Business Studies students brave Spookers to unravel employee motivation secrets
Posted on March 22, 2024
In a daring move that could only be described as a blend of courage and curiosity, the Level 2 Business Studies students from Macleans College embarked on a spine-tingling expedition to the infamous haunted attraction, Spookers.
This was no ordinary field trip. For their term one internal assessment, these brave student souls had a mission to uncover the mysterious secrets behind what motivates the Spookers' staff.
Armed with notebooks and pens the students ventured into the dark corridors of Spookers and its haunted house, where screams echoed, and goosebumps were mandatory. As they navigated through the haunted halls, they observed the eerie enthusiasm of the actors, whose commitment to scaring the wits out of visitors was both terrifying and awe-inspiring.
But what drives these ghoulish employees to embrace the macabre with such gusto? Is it the thrill of the scare? The satisfaction of making grown adults jump out of their skin? Or perhaps just the chance to win a group hug at the end of a successful night of scaring? The business students were determined to find out.
By interviewing staff the students uncovered a variety of motivations, ranging from a passion for performance art to a deep-seated love of Halloween. Some admitted to being adrenaline junkies, while others simply relished the opportunity to dress up. Spookers use a wide range of rewards and incentives, together with training and team-building, to keep their actors engaged and motivated to provide a quality visitor experience night after night.
‘It's like being in a horror movie every night,’ said one enthusiastic employee; his face obscured by layers of terrifying makeup. ‘Who wouldn't want to get paid to be a monster?’
As the trip drew to a close and the students emerged from the darkness, they couldn't help but marvel at the dedication and creativity of Spookers' employees. With a staff of nearly 150 casual actors from diverse walks of life one thing was certain - when it comes to employee motivation, a little bit of a scare can go a long way.
