Recognizing and rewarding employees is more important than ever. Employee recognition and rewards aren’t just about handing out certificates or gift cards—it’s about creating meaningful experiences that leave a lasting impact. But how do you keep employees engaged and make them feel valued? One answer, believe it or not, is live trivia. Yes, you heard that right—trivia.

As the Chief Border Agent of Slowjamastan, where we boast an impressive 90% retention rate, I’ve seen firsthand how integrating live trivia into employee recognition programs can work wonders for engagement and morale. Let’s take a fun journey into why trivia might just be the tool your company needs.

Why Traditional Recognition Programs Are Falling Flat

Let’s be honest, traditional employee recognition programs—while well-intentioned—are often uninspired. A gift card for hitting targets, an “Employee of the Month” plaque, maybe a pizza party. While these efforts are nice, they don’t always make employees feel truly recognized or appreciated in a way that sticks.

What if, instead of handing out another lackluster prize, you could give employees something they genuinely enjoy—a moment of fun, excitement, and competition? Enter live trivia, where employees compete, laugh, and showcase their knowledge in a way that turns routine recognition into something memorable.

Live Trivia

Imagine your next corporate meeting or recognition event featuring customized live trivia tailored to your company’s culture and inside jokes. Employees form teams, battle it out to answer questions, and enjoy friendly competition. This kind of engagement brings out the best in people—they bond, they laugh, and most importantly, they feel valued.

At Slowjamastan, we use trivia not just to entertain but to reward. Employees who consistently perform well earn spots in exclusive trivia events, where the fun and excitement help reinforce their sense of accomplishment. By incorporating live trivia, we’ve turned recognition into an event people look forward to, not just another routine announcement. This creates deeper engagement and connection.

How Trivia Strengthens Bonds

One of the hidden benefits of using trivia in employee recognition is the way it strengthens bonds across departments. In many companies, departments work in silos, rarely communicating outside of project needs. But during a live trivia event, those silos break down. Teams made up of employees from different departments come together, pooling their knowledge to win.

This shared experience of fun and competition fosters teamwork and breaks down barriers. Employees get to know each other in a new, more relaxed setting, building relationships that continue long after the event is over. Trivia is not just a game—it’s a tool for building a stronger, more connected team.

Employee Recognition Should Be Fun

Employee recognition shouldn’t feel like a chore for your company or for the employees themselves. The reward process needs to be fun and engaging, not something to check off a list. Live trivia makes recognition an enjoyable experience for everyone.

By transforming recognition into a trivia game where employees can show off their knowledge, you create an atmosphere of celebration, rather than obligation. Whether it’s recognizing top performers, celebrating anniversaries, or rewarding teams for meeting their goals, live trivia infuses the event with energy and excitement.

Incorporating trivia into employee recognition doesn’t just celebrate the top achievers—it includes everyone. Employees aren’t just passive recipients of praise; they’re active participants in a game that brings energy, laughter, and community spirit to the workplace. And that’s why they stick around.

Trivia as a Tool for Ongoing Engagement

Recognition shouldn’t happen only once or twice a year. To maintain high levels of employee engagement, it’s essential to keep the recognition consistent. With live trivia, you can create a regular series of events that continually engage employees. Whether it’s a quarterly trivia showdown or monthly team trivia, the frequency of these events keeps employees looking forward to what’s next.

At companies like Mattel, Marriott, and MPI, I’ve helped corporate planners create recurring trivia events that not only recognize employees but also keep engagement levels high year-round. This keeps the workplace fun and fosters a culture of ongoing recognition and support.

Ready to Energize Your Employee Recognition Program?

If your company’s employee recognition efforts are starting to feel stale, it’s time to rethink your strategy. Incorporating live trivia into your program will not only increase engagement but also foster a stronger, more connected team that’s eager to stick around for the long haul.

Ready to boost retention and energize your employee recognition program?
Contact me today and let’s start planning your next trivia-powered event!