Guest Author: Using a Business Simulation in Israel

‍Ophir Gal, Business Development Manager at Aviv-Yissum

I would like to focus on the nature of the Israeli people and their business managers. You may say that Israel’s people—and Israeli managers—are constant arguers, bad planners, and not good listeners. However, they are also talented, practical, quick learners, and flexible; traits born from long years of reacting to desperate situations and unexpected disasters.

Having said that, you can probably guess what we believe is the best learning method for busy Israeli managers… one guess: it is not a frontal lecture.

Working for many years with companies and managers from various industries has taught us at Aviv-Yissum that the practical and challenging Income/Outcome simulation is, without doubt, one of the best methods.

When we summarize a simulation, we often hear feedback like:
“What I did not understand about business in two long semesters of my MBA studies, I understood after only one day of playing.”

Income/Outcome is a simulation that helps teach resource optimization—but it is far more than that. It challenges participants to make the most of what they have, to synthesize strategic approaches, and to build, in a very realistic exercise, the kind of mindset and decision skills that they will need in today’s uncertain world.

We all hope that, in a year or so, the world will begin to emerge from the 2008–09 recession. But even when it does, uncertainty in the markets will remain. More than ever, managers will need first-class business and financial understanding and decision-making skills.

Now, more than ever, practical hands-on simulations will help them build those essential business acumen skills.

Ophir Gal
Business Development Manager
Aviv Yissum Strategies & Compensation

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