culture, and values. Use game-like elements such as animations, videos, or interactive content to make the portal more engaging and less daunting.
Implementing gamification into the onboarding process can lead to better employee engagement, higher information retention, and a more enjoyable experience for new employees. Try these ideas and get creative with gamification to make the onboarding experience memorable and engaging for your new hires.
What is Employee Onboarding Gamification? Examples
Employee onboarding is the process of integrating new hires into a company or organization and familiarizing them with company policies, practices, and culture. The goal of employee onboarding is to provide a smooth transition for new hires while ensuring they have the necessary knowledge and skills to succeed in their role.
Gamification is the process of taking non-game situations and making them more engaging and enjoyable by adding game-like elements such as points, badges, and leaderboards. Employee onboarding gamification involves using game mechanics to make the onboarding process more entertaining, interactive, and memorable.
Examples of Employee Onboarding Gamification
Employee onboarding gamification has become increasingly popular in recent years, and many companies have adopted this strategy to make the onboarding process more enjoyable for their new hires. Here are some examples of employee onboarding gamification:
1. Employee Onboarding Scavenger Hunt
One common gamification strategy is to create an employee onboarding scavenger hunt. New employees are given a list of tasks or challenges they need to complete, such as finding specific areas within the office or meeting with different department heads. As they complete each task, they earn points or badges. This approach makes the onboarding process more interactive and helps new hires learn about the company in a fun and engaging way.
2. Onboarding Leaderboard
Another popular gamification strategy is to create an onboarding leaderboard. New hires earn points for completing tasks or participating in company events during the onboarding process. The points are then displayed on a leaderboard, creating a sense of competition among new hires. This approach encourages new hires to engage with the company and get involved in the onboarding process.
3. Onboarding Trivia Game
Companies can also create an onboarding trivia game to test new employees’ knowledge of the company. New hires can be divided into teams and given questions about the company’s history, policies, and culture. This strategy promotes teamwork, fosters healthy competition, and helps new hires learn important information about the company.
In conclusion, employee onboarding gamification is an effective strategy to make the onboarding process more engaging, interactive, and enjoyable for new hires. By incorporating game-like elements such as points, badges, and leaderboards, companies can make the onboarding process more memorable and effective. The examples listed above are just a few of the many ways that gamification can be used in employee onboarding. Companies should explore different gamification strategies and tailor them to their specific needs.
The 5 C’s of Employee Onboarding
Employee onboarding is a critical process that ensures new hires are properly integrated into an organization and equipped with the necessary knowledge, skills, and resources to succeed in their roles. One approach to enhancing the employee onboarding experience is through gamification, which involves incorporating game elements and mechanics into onboarding activities. However, before diving into the details of how gamification can be used in employee onboarding, it’s essential to understand the five C’s of effective onboarding.
Clarity
Clarity refers to creating a clear and concise roadmap for new hires to follow during their onboarding process. It’s essential to communicate expectations, roles, and responsibilities as early as possible, and provide a clear understanding of the company’s mission, vision, and values. This clarity helps new employees understand the larger context of their work and how they fit into the company’s vision.
Compliance
Compliance refers to ensuring that new hires understand and adhere to organizational policies, procedures, and regulations. A critical aspect of compliance is providing thorough training on important topics such as workplace harassment, safety procedures, and data security.
Culture
Culture refers to the shared values, beliefs, and practices that shape an organization’s identity and influence employee behavior. Incorporating cultural elements into the onboarding process can help new hires understand the company’s culture and find a sense of belonging faster.
Connection
Connection refers to facilitating strong working relationships between new hires and their colleagues, supervisors, and mentors. The onboarding process should include opportunities for new employees to connect with people across the organization, such as through networking events or team-building activities.
Check-Ins
Check-Ins refer to establishing a system for ongoing feedback and support throughout the onboarding process. Regular check-ins with the new hire can help identify any challenges or concerns and provide opportunities to address them promptly.
By focusing on these five C’s, organizations can build a solid foundation for effective onboarding, which can be enhanced through gamification. Next, we will explore how gamification can be used to create a more engaging and effective onboarding experience for new employees.
Companies using gamification for onboarding
Some companies have embraced the fun and interactive approach to employee onboarding through gamification. Here are some examples of companies that have used gamification in their onboarding process:
Deloitte
Deloitte’s “Deloitte Leadership Academy” is an immersive gamified experience to introduce new hires to Deloitte’s values, culture, and business practices. It has proven to be a successful tool in engaging employees, resulting in higher retention rates and increased performance.
Marriott International
Marriott International’s “My Marriott Hotel” game is a virtual simulation game that helps new hires learn the ins and outs of hotel management. It’s a fun and interactive approach that has effectively reduced training time and cost.
SAP
SAP’s “Road to Rio” gamified onboarding experience helped new hires understand its product portfolio in an engaging way. Through the game, employees are introduced to the company’s values and culture, and are encouraged to interact with their peers.
Walmart
Walmart’s “Spark City” app gamifies the onboarding process through interactive scenarios. Employees compete in games and quizzes, earning virtual badges and rewards along the way. The app has resulted in a more engaged workforce and higher retention rates.
These companies have successfully used gamification in their onboarding process, resulting in more engaged employees, higher retention rates, and a fun and interactive approach to learning. As gamification continues to grow in popularity, more companies are likely to incorporate it into their onboarding process.
The Importance of Training and Development in an Organization
Training and development refer to the methods used by an organization to improve the skills and knowledge of their employees. It’s an essential part of an organization as it allows employees to perform better, acquire new skills and learning, and contribute to the growth of the company. Here are the top reasons why training and development are crucial in an organization:
Enhances Employee Skills
Training and development programs aid in equipping the employees with new skills and knowledge necessary to improve their job performances. These programs enable employees to learn new ideas, techniques, and technologies needed to work efficiently and effectively. Employees begin to understand their job roles better, harness their potential, and become more productive.
Promotes Employee Satisfaction and Retention
Training and development are an essential part of employee motivation. Employees are always eager to acquire new skills and knowledge that can improve their job performance. With regular training and development programs, employees feel valued, and they become more satisfied with their jobs. Additionally, when employees see the organization investing in their skills and knowledge, they’re more likely to be loyal and committed to the organization, thus reducing employee turnover rate.
It’s Essential for Career Development
Career growth is a vital aspect of an employee’s life. Training and development programs provide opportunities for career advancement, enabling employees to climb up the job ladder. With increased job skills, employees become more competitive, and top management is more likely to consider them when promotional opportunities arise.
Improves Employee Confidence
Regular training and development programs increase the employee’s confidence levels. Learning new skills makes employees more competent and confident in their performance. With increased confidence, employees are more likely to take up new challenges, making it easier for them to perform their roles more effectively.
Enhances Organizational Performance
Organizations that invest in training and development programs not only enjoy the benefits of having knowledgeable employees but also experience improved organizational efficiency and performance. When employees work efficiently and effectively, the organization meets objectives and achieves goals more quickly, which is essential for business growth and development.
In conclusion, training and development programs are essential in today’s workforce. They improve employees’ knowledge and skills, promote job satisfaction, lead to career advancement, enhance confidence, and improve organizational efficiency. By investing in employee training and development, organizations can remain competitive in today’s fast-paced business world.
