Every week until GSummit SF 2013, we’ll be unlocking some special content from last year to give you a preview on what to expect this April 16 – 18.
Jon Guerrera, lifehacker and frequent GCo contributor, explains the importance of understanding your audience to engage them with gamification.
Image by MridulRaj
As the market for gamification matures, there are a number of significant changes in store for our nascent industry. Chief among those is the increased attention from bellwether companies that signal broadening support for our view of increased engagement through great design.
One of the most sought-after categories is consultancies, particularly the large management/strategy agencies. Their participation in our community is an essential step in getting major enterprises (e.g. Fortune 1000s), governments and large NGOs to see gamification and engagement science as a core part of their strategy.
Reward programs are nothing new. They all work under the simple premise of “more you do business with us, the more we will recognize your loyalty in the form of discounts and/or prizes.” For example, airlines give out frequent flyer miles that can be redeemed for free trips depending on how many times you have flown with that certain airline. Rewards program extend to any and all retail, from airlines to Starbucks to your local gelato store. However, did you know that in 2011, it was reported that Americans accumulated $48 billion dollars on loyalty programs. What’s worse, $16 billion of that $48 billion went unredeemed. Would you ever want to throw away a third of your money?
