Experiential Learning
Immersive. Insightful. Inspiring.
VIRTUAL COMPANIES AS A PLAYGROUND
Acquiring knowledge of concepts about supply chain or circular economy is one thing. That’s where traditional training formats can provide the foundation, the exercises, and the methodologies. However, to gain insight into the dynamics between all these elements such as they occur in real life, nothing beats having a simulation environment at hand. An environment in which you and your fellow participants can make decisions, test assumptions, and analyze outcomes, without the risk of hurting real-life business. This is learning by doing. This is experiential learning. Next to the fact that it is highly insightful and engaging, experiential learning helps trainees better retain the knowledge they just acquired. So, before you think this is all just fun and play: this is about serious business!
These business simulations all reflect the dynamics in a virtual company. Teams of 4 participants, each of them making decisions within a specific role, compete against each other on their company’s performance, by playing several rounds. The number of rounds, the number of teams, the duration and cadence of the training, and the complexity of the environment, can be tweaked according to the specific training requirements and budget.
The Triple Connection
Sustainability
COMPANY PRODUCT:
chocolate milk
ROLES:
– Sales
– Design/Purchasing
– Supply Chain
– Finance
CHALLENGE:
Put your limited budget to use to make the company live up to its sustainability ambitions.
MAIN METRICS:
True Return on Investment and SDG Scores
The Blue Connection
Circularity
COMPANY PRODUCT:
e-bike
ROLES:
– Sales
– Design/Purchasing
– Supply Chain
– Finance
CHALLENGE:
Guide the company through its circular transition and choose the right strategy.
MAIN METRICS:
Return on Investment and Circular Transition Index
The Cool Connection
Finance in Supply Chain
COMPANY PRODUCT:
cosmetics
ROLES:
– Sales
– Purchasing
– Supply Chain
– Finance
CHALLENGE:
Live up to the promise in a realistic budgeting process and create shareholder value.
MAIN METRICS:
Return on Investment and Stock price
The Fresh Connection
Supply Chain
COMPANY PRODUCT:
orange juice
ROLES:
– Sales
– Design/Purchasing
– Supply Chain
– Operations
CHALLENGE:
The company is making losses. Make it profitable again and align sales with operations.
MAIN METRICS:
Return on Investment
Typical Formats
The configuration of the simulations is often very flexible, and the number of rounds to be played is as well. This means that this can be tailored to the needs of the training. Below are several typical formats used to deliver the training.
VOTING SESSION
1 TO 2 HOURS
PERFECT FOR:
CREATING AWARENESS
In this format, participants have no access to the simulation environment. The instructor will however introduce the audience to the virtual company and ask them to vote on a set of decisions on a multiple-choice basis. Once the votes are in, the instructor will implement the decisions, let the system calculate, and explain the outcome.
CLASSICAL
1 DAY
PERFECT FOR:
UNDERSTANDING DYNAMICS
During one day, participants will play in teams in a classroom setting. This typically includes 3 to 5 playing rounds and some high-level introduction of a set of important concepts. Most of the takeaways though are acquired through the participants getting grips with how different decisions in the simulation impact each other.
HYBRID
2½ DAY
PERFECT FOR:
DEEPER KNOWLEDGE
In this format, 2 days of classroom training, one week apart, serve to focus on a specific kind of knowledge for a specific audience, e.g. finance for supply chain professionals. During the first day, the participants play the first set of 2 rounds, to get to know the simulation. However, the day will also provide some detailed training on several important concepts. In between the first and the second day, participants gather online (or physically) to play 2 intermediate rounds on their own. On the second day, an extra set of advanced concepts are explained and the participants play the last 2 rounds. And of course, the winning team is celebrated.
ONLINE EXTENDED
MULTIPLE 3½ HOUR SESSIONS
PERFECT FOR:
GLOBAL TEAMS
It will not always be possible to gather the participants in classrooms for a full day of training. But because the simulations are cloud-based, it is of course perfectly feasible to organize online sessions. However, this requires a different approach than the physical training formats. Typically, these sessions are spread over multiple weeks and follow a rhythm of: introduce all teams to the game, play a round with your team, have a debrief between team and instructor, play another round, and have another debrief until after x rounds, a final debrief with all teams is also the moment where the winning team gets their merits!
