HCI Community Blogs

Attendees were treated to an interactive session focusing on gamification this afternoon at the 2013 Strategic Talent Acquisition Conference.  Michael Beygelman, RPO President of Pontoon Solutions demonstrated how the essence of gamification is not a new buzzword, but has been with us for quite some time.   Beygelman shared a short history lesson that some HCI members may already know.  Steel magnate Charles Schwab in an effort to improve the efficiency of his mill asked the manager why he was unable to run the mill to full capacity.   The mill manager explained that he has coaxed the workers, pushed them, sworn at them, done everything in his power but nothing more can be done.  With the day shift finishing up Schwab asked a worker how many heats were completed, and received his answer, six.  Schwab grabbed a piece of chalk and wrote a huge 6 on the floor.  The night shift came in and saw a giant six on the floor of the mill and asked the manager for the story.  The next morning the giant six was gone replaced by a large seven.  This competition continued between the day and night shifts until the mill reached its true potential.   more »