Why Are Work Tools Becoming More Interactive and Engaging?

Although the internet has brought about a plethora of new ways to work and advancements in how people do their jobs, it has also introduced a vast number of distractions. Indeed, procrastination is an ever-growing problem in the workplace and one that business owners need to combat.

That’s why companies that provide work tools are trying to make them more interesting and engaging. They know that they have to compete with entertainment and social media, so they have to borrow some elements from these industries as well.

Entertainment Industry Setting the Standard

It’s no surprise that it’s difficult for people to fully focus on their work when the entertainment industry is as comprehensive as it is today. Streaming services like HBO Max are packed full of series designed to keep people hooked, with series such as The Chair Company and A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms encouraging binge viewing thanks to the cliffhanger endings of each episode.

Online casinos like Paddy Power are also stacked with options that people can enjoy playing in short bursts. Slot games such as Big Bass Trophy Catch and Eye of Horus: The Golden Tablet can be played in short sessions, and their engaging themes encourage players to explore a range of options. 

Another thing that makes entertainment sites so successful is the personalisation they offer. When users open their Netflix or Spotify accounts, they are welcomed with a homepage full of content that’s geared towards their tastes. This fosters a desire to keep coming back to see what else has been recommended.

The Rise of Gamification and Micro-Interactions

Companies that provide work tools have had to look at what’s worked well for entertainment companies and try to implement similar techniques where possible. Gamification elements have become widespread in these offerings now, especially in training platforms. For example, Salesforce Trailhead has turned the learning journey into a game-like experience with the opportunity to earn badges and progress through levels. The idea is to make users want to play, with rewards at every step of the journey.

Kahoot! 360 is another excellent example of a platform that has become almost ubiquitous across Fortune 500 companies. It turns product training and onboarding into fun quizzes, where participants can compete against one another and see their scores in real time. There’s also Duolingo for business, which brings all the key features of the main app such as streaks and XP and applies them to business training.

There’s clearly been a push towards real-time engagement, ensuring that users constantly have things to do to keep them focused and away from their various other distractions. Many systems are now leaning towards custom dashboards for personalisation and notifications, effectively turning workplace tools into their own form of entertainment.

There’s no need for workplace tools to be dull, and the top companies have realised this. Now, gamification elements are helping to engage people more, and this could help lower procrastination rates in the workplace.