Case Studies

End-to-end immersive learning

We make training and education memorable by offering learners an enjoyable experience with serious outcomes. Our unique combination of game design, psychology and business insight redefines the way people learn, think and behave.


Driver Safety: Turbo-charged learning

Driving can be dangerous. Training improves safety. But we can’t solve complex ‘human’ issues with a single intervention, It demands sophistication.

A range of human factors must be addressed to improve individual driver safety. That’s why we created a unique combination of VR simulation, eLearning and microlearning linked to an in-vehicle telematics system.

If staff drive on your behalf they must be safe and competent drivers. You have responsibilities. It is too important to rely on a simple eLearning module.

We created Driver Safety to help organisations meet their obligations. A sophisticated solution for a complex issue delivered simply.

100% reduction in distracted driving events.
Learners benefit from cutting edge tools to enhance retention.
— Andy Phillips, Managing Partner, Applied Driving Techniques.

Bears & Bulls: Supply chain simulation

Bring complex technical business issues to life with virtual reality (VR) simulations.

Developed with a Skema Business School, Bears & Bulls is a multiplayer VR simulation that gives participants hands-on experience of supply chain management.

The simulation creates a ‘safe space’ for managers to practise decision-making in a complex, information-rich and fast-moving environment.

Up to 16 people can collaborate in real time and explore the impact and consequences of their decisions without any risks.

In my opinion there is none better than Totem, they understand both technology and learning in depth and are a pleasure to work with.
— Prof.dr. Albert Jolink, Professor of Strategic Management, Skema Business School.

Value Creation: Blended learning in action

We helped Mars to create value in their business with a unique blended learning package of serious games, eLearning and virtual instructor led training.

Mars initiated a three-year global Integrated Value Creation Plan (IVCP). It was led by the Strategy and Financial Planning and Analysis (FP&A) teams.

To support this initiative we developed Value Creation, a groundbreaking synthesis of serious games, eLearning and instructor led training.

100% of participants agreed that Value Creation helped them to communicate, measure and support their value creation work across the organisation.

 
Totem delivered learning modules that are polished, intuitive, and effective. Outstanding. Thank you.
— Joseph Theriault. Strategic Finance, Mars.
 

Future Leaders: A visual experience

Learning doesn’t have to be boring. Awe inspiring visuals with a powerful narrative can motivate the most senior managers to learn more.

Future Leaders is a 360° video experience commissioned by Shell to begin a 3-day global leadership conference in Shanghai.

Built for iPhone the app presents a strategic vision for Shell’s future leaders.

The video is set in a group of islands and takes leaders on a journey from Shell’s industrial roots to its future in a connected world.

The video weaves together voiceover, music, and a 3D 360° environment with animated assets.

Blown away by the inventiveness, eagerness, and flexibility shown by all the team.
— Andy Goose, Global Learning Advisor, Shell.

eLearning: That grabs attention

Could eLearning be better? We think so.

We use our game design expertise to bring eLearning to life.

We make enjoyable eLearning experiences that create the time and attention needed to learn effectively.

Our award winning eLearning provides the knowledge and confidence to improve performance and safety. Our eLearning offers:

  1. Better engagement.

  2. Deeper learning.

  3. Improved retention.

We can help you reimagine the way that people learn.

 

Agent Beko: Sales onboarding game

Onboarding sales staff in retail is a challenge. Geography and staff turnover demand a flexible induction experiences. Beko wanted their onboarding to grab and keep attention.

Beko has sold over 30 million domestic appliances in the UK. They take selling seriously.

Beko asked Totem to create a unique onboarding experience for new sales staff in retail outlets.

Agent Beko is an interactive online game that helps sales staff understand Beko’s brand, products, and culture.

Agent Beko is played during rest breaks so staff must play several times to develop a full understanding. Agent Beko achieved this: ‘surprisingly addictive’.

Such a forward thinking and innovative team!
— Tina Kapoor, Head of Trade Marketing.

Virtual House: Assisted living simulation

Living with a disability or frailty is challenging. Technology can help. Virtual House enables professionals to ‘prescribe’ the most helpful technology.

Virtual House is an immersive learning experience for health and social care professionals.

It helps to develop knowledge and confidence around the prescribing of technology enabled care (TEC) through a series of realistic training scenarios within a high resolution simulation of a house.

It is fully customisable, and can be tailored to ensure that your workforce receives the most relevant and effective training.

A complementary assessment module allows individuals and managers to monitor and develop knowledge and competency.

 
My experience with Totem has been transformative. Their combination of expertise, dedication, and friendliness makes them an outstanding choice.
— Samantha Davies, Workforce Development Manager, TSA.

Profitability: Hospitality P&L simulation

High turnover industries need flexible training for staff who may not be around for long. That’s exactly what we created for M&B.

M&B is the UK’s largest hospitality chain. In high turnover sectors training must reflect employment patterns. M&B asked Totem to reimagine their P&L training.

Profitability simulates a virtual pub-restaurant and trains managers to control P&L in their business. It promotes autonomy and develops accountability.

Profitability replaced a 2-day course that wasn’t working well. In contrast, Profitability is played online in 1 hour and it is more effective.

Managers can replay any section whenever they need a refresher.

 

Accessible Travel Simulation: Building confidence to travel

Travelling by train can be daunting for people who are anxious or need Passenger Assistance, including disabled customers and those with hidden conditions. But is also fundamental to enabling education, employment & social interaction.

With partner Chrome Angel Solutions who won DfT Research & Innovation funding, this first of a kind simulation serious game was developed and piloted with Northern and Community Rail Lancashire.

Users choose a character and scenario that represents their needs and then “play the game” of taking a VR simulated journey to experience trains, stations and interact with staff in a realistic simulated environment to build confidence to travel. The application is available on their own phones, tablets, PCs or in Virtual Reality headsets for a fully immersive experience, enabling engagement at scale.

The project has won major industry awards and continues to develop, it is now being used as part of the Northern Try the Train programme and in classrooms as part of educational programmes supporting thousands of children each year.

It has been one of the most fantastic experiences of my career to work with such a brilliant team of coders, artists and game designers to bring this amazing idea to life.
— Mark Robinson, Chrome Angel Solutions.

Don’t Walk Past: Mental health simulation

Living with a disability or frailty is challenging. Technology can help. Virtual House enables professionals to ‘prescribe’ the most helpful technology.

Don’t Walk Past is an accessible and engaging workplace mental health simulation. It was designed for staff working in the NHS but the model will work in any industry.

It is a conversational simulation that encourages staff to talk to each other about mental health and wellbeing. The game supports Mental Health First Aid.

Don’t Walk Past enables staff to support each other in stressful and difficult situations reducing the impact of work-related stress. It supports staff wellbeing and improves retention of staff.

Professional, creative & hard working.
— Dr Des Holden, CEO KSS Academic Health Science Network.

Pretty Liquid: Audit training simulation

Face to face learning is vital, but can be hugely augmented with well designed digital simulations that save money at the same time.

KPMG Graduate training took 5 days and included mining a huge box of papers. The simulation helped improve in the following areas:

  • Limitless scale

  • Reduced course duration/ cost

  • Increased attention to customer service over pure auditing skills

  • Increased engagement

  • Competitive differentiation

The simulation increased productivity by 24% and reported a year-on-year ROI of $12 million.

The game increased productivity by 24%. Simulated hands-on examples are more useful than a whole semester on auditing.
— Trainer, KPMG.

Foundation Negotiator: Advanced eLearning

Can something as subtle as negotiation skills be improved with eLearning? Brandon Hall thought so, they gave it a Gold Award.

The Gap Partnership are world leaders in commercial negotiation skills training. They needed sophisticated online learning to support their business in the pandemic. They asked Totem to create ‘grown up’ eLearning to complement their workshops.

We developed a unique 8 module programme that included:

  1. Interactive, episodic negotiation simulations.

  2. Dynamic scoring across the modules.

  3. Multiple links to support information.

Complex training can be delivered remotely.

The programme has engaged thousands of learners in 11 different languages. It helped us win a Brandon Hall Gold Award with our biggest client.
— Chief Negotiation Officer, The Gap Partnership.