SIYB Game Brings Practical Business Learning to 50 Participants in Mukuru

Amazing Potential Ltd and World Concern brought practical business learning to 50 participants in Mukuru through a three-hour afternoon session last week using the SIYB Game, Module 1, as part of efforts to empower the community.

The session brought together participants with existing businesses and those without businesses, creating an opportunity to explore the decisions that shape how businesses operate.

Of the 50 participants, 49 were female and one was male.

Rather than relying solely on theoretical instruction, the session brought the business world into the four corners of the training room.

Through simulated business activities, participants explored the business cycle, record keeping, money management, savings, spending habits, planning and teamwork.

Learning through experience

The game exposed several challenges as participants made decisions and experienced their consequences in a simulated business environment.

Participants struggled with counting money accurately and maintaining records.

Some also mixed money intended for savings with money meant for expenses, making it difficult to keep track of their available resources.

Savings and financial security emerged as another learning area.

Some participants chose to keep their savings in cash, which was subsequently stolen within the game.

The experience created an opportunity to examine the importance of protecting savings alongside developing the discipline to save.

Product quality and consistency also presented a challenge.

Approximately 80% of participants struggled to produce standard products during the simulation, contributing to losses within the game.

Teamwork was another area for reflection.

Some teams depended heavily on a few members to manage business details, while others experienced difficulties coordinating their decisions and responsibilities.

Exploring different approaches to business

The session also examined how different spending and saving habits can influence business decisions.

Participants explored approaches that prioritised personal spending, business spending or saving, before experiencing the challenge of balancing competing needs as businesspeople.

These activities provided a practical opportunity to reflect on the importance of planning, managing business expenses, protecting savings and making informed decisions.

Building on the learning experience

At the close of the session, participants requested another session, indicating interest in continuing the learning process.

For Amazing Potential Ltd and World Concern, the observations provide useful direction for future learning activities.

A follow-up session could reinforce money management, record keeping, product consistency, teamwork and the separation of business funds from personal spending.

The findings represent observations made during the simulation and are not a formal assessment of participants’ real-life business performance. Continued engagement would provide an opportunity to explore how participants apply the lessons beyond the training room.

Through practical learning experiences such as the SIYB Game, Amazing Potential Ltd and World Concern are creating opportunities for community members to engage with the everyday decisions involved in running a business.