Q: I'm an agency owner with one car sales representative who has been with me for 18 years. She is motivated by accountability. How would I use gamification to motivate her? — Steve J., San Francisco

A: Gamification is not only intended for individuals motivated by money and recognition; it’s also intended to motivate those like your CSR. Let’s call her Jane. 

A potential way to get Jane involved would be to let her champion the game. She would be responsible to update the scoreboard each day and provide feedback from all of the participants. Whenever you create a game, you must take into consideration all of the motivational triggers (money, recognition, and accountability). That way, you can maximize the results and gain full engagement from your entire team. 

Q: We don't have a lot of money in our budget for contest prizes. Will gamification still work for me? — Frank G., Atlanta

A: This is probably one of the most common misconceptions of gamification. The simple truth is gamification does not have to be expensive nor monetary. Winners can be awarded with things like priority parking spaces, extended lunch breaks, conference room “naptime,” or having their car washed at the end of a shift. 

Additionally, gamification is not just limited to the counter. It could be used to improve car prep times, car cleanliness, car quality, etc. For example, if your car prep employee wins a game, the shift manager could wash the winner’s car that day. Be creative!

Q: Will gamification create an overly competitive work environment? I'm worried about creating a negative work environment. — Stephanie E., Houston

A: Great question, Stephanie! We have found that by placing a high priority on the service and sales process rather than just the end result will keep the environment positive and engaged. Focus on the proper dialogues, customer service, and process instead of just the sale. It’s better to lose the sale the right way rather than gaining it the wrong way. 

Make sure that your team sees your ancillary program as an educational- and service-based program and then revenue will be a natural result. The key to remember is that high sales don’t always mean great customer service, but great customer service will always get great sales! 

Q: In the past, our contests have always resulted in the same people winning over and over again. Won't gamification only encourage the top performers to be engaged while discouraging new or struggling performers? — Todd Y., Denver

A: When a game is poorly designed, you are absolutely correct, Todd. Contests that just reward the highest incremental yield will tend to have your same top performers (month-in and month-out) win. This is probably the No. 1 pitfall we find in the field in regards to the ineffectiveness of getting the entire team engaged when you conduct a game/contest. 

From his research, psychologist Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi found that certain conditions must be present for an optimal experience called “flow.” He describes flow as “the state in which people are so involved in an activity that nothing else seems to matter; the experience itself is so enjoyable that people will do it even at great cost, for the sheer sake of doing it.” 

Based on his research, when you design a game, the following components must be present: 1. Give clear directions of the game; 2. Provide constant feedback (scorecard); 3. Remove potential distractions so employees can focus; 4. Provide an attainable but challenging goal. The most effective game gives employees a sense of control; they feel they have a direct impact on the results and the outcome.