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Home | Self Improvement
Management Games Are Cheap And Highly Effective Managing Tools
By: George Purdy.
Employees everywhere are playing games at work. No, we’re not talking about internet and ipod games employees try to hide from their supervisors (although that still happens), we’re talking about management games designed to enhance employee productivity, facilitate retention, and improve workplace relations. These games are actually innovative management training aids.
Although management games might resemble the team-building games you played in school, they have very different goals. Most games played in school generally focused on making their participants more familiar with one another and "breaking the ice," but management games have the more sophisticated aim of improving the way that coworkers interact. These games still incorporate the important element of introduction, but they are much more results-oriented.
Management games are mostly based on game theory, which is a focus on gains and connections between parties. This theory is used in many disciplines such as economics, politics and computer science. In fact it is so popular that many well know games are based on it. One example of game theory which is applicable to management is the "prisoner’s dilemma." This type of game works well in a team situation because it focuses on the team as opposed to the individual.
Skills in change management can be learned through games that offer learning opportunities for everyone in the workplace. Using often-encountered real life situations, game participants learn to synergize their efforts for a better end product. The games teach cooperative work ethic and style, and invoke team spirit among those who play. These games simulate the work environment and its challenges to provide and enjoyable learning experience.
Business team coaching has evolved from its more traditional roots of training to management games. There are two main reasons for this evolution. First, people enjoy playing games. When people enjoy what they are doing, they will more likely learn better and it makes learning easier. Second, the creative format of playing games encourages people to develop their own insights. Developing these insights is more satisfying and last in memory longer. Therefore, the skills developed from the game can be used for years to come.
It's easy to get started using management games. Most can be conducted informally with your team. The majority of these games require no special purchases, but even if some props or instructions are necessary, they are readily available. A big advantage of these games is their variety: if one doesn’t seem to work for you and your team, you can always try another. At least one of these games is sure to bring positive results.
All over the world, employees are taking advantage of the innovative management training aids known as management games. They are organized to increase the interactions among colleagues. Game theory has been applied to the new training games because of its emphasis on teamwork as opposed to individual gains. Skills in change management can be learned through games that offer learning opportunities for everyone in the workplace. Using often-encountered real life situations, game participants learn to synergize their efforts for a better end product. The old classroom format of business team coaching is being replaced. The best part about the games is that you can go with what works for you.
Article Source: http://www.ezarticles.info
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