Gamification is revolutionizing the way companies onboard new employees. At Reward the World, we’ve seen firsthand how incorporating game-like elements into the onboarding process can boost engagement and retention.
From points systems to leaderboards, gamification onboarding examples are transforming tedious orientations into exciting learning experiences. In this post, we’ll explore how you can harness the power of gamification to create an onboarding process that’s both effective and enjoyable.
What Is Gamification in Onboarding?
Definition and Impact
Gamification in onboarding uses game-like elements to engage and motivate new employees during their initial integration into a company. This approach transforms the traditionally mundane onboarding process into an exciting and memorable experience.
Companies integrating gamification into training and onboarding processes boost employee engagement by 60%. This boost in engagement matters significantly, as Gallup reports that highly engaged employees are 43% less likely to leave their company.
Key Elements of Successful Gamification
Progress Tracking
Progress tracking forms a fundamental component of gamified onboarding. Visual elements like progress bars tap into the Zeigarnik effect, which is thought to be related to the state of tension that arises from an unfinished task. Airtable’s onboarding process exemplifies this by clearly showing new users how far they’ve come and what steps remain.
Points and Rewards Systems
Points and rewards systems serve as another powerful tool. For instance, Habitica transforms to-do lists into a game, incentivizing users with experience points for completing tasks. Companies can adapt this approach to onboarding by awarding points for completing training modules or mastering new skills.
Measuring Success in Gamified Onboarding
To ensure the effectiveness of gamification in onboarding, companies must track key performance indicators (KPIs). These may include:
- Employee retention rates
- Engagement levels
- Time to productivity
Userpilot (a user onboarding tool) enables the creation of interactive onboarding flows and provides analytics to measure these metrics. However, Reward the World offers a more comprehensive solution, combining gamification elements with a vast reward catalog to enhance both employee engagement and recognition.
The Future of Onboarding
As companies continue to recognize the value of engaged employees, gamified onboarding will likely become the norm rather than the exception. The integration of artificial intelligence and machine learning into these systems (as seen in platforms like Reward the World) will further personalize the onboarding experience, making it even more effective and engaging for new hires.
Gamification Strategies That Boost Onboarding Success
Set Clear Goals with Milestone Rewards
Break down your onboarding process into clear, achievable goals. Offer a tangible reward for each milestone. When a new hire completes their first week, they could earn a digital badge or points redeemable for company swag. This approach keeps new employees motivated and provides a sense of progress.
Companies that employ gamification report a retention rate increase of 20% to 40%. Setting clear goals and offering rewards transforms onboarding into an engaging experience.
Implement a Points System Tied to Real Rewards
Create a points system where new hires earn points for completing tasks, attending training sessions, or demonstrating key skills. These points can then be redeemed for real rewards. Many platforms offer a wide range of reward options (from eGift cards to cash payments), ensuring there’s something for everyone.
Deloitte’s gamified onboarding program resulted in a 40% increase in new hire performance. This demonstrates the power of connecting points to tangible outcomes.
Foster Friendly Competition with Leaderboards
Leaderboards can spark healthy competition among new hires. Design them thoughtfully. Instead of one overarching leaderboard, create multiple boards for different skills or departments. This approach ensures that everyone has a chance to excel in their area of strength.
Bunchball (a gamification company) reported that 50% of companies using gamification in business processes saw increased employee engagement through leaderboards and challenges. Keep the competition friendly and aligned with your company culture.
Craft a Compelling Onboarding Narrative
Transform your onboarding process into a story where new hires are the protagonists. Create a narrative that aligns with your company’s mission and values. For instance, a tech company might frame onboarding as a ‘coding quest’ where new developers ‘level up’ their skills.
Atlassian’s “Atlassian Quest” onboarding program uses this storytelling approach, resulting in a 75% increase in new hire engagement and a 50% reduction in time-to-productivity.
These strategies don’t just onboard employees – they immerse them in your company culture from day one. The key is to choose elements that resonate with your brand and new hires. With the right platform, you can create a gamified onboarding experience that’s uniquely yours. The next step is to learn how to implement these strategies effectively in your organization.
How to Implement Gamification in Your Onboarding
Evaluate Your Current Onboarding
Before you add gamification elements, analyze your existing onboarding process. Identify weak points and areas where engagement decreases. If new hires struggle with information overload in the first week, this presents an opportunity for gamification.
Research by Brandon Hall Group found that organizations with a strong onboarding process improve new hire retention by 82 percent and productivity by over 70 percent. Use these benchmarks to establish clear objectives for your gamified onboarding.
Select Appropriate Gamification Elements
Not all gamification elements will align with your company culture or onboarding needs. Choose wisely. If your company values collaboration, team-based challenges might outperform individual leaderboards. For a tech-savvy workforce, consider a mobile app that allows new hires to complete tasks on-the-go.
SAP’s gamified onboarding case study underscores the importance of tracking success metrics like time efficiency and staff retention when implementing gamification elements.
Integrate with Existing Tools
Seamless integration is essential for successful implementation. Your gamified elements should work in harmony with your current HR systems and learning management platforms. This ensures a smooth experience for both new hires and HR teams.
Many platforms offer easy integration with existing HR tools, allowing for a unified onboarding experience that combines gamification with robust reward options. (Reward the World stands out as a top choice in this regard.)
Track and Improve
Measuring the success of your gamified onboarding is vital. Monitor metrics like time-to-productivity, engagement rates, and retention. Gamification improves memory retention by up to 40%, thanks to interactive learning.
Make changes based on data and feedback. If certain elements don’t resonate with new hires, adjust quickly. The flexibility of digital gamification allows you to easily modify and enhance your approach over time.
Final Thoughts
Gamification transforms onboarding into an engaging experience that benefits employees and organizations. Companies can boost engagement, retention, and productivity among new hires by incorporating game-like elements. Successful implementation requires careful planning and execution, starting with an assessment of the current onboarding process to identify improvement areas.
The future of gamification onboarding examples will likely become more sophisticated and personalized. Artificial intelligence and machine learning will enable companies to create tailored onboarding experiences that adapt to individual learning styles and preferences. This personalization will enhance the effectiveness of gamified onboarding, leading to better outcomes for employees and organizations.
Reward the World offers a comprehensive solution for companies looking to leverage gamification in their onboarding process. With its reward catalog, multi-language support, and integration capabilities, Reward the World can help create a gamified onboarding experience that engages and motivates new hires from day one. The combination of gamification elements with tangible rewards creates an onboarding process that educates, excites, and retains new talent.