Creating cool games
Creating cool games
~
to give employees a fun and energetic learning experience
Hans Vegter,
Driving force behind CustomerGames
Experiential learning has been a common theme in my career. It appeals to me, as I learn best by trial and error. When I found out that this applies to a lot of others as well, I decided to make a career out of it. Firstly, by facilitating outdoor training and establishing apprenticeships. Since 2005 I have been designing Business Games, to inspire and change organisations through training.
My first encounter with Business Games was at Douwe Egberts, and I loved it! All that energy and such a great result. There was no need for the manager to stress the importance of change, the participants found out for themselves. As a Change Agent, I could easily refer to the game when following through in the workplace: “How did you solve that again in the game?”
Much more depth
From 2008 onwards, my sole focus has been on Business Games. It allows me to bundle my talents: creativity, problem solving, and design. It is exhilarating to see people get inspired by something that I came up with.
At first it was just me: designing the games, facilitating, and stepping in as a change agent to follow through. A game only becomes truly effective if it takes place at the right time, allowing participants to incorporate the learning into their daily practice. Every project proved to be time consuming and intensive, leaving limited time for developing and playing the Business Games.
This led to the idea of involving trainers and consultants as partners, so they could incorporate the games into their own programmes. They are all experts in their subject matter, and seasoned trainers or facilitators. I design the games, and deliver a complete package, including a trainer manual. In this way, the games can be easily transferred and used independently, for example by a trainer in Dubai.
This set-up means that my games can reach a much wider audience, and contribute to many change processes. It means I can dedicate more time to supporting my partners, keeping games up to date, and developing new ones.
Together with our partners
we succeed
So, it is not just me, as nowadays the games are facilitated by partners of CustomerGames. They successfully implement the Business Games, either with their own clients or in their own organisations.
When developing a game, I always involve experts in the respective field, and we work closely together. Their contribution enhances and deepens the games, in comparison to many other business solutions.
I finish the games tip-top, including an extensive trainer manual. This makes them easily transferable and a trainer in Dubai, for example, can quickly get started independently.
My business games now contribute to much more than I could achieve on my own. Moreover, I can concentrate on supporting the partners, keeping my current business games up-to-date and developing new ones. Like I said, how cool is that!
Hans Vegter is a star when it comes to gaming.
He knows as no other how to transform complex problems in organisations into fantastic Business Games. His games address all relevant issues, and offer real life experiences.
As a trainer, Hans has given me the opportunity to deliver professional workshops to my clients. Furthermore, I can always rely on his expertise to make the most of every game.