The CRM industry is expected to grow from $40 billion in revenue to a whopping $80 billion industry by 2025. This fact alone should tell you that CRM tools are essential to businesses. Some would even argue that it is the lifeline of their success. But the hard truth is that most organizations lack a true ROI because their teams aren’t properly using the CRM.

  
On average, companies properly utilizing CRMs have seen the following results:

-   -   -   -   -   -   ROI of $8.7 for every dollar spent ([Nucleus Research](https://nucleusresearch.com/research/single/crm-pays-back-8-71-for-every-dollar-spent/)) 
                    -   Revenue increase by 41% per salesperson ([Big Contacts](https://www.bigcontacts.com/blog/9-statistics-that-will-motivate-you-to-invest-in-crm-software/))
                    -   Customer retention improving by as much as 27% ([YokelLocal](https://www.yokellocal.com/blog/how-does-a-crm-help-to-increase-customer-satisfaction#:~:text=These%20positive%20experiences%20encourage%20customer,by%20as%20much%20as%2027%25.))

Proper utilization stems from CRM user adoption, one of the biggest challenges facing sales organizations. Getting your team to adopt this new tool should be at the forefront of your sales strategy. Yes, I know with your already busy schedule, the concept seems too far-fetched. But do you really want your team relying on inaccurate data, performing below industry standards, and missing out on attainable goals?  
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You are still reading so I am convinced the answer is no, and you are interested in knowing the best solution. Well, so was Outfield. After five years in the industry, we discovered the root of the problem—behavior psychology. Sales reps are at best indifferent toward their CRM and thus adoption and usage often take a major hit. There are various methods that managers have tried to solve these issues. Our research showed the majority of teams are more likely to be motivated by a game or contest.

As a result, we partnered with Closer’s Coffee and integrated their sales gamification tool, [League Play™](https://www.outfieldapp.com/sales_gamification_app), into our CRM. We opened the platform up to conduct a study on 100 seasoned sales professionals from various industries. 90% of the sales managers were able to get a positive impact not only on their sales team but on revenue.

Sales gamification isn’t a new approach but when it is made a priority to drive performance the results are astonishing. Check out our findings in our free ebook and learn how to create a sales gamification strategy to enhance your team’s performance. 

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The guide covers:

-   -   -   -   -   A breakdown of Sales Gamification
                -   The steps to creating a gamified strategy
                -   Key factors to ensuring user adoption
                -   How to monitor and manage the impact of ROI

[“The Ultimate Guide to Gamifying Your Sales Team”](http://tryout.outfieldapp.com/the-ultimate-guide-to-gamify-your-sales-team) is for sales leaders with teams of any industry and size looking to optimize their sales strategy and drive performance. It’s best for competitive teams with millennials as their average team age. 

Download the guide today to ensure that you have proper CRM utilization at the center of your sales strategy.

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[League Play™](https://www.outfieldapp.com/sales_gamification_app?__hstc=233546881.36d51ddbe5e8701353fc55a1e4916ee3.1623684881803.1623703313565.1623866048955.5&__hssc=233546881.1.1623866048955&__hsfp=786739945), the latest CRM tool, takes sales competition to a whole new level. Allowing outside sales organizations to compete internally through a gamified system and take advantage of a naturally competitive profession. At Outfield, we believe when you compete together...you win together!

Discover the best way to create a gamification strategy to help your team reach a positive impact on sales goals and revenue.

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The Ultimate Guide to Gamifying Your Sales Team in 2021

# How The Gaming CRM Space Will Change Customer Relationship Management (Forever)

  

With accelerated growth in a booming CRM industry, you don't have to imagine that world — it's already here. But why should a company use a gaming CRM for their team instead of a traditional system? In this series,  we'll explore the merits of a gaming CRM, who benefits from it, and how it works. We'll also explain why now is the time for you to get ahead and adapt a gaming Customer Relationship Management system.

## **Who benefits from a gaming CRM system?**

### **SALES REPS – The Drivers Of All Organizations**

With over 20 years of experience, I know a thing or two about sales. In my roles as a sales person, sales manager, and now founder and CEO of a [CRM company](http://www.outfieldapp.com/). That being said, I would like to think that I am qualified to make the following statement:

_Too many sales people are either indifferent to CRM systems or annoyed by them._

This creates a lack of usage of the company's CRM, which then leads to poor account management and reporting. A huge ripple effect for a company.

So, why are sales people responding this way even after getting paid? It's all about psychology.

People are motivated to do something properly if the benefits are clear and applicable to them. Using your CRM because it "benefits the company" isn't compelling or enticing enough. This results in a large percentage of sales reps not seeing how a CRM improves value to their sales performance.

 The emergence of gaming CRMs shifts this paradigm by leveraging basic psychological triggers in a spirit similar to designers for PlayStation, Xbox and such. These designers have learned that people care about their public profiles and digital representations. Not only will people work hard to ensure that their profiles represent them properly, but they’ll spend extra money to do so. Let me give you an example of how Outfield accomplishes this through the “Player Card”.

![Picture1](https://9307172.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hubfs/9307172/Picture1.png)![Picture2](https://9307172.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hubfs/9307172/Picture2.png)

  
Meet Eric. He's a real salesperson at Outfield. His Player Card is reminiscent of the baseball cards we all collected as kids (and adults). One side of the card features his profile photo, name, and overall Performance Efficiency Rating. On the flip side, his monthly stats and attributes are showcased.

Eric's online representation and brand is not only dependent on his sales performance, but also by how he interacts with his CRM. How he engages with his CRM encourages him to use his CRM properly — especially since it's tied to his digital personal brand. Keeping his scores up shows himself — and others — that he's thriving. This is an example of how we leverage behavioral psychology to drive proper habits.

The more Eric reinforces positive habits, the quality of his data in the system rises. He’s diligent around calendaring all his appointments and task reminders. His deal pipeline is accurate and up to date. Additionally, he’s more organized. As a result, he’s closes more opportunities and racks up bigger commission checks. By seeing the increasing data, sales reps can expect more recognition and potential for advanced career opportunities. Using a gaming CRM helps the sales rep create more thorough account management and record keeping to ensure productivity overall. All of these things sales managers will have an appreciation for. 

**Sales Managers – The Pillars of All Sales Organizations**

From my experience, Sales Managers have the most to gain —and the most to lose — from the CRM they use for their teams. Every single one has the right intention — to capture data, to track pipelines, to have a better understanding of what their sales reps are doing. In the process, they can spend tens of thousands and, in many cases, well into the millions on sales enablement and CRM tools. 

It isn’t until after the money has been spent and the new software has been implemented that managers realize they aren’t capturing the value they hoped for. In fact, according to the Miller Heiman Group, 43% of CRM customers use fewer than half of their CRM features. A company could be spending a million dollars a year and lose over 500k in value. 

This is a _major_ problem.

3 reasons why all sales managers should avoid getting stuck in a similar situation: 

1.  It won’t sit well with their director — especially after the sales manager likely sold them on the value this project would bring to the organization.  
      
    
2.  The salespeople aren’t motivated to use the system. Are you just going to fire them all for not using the system properly? Probably not. The result usually ends up being a waste of money and time laced with a bit of frustration and disappointment. 
3.  Finally, if salespeople aren’t using the CRM platform properly, it’s not valuable to the manager. Account notation is subpar. Reporting isn’t worth much. As for the data — garbage in, garbage out. 

There are tons of books on Game Theory at Amazon. Some are more theoretical, others are math focused. In your spare time, I suggest that you engage in both. 

A quick way to think about Game Theory within this context is that it’s essentially the practice of producing a desired outcome based on a multitude of intersecting behaviors and variables for and against players. Or, in this case, your sales reps. As a manager, the main goal is to generate the desired outcomes from your sales team. The purpose of a Gaming CRM is to create a platform that produces the right results through the leveraging of emotional and psychological triggers. 

Think about it: with the appropriate changes in sales rep behavior, managers can expect improved reporting, data entry, data output and less of their CRM budget going to waste. Imagine what power they will have with all this quality information at their disposal. Better information ultimately translates to better overall strategic decision making. 

**The Company – Steering The Main Ship To Productivity**

The above benefits don’t just stop at value creation for the sales rep and his or her manager. They’ll impact the company’s overall sustainability. Let’s talk about a few scenarios. We’ll begin with company performance.

An organization’s performance is a reflection of all the individual components and variables that contribute to its output. Zig Ziglar famously quoted:

 _“You don’t build a business, you build people, then people build the business.”_

In order for your team to build the business, they must be provided with the proper tools and knowledge. Once systems are properly adopted and the sales organization is equipped with the appropriate information, they now have the two most important foundations for success. Alternatively, many organizations either fail or negate reaching their potential when this is not the case. 

With the emergence of the Gaming CRM space, the good news is there are solutions in place. Leveraging game theory and behavioral psychology is the key to driving proper utilization and adoption. 

More importantly, after interviewing 100 sales managers, Outfield uncovered that 89% of sales managers found that introducing game mechanics to their sales strategy positively impacted sales numbers and revenue. 90% also stated that employee morale lifted as a result of employing game mechanics. To learn more about our findings, download our 50 page white paper: [The Ultimate Guide to Gamifying Your Sales Team](about:blank).

Aside from performance and morale, the biggest factor to consider is CRM adoption. You remember the statistic I mentioned by The Miller Heiman Group? Well, that’s a big deal! Imagine spending hundreds of thousands on a CRM system and only capturing 40% to 50% of its value. Not only is that a waste of money, but it’s a waste of time and other resources. 

In addition to thinking about the budget misuse, consider the opportunity costs associated with the project. What else could your team have been spending time and resources on to generate value? As a business owner, I strongly resent wasted time. Especially after considering the alternative uses of time that could have generated positive output. I guess everything is 20/20 clear in hindsight. What I’m hoping to accomplish through this blog is to drive home the importance of avoiding these situations in the first place.

The beauty of emerging Gaming CRMs is that they offer tools that will reduce the number of scenarios mentioned above by simply playing on basic human psychology. Is it childish? Nope! Some of the best marketers in the world do this without you even being aware. Further, installing game mechanics into sales ops has been a thing that companies have been doing for years. Something as simple as a leaderboard in the sales office that lists names and sales rankings is an example. Gaming CRMs just take things up a couple of notches. 

**How The Gaming CRM Space Will Impact** **Industry As A Whole**

If it’s done effectively, one of the byproducts of gamifying events is the resulting _numbers_ that represent the outcomes of those events. Society refers to these numbers as statistics. As we know, stats are simply records of events. The operative word here is “records,” which indicate acts that are recorded into history. As we move more and more into the gamification of our society we’ll see more quantifying of persons, places, and things. 

Within the context of our conversation, Gaming CRMs help quantify the sales person, their attributes, and the value they generate. These systems will be able to do this based on how they interact with the CRM. Let’s revisit the Player Card. You’ll notice that Outfield has listed four attribute categories (similar in spirit to [Madden](https://www.ea.com/games/madden-nfl/player-ratings) and [NBA 2k](https://www.2kratings.com/)): Hustle, Diligence, Preparation, and Leadership. Each category is built on an algorithm that includes variables reflecting how the sales person interacts with the CRM.   
  
  
  
![Picture2-2](https://9307172.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hubfs/9307172/Picture2-2.png)  
  
Over time, as the sample size grows, these numbers will become a more accurate digital representation of the sales person. This new reality will help sales managers coach better and more deliberately. Then, recruiters can source sales talent with more confidence. And of course, the sales person will have a better understanding of their own strengths and weaknesses. The best sales people will be in position to write their own ticket due to their proven track record. 

Let’s look at this from a macro perspective. Transparency around a salesperson’s talents and value creation should lead to less uncertainty around his or her potential (and by extension that of the overall sales team). The best case scenario here is that the sales person and their manager have a better understanding of their abilities along with opportunities for growth. Ultimately, with the improvement in sales functioning, companies should run more efficiently. 

As companies become more efficient, their costs per unit of revenue production should decrease, which means they are positioned to retain more earnings. More earnings lead to increased salaries, dividend payouts, hiring, the flow of money, and so on. These are all great things for the economy. 

How do you see gaming CRMs influencing industry?

**Conclusion**

While you may be thinking that all this might be a simplistic view of how the emergence of the gaming CRM space will impact culture and society. 

Consider different social media sites like Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. They've changed our lives and impacted culture and society. These startups, which in their infancy were underestimated, have impacted industry in a very big way. 

Streamlined communication is the obvious, but more importantly is the marketing and business development potential these platforms are providing their user base. Not to mention the psychological influence they have on individuals. Everyone is taking pictures of everything. People will risk their lives to capture video footage. It’s gotten to the point where I dread taking pictures of women in public because they have to be “_just_ right!”. So we end up taking 50 of them. All this because they care about their public profile and digital representation. You see where I’m getting at? 

In the end, gaming CRMs are rendering to sales people what Instagram is to influencers – attention, recognition, notoriety, and a place to showcase their talents. So I’ll ask you again to consider how gaming CRMS will influence society when they reach maturity. 

_This is part-1 of a 3-part series where I discuss the emergence of the Gaming CRM and how it will influence Customer Relationship Management, along with society at large. [The next topic will be centered around social identity](/how-the-gaming-crm-space-will-change-customer-relationship-management-social-identity)._ 

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[Outfield](http://www.outfieldapp.com) is a performance based CRM company that specializes in leveraging game theory and behavioral psychology to drive CRM adoption, motivation, and overall productivity among sales organizations. With customers in over 50 countries, Outfield’s gaming CRM helps teams work simpler, smarter, and more effectively. Becoming the world’s most highly adopted CRM is their mission, and their vision is to accomplish this by creating a platform that is aligned with the values of the up and coming generation of sales people.

The Gaming CRM space is setting the stage for modern customer relationship management. CRM's future will be much different. Here's what you need to know. 

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How The Gaming CRM Space Will Change Customer Relationship Management

How The Gaming CRM Space Will Change Customer Relationship Management (Forever): Social Identity

As mentioned in the In the [previous blog](/how-the-gaming-crm-space-will-change-customer-relationship-management-forever-1) of this series, the paradigm for how we evaluate the performance of our team is changing. It will become less about sales numbers and more about the vast amount of ways we can quantify the person and their value. 

With this information, we can build a foundation of things — from in-depth team inspection and coaching, to comparative analysis and sales projections. All items that can help the person and the company earn dollars more efficiently.

Moreover, there is a social dynamic that cannot be ignored. Gaming CRMs are platforms that allow sales people to personally brand themselves along with their professional value. As usage of these platforms continue, we expect Gaming CRMs to become more intelligent and accurate in their representations of their user base.

One of the most exciting aspects of the emerging Gaming CRM industry, especially if you’re a quant, is user comparison power. Having accurate and quantifiable knowledge of one’s ability relative to the entire population changes how sales people will be viewed and how they view themselves.

Lastly, we’ll explore a very popular component to many modern day games – virtual currency. What will virtual currency mean for the user? How will it be earned? What can they buy? Imagine the sales occupation evolving to include an added layer of digital compensation linked to the user profile, name, image and their likeness. 

Let’s dive in. 

**Understanding More Than Just Sales Numbers**

Historically, sales reps have predominantly been defined by the revenue that they bring in. This is inherently limiting, especially considering that companies overall are analyzed by more than revenue. When companies are evaluated, their financials are looked at closely. Financial analysts are trying to understand efficiency of operations (i.e. how much is one unit of input producing relative to its output). This leads to a deeper focus on specific metrics like gross margin percentage, marketing spend as a percent of revenue, certain overhead costs, inventory costs, and so on.

What if we were able to place this type of lens on the persons who are contributing to their company’s revenue performance and efficiency? CRM gamification is key to this evolution of measuring people. For example, here’s how Outfield accomplishes this through the “Player Card.”

![Picture1-1](https://9307172.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hubfs/9307172/Picture1-1.png)![Picture2-3](https://9307172.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hubfs/9307172/Picture2-3.png)

Meet Jon, a real sales person at Outfield. His Player Card, which you can see above, is similar to the baseball cards that many of us used to collect as kids. Some people still collect them, but now digital NFT forms are becoming widely embraced (conversation for another day). 

On one side of the card you’ll notice his name, profile image, and overall Performance Efficiency Rating. On the back, you’ll find his monthly attributes and stats. These metrics are intended to quantify the value of his daily contribution beyond simple revenue numbers. Jon’s work habits are being told in the form of algorithms made up of variables. Those variables are a reflection of how he interacts with his CRM. 

As of this writing, the four attribute categories are: Hustle, Diligence, Preparation, and Leadership. These are the different ways to take a deeper evaluation of Jon as a sales person. We can expect player attributes to expand to include more categories that will help measure the value of sales people. 

**Digital Representation And How It Will Drive Decision Making**

Imagine having a digital representation of your professional contribution online. Unlike Linkedin, where anyone can say anything to promote themselves, gaming CRMs produce information that is proven and trackable. This essentially means that each user will begin to produce a digital story about themselves and their work ethic that can be made available for public consumption. 

The public consumption element to this equation will be a major game changer for how sales reps think, act, and perform. We’re seeing it first hand at Outfield. Our users are now reaching out to us in order to understand how to better improve their scores and what goes into the attribute categories. They’re also looking for ways to optimize their goal setting criteria. At the center of all these inquiries is their desire for the best possible representation of themselves. 

Reps are aware that this data can be used as a mechanism to promote themselves and achievements. This ultimately positions them to have a better understanding of their value. What do we know about human nature as it relates to individuals having a prominent reputation on social media? We’ve learned that they don’t sit back and avoid marketing or branding themselves — they do the opposite. In fact, many use social media platforms to sell products, services, and information all the while chasing their career goals. Why should we not expect the same behavior among sales people given that they have a similar platform to do these things?

**Comparative Analysis – Understanding How Someone Measures Up**

As we think about comparison data, we’re actually touching on one of the more interesting capabilities that Gaming CRMs have to offer. While it's extremely valuable to have an accurate and holistic representation of a user, the ability to compare users will offer a much more complete picture of a sales rep’s value. For example, where does Jon fall on a normal distribution curve of the entire user population? How does he compare to the mean? Or what about the upper twenty percentile? I think you get the idea. 

Gamified CRMs offer a powerful potential for sales reps as it relates to slicing, dicing, and analyzing one rep versus another in various statistical categories. This functions very similarly to today’s sports. You can compare Steph Curry’s 3 point percentage to that of Ja Morant, or Shaq’s rebounding stats against Anthony Davis’. Consider how this information will influence sales reps’ behavior patterns. This data will influence stakeholders like sales directors, recruiters, and the various media outlets. Further, these platforms will generate profiles who will serve as the faces of sales across the globe. Who is on the Mount Rushmore of sales? We will soon find out...

**Virtual Currency And It’s Infusion Into Gamified CRMs**

Video gaming is expected to reach [270b in annual revenue by 2025](https://www.statista.com/statistics/292056/video-game-market-value-worldwide/). Moreover, consumer spending on in-game purchases has reached [65b in annual revenue](https://www.statista.com/statistics/558952/in-game-consumer-spending-worldwide/) In fact, SEE, a VR company, purchased a virtual planet by the name Planet Calypso for 6 million dollars. Google it.

According to Statistica, consumer spending on gaming loot and currency packs is expected to reach [20b by 2025](https://www.statista.com/statistics/829395/consumer-spending-loot-boxes-skins/). Although it’s clear that the video games industry has exploded into a multi-billion dollar space, it’s not so clear how those same gaming mechanics, when applied, will drive the market growth of the CRM space. 

A fascinating thought no doubt. The reality of it all is that it’s coming. We already have plans to roll this out for Outfield users. When that day arrives, you can expect the CRM space to be changed forever. Over time, CRM users will grow accustomed to this. Virtual currency as an incentive will no longer be a luxury — but an expectation. We’ve already witnessed it with X-BOX and PlayStation. This type of incentive program being included in CRM platforms indicates to customers that their CRM partner is also investing in their success. This is an example of how Gaming CRMs are actively participating in win-win partnerships.

Now, let’s get to the fun stuff. Will the infusion of virtual currency influence Gaming CRMs or vice versa? My guess is that it’s both. But the true manifestation of virtual currency will be built on how that currency is valued by the user. Ultimately, we should expect that it will function as any currency and would depend on what users are able to purchase. Really, the skies are the limit. The CRM company could offer anything it wanted. It’s really just about knowing what matters to its core user base. 

Popular in the video game space is player identity and profile representation features. History shows that consumers will spend hundreds of dollars a year on outfits for their in-game character or avatar. This speaks to how much some people care about how they’re viewed online. 

![game](https://9307172.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hubfs/9307172/game.jpg)

The above outfit sold for $500. Mind you, it can’t be worn in the real world. It can only be worn for the in-game experience. We know people will purchase expensive clothes for their pets, but this is taking our wardrobes to a whole new level. Imagine what Louis Vutton could charge for a virtual purse to match a character’s outfit. Then imagine what it would cost them to design said purse.

Bringing it back to sales, we don’t have to reinvent the wheel. A Gaming CRM store can begin with offering the basics (e.g. swag, gift cards, electronics, special access to events, trips, etc.). These items are common place rewards for sales people already. The only difference is that Gaming CRMs will offer these items in a digital store for purchase by a virtual currency native to the platform. The store could then extend itself into offering features traditional to the video gaming space. For example, Jon could have the ability to purchase a new hologram skin for his player card. These are all things we intend to offer on the Outfield platform moving into the future.

It's definitely an exciting time for all the social possibilities that Gaming CRMs will introduce to Customer Relationship Management. This is no longer just about salespeople making sales and closing deals. This is about tying the entire sales universe together in a way that is transparent, engaging, and rewarding for all stakeholders.

This is part-2 of a 3-part series where I discuss the emergence of the Gaming CRM and how it will influence the nature, social identity and behavioral habits of sales professionals. The next topic will be centered around how and why this trend is occurring. Also, be sure to check out the intro to this series where I discuss [who benefits from a Gaming CRM system.](/how-the-gaming-crm-space-will-change-customer-relationship-management-forever-1)  

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[Outfield](http://www.outfieldapp.com) is a performance based CRM company that specializes in leveraging game theory and behavioral psychology to drive CRM adoption, motivation, and overall productivity among sales organizations. With customers in over 50 countries, Outfield’s gaming CRM helps teams work simpler, smarter, and more effectively. Becoming the world’s most highly adopted CRM is their mission, and their vision is to accomplish this by creating a platform that is aligned with the values of the up and coming generation of sales people.

This is a discussion on the emergence of Gaming CRMs and how they will influence the nature, social identity and behavioral habits of sales professionals.

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How The Gaming CRM Space Will Change Customer Relationship Management: Social Identity

# The Gaming CRM That Is Changing The Sales World

More than [40% of sales reps](https://hbr.org/2022/04/how-to-retain-your-best-sales-talent) are looking for new work. They’re dissatisfied with compensation, promotion opportunities and title adjustments. Attempting to use an [outdated legacy CRM system](https://www.decisionlink.com/blog/the-great-resignation-and-the-sales-team) in 2022 isn’t helping, either. It’s time to reimagine CRM with a modern approach. Introducing [Outfield](https://www.outfieldapp.com/).

Outfield is innovating the gaming CRM space by bringing gaming and customer relationship management together in a unique way. With [League Play](https://www.outfieldapp.com/sales_gamification_app) tech, managers can expect an increase in CRM adoption, increased motivation, and an increase in sales volume from their reps. 

“What we’ve done is effectively gamified the sales pipeline,” said [Austin Rolling](https://www.linkedin.com/in/austinkrolling), CEO and co-founder of Outfield. “Gamification is used by companies like Netflix to keep users engaged with their product. We’ve incentivized sales with a fun tool.”

With League Play, managers and teams have customizable leaderboards that track their performance metrics and stats. Rather than just highlighting sales milestones as they come, League Play celebrates every step of the salesperson’s journey. Through the leaderboard, managers and sales reps can monitor their growth and set goalposts for themselves to showcase their progress as they get further into their career. 

Like with baseball or hockey cards, reps have their own League Play player card they can use to build their own personal brand. “Player cards aren't just fun to have -- they're useful," continued Austin. "If a sales rep wants to ask for a raise, or a promotion, now they have accessible stats handy to show their supervisor.”

With the Player Card, sales reps can easily view their stats, chart their productivity, and set goalposts and contributions over time. Team members have the power to establish reputations and demonstrate value for themselves as assets to the organization, much the same as professional athletes. 

![](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/bi7gtIR9C8sURrz0h5YG02eGHr701YStYt06ADaQwgh5s_xtZvodsGYjkJ1X8xqbrg2JBXLzVvRKU7cShHqY_zSOtYDg1Jixdg2j7vtLuAMV8yx8eksR2MjxSxK0Mg9XdoLOG60rrObCY9sA)

In addition to building their own personal brand with their Player Card, [colleagues will be matched-up](https://explore.outfieldapp.com/performance-leagues-head-to-head-matchups-more-jul-8-feature-update) in a competition similar to fantasy leagues. Not only do match-ups drive revenue through friendly competition, but they have the potential to make a [positive impact on team collaboration and overall morale](https://outfield-white-papers.s3.amazonaws.com/closers_coffee_sales_gamification_guide.pdf). 

**About Outfield**

Outfield is a performance based CRM company that specializes in leveraging game theory and behavioral psychology to drive CRM adoption, motivation, and overall productivity among sales organizations. With customers in over 50 countries, Outfield’s gaming CRM helps teams work simpler, smarter, and more effectively. Becoming the world’s most highly adopted CRM is their mission, and their vision is to accomplish this by creating a platform that is aligned with the values of the up and coming generation of sales people.

###

With its LeaguePlay tech, Outfield is innovating the gaming CRM space by bringing gaming and customer relationship management together in a unique way.

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Press Release: The Gaming CRM That Is Changing The Sales World

# How The Gaming CRM Space Will Change Customer Relationship Management Forever: Why The Time Is Now

In this series, we’ve discussed [who benefits from a Gaming CRM system](https://explore.outfieldapp.com/how-the-gaming-crm-space-will-change-customer-relationship-management-forever-1) and the impact Gaming CRMs have [on the social identity of sales professionals](https://explore.outfieldapp.com/how-the-gaming-crm-space-will-change-customer-relationship-management-social-identity). Here, we’ll examine why the time is right for organizations to begin adopting Gaming CRMs. We’ll also take a look at industry trends that will make transitioning to Gaming CRMs more palatable for society.

First, it’s important to consider the forces that created the need and marketing opportunity for the Gaming CRM space. Let’s dive in.

Gaming Growth In A Booming, But Concerning CRM Industry

The growth expectation in the CRM industry is establishing an environment that is evergreen and ripe for this type of industry disrupter. In fact, the CRM market is projected to [reach $128.97 billion USD by 2028.](https://www.globenewswire.com/en/news-release/2021/04/20/2213070/0/en/Customer-Relationship-Management-CRM-Market-to-Reach-USD-128-97-Billion-by-2028-Increasing-Focus-on-Digitization-to-Stimulate-Growth-Fortune-Business-Insights.html)

To interpret these growth trends is to consider the innovations that will be conceived as a result. We should expect unique value propositions from CRM vendors as a form of disruption to the present establishment. Creative destruction is a natural part of industry cycles and generally provides solutions that are more relevant to modern times. Blue ocean opportunities will present themselves allowing for new business models to flourish.

We have observed the blue ocean opportunity for Gaming CRMs. This opportunity is why Outfield has shifted [focus from a traditional CRM business model](https://explore.outfieldapp.com/ceo-announces-performance-based-rebrand) to one that focuses on customer performance and leveraging game theory to drive productive habits. From our vantage point, we have learned areas where the traditional CRM model is broken. This presents new opportunities.

Remember in the first article the statistic around CRM adoption? If not, here it is again:

_43% of CRM customers use fewer than half of their CRM features. (Miller Heimen Group)_

 Assuming that this statistic holds any truth, many companies are wasting a significant amount of their resources on solutions that are not generating adequate value. From our experience, the source of this problem has to do with several factors.

1.  **Lack of Motivation  
    **A large number of sales reps aren’t motivated to utilize CRM because of a lack of understanding on how system usage is of benefit to their performance. Rather, they view CRM as a “tracker” or a micromanaging tool for sales managers.
    
2.  **Outdated Platforms**
    

In other instances, the UI/UX design of the platforms make it cumbersome for employees to enter in their daily activities. This usually results in reps entering subpar data. You’ve heard of “garbage in, garbage out”. Bad data provides no organizational value. Moreover, when managers aren’t getting the proper information, their ability to be optimal in their job responsibilities is inhibited.

3.  **Sales Rep Turnover**
    

If accounts aren’t properly documented and up to date by the time the sales rep leaves the organization, then the new account owner will have no idea where to begin working that account list.

All of the problems with the current state of CRM software leaves the door open for new entrants into the space. These are costly problems that need to be solved. With the emergence of Gaming CRMs, we can expect a new approach to addressing many of these issues.  

Sales Reps are Growing Disenchanted With Current Roles

According to a study by [Harvard Business Review](https://hbr.org/2022/04/how-to-retain-your-best-sales-talent), the average sales organization contains a flight risk spanning 50%-60% of their sales teams. Their research states that compensation adjustments, immediate promotion opportunities, work-life balance, title adjustments, or reaffirming a strong sales culture have very little impact on retention. Further, it mentions that even job satisfaction is a poor predictor of loyalty. In fact, 41% of the sales professionals surveyed reported satisfaction with their roles, but are still searching for a new job.

The authors go on to mention a few ways to reduce the likelihood of flight risk manifesting:  

1.  **Help build careers.** In deciding to stay or leave, sellers prioritize how well the company will advocate for, and help them succeed in the near term, and evolve long term as sales professionals.
    
2.  **Offer employability instead of title bumps.** Sellers want to believe that there are significant personal development opportunities within their roles and they have the means to document, demonstrate, and _feel_ personal progression no matter their career stage.
    
3.  **Demystify the seller’s path to success.** Sellers should be able envision a realistic, and even challenging, path towards reaching and exceeding goals.
    

At least two major takeaways can be inferred from these findings, as it relates to the main focus of this article. I’ll begin with the one that’s really at the root of the three bullet points - recognition and self-actualization. Sellers want to perform well. They want to know their performance levels. This will help them better understand their trajectory and career progression. They can then compare these findings against their overall professional goals. Recognition and knowing that they are on the path to reaching self-actualization is at the heart of the genuinely focused sales person. Unfortunately, many companies fall short in satisfying these wants.

The second takeaway has to do with how transient sales reps have become. While it might be true that great sales organizations have put practices in place to reduce attrition, it’s fair to guess that a large percentage will continue to struggle. This means that sales people will maintain being fluid and seek opportunities that will continue their pursuit towards self-actualization. While doing so, why not take something along with them that proves their value (e.g. Player Card)?

Assuming that the data in the above HBR article is an accurate representation of the world we are now living in. We must acknowledge the reality of this new world. If sales people are likely to be more transient, they’ll need to sell themselves more often to prospective employers. Due to the value that they are able to provide, Player Cards are positioned nicely. To get a better understanding of the Player Card, please read the second blog in this series [How The Gaming CRM Space Will Change Customer Relationship Management: Social Identity](https://explore.outfieldapp.com/how-the-gaming-crm-space-will-change-customer-relationship-management-social-identity).

The Player Card is a proven track record for how reps have performed in the past. Unlike resumes, Player Cards are based on actual data submitted to managers via a CRM system. Sales reps have less incentive to fabricate performance due to the oversight by his or her upper management. Through the responsible self-regulation of a sales organization’s data, we can assume that the performance metrics and attributes showcased on the Player Card of its team members are relatively true. They certainly are more believable than someone’s resume.

With the Player Card, sales people will have a digital tool that they can take with them. One that can help them showcase their production while they are in pursuit of bettering their careers. Player Cards, which are similar to baseball cards, contain statistics associated with the performance of sales reps. Similar to sports, these statistics will drive valuable decision making in compensation, employee promotions, hiring, dismissals, training, and considerably more.

Millennial Generation As A Growing Percentage Of The Workforce

In our 50-page white paper [The Ultimate Guide to Gamifying Your Sales Team](about:blank) Outfield interviewed 100 sales managers across the country. The objective was to learn how gamification was applied towards their sales strategy, along with what those results were. We learned many things. As mentioned in one of the previous articles from this series, Outfield established that 89% of sales managers found that introducing game mechanics to their sales strategy positively impacted sales numbers and revenue.

However, there was a bigger takeaway. There was a segment who were the most responsive to when game mechanics were applied. That group is made up of Millennials. The generation born into a burgeoning world of gaming. This was also the group who was the first to encounter and adopt mainstream social media platforms. It’s clear that the Millennial generation was shaped by these two industries. Therefore, it should come at no surprise that this was the biggest segment impacted by game mechanics being applied to sales execution.

From the Closer’s Coffee article [Gamifying the Next Generation of Sales Reps](https://closers.outfieldapp.com/insights/gamifying-next-generation/), we gathered that approximately half of Millennials like being noticed and a third held competitiveness as a catalyst for better results, leading to a harder work ethic and more collaboration.

This evidence suggests that the influence of gaming and social media has primed the Millennial generation for gaming CRM technology. Further, they'll likely have a heightened appreciation for the features and value propositions of Gaming CRM companies.

Now is the time to deploy the appropriate work systems in order to capitalize on the needs and desires of this generation. Millennials [comprise half of the American workforce, and by 2025, 75 percent of the global workforce](https://www.inc.com/peter-economy/the-millennial-workplace-of-future-is-almost-here-these-3-things-are-about-to-change-big-time.html) according to Inc. As this group continues to grow, we can expect that there will be more pressure placed on companies to adopt tools that cater to its values.

**Conclusion**

The time is now for Gaming CRMs. Today’s culture is one that prioritizes self-promotion and self-actualization. This reality, combined with the many technological solutions available to bring about individual personal desires, has created certain expectations for software applications. The future generations seek out tools that enable them to enhance their personal brand, reputation, and exposure to the public eye. Moreover, the heightened level of attention paid toward platforms that will complement public perceptions will determine which software companies succeed moving into the future. The Gaming CRM focuses on the value of today’s up and coming generations. Therefore, they are better positioned to drive productive behavior. More companies will consider this point as its reality becomes more apparent.

However, the futuristic leaders are already aware and adopting new technologies. They understand that today’s sales person is not the same as the person from a decade ago. Sales leaders who are early adopters look forward to the emergence of Gaming CRMs and the new value they will introduce to customer relationship management.

The question is: which type of leader will _you_ be?

_This is part-3 of a 3-part series where I discuss the emergence of the Gaming CRM and why this why this trend is occurring. The first piece covers [who will benefit from the Gaming CRMs.](/how-the-gaming-crm-space-will-change-customer-relationship-management-forever-1)_ _The second piece focuses on [how it will influence the nature, social identity](/how-the-gaming-crm-space-will-change-customer-relationship-management-social-identity) and behavioral habits of sales professionals._

* * *

  
[Outfield](http://www.outfieldapp.com) is a performance based CRM company that specializes in leveraging game theory and behavioral psychology to drive CRM adoption, motivation, and overall productivity among sales organizations. With customers in over 50 countries, Outfield’s gaming CRM helps teams work simpler, smarter, and more effectively. Becoming the world’s most highly adopted CRM is their mission, and their vision is to accomplish this by creating a platform that is aligned with the values of the up and coming generation of sales people.

We’ll examine why the time is right for organizations to begin adopting Gaming CRMs. We’ll also take a look at industry trends that will make transitioning to Gaming CRMs more palatable for society.



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How The Gaming CRM Space Will Change Customer Relationship Management Forever: Why The Time Is Now

A Gaming CRM is a type of sales enablement platform that leverages game theory and behavioral psychology to improve a user’s experience with traditional CRM capabilities. Not to be mistaken for a traditional CRM, these systems lead with game mechanics as the driver for user adoption, motivation, and productivity when using the CRM.

Some distinguishing features of a Gaming CRM are [sales leaderboards](https://gamify.outfieldapp.com/gamification/business/sales/software/sales-leaderboard-software), player cards with Madden/NBA 2k like user attributes and stats. You may also find player or team match ups similar to what you'll find in fantasy sports.

The emergence of Gaming CRMs will [change various aspects of the business world](https://explore.outfieldapp.com/how-the-gaming-crm-space-will-change-customer-relationship-management-forever-1). Sales reps will suddenly become more invested in their CRM performance, [along with the social aspects linked to their player profile](https://explore.outfieldapp.com/how-the-gaming-crm-space-will-change-customer-relationship-management-social-identity). This heightened personal investment in their CRM progress is great for sales leaders who might be struggling with user adoption, but are hoping to get the most from their CRM – utility, data output, analytics, sales Improvement, etc.

[![Closers App - Sales Gamification](https://9307172.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hubfs/9307172/League-Play-02-1024x131.jpg)](http://www.closersapp.com)

These performance improvements are great for the overall company, and ultimately extends itself to industry in general. If done effectively, one of the byproducts of gamifying sales events is the resulting _numbers_ that represent the outcomes of those events. Society refers to these numbers as [statistics](https://gamify.outfieldapp.com/25-key-sales-gamification-statistics-you-need-to-know-in-2023). As we know, stats are simply records of events. The operative word here is “records,” which indicate acts that are recorded into history. As we move more and more into the gamification of our society we’ll see more quantifying of persons, places, and things. 

Imagine how the output from gamification can be leveraged by artificial intelligence. Present day sports enthusiasts run game simulations on Madden to predict how the game may play out in real life. The same can done with the player profiles of sales reps, leading to forecasting of future events and sales performance.

This is a quick explanation of what a Gaming CRM is

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What Is A Gaming CRM?

Sales gamification is the process of applying game mechanics to normal everyday sales tasks. The intention behind sales gamification is to alter sales reps’ behavior in a way that maximizes their productivity. For example, offering a steak dinner as a reward to the sales rep with the most referrals for the month.

**Why Would Anyone Want To Tie Sales Gamification To Their Sales Operations?**

To be exact, sales gamification is not new. It’s been around for years in the form of daily sales competitions, [leaderboards](https://gamify.outfieldapp.com/gamification/business/sales/software/sales-leaderboard-software), and rewards to high producers.

**Reason 1:**

After interviewing 100 sales managers, Outfield uncovered that 89% of sales managers found that introducing game mechanics to their sales strategy positively impacted sales numbers and revenue.

**Reason 2:**

90% also stated that employee morale lifted as a result of employing game mechanics.

**Reason 3:**

It adds some fun to, what can be, a mundane sales day. Research shows that employees are more productive when they enjoy their work. In fact according to a [survey done by Statista](https://www.statista.com/statistics/1100522/gamification-productivity-employees/), 89 percent of employees stated that they would probably be more productive and get better results if their work were more game-like.

**Reason 4:**

It creates opportunities to acknowledge high producers. As we know, workplace recognition can be used to motivate, provide a feeling of achievement, and can help employees feel valued for their work contribution. Recognition has been known to improve individual [employee engagement](https://gamify.outfieldapp.com/gamification/business/sales/software/gamification-apps-for-sales-employee-engagement), productivity, and loyalty to the company.

**Reason 5:**

It can increase CRM adoption, which is one of the more expensive problems for sales organizations to have. We Outfield, we have observed user adoption upwards of 120% when gamification was tied to CRM utilization.

To learn more about our findings, download our 50 page white paper: [The Ultimate Guide to Gamifying Your Sales Team](about:blank).

* * *

[Outfield](http://www.outfieldapp.com) is a performance based CRM company that specializes in leveraging game theory and behavioral psychology to drive CRM adoption, motivation, and overall productivity among sales organizations. With customers in over 50 countries, Outfield’s gaming CRM helps teams work simpler, smarter, and more effectively. Becoming the world’s most highly adopted CRM is their mission, and their vision is to accomplish this by creating a platform that is aligned with the values of the up and coming generation of sales people.

To be exact, sales gamification is not new. It’s been around for years in the form of daily sales competitions, leaderboards, and rewards to high producers

5 Real Ways That Sales Gamification Can Improve Your Sales Production

Webster defines gamification as the process of adding games or gamelike elements to something (such as a task) so as to encourage participation. While the word “gamification” is a 21st-century addition to the English lexicon, it’s concept is not new. Gamification can be applied to virtually all aspects of our existence. This includes situations that's we might not view as a game. An example is the popular game theory scenario of Prisoner’s Dilemma where two inmates are interrogated by law officers and given the choice of confession, reducing their individual prison sentence (at the expense of the other accomplice) or remaining silent (which potentially benefits both).

The theories behind gamification surpass various forms of study (e.g. economics, psychology, mathematics, history, etc.) However, for many of us, the first things that usually come to mind are board games and video games such as Chess and Pac-Man. Although, I do consider myself an enthusiast of gaming in these forms, I’m quite interested in how game mechanics can be leveraged to drive business strategies. More specifically, over the last few years I’ve focused my attention towards the application of gaming principles to sales execution. This is otherwise known as [Sales Gamification](https://explore.outfieldapp.com/what-is-sales-gamification).

Sales Gamification is the process of applying game mechanics to normal everyday sales tasks. The intention behind Sales Gamification is to alter sales reps’ behavior in a way that maximizes their productivity. For example, offering a steak dinner as a reward to the sales rep with the most referrals for the month.

Recently, myself and a few colleagues published a 50-Page White Paper On Sales Gamification. In preparation, we interviewed 100 sales directors across the United States on how they leveraged Sales Gamification into their sales execution strategy. Based on what we learned, we were able to present tips to sales managers who might be considering adding gamification to their sales ops.

The objective of the research was to know if the interviewees used game mechanics, how they used them, and what the results were. We learned many things throughout this process. However, there were three significant data points that you should be aware of if you’re unsure about incorporating gamification into your sales operations.

![DALL·E 2022-12-30 16.49.20 - Show a comic book sales person wearing a cape and holding a big #1 trophy ](https://9307172.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hubfs/9307172/DALL%C2%B7E%202022-12-30%2016.49.20%20-%20Show%20a%20comic%20book%20sales%20person%20wearing%20a%20cape%20and%20holding%20a%20big%20%231%20trophy%20.png)

#### 1\. **Sales Performance When Sales Gamification Was Applied**

According to our research, 90% of sales directors we surveyed said gamification had positive impacts on sales numbers and revenue. On the list of personality traits linked to highly productive sales professionals, you’ll find a need for accomplishment, a desire for recognition, along with an inherent competitive drive.

According to Steve Elliot, a Franchise Owner at Restoration 1 (Entrepreneur’s Franchise 500 company):

_“I feel that encouraging staff to accept new technologies within any firm is difficult. Companies invest a substantial amount of effort and money in a Customer Relationship Management (CRM) system because it can be customized to match their individual needs. Thus, CRM is an essential sales tool for tracking new and current clients. Since a result, it is imperative that data is recorded properly and promptly into the CRM system, as this information will be utilized to make vital business choices inside the organization. By harnessing gamification concepts and applying them to human behavior, CRM Gamified has updated a traditional technique. The design of gamification eliminates current barriers that inhibit or delay employee adoption of new technologies. In other words, it encourages human conduct that will increase the amount and quality of consumer data.”_

[![Sales Gamification - Closers Banner](https://9307172.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hubfs/9307172/League-Play-02-1024x131.jpg)](http://www.closersapp.com)

#### **2\. The Impact Sales Gamification Has On Company Culture**

Gamification has a profound effect on team culture. Of those that responded to implementing a form of gamification into their sales execution strategy, 95% of sales managers said it had positively impacted the team culture and camaraderie within the organization.

In a U.S. economy that loses more than $500 billion every year due to workplace stress (American Psychological Association), company culture is more important than ever. Positive team culture is something that only you can define for your team, but it is something that can go beyond “having fun at work.”

Positive team culture is often represented by characteristics such as comradery, a growing communication between team members, lack of burnout, and the ability to continuously perform at a high level, regardless of the challenges ahead. Your team culture sets the tone for how your team works together, as well as how they manage hardships and accomplishments on their own.

#### **3\. The Group That Was Most Responsive To Game Mechanics**

Past experiences, age and motivational forces all contribute to the success of your applied gaming mechanics. In fact, our data showed that gamification was most successful with reps ranging from 21-35 years old. According to an [article](https://www.inc.com/peter-economy/the-millennial-workplace-of-future-is-almost-here-these-3-things-are-about-to-change-big-time.html) by Inc.com, Millennials will began to dominate the workforce by 2025.

We think this point is critically important to the future on how we will adopt and think about applications. Closer’s Coffee wrote a whole separate article titled [‘Gamifying the Next Generation of Sales Reps’](https://closers.outfieldapp.com/insights/gamifying-next-generation/).

#### **Conclusion** 

In 2014, a [Reuters study](https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-millenials-study/millennials-highly-competitive-yearn-to-be-noticed-study-idUSKBN0EA1A420140530) gathered that about 50% of Millennials placed a high level of value to being noticed. Moreover, a third would hold competition as a catalyst for better results, improving work ethic, and increasing team collaboration.

If you haven’t considered applying sales gamification to your sales execution strategy, the time for you to do so is now. Shifts in technology, changes in workforce values, and the increased pressure to improve sales performance is demanding a new perspective in how to drive business sales forward. There are many ways to tie sales gamification to your execution strategy. Consider the emergence of the [Gaming CRM](https://explore.outfieldapp.com/what-is-a-gaming-crm).

As sales leaders, we have to be constantly thinking about how well we’re adapting to a new world of competition, which now includes the gaming economy.

If you would like to read our white paper A Complete Guide to Gamifying Sales Strategies click [here.](https://tryout.outfieldapp.com/the-ultimate-guide-to-gamify-your-sales-team)

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[Outfield](http://www.outfieldapp.com) is a performance based CRM company that specializes in leveraging game theory and behavioral psychology to drive CRM adoption, motivation, and overall productivity among sales organizations. With customers in over 50 countries, Outfield’s gaming CRM helps teams work simpler, smarter, and more effectively. Becoming the world’s most highly adopted CRM is their mission, and their vision is to accomplish this by creating a platform that is aligned with the values of the up and coming generation of sales people.

 Backed by research, here are 3 things everyone should know about Sales Gamification. We've interviewed 100 sales managers across the nation. 

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Sales Gamification: 3 Things We Learned From Interviewing 100 Sales Directors

CRM gamification is the application of gaming mechanics, elements, and designs to CRM systems. Among other uses, it is a process that leverages game theory and behavioral psychology as the driver for increased CRM adoption and motivation for sales professionals to improve productivity. Moreover, CRM gamification can be used to encourage customer loyalty, increase customer satisfaction, and improve employee morale. CRMs with gaming tech exist in many different forms, but usually offers similar value propositions.

### **Rewards and Incentives**

One way that CRM gamification can be implemented is through the use of rewards and incentives. For example, employees who consistently achieve sales and other work related KPIs might be rewarded with points or badges that they can redeem for prizes or recognition. This type of gamification can help to create a sense of competition and encourage employees to work harder to achieve their goals.

![DALL·E 2022-12-30 13.47.36 - Show a comic book sales person wearing a business suit and cape, while holding a big #1 trophy ](https://9307172.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hubfs/9307172/DALL%C2%B7E%202022-12-30%2013.47.36%20-%20Show%20a%20comic%20book%20sales%20person%20wearing%20a%20business%20suit%20and%20cape%2c%20while%20holding%20a%20big%20%231%20trophy%20.png)

### **Leaderboards and Versus Matchups**

CRM gamification can also be applied through the use of [leaderboards](https://gamify.outfieldapp.com/gamification/business/sales/software/sales-leaderboard-software) and digital matchups among sales reps. As can be seen in the examples below, employees can compete against one another to see who can achieve the highest scores or who can close the most deals in a given period of time. This use of gaming mechanics can generate friendly competition among team members and motivate them towards peak performance. They also present opportunities to recognize sales reps for their output.

![tour-19-309bc7b4f670f6d49224ac8f341302550ad83d3f5bb22828ae5b0b0c47521064(1)](https://9307172.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hubfs/9307172/tour-19-309bc7b4f670f6d49224ac8f341302550ad83d3f5bb22828ae5b0b0c47521064(1).jpg)

In addition to motivating employees, CRMs with gaming tech can also be used to inspire better customer engagement. For example, companies might offer incentives and rewards to sales people based on the number of touchpoints they have with customers, how they’re interacting with customers (in-person vs. over phone), along with volume of renewals they are able to acquire. With the proper optimization of this gamified use case, companies can expect an increase in appointments set, sales, and revenue.

[![Closers banner - sales gamification app](https://9307172.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hubfs/9307172/League-Play-02-1024x131.jpg)](https://closersapp.com/)

### **What is a Gaming CRM?**

As mentioned in a previous [blog post](https://explore.outfieldapp.com/what-is-a-gaming-crm),

_“A Gaming CRM is a type of sales enablement platform that leverages game theory and behavioral psychology to improve a user’s experience with traditional CRM capabilities. Not to be mistaken for a traditional CRM, these systems lead with game mechanics as the driver for user adoption, motivation, and productivity when using the CRM.”_

### **The Rise of Gaming CRMs**

With the emergence of Gaming CRMs, we will eventually start to see a [shift in values within the sales and business environment](https://explore.outfieldapp.com/how-the-gaming-crm-space-will-change-customer-relationship-management-forever-1). Through the digitization of gaming elements in sales, along with the growth of younger generations within the workforce, we are beginning to see how the future of game theory will incentivize sales reps to become more invested in their company’s sales performance. Additionally, sales reps will begin to care more about the proper utilization of CRM and the documentation of the their sales execution. Part of the reason has to do with the introduction of mechanics that are commonly used across all gaming platforms - player stats and [the social attributes tied to their player profile](https://explore.outfieldapp.com/how-the-gaming-crm-space-will-change-customer-relationship-management-social-identity). In short, a salesperson’s reputation will be on public display. Therefore, they have more of an incentive present a positive representation of themselves.

![Gaming CRM - Player Card - Closers](https://9307172.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hubfs/9307172/Picture2-3-1.png)

This heightened personal investment in their CRM progress, through the rise of digital sales gamification, is great for sales leaders. Especially those who might be struggling with user adoption, but are hoping to get the most from their CRM – utility, data output, analytics, sales improvement, etc.

Overall, CRM gamification can be an effective way to improve CRM adoption, employee productivity, and customer satisfaction. By using game design elements and mechanics, companies can create [a more engaged and motivating environment for both employees and customers.](https://gamify.outfieldapp.com/gamification/business/sales/software/gamification-apps-for-sales-employee-engagement)

* * *

[Outfield](http://www.outfieldapp.com) is a performance based CRM company that specializes in leveraging game theory and behavioral psychology to drive CRM adoption, motivation, and overall productivity among sales organizations. With customers in over 50 countries, Outfield’s gaming CRM helps teams work simpler, smarter, and more effectively. Becoming the world’s most highly adopted CRM is their mission, and their vision is to accomplish this by creating a platform that is aligned with the values of the up and coming generation of sales people.

Here we discuss CRM gamification, the emergence of Gaming CRMs, and their impact on the sales role.

Gamification