Introduction
Effective onboarding is critical for the success of any company. The onboarding process is often the first real interaction that new hires have with their employer. It sets the tone for their entire employment experience. As such, it's important to make sure that your onboarding programme is engaging, informative and memorable.
One way to achieve this is through the use of gamification. Gamification is a method of using game design and mechanics in non-game settings like learning and training. Gamifying onboarding can improve the engagement, motivation and retention of new hires. It can be done by using elements such as competition, rewards and scoreboards.
Many UAE companies are interested in gamifying the onboarding process. We have covered some tips and best practices to help you get started.
Benefits of gamification for onboarding
Research has shown that gamification can improve
- learning outcomes,
- increase engagement and
- enhance motivation among employees.
Also, gamification can help to create a sense of community and teamwork among new hires.
Steps to effectively incorporate gamifying onboarding strategy
Setting clear objectives
You first need to identify clear objectives for the programme.
- What do you want your new hires to learn?
- What skills do you want them to develop?
- What outcomes do you want to see because of the programme?
By answering these questions, you can design a gamified onboarding programme that aligns with your company's goals and values.
Identifying the right gamification techniques
There are a variety of gamification techniques that you can use in your onboarding programme. Techniques like points, badges, leaderboards and quests can be effective. However, not all are suitable for every organisation. When selecting gamification techniques, consider factors such as your employees':
- demographics
- learning styles
- training needs
You should also ensure that the techniques you choose are aligned with your company's culture and values.
Designing activities that align with your training goals
The next step is to design game-based activities that effectively teach new hires the skills and knowledge they need to succeed.
For example, you could create a scavenger hunt that takes new hires through various departments of your company to learn about distinct roles and responsibilities. Or, you could create a simulation that allows new hires to practice specific job-related tasks.
Incorporating feedback and rewards
Feedback and rewards are essential components of a successful gamification strategy. By providing feedback on new hires' progress and rewarding them for their achievements, you can keep them engaged and motivated throughout the onboarding process.
You can provide feedback after each completed activity or offer badges and certificates for completing certain milestones.
Tracking progress and analysing data
To ensure that your gamification employee onboarding programme is effective, track progress and analyse data regularly. This allows data-driven decisions to improve the programme over time.
For example, you could use data to identify which activities are the most engaging for new hires. You may also evaluate the overall effectiveness of your feedback and reward systems.
Ensuring accessibility and inclusivity
When designing a gamified onboarding process, it's important to ensure that it's accessible and inclusive for all employees. This means creating activities and materials that are accessible to:
- People with disabilities
- People who speak languages other than English.
Different employees may have different learning styles or preferences. So, you should also consider providing multiple pathways for completing the onboarding process.
In conclusion
Incorporating gamification into your onboarding programme can increase engagement, motivation and retention among new hires. By following these best practices, UAE companies can create a memorable and effective onboarding experience for their employees.
Imarticus Learning offers gamified onboarding programmes designed to align with company objectives and values. We provide feedback and rewards to keep employees engaged and motivated throughout the process. This helps create a memorable onboarding experience. Connect with us today.
