This is a simple way of conducting a one day war game

1. “All men can see these
tactics whereby I
conquer.
But what none can see is
the strategy out of
which victory is evolved.”

2. FROM BOARDROOM TO
SHOWROOMWar Gaming at Work

3. Complete understanding of opportunities and threats vis a
vis competition
Identifying the Brand Leaks ( weak points)
Strategise together to combat enemy tactics and moves
Plan of action in the real field
PURPOSE

4. Core Consumer
Brand Innovation
Tactical and activation
KEY ATTACK POINTS

5. CRITICAL FACTORS at Work
War Gaming

6. Anticipate Emerging Trends- Consumer Related
“Fog of War”- unforeseen change in policies, economy etc
Change in brand strategy/ internal changes
UNFORESEEN CHANGES

7. “the general who wins a
battle makes many
calculations in his temple
ere the battle is fought.”

8. THE PRE-DRILL
War Gaming at Work

9. Not more than 3
SWOT reflection
Measurable
Part of the key brand thrust areas
#1. THE KEY CHALLENGES TO BE
BATTLED

10. Enemy Camp
Host Fighters
Ideally, host team should have core brand stakeholders
All team members should be able to debate and participate in the action
plan
Across departments
#2. THE TEAM MAKE UP

11. Make a briefing kit for each team with:
Market analysis
Detailed competitive analysis: sales, key
issues, communication, retail, consumer , SWOT, any additional
information
Brand strategy for host team
Key challenges outline with objectives and expected results
#3. THE SURVIVAL KIT

12. 3- 4 weeks
TIMELINE FOR PREP WORK

13. THE GAME BEGINS
War Gaming at Work

14. Enemy and Host teams introduced
Snapshot of market, brand and competitive SWOTS
Key challenges outline
#1. INTRODUCTION

15. Teams break up and work out strategy plans on challenges.
Present in a template eg: Headline, Idea description, competitive
advantage, costs, time
#2. THE HUDDLES

16. Enemy and Host teams present and debate
The Facilitator moderates, throws in challenges
End with a Group analysis and recap
#3. THE SHOOT OUTS

17. Teams regroup and rework the solutions basis the first presentations and
the competitive strategy knowledge.
How does the strategy change?
What additional combat points would give them a lead?
How to take the unforeseen challenge the facilitator threw at them?
#4. THE REGROUP

18. Final presentations
Capture the solutions and action plan
Allocate responsibilities against the action plan
Firm up timelines
#5. THE FINAL STRIKE

19. “Strategy without
tactics is the slowest
route to victory. Tactics
without strategy is the
noise before defeat.”

20. THE SUCCESS FACTORS
War Gaming at Work

21. Detail, detail, detail: market, competitor, consumer
Team players with the spirit of do or die
An Experienced Facilitator
Key stakeholders’ participation and commitment
Spacious Venue
THE VICTORY SECRETS

22. FINALLY, A GAME COMES ALIVE
WITH FUN War Gaming at Work

23. Do up the venue like a battle field
Have battle quotes, toy guns and grenades
Make an AV with an army Duckworth Chant
Stimulus: competitive work, on ground, retail, key professional
profiles, brand stimulus
Have “war like “after break energiser games
Enemy and Host t-shirts
Interesting coffee breaks with Army Tiffin packs
Medallions at the end for best speakers etc
And many more…….
THE FUN FACTOR

24. Babita Baruah
JWT
Images from www.google.com
THANK YOU AND HAPPY WAR-
GAMING!