The next big thing in hospitality staff learning: New Challenges launching!
In an industry where time is money and guest satisfaction is paramount, staying ahead of the competition isn’t just about delivering exceptional service - it’s about continuously improving the skills of your team.
But let’s be honest, sometimes learning can feel like a necessary evil, especially when it comes to compliance or product knowledge. Enter Mapal’s Challenges - the newest way to make learning fun, engaging and even a bit competitive (friendly competition, of course)!
What are Challenges?
Challenges are interactive, gamified resources built specifically to enhance the learning experience in the hospitality industry. Think of them as mini-games, but with a purpose!
These scenario-based exercises allow learners to tackle real-world situations - from decision-making to product knowledge - in a way that’s engaging and, dare we say, enjoyable.
The best part? Challenges are designed to be fun and competitive, but they’re also deeply educational. They are linked directly to Leaderboards on Mapal One, making it easy to track progress and ignite that competitive spark among team members.
Whether it’s a quiz on compliance or making the perfect cocktail, Challenges encourage learners to apply what they’ve learned in an interactive, memorable way.
Why were Challenges created?
So, why did we create Challenges? Great question!
With the growing popularity of gamification in the workplace, it became clear that there was an exciting opportunity to elevate hospitality learning programmes.
Our existing learning solutions within Flow Learning are designed to deliver essential content in a fun and engaging way. However, alongside Flow Learning, Challenges offer employees an additional, interactive way to absorb information in a team-oriented, competitive setting.
Compliance and service topics, while essential, can sometimes feel dry. Challenges were created to inject a little extra excitement into these areas, making them more interactive and engaging through comradery and competition, without replacing the effective learning methods already available on Mapal One.
It’s all about providing variety and enhancing the overall learning experience.
How to use Challenges
Challenges are incredibly flexible, meaning you can integrate them into your learning programs however you see fit. Here’s how they can work for you:
- Pre-assessment: Start with a Challenge to introduce a new topic in an engaging way, sparking interest and excitement before formal learning programmes begin
- Post-assessment: Reinforce learning after completing traditional courses, ensuring that key information is retained and applied in real-world scenarios
- Quick refreshers: Provide learners with a quick and fun way to revisit important concepts without having to go through an entire course again
And the best part? Each Challenge is conveniently displayed on the learner’s dashboard, where they can access it anytime and compete with colleagues for the top spot on the Leaderboard.
Plus, Challenges can be added to a learning collection, making them an easy addition to your learning pathways.
New Challenges launching on 6th December 2024
And the big news, the reason you’re all here... You may be familiar with our current six Challenges; health and safety, food safety, food allergens, guest service, service that sells and conflict resloution.
Well, on Friday 6th December, four exciting new product knowledge Challenges will be available, each designed to boost specific skills that will elevate your team’s performance and enhance guest experiences. Here’s what’s coming:
- Coffee making
Perfect for team members looking to refine their barista skills, this Challenge takes place in a Parisian café, where learners face a series of decisions based on five classic coffee drinks.
From espresso to cappuccino, they’ll pick up practical tips on improving drink production while keeping the coffees flowing - and your guests smiling and caffeinated (they’re the same thing, aren’t they?). - Perfect your wine pairing
Wine and food pairings are an essential part of the dining experience.
This Challenge helps service teams confidently recommend wines that pair perfectly with meals.
Learners will explore flavour profiles, food pairings and progressively complex scenarios, ultimately elevating your team’s ability to wow guests with their wine knowledge. - Classic cocktails
Set in a sleek cocktail bar, this Challenge lets bartenders brush up on their knowledge of four classic cocktails.
Learners will test their skills in mixing, shaking and serving drinks while gaining confidence in their cocktail-making abilities.
It’s a perfect refresher for both new and experienced bartenders. - Beer pairing
This Challenge is designed to help service teams improve their beer and food pairing skills.
Learners will explore popular beer styles, apply essential pairing principles and tackle real-world guest requests with increasing complexity.
Boost your team’s confidence in beer recommendations and elevate the guest experience with this practical Challenge.
These Challenges move beyond storytelling to focus on practical decision-making related to product knowledge and customer service, all within the environment where these products are typically served.
Why adpot Challenges?
Still wondering if Challenges are worth it? Here’s why you should consider adopting them in your learning programme:
- Increased engagement: Challenges add a healthy, competitive edge to learning, which can ensure key points are retained
- Boosted retention: The gamified approach encourages repetition, leading to better long-term retention of key concepts
- A culture of continuous learning: Learners are motivated to revisit Challenges, improving their scores and encouraging learning to be an ongoing habit
- Reinforced compliance: Challenges can be especially effective in compliance training, making mandatory topics engaging and memorable
- Flexible learning: Use Challenges before, during or after formal training sessions to support diverse learning pathways
- Real-world decision-making: Learners face real-life scenarios and practice making quick, informed decisions - valuable skills for a fast-paced environment
- Enhanced product knowledge: Stay updated on key products in the hospitality industry, improving your team’s ability to provide excellent service
- Customisable to your needs: As with all our content, the Challenges can be customised. Or customers can create their own using our templates
Ready to level up your team?
With the new product-focused challenges launching soon, there’s never been a better time to integrate Challenges into your learning programme.
The results are clear: higher engagement, better retention and a more skilled, confident workforce.
To get started or to find out more, reach out to your Customer Success team today. Your staff (and your guests) will thank you!
