Social media playing role in employee engagement

Study paper describes the appeal and use of electronic gamification: a technology-based approach that uses elements of social game design for solving business problems, inspiring new product sales, and improving customer service.

Social media is becoming a viable tool to recognise and engage employees, according to the latest paper issued by Incentive Marketing Association's Recognition Council.

In ‘Social Recognition: The Virtual Way to Engage’ the Council describes the ways that social media has begun to transform the business world, presenting a growing opportunity to quickly and interactively recognise extraordinary efforts by employees.

"With social media rapidly evolving, we wanted to take the pulse of the industry with regard to what is already being used as part of incentive programs," said Karen Renk, CAE, executive director of the Incentive Marketing Association.

"What we found is that many businesses are already using social media tools for communication purposes and that a number have taken the plunge into using the new technology before, during, and after specific recognition programmes," Renk continued.

The paper also goes into considerable detail about the appeal and use of electronic gamification: a technology-based approach that uses elements of social game design, like competition, status updates, and rewards for non-game applications like solving business problems, inspiring new product sales, and improving customer service.

Recognition Council Board Member and ITAGroup Performance Solutions Manager Jane Larson explained, "The changing demographics of the workforce coupled with the pervasiveness of electronic game experiences is paving the way for the use of technology that will grab attention and help workers to focus on goals. Game mechanics offers a solution that can drive a deeper level of engagement while multiplying the touch points and dramatically increasing employee awareness and connection to a programme."