GUEST POST from Art Inteligencia
In today’s rapidly changing business landscape, fostering innovation is not just advantageous — it’s essential. But how can organizations kindle this spirit of innovation in a way that is engaging and sustainable? Enter gamification: the art of applying game-design elements in non-game contexts. By infusing work with fun, gamification has the power to drive motivation, encourage creativity, and ultimately, foster innovation. This article explores how two companies successfully employed gamification to boost their innovation efforts.
Case Study 1: Microsoft’s Language Quality Game
Microsoft faced a challenge that is common to global technology companies: ensuring the quality and consistency of translated content across different languages. The process of identifying and fixing errors in translations can be tedious and time-consuming. To combat this, Microsoft implemented a gamified approach known as the “Language Quality Game.”
The game involved users and employees who could earn points, badges, and visual accolades by identifying errors or suggesting improvements to translation strings. Not only did this encourage more participation, but it also created a sense of competition and engagement among users and employees. As a result, Microsoft was able to improve the accuracy of its translations while also fostering a sense of ownership and contribution among its linguistically diverse user base.
Case Study 2: SAP’s Quiz-Based Idea Competition
SAP, a leader in enterprise software solutions, faced the internal challenge of stimulating innovative ideas from its global workforce. To tackle this, SAP turned to gamification by creating a quiz-based idea competition known as “InnoJam 48.” Participants were grouped into teams and tasked with solving real-world challenges by creating innovative software solutions within 48 hours.
The incorporation of gamified elements like quizzes, real-time feedback, and virtual leaderboards infused a competitive spirit into the event and motivated employees to put forward their best ideas. This approach not only inspired creative problem-solving but also cultivated a culture of continuous innovation. The best ideas were recognized and rewarded, encouraging more employees to participate in future events.
Conclusion
Gamification has emerged as a powerful tool for driving innovation in organizations. By leveraging the intrinsic human desire for fun, competition, and achievement, companies like Microsoft and SAP have successfully harnessed the power of gamification to foster innovation. It effectively transforms mundane tasks and challenges into engaging, rewarding experiences. As businesses strive to innovate in ever-evolving markets, gamification presents itself as an enticing strategy to consider.
Bottom line: Futurology is not fortune telling. Futurists use a scientific approach to create their deliverables, but a methodology and tools like those in FutureHacking™ can empower anyone to engage in futurology themselves.
Image credit: Pixabay
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