BUSINESS ENGLISHBEER DISTRIBUTION GAME

OBJECTIVE OF GAME

Run to minimum cost Costs are cumulative over time Team with lowest cumulative cost

wins

RULES OF PLAY

No cooperation within the supply-chain, i.e. no talking

Look at demand and current inventory, try to find a balance

Fill orders, watch backlog since it also costs.

DEBRIEFING

How did you feel during the game and afterwards?

How do you value your performance?

The performance of others in the supply chain?

FEELINGS

Feelings about self

• Calm? In control? Happy? Angry? Frustrated?

Feelings about others

• Skillful? Cooperative? Screwed up?

CONCLUSIONS

It’s not you - it’s the system Batch orders Safety stock Variability in demand Overordering - cost of inventory Underordering - cost of backlog