Leading for Innovation – The Game

Welcome to “Leading for Innovation,” a dynamic self-paced simulation game designed for students and professionals to step into the shoes of an innovation director. Across three levels, players navigate through strategic challenges, enhancing their understanding of innovation processes, market dynamics, and organizational strategy—all while competing for top scores!

Start Demo

1. Setting the Game Scenario

We’ll start with 3 short questions to help you set the game scenario. These settings will impact the complexity and content of the game rounds.

2. Instruction

The next step will be a 5-minute instruction to explain how you should interpret the different elements of the innovation strategy scan.

3. The Game

It is now time to play the game rounds to the best of your abilities. You can repeat this process as often as you want.

4. Results

When you’ve played the rounds, you will immediately see your results. You can go back to change your input anytime. Once done, you can retrieve the full game report.

Testimonials

The instructional aim is appropriate for the target audience and its learnings are valuable and are based on sound theory. […] Comprehensive feedback is given to the companies after the scan, based on the decisions they have made and the impact these have had in relation to their stated strategy. This supports reflection and learning. […] This presents learners with meaningful decisions to be made that have consequences which gives the scan ability to engage learners.

Source: 2018 IBLGC Feedback Report – Innovation STRATEGY SCAN

Get it Now!

Essentials – €14,90 per player*
Empower your students or team with full access to 6 immersive rounds of “The Game.” Participants enjoy unlimited attempts to refine strategies and drive innovative solutions. Performance is tracked through the Visionary Creativity Index and the Innovation Excellence Index, ensuring a rich, impactful learning experience.

*Initial setup cost of €199 applies. Access is activated within 2 working days.

Choose your preferred License Bundle. For more than 100 licenses, please contact us for a custom quote. Once your order is complete, you will receive invitation codes within 48 hours, which can be used to create game accounts. Facilitators will also receive detailed instructions and access codes to the game levels.

Masterclass – €24,90 per player*
Includes all features of the Essentials package, plus exclusive benefits: receive a comprehensive 20-page individual report, in-depth analysis by our innovation experts, and a free copy of the “Innographics” e-Book. Elevate your innovation journey with these personalized insights and resources.

*Initial setup cost of €299 applies. Access is activated within 2 working days.

Choose your preferred License Bundle. For more than 100 licenses, please contact us for a custom quote. Once your order is complete, you will receive invitation codes within 48 hours, which can be used to create game accounts. Facilitators will also receive detailed instructions and access codes to the game levels.

Or contact us to explore possibilities ➤
Download Example Report

How to Play?

The simulation can be incorporated in a course or training in many different ways. Here are some suggestions:

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What version should I get?

There are two variants:

  • The Essential: this version only includes accounts to the digital game. It does not include a final, individual report. We recommend this version if you want embed the game in your course or training without receiving individual feedback reports. It’s the most affordable option. It is also the most flexible option, because you can use the game and settings as you would like.

  • The Masterclass: this version includes accounts to the digital game and 1 individual feedback report of 20 pages per account. The individual feedback report will be created based on the final submission of the participant. This requires a concentric build-up of the gameplay, for instance by using one of the programs depicted below. Our innovation experts are available to help you create a customized program. We recommend this version if you want to take innovation management to the next level and make sure that participants get a full understanding of the topic. 

How many accounts should I get?

You can get as many licenses as you need for the course or training. For instance:

  • 1 voucher if you want to run the simulation in front of the class and play it as a group. 

  • 1 voucher/group if you want to have teams playing the game separately and to benchmark their results.

  • 1 voucher/player if you want students to play individually.

Please note that for the Masterclass version, you should have a license for each account that you want our experts to generate a report from.

What settings should I choose?

Before each game, you, the lecturer, set the tone for your students. Predefine these key parameters and communicate them to establish the game environment:

  1. Market Competition (0-9): Determine the competitive pressure your company faces, impacting your strategy and differentiation.

  2. Market Dynamics (0-9): Establish market volatility, challenging students to anticipate trends and consumer demands.

  3. Innovation Expenditures (0-9): Assess how much your company invests in innovation—higher values make navigating challenges easier.

Tip: Create diverse scenarios for different rounds to add complexity and intrigue! For example, Round 1 may feature high competition, while Round 3 has rapidly changing dynamics.

Sample Scenarios for Complexity:

  • Round 1: Competition = 3, Dynamics = 6, Expenditures = 4

  • Round 2: Competition = 5, Dynamics = 5, Expenditures = 3

  • Round 3 (Advanced): Competition = 8, Dynamics = 2, Expenditures = 1

What is the difference between the levels?

Students will tackle three distinct levels, progressively adding complexity to their role as innovation directors:

  1. Level 1 – Product Innovation: Focus on ideation, technology development, and marketing/branding strategies.

  2. Level 2 – Business Innovation: Introduces internal innovation culture, intrapreneurship, and co-creation efforts.

  3. Level 3 – System Innovation: Tackles open innovation practices and business model transformation.

Throughout the game, students compete to boost their Innovation Excellence Score and Creativity Index Score.

What is in the Feedback Report?

The Feedback Report for the Leading for Innovation game (Masterclass Version) provides an in-depth analysis of participants’ performance and strategic approach throughout the game. Here’s what you can expect in the report:

  1. Innovation Scores and Indices

    • Detailed breakdowns of your technical excellence and visionary creativity indices, with insights into strengths and areas for growth.

  2. Strategic Alignment

    • Assessment of how well your strategies align with innovation goals and external factors, using frameworks such as competitiveness and volatility analysis.

  3. Innovation Process Analysis

    • Comprehensive look at how your organization navigated the innovation funnel (ideation to commercialization), using models like the Double Diamond framework.

  4. Innovation Tactics and Expertise

    • Exploration of your group’s approach to ideation, corporate entrepreneurship, co-creation, open innovation, and more, with actionable recommendations.

  5. Market Strategy Positioning

    • Analysis of market positioning through the lens of red, purple, and blue ocean strategies, offering insights on how to unlock growth in less competitive markets.

The report aims to provide actionable feedback to refine your innovation approach, adapt strategies, and drive impactful changes in practice.

Do you have a Timetable or Lesson Plan?

Yes, we have created different timetables for the game. These are some ideas:

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