Sparkassenstiftung für internationale Kooperation

Business Games Impressions

A success model blazes a trail around the world

Since their beginnings in the 1990s, the Business Games made by German Sparkassenstiftung for International Cooperation (DSIK) have become an international brand for an innovative and interactive learning experience. Learning with haptic and computer-based simulations is knowledge far away from dry theory. Vast demand and experience in many countries around the world as well as highly satisfied participants are convincing proof of the success of the Business Games.

You can’t start too early — You can’t start too early Since the 1990s, DSIK offers its Business Games to various target groups in its project countries. In many places, the Business Games have meanwhile become an integral part of school education. More and more teachers undergo special trainings to impart financial literacy to their pupils.

Nothing ventured, nothing gained — Nothing ventured, nothing gained The main targets of the Business Games are to teach people to identify problem causes and to analyse correlations. By interpreting the results and evaluating player performance, the teams shape and hone their own success strategy.

Hands-on financial education — Hands-on financial education What is a loan? Why is it so important to save and how do I generate savings? Why should I save with a bank instead of keeping my money at home under the mattress? These and other questions cannot be answered early enough. That is why German Sparkassenstiftung uses its Business Games to improve the financial education of children and youth.

Basis of entrepreneurial success — Basis of entrepreneurial success Being one of DSIK's board-based Business Games, the Micro Business Game teaches about economic interrelations and imparts entrepreneurial skills. With the help of a playboard, the business processes of an orange juice store are illustrated. The players take on the role of a microentrepreneur and pursue the goal of leading their business to success. In so doing, they learn which decisions, ways of thinking and behaving can lead to entrepreneurial success or failure.

A matter of trust — A matter of trust Every evening, this owner of a small Ghanaian boutique deposits her daily cash receipts with the Credit Union she trusts. Confiding in the house bank is an important issue. This trust is based on an offer of adequate financial services, but even more so on well-trained bank staff. That is why in Ghana, DSIK’s Business Games are particularly used to professionalise the bank staff of credit cooperatives and microfinance associations.

Saving money – the right way — Saving money – the right way You can imagine, how and where these Vietnamese women keep their money. In many development countries and emerging economies there is no access to financial services. But even more so, the people do not trust the financial system and lack the knowledge about how to use financial products correctly, like, for instance, a savings account. With the help of selected training measures for bank staff, on the one hand, and for small-scale entrepreneurs, private households, children and youth, on the other, German Sparkassenstsiftung’s Business Games help to change this situation.

Team work — Team work The participants of the Business Game trainings always act in teams. Thus, personal knowledge and skills can be directly applied and at the same time be broadened by exchanging with other team members. Discussing different issues in groups and competing with participating teams plays a decisive role in the didactic conception of the Business Games.

Formula for success — Formula for success Receipts, expenses, provisions, investments… Which steps need to be taken in order to advance the own company? Women in business, like here in Vietnam, acquire entrepreneurial skills in the Business Game trainings offered by DSIK.

Learning with and from each other — Learning with and from each other Interaction, team work, practical exercise and the motivation to finish the game as the winner – these are the aspects leading to a high learning success among the participants of the Business Games made by German Sparkassenstiftung.

Quality control — Quality control To execute Business Game trainings all around the globe, German Sparkassenstiftung thoroughly trains and coaches its own international and local trainers. They evaluate the results of each round of the Business Game and then analyse these outcomes jointly with the participants.

A passionate trainer — A passionate trainer For decades, Ferdinand Feldgen has worked as project manager and deputy managing director at DSIK's head office. German Sparkassenstiftung’s Business Games have been his special field of expertise from day one on. Instead of now enjoying lazy days in retirement, he decided to continue working as faithful coach and trainer for DSIK's Business Games and imparting his expertise all around the globe.

Financial literacy for a tradition-based business — Financial literacy for a tradition-based business. Robert de Beauplan from Algeria forges hand-made household supplies and jewellery from copper and bronze. He has learned his profession from his father, who learned it from his father. Robert de Beauplan hopes that he can pass his business on to his son in the near future. For small-scale entrepreneurs like him the Business Game trainings are important to keep his smithy on a successful track.

Hands-on experience instead of dry theory — Hands-on experience instead of dry theory. DSIK's portfolio of Business Games comprises simulations for small-scale entrepreneurs, children, youth, pupils, students and private households, but also for bank managers and bank staff, as this picture shows. In particular, the practical approach pursued by the Business Game trainings, the interaction with other people and the opportunity to try things out in a real-life scenario enthuses the participants worldwide.

Former glory — Former glory Like in Algeria, many people worldwide are living in difficult conditions. The economy is stagnating, cities and villages are dying. Financial inclusion is a key to a better future. DSIK supports this goal with its Business Games and helps people all around the globe to improve their chances in live.

Nothing ventured, nothing gained — Nothing ventured, nothing gained More than anything, the participants of the business simulation trainings appreciate the risk-free environment in which they can try things out and the evaluation and analysis of their team results through experienced trainers. Thus, they learn in a playful mode to develop successful strategies and apply them in a real-life scenario.

No easy game — No easy game Although the Business Games impart financial education in a playful mode, the training sessions are highly demanding. In particular, the business simulations offered to banking experts are full of difficult questions and problems. In handling these difficult tasks, the participants learn how to think in a solution-focused way and master the daily challenges of bank management.

Play instinct as formula for success — Play instinct as formula for success During the Business Game trainings, the participants build teams who play against each other. The competition and the motivation to finish the game as the winner is one of the core parts of the underlying didactical conception. Everyone loves to be the winner, be it in solving tricky tasks or during rather refreshing team exercises in breaks between the different session rounds, as can be seen here in the picture.

Think tank — Think tank The Business Games’ participants are often a diverse mix from various fields of business. But this is exactly what promotes the exchange of experience and views and opens new lines of thought and perspectives.

Photographer: Philip Ruopp, (c) German Sparkassenstiftung

Deutsche Sparkassenstiftung für internationale Kooperation e.V.
Simrockstraße 4, 53113 Bonn

Phone: +49 228 9703-0
Fax: +49 228 9703-6613 or -6630

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