Kristina Belyea
September 12, 2023
Gamification is playing a vital role in transforming learning within pharmaceutical sales training. The Learning Journey podcast recently conducted an in-depth exploration of the impact of gamification on commercial learning in the Life Sciences industry. Expert David Noonan, Senior Director of Business Development at Red Nucleus, leads the conversation and demystifies how gamification transforms training, addresses adult learners' needs, and reshapes how Commercial Learning and Development (CL&D) leaders use it to impact sales.
David defines gamification as "the application of game-like mechanics and concepts to things that aren't necessarily games, although they could be." It's a versatile tool that can inject elements of play and competition into almost any learning experience. The evolution of gamification has revolved around technology. Gone are the days of flip charts and physical binders; today, training content is digital and accessible online, making learning omnipresent. This shift to digital content and online learning makes it easy to introduce interactive elements, such as games, to assess or reinforce learning.
One of the standout aspects of gamification is its ability to cater to the unique needs of adult learners. David highlights three pillars of adult learning that gamification significantly addresses: self-direction, goal orientation, and problem-solving. Learners thrive when they have control over their learning, can set and achieve goals, and engage in meaningful problem-solving activities. Gamification provides the platform for these crucial elements to flourish.
“We have data now at our fingertips to help inform how we make decisions and how we change training literally in real-time. That's a complete game changer."
Key Takeaways:
- Data-Driven Learning: Gamification enriches learning analytics. Real-time data around knowledge retention, confidence, engagement, and motivation can be gathered from gamification, which can drive continuous improvement for pharmaceutical sales teams. (6:00)
- Gamification Empowers Learners: It empowers control, goal setting, and meaningful problem-solving for effective learning. (9:00)
- Enhanced Learning through Integration: ACTO’s partnership with Red Nucleus’s UNIFY GameLab streamlines gamification, ensuring continuity and offering diverse learning for a more effective training journey. (13:00)
"The evolution of gamification in training has brought accessibility, making it available wherever the learner is, and real-time data to inform decisions."
Gamification is a transformative force in pharmaceutical sales training. It's about empowering learners, improving engagement, and making learning data-driven. The impact of gamification on the competency, confidence, and development of pharmaceutical sales teams is profound and a journey worth exploring.
One thing is clear: gamification is here to stay, and its impact is game-changing. Listen now to learn more! The Gamification Learning Journey!