At the University of Applied Sciences and Arts Northwestern Switzerland, our popular industry simulation Mastering General Management has long since found its place in preparing students for practical management decisions and making complex topics accessible. But what happens when this successful concept is brought to life for the first time at an international partner university such as the Foreign Trade University (FTU) Hanoi? In Vietnam, our business game opened up exciting new perspectives! Felix Strebel reports on his unique experiences.
The Basic Building Block of the Study Program
Felix Strebel has been using our TOPSIM simulation games for more than five years to immerse students in the world of business decisions and prepare them for the challenges they will face in the real world. With an average of five assignments per year, our long-term user has already gained a lot of experience with our simulations. Mastering General Management has proven its value in this context. It not only imparts theoretical knowledge, but also promotes strategic thinking and sound decision-making.
The Road to Corporate Strategy
Our Mastering General Management simulation is an exciting journey full of challenges and aha moments! Over eight dynamic periods, students make real business decisions that will shape them into strategic masters. At the start, they receive the participant’s manual and the freedom to form their own teams – and just like that, they’re right in the middle of the action.
In each period, teams have two hours to carefully plan their next moves. As each period progresses, their excitement grows as they take action and analyze the results. The final share price serves as the winning criterion and further fuels the competition. It not only provides teams with a clear measure of their success but also contributes 10% to the final score.
Realism and Theory for Success
As the business game progresses, the teams experience the exciting situation of a corporate takeover, in which more successful companies acquire less successful ones. They conduct negotiations to protect the interests of their shareholders. They then present the results of their discussions and their plans for the future. Students engage in negotiations like real CEOs and present their strategy in an exciting press conference. At the beginning of the simulation, students are uncertain. But they quickly gain confidence and master the challenges with increasing passion and precision.
International Learning Tool Mastering General Management
The students from FTU Hanoi impressed us with their quick grasp of the requirements of the business game. Although they had little previous experience with simulation games, it was clear how quickly they familiarized themselves with the strategic challenges. The creativity and enthusiasm with which they approached the game was particularly impressive. During a marketing campaign, one team even surprised everyone by singing a song called “Last Printer” to the tune of “Last Christmas“. The creative interlude created an inspiring and lively atmosphere
Working with a partner university provides a unique opportunity to use the simulation in an international context. This experience can be extremely enriching, both for the students, who benefit from a broader perspective, and for the instructor, who gains new insights through intercultural exchange and experiences the simulation in a completely new way. – Felix Strebel, University of Applied Sciences and Arts Northwestern Switzerland
Experiences, Challenges and Valuable Tips for Seminar Instructors
The role of seminar instructor is demanding but also offers great potential for enriching experiences. Felix Strebel recommends that new instructors be supported by an experienced instructor who is familiar with the additional tasks and the structure of the simulation. This ensures efficient implementation and helps to minimize potential uncertainties – even when working abroad. Thanks to his previous experience, the simulation in Vietnam went just as smoothly as the ones in Switzerland.
The greatest challenge for the instructor can occur when technical difficulties arise. At such times, flexibility and solution-oriented action are required to successfully facilitate the simulation game. The combination of theory sessions, additional assignments, and the simulation of the game has proven to be particularly effective. This integrative approach not only ensures a sound transfer of knowledge but also gives students the opportunity to learn actively and practically – a very effective and stimulating way of teaching.
Final Reflection
Felix Strebel was overwhelmed by the positive response. The enthusiastic feedback from the students speaks for itself. They especially appreciate the hands-on approach, which allowed them to apply their knowledge in realistic scenarios and gain valuable experience. Mastering General Management was very well received at FTU Hanoi and motivated participants to fully immerse themselves in the decision-making processes and challenges of the business simulation. This consistently positive response illustrates how simulation games inspire students worldwide and help them to develop important skills for the future.
Many thanks to Felix Strebel for this exciting insight into the use of Mastering General Management in Vietnam. His expertise opened up new perspectives and enriched the use of the game at an international level.
