The Tom Peters Business School in a Box

This is a simulationist role-playing exercise similar to those used in classrooms. The players in a scenario take on corporate roles (e.g., CFO, division VP) and are given random personal agendas. After briefing material is read the scenario begins with a timed discussion of the decisions required and what order to make them in. The time then allowed for each decision is determined by drawing a time card. Random events are rolled for before each discussion. After all decisions are recorded someone goes through something like a paragraph-based game using the decisions, random events, and luck points (which were accumulated earlier). This eventually leads to a result paragraph which tells the participants how they did. A similar but simpler process is used to resolve how each player did on their personal agenda. Two scenarios are provided: Executives at Ford in 1968 planning a new small car model. Executives at an imaginary technology company in 1992 planning a new CD-ROM drive.