Gamification - Should you ‘Gamify’ your events?

Gamification is a popular buzzword in this day and age. It’s spoken about in boardrooms, virtual hangouts, and company brainstorming meetings. Gamification has become a leading concept for increasing employee engagement and participation. People will likely use this term when discussing how they will add extra value to any event, virtual events and metaverse included, that they may be hosting for their company. 

It may be tempting to dismiss gamification as lacking the professional depth you and your employees expect at work, but you shouldn't do so. Gamification has proven benefits in the workplace that cannot be ignored. At the very least, business owners should appreciate that they are risking very little for potentially considerable gains in employee morale and participation.

Before we dive in too deeply into precisely how to use gamification at your next event, it is essential to understand what it is in the first place.

Defining Gamification

Gamification can be defined in the following way:

The application of typical elements of game playing (rules of play, point scoring, competition with others) to other areas of activity, specifically to engage users in problem-solving.

Gamification is used primarily to encourage participation and engagement among employees. People love it when they can engage with their work in a fun and dynamic way. 

When gamification is implemented correctly, it is possible to get the following benefits: 

1. Encourage employees to engage with their competitive spirit

2. Open up lines of communication that might not otherwise have been available

3. Make it possible for employees to network with one another and with employees from other companies 

Any company can see these types of benefits instantly when they start to use gamification techniques in their events. They may see a near-instant boost in employee morale when events are gamified.

Can Virtual Events Be Gamified?

Nearly everyone has become familiar with the concept of virtual events as they became an essential part of many office workers' lives during the lockdowns that occurred as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Some companies have opted to continue to host virtual events because they have moved to a virtual way of working. They have learned how to adapt to a virtual landscape, and many have decided that going back to the way things were before simply doesn't make sense given what they are attempting to accomplish as a company. 

Events that are held virtually are more challenging in many respects. There is a lack of face-to-face interaction between people, which can lead to difficulties in certain types of communication. That said, virtual events can still be gamified if you are willing to invest time and planning.

A few of the types of gamification that one might bring into the virtual realm include: 

• Trivia contests: Who doesn't like showing off their understanding of trivia bits of information that they can call up whenever necessary? People love to compete in trivia contests and savor the moment when they realize that they know the answer to a question. Thus, trivia contests are among the top choices for events that work well in a virtual environment. 

• Points and rewards for exceptional work: It is often the case that what people look for when they are at an event with their boss and co-workers is simply some recognition of the hard work they have put in all year long. Offering points and rewards to people who have shown particular skill and dedication to their work is something that can make any event memorable. 

• Scavenger hunts: You can host a virtual scavenger hunt for your employees. You probably think of a scavenger hunt as something that requires people to be together in a physical space, but that is not necessarily the case. You can incorporate things people must find or do online into your virtual scavenger hunt. 

These are just a few ideas companies have come up with. Company leaders have been called upon to be very creative with how they work virtually, and that means that even more out-of-the-box ideas are likely to burst onto the scene as time goes on. 

Consider Your Budget

The most successful events, virtual or otherwise, are those with a budget that simply makes sense. When companies think deeply about their events and ensure they have the budget to manage them, things tend to work out the best for all parties involved. The best way to understand it is by considering the following: 

By creating a comprehensive budget, you can approach stakeholders and sponsors with tangible information that defines costs based on the scope of your event. Planning a possibility that you can't afford to create could lead to disaster. 

It is not fair to anyone who might attend your event to come to something that has not been well planned or thought out. Not only will this reflect poorly on your organization, but the people who take the time to go to your events (even if they are required to be there) will also feel cheated. Instead, plan and ensure that you have the proper budget to create a one-of-a-kind event. 

Not every prize at your event has to be extravagant, and not every game played has to be costly. However, some creativity and effort will surely be appreciated by all who are involved. When they see that you are putting your best efforts into these events, they are more likely to want to contribute constructively. 

Think About the Platform

Virtual events encompass many different platforms. Considering which platform to put your event on is a big deal. You have plenty of options to consider based on how you think your team will respond best. For example, you might want to consider the following platforms: 

1. Video rooms

2. Live streaming/gaming

3. Live chat

Sometimes the team will get into the event and want to show their faces on camera and interact with one another. In other situations, you might have a team that is a bit more reserved and isn't as eager to use their cameras. In either scenario, they can still get value out of the virtual events that you host. You just need to figure out which medium will work best for them. 

One tip that may be useful to help people get into the spirit of things is to kick things off yourself. Be on camera, and make sure you are interactive and engaged. If you show motivation and enthusiasm for your event, it may catch on with the others participating. 

Get the Most Out of Your Event

Gamification isn't just about adding some zest to an event. It is about getting the most out of the people attending said event. It may feel awkward or clumsy at first, but you will surely catch your stride with it as you continue to work on what you are doing. Don't be afraid to make some errors in the beginning. The point is simply to get people more excited and motivated about what they are doing when they are at work. If you can gin up that kind of excitement, then you are well on your way to making your events memorable and impactful.