ADM 4311 and its French-immersion equivalent 4711, or Strategic Management, is the capstone course at the Telfer School of Management, meaning that all students need to take it to graduate. One of the main components of the course is the Intopia simulation, a simulation where students replicate a real-life business environment. Depending on the student, the simulation can be one of the highlights of their undergrad or an exhausting affair. With 2 trial periods preceding the official simulation, and a ‘simulation weekend’ over four days where teams make deals, calculate finances, and work as a team to attempt to bring the most value to the simulation’s market. It isn't always relaxing, but adequate preparation can go a long way. I recently had the opportunity to participate in the Intopia simulation weekend and wanted to share my experience and opinions on the event, as well as share some lessons learned.

Creating a team

Not every professor will let students create their teams, but if the opportunity presents itself it is essential to look for a variety of programs. Every team should have at least one individual in accounting or finance and one person in marketing. These roles are essential to the simulation, as effective financial analysis, money management and an influential marketing campaign to attract potential clients are key components in doing well in the game. Other assets include negotiation skills, charisma, approachability, resilience, motivation, communication and adaptability.

An important aspect to remember is the pre-established connections individuals on your team may have made. Sometimes, people will be more comfortable making deals with their friends, thus making it a good idea to know as many of your team members have a developed network, and if you don't, get as many teams' contact information as possible and start building connections. In theory, this can form business partnerships that go beyond the simulation.

Participate in the trials

This journalist believes teams will find success if each member of the team makes 1 of the decisions during the structured trials, and everyone should be involved in the market trials. Having each member of the team specialize in a portion of the simulation, such as production, sales, marketing, etc., will allow for the establishment of those team roles early. It is common for teams who do well in the trials to do well in the real simulation, but it offers an opportunity to make mistakes and get familiar with any quirks the game may have and acclimate you to potentially disastrous situations, such as accumulating a line of credit.

No room for procrastination

There may be other assignments due during or after the simulation. Make sure you prioritize finishing your assignments before the start of the simulation, as there will be limited time to do other things including resting or talking to other teams, so organize accordingly.

Prepare for the mixer

Before the game begins in earnest, there is a mixer event where you can network and form partnerships with other teams. There are awards given out to the teams with the most amount of team spirit, so it is recommended that teams go all out to secure one of these prizes. Many teams prepare business cards, and other teams bring cookies, balloons, posters and name tags. Take the opportunity to be creative to reinforce your team’s brand so other participants will remember you during the simulation. Also, reserve an area of the room so people know where to find your team. Many groups sign contracts during the mixer and give discounts for their products. 

The Good, the Bad and the Ugly

There can certainly be less pleasant aspects of the game. Not all teams behave ethically, contracts can be broken, disasters can affect entire supply chains, and interpersonal conflicts can occur, all of which are reflections of the reality of the business world.

Many participants get insomnia, nightmares of the simulation, or some other form of reaction to the stress. It’s very important to drink and eat during the simulation and to get enough sleep to offset the high-stress atmosphere. Take breaks during downtime in the simulation and rest when there is work that actively needs to be done. Otherwise, if you feel unwell during the simulation it can be an adrenaline response, and do not be afraid to seek appropriate medical help should it be needed.

The aftermath

Most participants speak of Intopia fondly. It is not uncommon for alumni to talk about their experiences even after years have passed. It can be valuable to get insight before the game, but the Intopia experience can be a memory that ties Telfer students together.