Effective and fun way to develop business-relevant skills, improve soft skills, boost self-confidence, and work on presentation abilities – these are managerial games. Never heard of managerial games, business games, management games, or business simulators? Don’t hesitate to try them – they might be the perfect tool for your personal and professional development.
What are management games?
Managerial games are a form of management education based on simulating a business environment. Through this simulation, managers learn to solve problems and handle situations that may arise when running companies or other organizations.
There are various types of management games, some of which are known worldwide, even to children. Board games like Monopoly can teach management skills, while computer games such as simulators, strategy games, or games focused on building civilizations, societies, or thriving cities can also improve management abilities.
A special type of managerial game is played in groups, typically during team-building events or training sessions. These games can last a long time, consist of multiple tasks, and not only enhance management skills but also strengthen team cohesion and contribute to personal development. Teams and individuals act as businesses with full management structures, including CEOs, department heads, banks, stock exchanges, and other entities. Complex managerial games are usually organized by specialized companies, but simpler versions can also be created and played within your own team.
Why try managerial games?
There are several reasons to try managerial games. They help develop or improve key managerial skills such as quick decision-making, motivating employees, presenting, and effective communication. They also boost self-confidence and allow you to see your colleagues from a different perspective, strengthening your team. An additional benefit is the discussion during or after the game, which provides valuable feedback on participants’ actions.
Tips for managerial and personal development games
From board games, these include the already mentioned Monopoly, but also Power Grid, Factory Manager, Agricola, and Charterstone.
As for computer games or apps, there is an endless number of options, especially in the genre of building and strategy games – you just need to choose the type and time commitment. A popular example is the Age of Empires series, which has several different versions.
A typical managerial game for a group with simpler rules can be Merchants, known especially to participants of children’s camps or members of various youth organizations, scouts, and similar groups. The group is divided into teams with an equal number of players. Each player starts with a certain amount of money, which they use to buy and resell commodities. Buying and selling can take place at different stations, including a black market, with prices constantly changing depending on factors like seasonality. There are also auctions, banks, and even a “police” role that monitors trade, including black-market activities. The goal is for the team to have the most money by the end of the game. The detailed rules can easily be adapted to fit a specific business area.
Already tried managerial games but want to complement them with a comprehensive education and earn an MBA? At CEMI, you can study an MBA programmes in Czech or English. Choose the program that best fits your goals.
