CHALLENGES OF COVID-19 ERA: HOW TO ENSURE EMPLOYEE ENGAGEMENT AND SEAMLESS ONBOARDING IN VIDEO GAME INDUSTRY
Although the gaming industry has a remarkable capacity for innovation and generating novel solutions, the pandemic of coronavirus caught everyone by surprise. The COVID-19 is one of the most transformative events of our era, whose aftermaths are re-architecting the workforce.
— The number of employees working from home has increased from 17 to 44 percent since 2019.
Social distancing measures have forced employers to shift to remote work, but 77 percent of leaders have never managed a fully remote team. Hence, most of them didn’t have a strong telework culture and a strategy for remote onboarding. Without a guideline on navigating the workplace amidst a pandemic, companies have to decide how to maintain productivity and employee satisfaction.
Both employers and HR are facing a myriad of issues, such as how to manage virtual recruiting, how to maintain team efficiency, and how to integrate new employees remotely. However, the pandemic is arousing an opportunity to learn and use the gaming industry’s innovation to overcome these obstacles.
FIVE TIPS ON HOW TO INCREASE EMPLOYEE ENGAGEMENT AND PROVIDE SMOOTH ONBOARDING
1. COMPELLING JOB DESCRIPTION WITH A CLEAR JOB ROLE
Hiring has experienced a series of changes since the early ’80s, and it’s now transitioning to virtual space. Most employers and recruiters will first meet their candidates and employees over a screen and via video. That’s why it’s essential to select and attract the right talent, which will also result in smoother onboarding.
By writing a concise and captivating job description that states all the perks of working in your startup or company, you ensure that you are drawing the attention of like-minded candidates. Thus, set clear expectations, necessary set of skills, and objectives. Otherwise, candidates could have misconceptions about the role, which can lead to employee turnover.
2. PROVIDE AN ENGAGING EXPERIENCE THAT RECREATES FACE-TO-FACE INTERACTIONS
The efforts to retain an employee don’t start once a candidate signs the work contract. It begins during the recruitment and onboarding process. Therefore, allow an inclusive experience for each hire and make them feel a sense of belonging before they are officially part of the team. Keep continuous communication with them and send them updates about their job application.
A good onboarding experience makes employees 69 percent more likely to stay at the company for three years. That’s why, although remotely, when onboarding, keep a professional environment that can recreate the office atmosphere and show that your company is stable despite the pandemic. Ensure that your new employees have all the necessary work equipment. Consider providing them with a company’s laptop and make sure that you can help them with obtaining an internet package adjusted to the requirements of the gaming industry.
Thus, provide your employees with introductory training and an understanding of how to share information, access documents, and communicate with the team. Make sure that they have a manager that supports them and integrates them into the team. Share with them your Staff Handbook and have a video call about the organizational culture.
3. GAMIFICATE AND ENGAGE
As a video gaming industry, one of the best ways to keep your new employees engaged in a remote setting, is to leverage the concept of gamification. Gamification uses elements and foundations of game design in combination with learning and marketing. Implement online platforms and games that engage and teach employees through game playing, competition, strategy, and scoring points.
Allow your workers to get insights into the company’s values, meet their coworkers, and finish assignments by playing games that your staff has designed. That way, you can enhance overall team productivity and engagement.
4. DIVERSE ACTIVITIES
If you aim to keep your employees happy and productive, immerse them in diverse activities. Maintain regular video meetings and start by asking everyone how are they feeling and share workplace and world updates and news.
Schedule weekly team lunch-time when you can remotely play multiplayer games. Thus, plan team breaks and ask everyone to give a virtual tour of their neighborhood or city. However, don’t forget to track and measure the success of your remote activities and encourage employee feedback.
5. WELL-BEING PROGRAM AND SUPPORT
Ensure that your team is healthy and not going through emotional distress due to feeling overworked or overwhelmed by COVID-19. Consider introducing anonymous surveys about mental health. Thus, implement well-being workshops and, if possible, provide distressed employees with counseling and support.
