Tias Business School is the management school of Tilburg University and Eindhoven Technical University. Since its establishment in 1986 Tias Business School has played a prominent role in executive education in the Netherlands. It offers programmes with an open registration, company-specific programmes and MBA programmes, such as an international executive MBA (IMM) and a Part-time MBA for Young Professionals (PT MBA).

This latter programme is specifically aimed at young, ambitious and talented professionals that have been active in the business world for at least 3 years. A very intensive programme of 22 months in addition to their jobs prepares the students for the demanding role of being a manager.

Tias Business School has asked Simenco to provide a management simulation as a concluding learning stage at the end of a PT MBA and be involved in it from start to finish. Before a simulation can make a valuable contribution, however, the integration of the simulation in the programme must be taken into consideration as well.

The design of the simulation-based learning programme for the PT MBA consists of 3 layers:

• At the core is a knowledge model, the aim of which is to make dynamic and complex management concepts useable and which contributes to a wider perspective on organisations.
• As the simulation is done in teams, certain group processes between the teams and the participants in the teams are also played out, which are quite interesting. How do you work together? How do you handle conflicts?
• The insights into management and the reflection on experiences gained, individually and collectively, are all so many lessons learnt and participants can apply that knowledge in their daily situation at work.

The simulation model, group process and the translation of reality are geared towards the MBA programme, so the participant can achieve a maximum effect. The result is a training programme that stimulates the creativity of the participants and leads to enterprising managers who are capable of achieving tangible improvements.

Management simulations, or business games, have a rich tradition in MBA training. We are happy to discuss the options for your training.

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