What Games Can Do for You on Facebook
While Facebook gaming has become a kind of deadly addiction among people across the world, some outfits want to leverage the stickiness of these games for organizational benefits.
Picture this: With as many as 50,000 jobs to fill worldwide by the end of the year, Marriott International will tap into the popularity of social media gaming to help generate interest in hospitality careers.
At My Marriott Hotel on Facebook (www.facebook.com/marriottjobsandcareers), gamers will first manage a “virtual” hotel restaurant kitchen before moving on to other areas of hotel operations. The game will be available in English, Spanish, French, Arabic and Mandarin.
[ Also Read: HR Technology India Event in Bengaluru ]Global human rights organization Breakthrough’s Facebook gaming event, “America 2049,” allowed “networking for freedom.” It helped players explore the choices that could shape the nation’s future. (Read: Social Game to Change the Future of America)
[ Also Read: Using Social Media for Social Change: Mallika Dutt ]As the craze around social gaming has been mounting, Tourism Ireland has also joined the bandwagon. It has launched an online game on Facebook. Called Ireland Town, the game aims to bring the holiday experience in Ireland to life for Facebook fans across the world.
Tourism Ireland claims that it is the first national tourism board in the world to launch a social game. (Read: Tourism Ireland with Social Game on Facebook)
“As Marriott expands in growth markets outside the U.S., and as we seek to attract more Millennials – those between the ages 18 and 27 – to our workforce, we must find new ways to interest them in hospitality careers,” says David Rodriguez, executive VP of Global Human Resources, Marriott International.
“This game allows us to showcase the world of opportunities and the growth potential attainable in hospitality careers, especially in cultures where the service industry might be less established or prestigious.”
[ Also Read: Why Bacardi Too Wants to Chase Facebook Likes ]My Marriott Hotel is similar in concept to the Farmville and Cityville games. Gamers can create their own restaurant, where they’ll buy equipment and ingredients on a budget, hire and train employees, and serve guests.
They’ll earn points for happy customers…and lose points for poor service. Ultimately, they’ll be rewarded when their operation turns a profit.
