FAQ
What are the fundamental basics of this simulation?
The objective of this simulation is to offer participants insights in the respective aspects of management of organisations.
The main basic theories are the framework of the INK-managementmodel. We endorse the word framework in this case because we do not want participants to become “model-followers”.
The coherence of the elements of the INK-managementmodel and their interrelationship are far more important than the respective nine elements by themselves.
Next to the basics of INK this simulation uses another two important points of attention for managers: 1. insight in the energy spent (where and how much) and 2. insight in the drives that teams show in their actions taken.
A balanced usage of energy shows a balanced management. Scattered energy usage however gives evidence of either ad hoc management or possible inconsequences in management.
The same applies to the drives with which managers take action. One goes for strength and power, the other for structure and rules and regulations. Yet another pays more attention to entrepreneurship. Or teams value cooperation in teams as important. Here also well balanced drives is important. Even more: a well balanced set of drives in a team can tell the future of the company’s success. The drives we refer to (and are fully implemented) in this simulation are based on the theories of Prof Clare Graves. These theories are used by Beck&Cowan in their development of Spiral Dynamics.
Who is this simulation aimed at?The main basic theories are the framework of the INK-managementmodel. We endorse the word framework in this case because we do not want participants to become “model-followers”.
The coherence of the elements of the INK-managementmodel and their interrelationship are far more important than the respective nine elements by themselves.
Next to the basics of INK this simulation uses another two important points of attention for managers: 1. insight in the energy spent (where and how much) and 2. insight in the drives that teams show in their actions taken.
A balanced usage of energy shows a balanced management. Scattered energy usage however gives evidence of either ad hoc management or possible inconsequences in management.
The same applies to the drives with which managers take action. One goes for strength and power, the other for structure and rules and regulations. Yet another pays more attention to entrepreneurship. Or teams value cooperation in teams as important. Here also well balanced drives is important. Even more: a well balanced set of drives in a team can tell the future of the company’s success. The drives we refer to (and are fully implemented) in this simulation are based on the theories of Prof Clare Graves. These theories are used by Beck&Cowan in their development of Spiral Dynamics.
This simulation is specifically aimed at manager, supervisors and senior staff. People who are in any sense involved in managing an organisation are typically the target audience. Their goals being to broaden their view on management and getting more insight in the consequences of actions taken. The simulation is most used in organisation of 50 and larger (up to thousands of employees).
Can this simulation also be done in my organisation?
Yes, this simulation most presumably is also applicable for your organisation.
It can be executed in different environments: on-site or in a conference centre of any kind.
Running the simulation can be done with teams together at a specific location. It can also be done with teams on several different locations. The teams can be located on any place worldwide. They communicate through internet with each other and with the facilitator (in this situation on call through Skype telephone).
What are the requirements for executing The Business Improvement Game®?It can be executed in different environments: on-site or in a conference centre of any kind.
Running the simulation can be done with teams together at a specific location. It can also be done with teams on several different locations. The teams can be located on any place worldwide. They communicate through internet with each other and with the facilitator (in this situation on call through Skype telephone).
For execution of The Business Improvement Game® the following applies:
One or more teams of appr. 5 to 8 persons. A working location per team. Per team, or set of teams on one location: a PC with printer and internet connection. And of course a facilitator to support the team (this may be on-site or in case teams work on remote sites this can be organised e.g. through Skype telephone). A request for facilitation can be done via e-mail to: wj@vanderveldt.com.
Can different organisations participate on one and the same game?One or more teams of appr. 5 to 8 persons. A working location per team. Per team, or set of teams on one location: a PC with printer and internet connection. And of course a facilitator to support the team (this may be on-site or in case teams work on remote sites this can be organised e.g. through Skype telephone). A request for facilitation can be done via e-mail to: wj@vanderveldt.com.
Yes, participating in The Business Improvement Game® alias The Management Challenge® can be done together with a number teams, departments or even different organisations.
The set-up of the BIGame is not directly specific to any branche. Since the basics of the BIGame are defined within INK, Spiral Dynamics and Energy usage the BIGame is applicable to all organisations, be it profit or not-for-profit.
Internet technology makes it even possible to run the BIGame over different locations and even in different time frames. Teams can compete at their own location and their own time slots and even in their own languages with other teams in the same simulation.
English, German and Dutch are available as of today. French will follow by September 2006.
Turkish will follow soon.
Can I perform the simulation in my own language?The set-up of the BIGame is not directly specific to any branche. Since the basics of the BIGame are defined within INK, Spiral Dynamics and Energy usage the BIGame is applicable to all organisations, be it profit or not-for-profit.
Internet technology makes it even possible to run the BIGame over different locations and even in different time frames. Teams can compete at their own location and their own time slots and even in their own languages with other teams in the same simulation.
English, German and Dutch are available as of today. French will follow by September 2006.
Turkish will follow soon.
Yes, teams can participate in three languages now and soon additonal languages will become available. In one simulation each team or participant is free to choose his or her language!
English, German and Dutch are available as of today. French will follow by September 2006.
Turkish will follow soon.
Can I do the simulation with colleagues from other locations?English, German and Dutch are available as of today. French will follow by September 2006.
Turkish will follow soon.
Teams can compete at their own location and their own time slots and even in their own languages with each other teams in the same simulation.
Who facilitates this simulation?
The Business Improvement Game® is facilitated by experienced facilitators, trained by Vanderveldt BIC and partners. Vanderveldt BIC sets high-level standards for this training in order to get the most and best out of the simulation for the customers/participants.
Only facilitators licensed by Vanderveldt BIC can get access to The Business Improvement Game®. This way Vanderveldt BIC protects the superior level of facilitation.
Can I become facilitator and what are the requirements therefore?Only facilitators licensed by Vanderveldt BIC can get access to The Business Improvement Game®. This way Vanderveldt BIC protects the superior level of facilitation.
Potential facilitators need to have a longstanding experience in senior management.
Additionally they need to be well experienced with the application of INK.
All facilitators will go through a in-depth training of 2.5 days. This training also contains a practice test and those passing the test successfully will get licensed.
Can we accomodate this simulation "in-company"?Additionally they need to be well experienced with the application of INK.
All facilitators will go through a in-depth training of 2.5 days. This training also contains a practice test and those passing the test successfully will get licensed.
Once your organisation has the availability of licensed facilitators you can run the BIGame in-company. Several large companies already trained their own facilitators thus enabling them to run the simulation at their convenience. If you do not employ licensed facilitators you can still run this simulation using external licensed facilitators. Contact Vanderveldt BIC for more information: wj@vanderveldt.com.
What is the maximum number of participants for the simulation?
Technically spoken there is no maximum number of participating teams and thus participants. Practically seen it is wise to first set learning objectives for your target group and adjust the number of teams and participants to these goals.
How much time does one need to do the simulation?
The simulation can be executed in different timeslots.
Minimal span is to simulate one full operating year. This can be done in approximately 4.5 hours, including reading time and debrief etc..
It is also possible to run more operating years to a maximum of 5. Together with the facilitator you can agree upon a specific kick-off situation and total number of years to simulate.
The kick-off might be set according to e.g. a recent assessment of your own organisation thus making the simulation even more realistic and the result better applicable to your future needs.
For more information on appropriate assessments contact your facilitator or Vanderveldt BIC.
It is not necessary to run the respective simulation years in one flow. The consecutive years can be spread over a longer timeframe. This enables you to adjust the simulation to e.g. an internal project. Each consecutive year of simulation you can have preceded by theoretical sessions to get more learning effects with the participants.
Which approach delivers the best results?Minimal span is to simulate one full operating year. This can be done in approximately 4.5 hours, including reading time and debrief etc..
It is also possible to run more operating years to a maximum of 5. Together with the facilitator you can agree upon a specific kick-off situation and total number of years to simulate.
The kick-off might be set according to e.g. a recent assessment of your own organisation thus making the simulation even more realistic and the result better applicable to your future needs.
For more information on appropriate assessments contact your facilitator or Vanderveldt BIC.
It is not necessary to run the respective simulation years in one flow. The consecutive years can be spread over a longer timeframe. This enables you to adjust the simulation to e.g. an internal project. Each consecutive year of simulation you can have preceded by theoretical sessions to get more learning effects with the participants.
The best results of course are dependant on your choice of years, timeframes, combinations with projects etc. Your facilitator can help you decide on the best approach for your company and your specific situation. For a “one-off” execution of the simulation you best make the choice to run two consecutive years in one day.
Why two (2) years preferably and not one (1)?
Executing one simulation year requires to up-front explain the course of the simulation and the theories that form the basics. This implies automatically that you confront your participants with a theory and they than will more easy apply this and so have less confrontations with wrong actions.
When two years are simulated, the first year will be run based on the teams’ own experiences. They are asked to, with their existing knowledge and experience, manage their virtual organisation. After that they get the theories behind the framework and an in-deth debrief. With this they run the second year”. The learning curve will sure be higher.
That’s why we advise two versus one year as a basis.The best results of course are dependant on your choice of years, timeframes, combinations with projects etc. Your facilitator can help you decide on the best approach for your company and your specific situation. For a “one-off” execution of the simulation you best make the choice to run two consecutive years in one day.
What is the investment involved in doing a simulation for my staff?When two years are simulated, the first year will be run based on the teams’ own experiences. They are asked to, with their existing knowledge and experience, manage their virtual organisation. After that they get the theories behind the framework and an in-deth debrief. With this they run the second year”. The learning curve will sure be higher.
That’s why we advise two versus one year as a basis.The best results of course are dependant on your choice of years, timeframes, combinations with projects etc. Your facilitator can help you decide on the best approach for your company and your specific situation. For a “one-off” execution of the simulation you best make the choice to run two consecutive years in one day.
The investment for the simulation is dependant on a number of factors.
The number of participants, the number of teams, the time slot available and the need for assistance (facilitatiors) are all elements involved.
Next it is of influence whether you use own licensed facilitators or you hire senior facilitators from a consultancy firm. We, or our licensed facilitators, are happy to make a quotation for you, tailored to your specific needs. Please contact wj@vanderveldt.com for further assistance and information.
What do we need to execute a simulation?The number of participants, the number of teams, the time slot available and the need for assistance (facilitatiors) are all elements involved.
Next it is of influence whether you use own licensed facilitators or you hire senior facilitators from a consultancy firm. We, or our licensed facilitators, are happy to make a quotation for you, tailored to your specific needs. Please contact wj@vanderveldt.com for further assistance and information.
For the execution of a simulation you need the following:
The number of participants, the number of teams, the timeslot you want to apply, the number of years to simulate, location information, language information etc.
Minimal one facilitator shall be applied. He or she will be the linking pin between your organisation and ours.
Teams shall be made known to our system, at least at the teamleader level. We can organise that for you. But also your facilitator can do this for you.
Teamleaders than get a code to log on to the system and will be invited for further activities. Once the system is kicked off it will invite the teams for further activities and deliver the respective output to the teams. The team use their log-in ID to access the system.
For further information please contact either Vanderveldt BIC or your own facilitator.
What kind of infrastructure do I need to run the simulation?The number of participants, the number of teams, the timeslot you want to apply, the number of years to simulate, location information, language information etc.
Minimal one facilitator shall be applied. He or she will be the linking pin between your organisation and ours.
Teams shall be made known to our system, at least at the teamleader level. We can organise that for you. But also your facilitator can do this for you.
Teamleaders than get a code to log on to the system and will be invited for further activities. Once the system is kicked off it will invite the teams for further activities and deliver the respective output to the teams. The team use their log-in ID to access the system.
For further information please contact either Vanderveldt BIC or your own facilitator.
The simulation can be executed in different ways and locations.
If you choose to work with a central location, we advise you than to use one large plenary room where the teams have enough privacy to run their own businesses. You also need a large screen and projector to plenary debrief the results.
Further computers, printers and internet access are needed tot access the system.
When you operate from different locations each location needs a computer/printer and internet access. If you have agreed on remote support you need telephone access or Skype on the computer.
For the end-debrief, teams need to gather plenary in order to have a facilitator address the complete set of teams. But also here you might choose to use technology to have teams communicate remotely.
If you choose to work with a central location, we advise you than to use one large plenary room where the teams have enough privacy to run their own businesses. You also need a large screen and projector to plenary debrief the results.
Further computers, printers and internet access are needed tot access the system.
When you operate from different locations each location needs a computer/printer and internet access. If you have agreed on remote support you need telephone access or Skype on the computer.
For the end-debrief, teams need to gather plenary in order to have a facilitator address the complete set of teams. But also here you might choose to use technology to have teams communicate remotely.
