Learning Objectives
• To explore the gathering and analysis of intelligence in purchasing decisions
• To practice in action building a purchasing strategy
• To assess and select suppliers consistent with the adopted strategy
• To explore how purchasing tools can be used for advantage ~ lower cost price, better supplier performance, leverage supplier innovation
• To build teamwork
• To thus learn how to generate commercial benefits and long-term value
The simulation runs for 2 days and is suitable for 12 – 20 participants.
Develops enhanced capabilities in procurement, purchasing, buying, supply chain, new product development and financial managers. Suitable for trained managers to sharpen their skills in action
Overview of the game
• 4 teams in one large room, with PCs linked to tutor PC by cable network (We bring the team laptops, cable network, do the set-up)
• They form 4 competing companies
• An abstract scenario is used in order to free up participants’ thinking
• The business is mobile phones – sourcing of production items for the manufacture of the phones, placing contracts for non-production items
• The teams take over a sourcing situation with incumbent suppliers; each company has a different sourcing pattern
• Companies then set out to progress and improve
• Success of the virtual company depends totally upon the quality of the purchasing decisions
• No marketing/sales decisions
• 17 intelligence-gathering options and 19 supply tools/initiatives available