Jason Fox - The Game Changer: How to Use the Science of Motivation with the Power of Game Design to Shift Behaviour, Shape Culture and Make Clever Happen

Game Changer

noun: a newly introduced element or factor that changes an
existing situation or activity in a significant way

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Dr Jason Fox is a global authority on motivation strategy and design, and he's on an epic quest to liberate the world from poorly designed work.

After sneaking into the Ivory Towers of academia and levelling up with a PhD in record time, Jason now works with forward-thinking business leaders, showing them how to use the best elements of motivation science and game design to influence behaviour, drive progress and make clever happen.

He has advised on motivation strategy, change management and good gamification design to a range of organisations from multinational companies like PepsiCo, Gartner and Toyota; to the big banks, universities, mining, telecommunication and pharmaceutical companies; right through to grassroots educational organisations and savvy startups.

Jason lives in Melbourne, Australia, the hipster capital of beards and good coffee. When not gallivanting around the world speaking at events (as the science-based alternative to the fist-pumping rah-rah motivational corporate speakers) or immersed in game-changing work with clients, Jason enjoys partaking in extreme sports like reading, coffee snobbery and fruit ninja .

Learn more at www.drjasonfox.com .

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

Writing a book is bloody hard work. I'd love to pretend that I gamed my own motivation, and that the whole thing was double rainbows, unicorns and cupcakes but the fact is this book would not have been possible without the support of some truly inspiring people. The type of folk you feel lucky to have met and have in your life. The people that keep you real, and actively contribute to your quest.

For me, this adventure was kickstarted by my good mates and thought leaders Matt Church, Darren Hill and Peter Cook. They've all published brilliant books with Wiley, and all worked to sneak me in the back door to speak to the right people (and helped to keep me on track). You guys are legendary.

Those right people at Wiley were Kristen, Elizabeth and Keira all super brilliant. Kristen was enthusiastic and supportive of the concept right from the start. Thank you for helping me to keep the book funky and fresh. And Elizabeth, thank you for being so kind and patient during those prolonged bouts of perfectionism.

This book wouldn't be the book it is without the help of a professional editor. I've got to give a big thanks to Jem Bates, who has completely revolutionised my perceptions of the editing process. His thorough, empathetic and constructive approach has made this a much better book.

I must also give thanks for some of the support I had on the sidelines. Jen Storey, your editing help early in the game got me across the line a number of times thanks for contributing your wit and helping to dig me out of a few ruts. And Russel Remigio, my Wonderuss assistant thank you for embarking upon the obscure research quests that contributed to this book (and curtailing the entropy in my absence).

Of course there's also the family and friends one neglects as they conquer a project like this. Thanks guys for still liking me, even as I become ever more obscure.

And then there are the clients I've had the honour of working with. You've all helped shape the ideas in this book, and I'm mighty grateful.

But the biggest thanks of all must go to my gorgeous wife, Kim Lam (aka Dangerlam). This book would not be possible without her. Kim has supported me throughout it all. Even when I was away working with clients overseas, and writing this book instead of cooking dinner, or bringing the laptop to restaurants to work on this through dinner, Kim has been ridiculously supportive of this project. Thank you darling, for the light and the laughter you bring to my every day. I love you to bits.

Ah! And thanks to you too. For being the type that reads the acknowledgements, and of course for supporting this book. I'm already liking the cut of your jib. Hat tips to your magnificence! We're going to get along mighty fine