The Open Seminar in Skopje featured two interesting presentations successfully delivered by Mr. Chris Liassides from our Business Administration and Economics Department and Dr. Vasileios Chatzimpyros from our Psychology Department who chose to present contemporary topics of their discipline.
Mr. Liassides, Senior Lecturer in Marketing Management and Operations Management opened the event with his presentation on ‘Gamification - The contemporary way to engage employees and customers’. Mr Liassides discussed the the technique and the principles of gamification as a modern tool in engaging employees and customers. He explained how excitement can develop through the use of the 10 game mechanics, the six-step method that can be employed, and the psychology behind such an effort. Success stories involving gamification in a number of industries, ranging from the hotel and hospitality industry to retailing were also presented in the seminar. Participants were exposed to the principles behind gamification, the step-by-step method that could be followed, and a number of recent cases that have boosted the performance and revenue of organisations.
Dr. Vasileios Chatzimpyros, Lecturer and Research Director at CITY College’s Psychology Department presented the second seminar entitled ‘Sense of belonging and intimate relationships: How they influence our mental and physical health’. Dr Chatzimpyros explained that belonging refers to the emotional need people have to feel accepted by others and the society around us. During his presentation he commented: “Nowadays social media offer the opportunity to stay constantly connected to many people and groups; however, ironically more and more people feel a lack in their sense of belonging and a growing distance between people with who they have interpersonal relationships.” Dr Chatzimpyros focused his presentation on the reasons why people feel that loss of connection and how important interpersonal relationships are regarding our physical and mental health.
Both seminars were very well-received by participants who gave positive feedback.