Overcoming Onboarding Challenges: A Gamified Approach to Engaging and Informing New Employees in a fast-paced restructuring

BASF collaborated with FocusU to manage onboarding during a complex restructuring that included transferring existing employees to a new entity and welcoming new hires. The onboarding aimed to alleviate employee anxiety, foster engagement with the entity’s mission and values, and ensure knowledge retention despite tight timelines.

The program was executed in two parts. In Part 1, a five-day pre-engagement phase used FocusU’s Joyflar app to deliver microlearning modules, quizzes, and interactive activities, helping participants familiarize themselves with key organizational pillars. This phase included downloadable resources for ongoing reference, easing transition-related concerns and promoting initial peer connections.

Part 2 was a virtual onboarding experience featuring the gamified escape room “Finding Sofia.” Here, participants applied knowledge from the pre-engagement phase to solve clues collaboratively, encouraging teamwork and reinforcing key concepts. Feedback highlighted the program’s engaging and interactive approach, with employees appreciating the structured, enjoyable learning experience.

This gamified onboarding effectively addressed onboarding challenges, enhancing employee retention and motivation while fostering team-building and positive relationships among participants.