Business War Games
Book

Business War Games

How Large, Small, and New Companies Can Vastly Improve Their Strategies and Outmaneuver the Competition

Benjamin Gilad
Career Press, 2008
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8

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Recommendation

This short manual provides an action-oriented introduction to the art of the war game. Benjamin Gilad presents interesting anecdotes and examples from ancient and contemporary military and economic history. He offers a general description of the war-game process, the circumstances under which this role-playing exercise is appropriate, and tips on what to do and not do. He also supplies a detailed by-the-clock description of an exemplary war game. getAbstract finds that his book will help any manager who is considering using war gaming and is wondering how to start.

Summary

What Is War Gaming?

War gaming is a business technique that uses in-depth role-playing. However, few managers outside of the top ranks have ever participated in a war game. Most corporations invest in computer power, consultants and the other impedimenta of war games, and then restrict attendance to senior executives. Yet, war games do not require such elaborate, expensive outfitting. Straightforward war games can help any manager make better competitive decisions. War games are useful to prepare for market shifts, experiment with strategies, manage new initiatives, create support for a business case, diagnose its deficiencies, and attack – or defend against – your competitors. War games can break through conventional wisdom, reveal crucial data gaps, create support for a campaign and improve awareness of your firm’s position.

War games involve acting out various roles. Preparation includes researching your competitors and other parties whose decisions may change your field of play. Computers are not necessary and may even be a disadvantage. Simulations based on computer programs and game theory turn out to be unrealistic, because no mathematical formula can predict...

About the Author

Benjamin Gilad, Ph.D., ran war games for 25 years on behalf of Fortune 500 clients in various industries. He is a former associate professor of strategy at Rutgers University’s School of Management, and the founder and president of The Academy of Competitive Intelligence.

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