Conference Games
Although team working challenges are popular at conferences, often they have little relevance to business. In contrast, the Conference Business Game retains the team building elements but adds a business success dimension.
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Conference GamesAlthough team working challenges are popular at conferences, often they have little relevance to business. In contrast, the Conference Business Game retains the team building elements but adds a business success dimension. |
TEAM WORKING
Team working activities are attractive events at business conferences. However, often, they have no business relevance. The conference business game combines the two. Where each member of a sales force works in isolation and where there is little face to face contact with "head office" team working and building is very important.
PROBLEM SOLVING
Simulations involve participants comprehensively in "problem solving". During the simulation teams must assess the need to take actions, generate options, evaluate these and choose the "best". The simulation model will implement this. Following this, teams must assess whether the solution is successful and change it if necessary.
DEVELOPS RELATIONSHIPS
The purpose of many conferences, especially sales conferences, is to provide an opportunity for executives to meet, build relationships and "network" with fellow executive with whom they had only spoken to on the phone or via Fax. Team formulation can be done with this in mind.
BUSINESS ORIENTATION
Simulations involve working on a comprehensive mix of business problems (finance, marketing, operations, behaviour etc.). Thus they differ from other participation events (such as bungy jumping, go-karting, paintball, inflatable sumo wrestling, fire walking etc.).
PROFIT EMPHASIS
Beyond the business orientation aspect of Conference Games they are concerned with money - profits, profitability and cash flow. A common need at sales conferences is to explain and emphasise to the sales force the need for profitable sales rather than just making sales (growing unit sales volume no matter what!)
SAFE
Many executives are not as fit as they could be, should be or as they believe. Physical, team-building activities are not without risk. If business or peer pressure is high these activities can be positively dangerous. In contrast the Conference Business Game still challenges team working but thorough mental faculties rather than physical strength and stamina. A challenge that is, perhaps, more appropriate for the successful businessperson.
STIMULATING & MOTIVATING
The competitive and active nature of a Conference Business Game is very stimulating. Teams will become very involved even to the extent of working on the game rather than visiting the bar - surely the ultimate test of involvement on a business conference!
DEVELOP COMPETITION
In contrast to formulating teams to develop relationships, teams can be formed from individual business units. This helps build the unit's team and competitive spirit.
SKILLS ASSESSMENT
The business oriented, team working and problem solving nature of simulations challenges delegates and provides an opportunity for senior management to observe staff "in action". (Simulations are also used in formal Assessment Centres). If the apparent role of the senior management is to "coach" teams the assessment dimension can be disguised. (Disguising is sensible since, otherwise, conference delegates might be constrained and not have fun!)
PRACTICAL ISSUES
NUMBERS
On a course a simulation may be run with twelve to thirty delegates. At a conference the numbers may be from forty to a hundred or more. This may require several games to be run in parallel. This, coupled with an abbreviated timetable, demands experienced tutors and careful planning.
ABBREVIATED TIME TABLE
Although conference use is a learning experience this is usually not the prime purpose. This allows the period between decisions to be shortened and fewer periods simulated. For instance, on a course, the decision cycle might be one hour reducing to thirty minutes with eight periods simulated. The same simulation, on a conference, would involve decision cycles reducing from forty minutes to twenty minutes and only six or five periods simulated. Finally the review and debriefing period can be shortened to a few minutes. This means that it may be possible to halve the duration of the simulation. However, the increased number of teams and logistics must be considered.
CONFERENCE FACILITIES
Although conference games can make use of separate syndicate rooms there are advantages in running the simulation with teams sitting at separate tables in one large room. This reduces privacy and the ability to use flip charts but, significantly, simplifies control of the event, speeds the process and increases the buzz of competition. (This is particularly true where, in a hotel, the syndicate rooms are widely spread.)
THE DIRECTING "TEAM"
On a course a single tutor might run the simulation. At a conference, the additional numbers and tight time table means that several tutors may be required. For the sixty delegate example the team consisted of three and for the forty delegate example two. All were kept very busy and had little time for coaching and assessment. The coaching and assessment role can be usefully provided by senior management (who otherwise would expect their team to win!) So we suggest that the person directing the activity should be very experienced with the simulation. (We are always willing to run Conference Games for you - especially if they are at exotic locations!)
CHOOSING A WINNER
Unlike short course use, where it is not usual or desirable to choose a winner, it is normal to choose a winning team at a conference. This choice of winner can either be based on a single objective measure or based more subjectively on several measures. The single measure approach is quick and clear but it may lead to most groups developing the same strategies, attempts to "beat" the game and may be demotivating for the losers. Using several measures to assess past, current and future performance about profitability, growth and survival is a more realistic measure of "business success". Further the range of measures means that most teams will have some areas of strength.
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Most recent update: 06/09/08
Hall Marketing, Studio 11, Colman's Wharf, 45 Morris Road, London
E14 6PA, ENGLAND
Phone & Fax +44 (0)20 7537 2982 E-mail jeremyhall@simulations.co.uk