The participants of the business simulator for Soft Skills which was held last Saturday had a hard time: during one working day they had to generate an idea, build a team and persuade an experienced investor to become a partner of a newly created project. One gets around ten people for a team, two IT experts to help, several laptops, some paper, markers – the clock is ticking!
The first part of the business game resembled a constant attempt to find a common language: teams had to fall into step, formulate exact questions for the experts and get the necessary advice. This task was relatively easy for the participants. Recommendations of the experienced representatives of business circles helped the participants to get orientation, to channel the creative process in the right direction and to focus on the most important moments. Dmytriy Tolmachov, General Manager IT Staff, Ekaterina Kupriyanova, Training Manager Miratech, Julia Gerzanich Head of HR Department Managing Company Group of companies «Foxtrot», Nataliia Stebletskaya HR-manager, HR Department Managing Company Group of companies «Foxtrot» acted as experts.
The team appeared to be antipodal. The first team were corky, spry guys, constantly talking, loudly discussing something, spouting ideas, making jokes and actively preparing to the presentation. The members of the second team on the contrary were calm, systematic, silent, inclined to long discussions and making agreements. Nobody expected the surprises the game would bring.
During the second half of the day business simulator turned into a hurdle race. The participants were loudly discussing the projects, drawing schemes and plans on the flipcharts, again discussing, redrawing, sharing impressions, emotions – everybody was getting ready to the most important part of the game: presentation to the investor. On this depended the result of the whole day’s work: if the idea would be approved and the team would get the prize.
General Manager of EngagePoint Alexandr Kurbatov acted as an investor. He was attentively watching the teams, listening to their discussions, and by the start of the presentations hard questions from the investor were ready.
The first team presented constructions supplies prices monitoring service – “Price Inspector”. The presentation of the project was as emotional and high-hearted as the team itself, but still investor had to ask a lot of specifying questions about the structure of the project. The second team “Three whales” presented the service on identification and creation of the documents. The team had a special approach to the presentation: each point (target audience, marketing, technical solutions) was disclosed by a separate speaker. Besides the team clearly explained when the return of investment would start, and the main speaker answered all the questions of the investor calmly and with confidence.
After a short break the investor was ready to name the winner and to give feedback on presentations. “I liked both teams very much. The ideas are great. But the first team lacked clarity in business model and some solutions came up right on the spot. The second team had a much clearer business model , pointed out ROI and had perspectives for the further development. Besides, I know one similar project which was successfully launched. So, you are moving the right direction! In general it was interesting to listen to all of you. I noticed that you make the same mistakes we made but you make them in artificial projects and we were making real mistakes in real life. Participation in this game is a great experience for all of you! I am sure you will make it”, - said Alexandr Kurbatov.
Project Manager for Soft Skills Programs Аnna Mirolubenko summarized the event: «They say that programmers are easily attracted by cookies, so we award you with a pack of the baked ones”. Also the participants received certificates and a souvenir from Self-management skills Trainer Alexander Yakimenko – an arrow which helps to achieve any goals.
