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FOOD CHAIN


Copyright © 1996, Sivasailam Thiagarajan. All rights reserved.

Purpose:

To explore the relationship among suppliers, employees, and customers.

Time:

15 to 30 minutes.

Participants:

6 or more, divided into three approximately equal groups. This game works best with groups of 20-50.

Supplies:

Room arrangement:

Assign Group 1 to one end of the room and Group 3 to the opposite end. Place Group 2 in the middle.

Flow of the game:

  1. Brief the players. Explain that the groups have slightly different objectives. Also explain that members of Groups 1 and 3 may not interact directly with each other.
  2. Distribute the materials. Give $200 in play money to each member of Group 3 along with the instruction sheet. Give $5 to each member of Group 2 along with the instruction sheet. Give 50 index card halves to each member of Group 1 along with the instruction sheet.
  3. Ask the participants to read their instructions. Visit each group and answer any questions.
  4. Announce the beginning of the game. Blow the whistle and start the timer. Let the participants play the game for 5 minutes.
  5. Stop the game. Blow the whistle at the end of the 5-minute period.
  6. Identify the winners. Ask members of the first two groups to count their money. Ask the members of Group 3 to count their cards. In each group, identify the winner and congratulate him or her.
  7. Debrief the participants. Link the activity to the customer-supplier chain. Relate the activity to the workplace.

Instruction Sheet for Group 1 Members


Instruction Sheet for Group 2 Members


Instruction Sheet for Group 3 Members