"You never lose. Sometimes you win. Sometimes you learn." If Nelson Mandela was a boardgames pundit, how appropriate would be his famous quote in any speaking event
With boardgames, you always learn. Want proof? Bring one of the following boardgames to your workplace and get your colleagues to play. Harvard Business Review will tell you that it’s an innovative way to break the ice, interact, play and learn business skills at a low cost… I would say that it’s one of the most fun ways to bond with your colleagues. As long as you choose the right game.
Here is my selection of affordable, quick and fun boardgames for you and your team to practically hone critical business skills - in less than 45 min
Q.E. (Quantitative easing)
Inspired by 2008's financial crisis, in this game you play as one of the 5 competing central banks (EU/USA/China/Japan/UK) printing any imaginable amount of money to bail out "too big to fail" companies through secret bids and blind auctions. The twist? To succeed, you must accumulate the maximum amount of industry points by carefully choosing which bids to win and score. Keep in mind that the player that printed the most money at the end of the game is automatically eliminated.
Q.E imparts two business lessons. First, visibility, the importance of getting the big picture when high stakes rule the overall market place. Second, the power of "anchoring" (bias) in making monetary decisions. It's only when it's your turn as "auctioneer" that you are able to see what amounts are other players putting forward to win their bids. This previously unknown information have an immediate effect on your next bid decision.
Sushi Go Party - Hand (Resource) Management
This is an accessible, quick, pick and pass card game for 2-8 players - definitely better at higher player counts. Pick and pass? Simultaneously, all players get a deck of cards from the player on their right, pick one and play it in front of them, passing the remaining deck to the player on their left until all decks are depleted. Scores are tabulated based on the player set(s) collection. At the end of 3 rounds, the player with most points win.
The game rewards the player who adapts quickly, optimizing his/her plan, timing and sequence based on other players choices. The winner is the one who gains the most value out of available cards (=resources) under given circumstances.
I discovered this game during our Covid-19 confinement in Singapore, playing it with friends via boardgamearena.com. It has become my go-to choice to introduce and convert non-boardgame believers. Like delicious Sushi, it’s enjoyable, fast, easy and colourful. Who are you to resist it?
Bonhanza - Negotiation
In this card game, up to 7 players will be trading, planting and harvesting beans for gold (victory points). Don’t be fooled by its ridiculous name and theme. Bonhanza guarantees interesting decisions, exhilarating excitement throughout each game while/with negotiation carries/carrying the game forward. Quite often it ‘forces’ players to trade or giveaway cards so you don't have to dig up your own fields. Under these circumstances, you need to quickly setup options for mutual gains with multiple players (stake-holders!) without giving too much out advantage. To bean or not to bean?
If you want a richer, free-for-all and frontal negotiation game, check out the revered Chinatown. It’s my all-time favourite dealing game players must “street hustle” and persuade other players over almost anything on the board – from city business plots to the types of stores you want to expand. Genius!
