Boosting Engineering Performance Through Engagement: The Power of Associate Engagement

April 3, 2025|Transcendent

The Challenge: A Crisis of Disengagement

Globally, 77% of employees feel disengaged, stressed, or even angry at work. In hospitality, this problem is even more pronounced among engineering teams who face the unique challenge of balancing innovation with operational demands.

Many engineers are new to the field, adjusting to the demands of a fast-paced industry like hospitality. At the same time, long-tenured engineers, who possess invaluable experience, may feel their contributions go unrecognized. Without a sense of engagement, performance suffers–leading to slower maintenance, more downtime, and higher costs.

But what if completing routine tasks could be rewarding? What if engineers had clear goals, a way to track their progress and performance, as well as recognition for a job well done?

That’s where Associate Engagement comes in.

What is Associate Engagement?

Associate Engagement is an interactive performance-boosting tool built into Transcendent. It turns routine maintenance tasks into measurable achievements by leveraging gamification, self-performance tracking, and recognition.

Engineers improve their performance score by completing work orders efficiently and according to brand standards, encouraging continuous improvement while providing leaders with visibility into team performance, and site performance across the portfolio.

The Data Behind Engagement & Performance

Early adopters of Associate Engagement have seen a 2-3x improvement in compliance metrics and overall operational performance since leveraging the system. Here’s the breakdown:

Low Engagement (0 minutes in Associate Engagement): 37% brand standard compliance average.
Moderate Engagement (1-30 minutes in Associate Engagement): 90% brand standard compliance average.
High Engagement (31+ minutes in Associate Engagement): 93% brand standard compliance, with significant improvements in efficiency and asset longevity.

We’ve found that when team members have clear visibility into their own performance—and can track it alongside how they rank among peers—they tend to take greater ownership of their work. This increased transparency often leads to measurable improvements in performance scores. This leads to faster maintenance, fewer costly repairs, and a stronger culture of accountability–ultimately improving guest satisfaction and driving profitability.

Why Engagement Matters: Turning Tasks Into Wins

When engineers are actively engaged in their work, they don’t just complete tasks-they take ownership of them. Associate Engagement reinforces this mindset by recognizing top performers, encouraging consistent execution of brand standards, and fostering a culture of accountability.

Hotels leveraging Associate Engagement see higher brand standard compliance, fewer unexpected maintenance costs supported by asset longevity, and more proactive teams– all of which contribute to a more profitable, high-performing operation.

Unlock Associate Engagement

Associate Engagement is more than a tool for improving brand compliance—it’s a game-changing solution that drives performance, boosts morale, and optimizes hotel operations.

By fostering a culture of accountability and recognition, hotels can create an environment where engineers feel motivated, supported, and engaged. Ready to get in the game? Book time with our experts for an exclusive look.