What Enterprise Software Can Learn from Video Games with Sandra Kiel [MVP]

Why do organizations spend millions on Microsoft 365, Power Platform, Copilot, AI initiatives, and digital transformation projects only to struggle with user adoption? Why do employees often avoid business applications whenever possible while voluntarily spending hours inside video games?In this episode of the M365 Show, Mirko Peters sits down with Microsoft MVP Sandra Kiel to explore one of the most overlooked topics in enterprise technology: what business software can learn from game design.Sandra brings a unique perspective to the conversation. After spending more than two decades working with enterprise software and large-scale SAP implementations, she transitioned into the Microsoft ecosystem and eventually discovered how gaming principles could transform learning, adoption, collaboration, and digital experiences. What started as a family Minecraft adventure during the pandemic evolved into a business focused on gamification, immersive learning environments, and user-centered digital experiences.The discussion explores why many enterprise applications fail to engage users, how organizations can improve AI adoption, and why understanding human behavior is often more important than implementing the latest technology.

FROM ENTERPRISE SOFTWARE TO MINECRAFT: SANDRA KIEL'S UNEXPECTED JOURNEY INTO GAMIFICATION

Sandra shares her fascinating journey from enterprise SAP consulting into the Microsoft ecosystem and eventually into game design. After experiencing burnout from organizational politics rather than technology itself, she discovered a completely different perspective on user engagement and learning.During the pandemic, a simple request from her children to play Minecraft together sparked a new understanding of how people learn, collaborate, solve problems, and develop skills. What began as a family gaming experience quickly evolved into experiments with virtual workshops, collaborative learning environments, and interactive training scenarios.That journey ultimately led to the creation of innovative learning experiences that combine Microsoft technologies with proven gaming principles.

WHY MOST BUSINESS APPLICATIONS FAIL TO ENGAGE USERS

One of the most powerful insights from this episode is that many organizations unknowingly pay employees to fight their software every day.Sandra explains that traditional enterprise applications often suffer from common design problems:

• Endless scrolling interfaces with little guidance
• Limited feedback when users complete actions
• Complex navigation that overwhelms users
• No visible sense of progress or achievement

In contrast, video games have spent decades perfecting onboarding, engagement, motivation, progression systems, and user experience design.Games consistently show users where they are, what they need to do next, and why their actions matter. Enterprise applications frequently fail to provide the same clarity.The result is lower adoption, reduced productivity, poor data quality, and frustrated employees.

HOW VIDEO GAME DESIGN PRINCIPLES CAN IMPROVE MICROSOFT 365, POWER PLATFORM, AND COPILOT ADOPTION

The conversation dives deep into the psychology behind successful game experiences and how these concepts can be applied to modern workplaces.According to Sandra, successful adoption programs should focus on proven engagement mechanisms including:

• Clear goals and visible progress indicators
• Personalized learning journeys
• Meaningful challenges and rewards
• Social collaboration and community participation

Rather than forcing users through generic training programs, organizations should create experiences that allow employees to explore, experiment, and learn through discovery.This approach is especially important for AI adoption, where behavioral change matters far more than traditional training.

THE REAL REASON COPILOT ADOPTION IS DIFFICULT

Many organizations assume Copilot adoption is primarily a training challenge. Sandra disagrees.She argues that AI adoption is fundamentally a behavior-change problem.Providing employees with prompt libraries and one-time training sessions rarely creates lasting habits. Instead, organizations need to create experiences that encourage experimentation, curiosity, and continuous learning.Drawing from gaming concepts such as Core Loops and Habit Loops, Sandra explains how successful adoption programs encourage users to repeatedly engage with AI tools until new behaviors become natural.The lesson is simple: people do not change behavior because they attended training. They change behavior because they repeatedly experience value.

WHAT POWER APPS MAKERS CAN LEARN FROM VIDEO GAMES

For Power Apps developers, citizen developers, solution architects, and UX designers, Sandra shares several practical recommendations.The most important principle is orientation.Users should always understand:

• Where they are
• What they are trying to accomplish
• How much progress they have made
• What happens next

Instead of building endless forms and complex screens, developers should think like game designers by creating structured journeys with clear milestones and visible outcomes.Simple improvements such as progress indicators, chapter-based navigation, contextual feedback, and clear objectives can dramatically improve user adoption.

COMMUNITY BUILDING, MICROSOFT MVPS, AND THE POWER OF RECOGNITION

The discussion also explores why communities are such an essential part of successful technology ecosystems.Sandra highlights the Microsoft MVP community as an excellent example of gamification principles in action. Recognition, contribution, progression, visibility, and shared knowledge all contribute to creating an engaged and thriving ecosystem.Whether inside gaming communities, open-source projects, or Microsoft technology communities, people are motivated when their contributions matter and when they can see the impact of their work.The same principles apply inside organizations trying to drive adoption and change.

WOMEN IN TECH, VISIBILITY, AND BUILDING MORE INCLUSIVE COMMUNITIES

Sandra also shares her perspective on women in technology, public speaking, and community leadership.The conversation explores the importance of visibility, mentorship, representation, and creating safe environments where new voices can share knowledge and contribute to the community.Rather than focusing solely on speaking opportunities, Sandra emphasizes the importance of encouraging people to become knowledge sharers. By lowering barriers and actively supporting participation, organizations and event organizers can help create stronger and more diverse communities.

KEY TAKEAWAYS FROM THIS EPISODE

The biggest lesson from this conversation is that technology adoption is rarely a technology problem.It is a human problem.Organizations that successfully implement Microsoft 365, Power Platform, Copilot, AI solutions, and digital workplace initiatives will be the ones that understand motivation, engagement, feedback, learning, and user experience.Video game developers have spent decades mastering these concepts.The future of enterprise software may depend on how quickly organizations start learning from them.

CONNECT WITH SANDRA KIEL

If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to connect with Sandra Kiel through her Microsoft community channels, conference sessions, workshops, and social platforms. Her work at the intersection of gaming, Microsoft technologies, AI adoption, user experience, and digital transformation offers a unique perspective for anyone building the future workplace.

LISTEN, SUBSCRIBE, AND SHARE

If you enjoyed this episode of the M365 Show, subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, and your favorite podcast platform. Share the episode with colleagues, Microsoft professionals, Power Platform makers, UX designers, digital workplace leaders, and anyone responsible for driving technology adoption inside their organization.Because great technology is not just about features.It is about creating experiences people actually want to use.

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