Hackathons and internal engagement
Helping your employees to connect better
Published on 28 of February 2024. 2 min read.
How do hackathons improve employees’ engagement and morale?
A carefully planned and well-executed internal hackathon is a unique opportunity for a company’s employees to combine creativity, collaboration, learning, and fun.
As a result, companies are presented with increased employee engagement, morale, and a sense of ownership within the organisation.
Barriers are removed, and people are happier.
Yes, it’s a win-win for all.
Here are some of the main benefits of internal hackathons for a company’s employees:
1. Remove barriers between business units and functions
Internal hackathons can enhance department and business unit synergies by encouraging employees from different areas and backgrounds to collaborate to solve the challenges set for the hackathon.
This contamination of opinions and points of view allows for new perspectives and ideas to emerge, fueled by an empathic environment.
Have you ever heard some colleagues whispering “Who’s that?” at the coffee machine?
Well, after a hackathon, that question could be easily turned into a “Hey there! How are you?”.
Removing these kinds of barriers improves the company ecosystem and promotes a deeper knowledge of its structure and “who does what”, resulting in strengthened and closer collaboration between colleagues.
2. Empathy building
By working closely with colleagues from different job roles, employees have the opportunity to empathise with each other and gain a deeper understanding of their challenges and perspectives.
This strengthens the overall fabric of the organisation promoting a culture of understanding and support.
One of the most common issues that companies try to solve with hackathons is indeed the lack of communication between different actors.
For example, it could be the time for the project manager to understand the sales representative’s perspective.
Or for the procurement to realise what are the pain points of contract managers.
These are very important dots to be connected within an organisation.
Fine-tuning this aspect will result in process optimisation and, finally, in cost savings.
3. Collaboration, team building and teamwork
Internal hackathons are conducted in an environment which is way more intriguing than the regular day at the office.
Employees will be in a completely different mood.
In a well-organised hackathon, they will have that exciting feeling of being on a school trip.
This is the kind of environment capable of stimulating even the most experienced colleague.
Generating this feeling is not easy.
Expert hackathon organisers know all the tricks to light it up, such as running mini-challenges and providing hackathon goodies.
The results of this experience are enhanced collaboration, communication, trust, and relationships among colleagues.
4. Higher employees’ morale
Hackathons offer a unique and exciting experience for employees, boosting their engagement and motivation.
The collaborative and fast-paced nature of these events creates a sense of energy and enthusiasm that can have a positive impact on employee morale.
As mentioned above, think about the hackathon as a moment of entertainment for your employees.
A well-executed hackathon is fun, engaging, and inspiring.
It will lift your employees’ morale and will strengthen and improve the opinion the employees have of the company.
5. Acquiring the skills of the future
External experts can be invited to internal hackathons to hold live sessions or workshops on specific topics.
Employees can quickly acquire critical skills through these formation sessions.
These new skills can allow employees to interact with additional colleagues.
For example: if an AI workshop is conducted during the hackathon then the participants can now better interact and create synergy with your company's AI expert.
6. Conclusion
Conducting an internal hackathon in your company has several proven benefits for the employees, the workplace, and productivity.
It’s an innovative way to connect employees better and let them know each other in a lifted environment.
The results are higher empathy, team spirit, and better knowledge of “who does what”.
This culminates in happier employees, happier workplaces, and happier companies.
Let’s talk if you’re planning an internal hackathon.
