This speaker interview was conducted by a rockstar Event Camp Twin Cities Attendee Jenise Fryatt.
“Get behind the wheel and take over the reigns of an Italian racing team. Will you lead your team to victory lane or will you spin out?” This is how the Event Camp Twin Cities (ECTC) website begins to describe Flemming Fog’s upcoming presentation there Sept. 9, which will allow participants to experience the video business simulation, “Eagle Racing.”
Business simulation games have been around, in one form or another, for decades. But in recent years, business leaders have begun to realize the potential for teaching that video games offer. Companies, like Flemming Fog’s Wizer A/S, are adding a new dimension to business training by bringing such games to conferences. I recently asked Mr. Fog to answer a few questions about these games and about his ECTC presentation.
Jenise: Thanks so much for agreeing to answer a few questions. First can you tell us a little about video based business simulations, their history and how they are used today?
Flemming: Video based simulations are still relatively rare. I know of more data based- than video based simulations even today. But we have always found it very useful that the audience also can see the cast that they work with – getting a closer sense of personalities and the body language of individuals. It really helps the identification. So in essence, we use the video based simulations to create the highest possible identification.
Jenise: How are they usually used at face to face events?
Flemming: It’s always about making choices. The videos will introduce some kind of dilemma that calls for two (or more) alternative decisions – but the audience can choose only one. We often let the individuals make a quick intuitive decision – and then allowing groups to analyze and reflect on the decisions. This can trigger interesting learnings – like a better understanding on the intuitive nature of individual decision making.
Jenise: At Event Camp Twin Cities, you will be offering participants the chance to try the business simulation “Eagle Racing”. Would you please describe a little of what that experience will be like?
Flemming: Eagle Racing is a company that faces some major challenges. Our job will be to help the CEO, Gianluca, to make the right call in 3 rounds of tough dilemmas. Depending on the choices we make – Eagle Racing will either survive – or not. The Eagle Racing simulation has 8 different endings that are all recorded – half of them are from good to ok – the rest are disastrous.
Jenise: What kinds of business skills are these simulations most effective at teaching?
Flemming: Eagle racing focuses on collaboration – especially on decision making. The key learnings are all about the nature of how decisions are really made.
Jenise: What advantages do they hold over traditional training & workshops?
Flemming: A good simulation makes discussions much more concrete compared to general discussions. The simulations actually take you through an experience which creates much deeper reflections then an academic discussion. Therefore the learning can also become much deeper. . . . I have many times experienced how the participants remember details about a video simulation even 5 years after it was used.
Jenise: I read that the value of video business simulation games is increased when carried out in groups. Do you find this to be the case? Why?
Flemming: I agree. Most of our simulations can be played individually, but we always prefer to do them in groups. The added value comes from the discussions around the dilemmas. Participants learn from comparing their own decisions – and the background for them – with other people.
Very often people get quite surprised about how other people can reach a completely different decision based on exactly the same information. This experience adds significantly to the value of the learning.
Jenise: If an event planner were thinking of employing a video business simulation at his/her meeting or event, what would be the process, price range?
Flemming: First of all, talk to a specialist about the available options. The range of generic simulations available are unfortunately still relatively limited, so the first challenge is to be sure that the meeting/learning objectives can be met. And to really get value from a video simulation you need to buy rights for the simulation, to hire a specialized facilitator and to use an audience response system. So the full package generally starts from 20.000 USD and up.
I work mostly with custom made simulations that we develop and deploy for large corporations. These are big projects that are rolled out to many people as part of an educational program. We often launch these programs at a top management conference, and then roll out to many leaders worldwide in the second phase. This is, of course, not inexpensive – but it’s very effective for rolling out new ways of thinking and behaving.
For more information on video business simulations, check out this CNN article.
Jenise Fryatt’s blog Sound n’ Sight covers events industry thoughts and features with an audio visual and social media bent. Jenise is also co-owner/marketing director of Icon Presentations Audio Visual for Events located in Southern California. She describes herself as an “events industry cheerleader” who is also a yoga and improv devotee trying to stay in the present.
