chatsimple

IO | Time & Money

A Simulation of Stress, Burnout & Growth

A facilitator working with teams to boost their understanding of how money moves through the business.
https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/66c8dc04ae51a6be409340ce/67800d0ca3dd827639d8e6bf_Facilitating-the-finance-learning.jpg

Start a business.
Run the business.
Make a sale.
Deliver.
Invoice.
Get paid.
Repeat.

(At some point, figure out how to survive it.)

Start the conversation
Request More Information

The Cost of Doing it All

If you support entrepreneurship, career readiness, or small business resilience, this simulation is for your group.Time & Money puts people in the role of entrepreneur. At first, they do it all - sales, operations, admin. But as the business grows, so does the pressure. They must decide:

Keep doing it all—and sacrifice their time
Hire others—and increase payroll, coordination, and admin
Or find a balance that works before burnout sets in

This simulation brings the tension between time and money to life.

At the very first run of IO | Time & Money, the workshop had just ended. The room was silent—people were still processing what had happened. Decisions had come fast. Mistakes had real consequences. Then, from the back of the room, one voice broke the silence: “So that’s what happened to my first marriage.”  Some people laughed.  At least one person said, “Mine too”.

The Journey from Startup to Burnout

Participants step into the role of an entrepreneur and face the mounting pressures of growing a business. They must:
Manage limited time across every function—sales, ops, admin, and more
Decide when to hire, who to hire, and what it will cost
Balance quality, cash, control—and their own capacity
Respond to shifting demand and operational overload

Each cycle demands a trade-off: time or money.

And every decision affects not just the business—but their personal bandwidth and sense of control.

Curious if this fits your program?

Talk to us
Talk to Us

Key Learning Outcomes

Learners take away a set of High Altitude Leadership cards with 'survival tips' to help overcome the Death Zones.

Participants walk away with:

Cowardice – Not saying what needs to be said, especially when stakes are high.
‍
Comfort – Falling back on the familiar, even when change is clearly needed.

Tool Seduction – Believing the right spreadsheet or dashboard will fix everything, rather than addressing deeper issues.
‍
Selfishness – Prioritizing personal or team success over shared goals and trust.

Lone Heroism – Taking on too much or solving alone, instead of activating the team.

Arrogance – Assuming you’re the one who sees most clearly, and not seeking input.

Gravity – Underestimating the subtle forces—culture, history, inertia—that quietly shape decisions.

Who Offers This Simulation

We partner with organizations that support emerging entrepreneurs, future business leaders, and community education programs:

Government agencies promoting small business development
Chambers of commerce and civic groups
High school and college business clubs
Corporate CSR teams offering community-based programs
Workforce development and vocational training providers

Available Format

I|O Time & Money is available in the following format

1-day workshop (in person)
Use business acumen training to improve communication and collaboration.