Gamification Primer - Essay Example

Gamification Primer: Application of Gaming in business The gamification primer is an article that addresses games that different people and organization apply in life. The author argues that gamification is an emerging aspect in business, although it traces back to many years ago to the game theory that is applicable in business. The article indicates that the field is extraordinarily broad and it involves the use of technological innovation, marketing, training of employees, improvement of employee performance, health and changes in the society to establish a competitive advantage.

The common reasons that gamification is applied in business is to improve the competitiveness of a given business over other competitors and increase the market share, hence profitability. It is a shift from the games modeling the real world to the real world emulating games. Understanding game mechanics is significant as it enables the understanding of the real forces that affect business behavior and trends across the globe (Burke 35). Common players in games include both corporate and individuals that do it for different reasons, although the aim is to gain in different ways.

Despite the benefits that are associated with the different games, challenges and risks emerge as well. For instance, an organization could apply a different game that could result in great losses and its exit from the industry if other competitors play similar games at the same time. To this end, gamification utilizes technological innovation and research and development to increase the benefits. Application of Gamification in Barclays BankBarclays Bank is a multinational banking group that began its operations in the United Kingdom and expanded to other countries across the globe.

The organization deals with provision of investment and personal banking among other services. The bank has positioned itself as a dominant financial institution in the industry given its good financial performance. However, maintenance of the dominance is not an easy task for the bank it had to undertake different strategies (Burke 67). Gamification is one of the strategies that Barclays bank undertook. Under this strategy, the bank has the objective of generating value for all the customers it serves in its services and products.

Barclays Bank is involved in intense marketing strategies some of which include integrated marketing. This is manifested in several ways such as the promotions and adverts in the broadcast media. Corporate social responsibility activities such as the support of the English Premier league is another example of marketing strategies. The competencies and skills of the bank’s employees are enhanced through a rigorous recruitment and induction process with additional training in the course of their work.

Motivation of employees is achieved through both monetary and non-monetary aspects such as taking care of employee needs. Motivated employees deliver high quality services for the abnk hence enabling it to maintain its dominance in the market. Technology is an important element that Barclays Bank has adopted to stay closer to its customers. The bank has adopted different systems that enhance service delivery. For instance, a Customer Relation Management system is essential in maintenance of the customers’ databases while the mobile technology enables customers to access personalized services on their cell phones in some countries.

In addition, the bank conducts its independent research on the market trends and the strategies that could be applied to overcome any challenges encountered.Works CitedBurke, Brian. Gamification Primer: Life becomes a Game. 2011. Print.