Treetop Adventure Golf: Learning that digital game-based training is an evolution not a revolution

And we get it, people hear the word ‘programming’ and think they need a masters from MIT. Thankfully, that’s not the case with all digital learning tools.

Owning the content curriculum

Lil was thrilled to see she could take full ownership of the content, without always having to lean on someone from outside the organization for help.

Now she’s mastered easy-to-use game design tools in Attensi CREATOR, she’s able to create training quickly and efficiently. The type of training she’s worked on includes product knowledge quiz questions and scenario-based dialogues focusing on core skills, such as how to engage with customers and the importance of open-ended questions.

Now Lil and the team can take a proactive approach to keeping their curriculum relevant for their teams. Not only that, Lil and the team have grown in confidence and don’t have to rely on an external person to update and build the latest training.

Why switching from prescriptive, reactive training to game-based training is a winner

While training has always been a priority, before implementing game-based training, the L&D offering at Treetop Adventure Golf wasn’t too dissimilar to many other organizations. A physical book and a whole lot of classroom training was the standard.

The team saw an opportunity to enhance their training – and that’s why they made the game-changing switch to digital game-based training. It has:

• Allowed Lil and the team to update or add material to modules at short notice.
• Given employees real life context to their training. Role plays couldn’t fully simulate what it’s like to be in front of a customer.
• Encouraged employees to play an active role in their training.
• Offered flexibility. They can now train anytime, anywhere.

For Treetop Adventure Golf’s Head of People Thom Hall and L&D Manager Lil Courageson the ability to program their own training has been a real game changer. For General Manager James Scott and team members Jamie and Shannon, the flexibility and bite-sized modules have changed the way they approach their Treetop training.

Let’s find out how their Attensi gamified simulation training platform has given them newfound freedom within their hospitality training.

Igniting friendly competition

It’s hardly a surprise that in an organization where a game is central to the experience that staff quickly latched on to the competition element of Treetop SKILLS.

Thom, however, was surprised at just how engaged and competitive team members were with the platform. He was surprised at how invested in the competition he became.

The fact that team members were driven to beat their peers to the top of the leaderboard had a drastic impact on completion rates and average number of play throughs (but more on that later).

The proof is in the figures

Let’s get down to the brass tacks. What impact has Treetop Skills had on both the business and the people of Treetop Adventure Golf?

The team share that engagement since launch has been fantastic. But not only that, it’s remained sustained. Where enthusiasm for other training might have dropped off after the first couple of weeks, the ability to constantly update and evolve Treetop Skills has meant team members always have something to look forward to.

Thom comments that he’s seen a dramatic improvement in the amount of time it takes for new starters to feel like they ‘get it’. They feel confident in their ability to deliver the Treetop experience. Happy team members make happy customers. It’s as simple as that.