How We Played Candyland to Fill Open Positions:

The Journey to Gamification

As someone who's spent over two decades in HR, I've seen my fair share of training sessions. Most of them were dull, lifeless, and I would count down the minutes until lunch. I used to be one of those people sneaking out early, frustrated by the generic content and the failure of traditional training methods. It wasn’t until I stumbled upon the concept of gamification that everything changed for me. 

The Science Behind Gamification 

At its core, gamification leverages the science of human psychology. The key is emotion. Studies have shown that when we attach an emotion to a piece of information, it creates a memory. This emotional engagement is critical for retention. Traditional training sessions often fail because they don't engage participants emotionally. They bombard employees with information but don't connect with them on a personal level. 

My First Encounter with Gamification 

My first attempt at gamification happened during my time at Midmark Corporation. We were facing a significant challenge: hiring for our production lines. Our best hires consistently came from employee referrals, but we needed a way to boost the number of referrals we were getting. That’s when I had my bold lightbulb moment. 

With the help of our engineering department, I designed a referral program game. We printed giant Candyland boards on a plotter and hung one in each production area. For every successful referral that resulted in a hire, the department would advance on their board. There were various prizes to be earned as they moved forward, culminating in the grand prize: iPads for each member of the winning department. 

Execution and Outcome 

I can still remember the skeptical smile on my boss’s face as she agreed to let me try out this crazy idea. But she believed in me, and more importantly, she believed in the power of engaging our workforce. And it worked! 

Our referral numbers skyrocketed. We filled our roles with excellent hires, and the employees were more engaged than ever. The cost of the prizes was far less than the productivity loss from unfilled positions. 

This experience was a turning point for me. It showed me firsthand how powerful gamification could be in transforming mundane tasks into exciting, engaging activities. It wasn’t just about filling positions; it was about creating a vibrant, dynamic workplace culture. 

The Impact of Gamification on Learning and Engagement 

Gamification has since become a cornerstone of my approach to HR and training. By sparking emotions during training sessions, we create memorable experiences that help employees retain information more effectively. This emotional engagement fosters a deeper connection to the material, leading to better performance and higher job satisfaction. 

At My HR Extension, we’ve taken this concept to the next level. Our Gamification Excellence services integrate premium gamified programs, interactive learning modules, and sophisticated engagement strategies. We design training that is not only informative but also fun and memorable, fostering team building while learning. 

That's A Wrap 

My journey with gamification started as a desperate attempt to solve a hiring problem, but it has since transformed into a passion. The science behind it is clear: when we can spark an emotion during training, we create a memory. And with that memory comes better retention, better performance, and a more engaged workforce. 

So, the next time you find yourself sitting through a boring training session, remember: there’s a better way. A way that’s not only more effective but also more enjoyable. And it all starts with a little bit of gamification.