Usually, anniversaries often make us think of balloons, a symbolic gift, a cake, and applause. But at IBORN, they’ve become something much deeper - a time to reflect on who we are, the people who shape our journey, and the impact we strive to make. Their celebration is a chance to create an unforgettable moment, since we believe honoring our people means breaking out of the ordinary, so we go beyond a simple thank you each year. We turn anniversaries into experiences, combining technology, creativity, and celebration.
Our guiding question was: How do we make each anniversary feel genuinely personal and memorable? In the past year, we took it further, launching a gamified adventure where every employee became part of a shared mission taking us beyond the everyday, celebrating each individual’s role in our story, and using cutting-edge AI to create gamified adventures personalized for every employee. And as we did, we found that these adventures brought us closer, making each one a reminder of the vibrant, connected culture we’ve built together.
The Challenge: Surpassing the Boundaries of Traditional Employee Recognition
The challenge was both technical and operational. First, we needed to push the limits and create an experience that would stand out, focusing on the unique contributions of each individual while reinforcing our collective narrative. But transforming the season into an immersive and gamified experience wasn’t a simple shift. We aimed for something that is personal, engaging, and meaningful for every member of our 94-person team, with their own stories, preferences, and roles. We had to think beyond traditional celebrations and build an experience that placed each employee at the center, balancing technology, storytelling, and interaction to ensure no one was left behind. Making this concept a reality took dedication, creativity, and a few bold leaps, but ultimately, it transformed our vision of what an anniversary could be.
Second, this mission required us to work within a tight timeframe while coordinating the production of hard copies and implementing the necessary tracking mechanisms to keep the gamified experience alive and engaging. Balancing these elements demanded careful planning, collaboration, and innovation to deliver a seamless experience that would resonate with everyone involved.
The Result: A Gamified Anniversary Experience
The result was a gamified experience that transformed our anniversary into an engaging sticker collection. The sticker album told the story of how we’re surpassing the limits of the universe together, showcasing our collective achievements. Additionally, each employee received a box filled with heartwarming messages sent by their colleagues, creating a lasting reminder of the connections that bind us and the milestones we celebrate as a team.
Our anniversary season, inspired by our tech-savvy spirit, was anything but ordinary. Here’s how we infused it with uniqueness:
1. Personalized аvatars using MidJourney
Generative AI played a key role in personalization. Using MidJourney, each employee’s avatar was revealed on the day of their anniversary, symbolizing their unique journey at our company. These avatars depicted employees as captains on a spaceship, part of a mission in a distant galaxy. Each one was displayed on large screens around the office and shared in our main chat. The message was clear: with their achievements, they had transcended the boundaries of this galaxy. This visual representation of their contributions fostered an immediate sense of identity, connection, and pride.
2. Space Station and Time Capsules
To make the celebration even more special, we turned a designated office into a space station. Employees could send personalized messages on specially designed cards to the person celebrating their anniversary. These messages were placed in a symbolic capsule, making it feel like they were traveling across the galaxy to reach their destination. This fun touch added a mix of futuristic charm and heartfelt sentiment, deepening the sense of adventure and connection within the team.
3. Sticker Albums and Coins
In November 2023, we kicked off our celebration season with a playful, game-like activity: each employee received a sticker album featuring their colleagues' names, organized by department. They started with our logo sticker and three coins, along with simple instructions. The challenge? Collect stickers of their colleagues' avatars by sending personalized anniversary messages. Every message sent was a step closer to completing their album, making the celebration more engaging and interactive.
4. Competitive Fun
The sticker album brought a playful sense of competition to the celebration. Employees eagerly worked to collect all the stickers by interacting with their colleagues. The more they got involved, the quicker they could fill their albums, creating excitement and fostering a deeper sense of camaraderie among the team. The more they engaged with their colleagues, the faster they could fill their albums, generating excitement and helping to build stronger relationships among team members.
Infographic: Ibornversaries by the numbers
To further illustrate the impact of this initiative, we’re excited to share additional numbers and statistics from this year’s celebration season. These insights will highlight the positive effects on employee engagement and satisfaction, showcasing how our commitment to creating a people-first culture continues to thrive. Stay tuned for more details on the remarkable outcomes of our anniversary celebrations!
Why Ibornversaries Matter: Culture and Employee Satisfaction
This initiative goes beyond recognizing the Ibornversaries; it’s about cultivating a profound sense of belonging and community, ensuring that this is a special day for everyone.
Here are some key ways our anniversary celebrations have made an impact:
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Building a stronger community
The fun, gamified elements, and personalized avatars turned anniversary celebrations into experiences that brought everyone together. When employees send and read each other’s heartfelt messages, it strengthens their connections. Each note of appreciation creates a sense of support and friendship, making the workplace feel like a true team.
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Creating a sense of belonging
By letting everyone take part in their colleagues' celebrations, we promote a culture of appreciation. When employees see the messages shared about them, they feel valued and recognized. Reading these thoughtful notes fills them with warmth, reminding them that they are an important part of something bigger.
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Making celebrations fun
The playful sticker-collecting competition adds excitement to our recognition events. It turns what could be a simple celebration into something everyone looks forward to. With every sticker collected, employees not only cheer for their peers but also feel a deeper sense of connection and community.
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Embracing innovation
By combining cutting-edge AI with gamification, we show our commitment to progress while keeping our people at the heart of everything we do. This approach highlights our values and attracts talented individuals and clients who share our vision for a modern and connected workplace.
