Here, business is not learned only through lectures. In the simulation game “President”, students enter a system where every participant’s decision has consequences.
Some will become presidents or ministers. Others will manage a manufacturing company, bank, transport company, or another business. There will be elections, governments, taxes, state budgets, loans, stock markets, production, international transactions, and competition between countries.
Companies will be able to make profits, grow, or face difficulties. Governments will be able to promote economic growth or make decisions that slow it down. The laws adopted by students will change the business environment and the opportunities available to other participants.
During the two-day simulation, UL FTBS students will have the opportunity to test their strategic thinking and decision-making skills in practice, as well as their ability to cooperate, persuade others, and act in situations where there is no single correct answer.
At the same time, from the very beginning of their studies, students will gain a much clearer understanding of how business, finance, public administration, and the economy interact. They will also get to know their fellow students in a completely different environment from the lecture hall.
The experience gained during the simulation will help first-year students discover their strengths, identify skills and personal qualities they may want to develop during their studies, and gain a broader perspective on the content of their studies and its practical application.
For first-year full-time students of bachelor’s study programmes, the event is included in the study schedule and is a mandatory part of the learning process.
! Participation is required on both days and throughout all stages of the simulation.
To ensure the successful organization of the simulation game, students must complete the registration form by September 6 at 11:59 PM: Application form for the game "President"
More detailed information about the simulation, participation, and organizational matters will be provided to UL FTBS students by email.
This is an opportunity you definitely shouldn’t miss!
UL FTBS first-year students, see you on September 8–9 at the exciting “President” simulation game!
Organization of the Business Simulation Game “President”
Location: in person at UL FTBS, K. Valdemāra Street 161, Riga.
September 8, Tuesday
8:30–8:55 – Arrival, registration, and reading the rules
8:55–9:00 – Opening (Conference Hall)
9:00–12:30 – Opening speeches and launch of the game (elections, countries, and clans)
12:30–13:30 – Lunch break (approximate time, +/- 30 minutes)
13:30–18:00 – Game stages 1 and 2
18:00–18:40 – Summary of the first day and official closing
We recommend reserving time until 8:00 PM for teamwork to analyze your country’s performance and results and develop a strategy for the upcoming stages.
September 9, Wednesday
8:30–8:55 – Arrival and registration
9:00–13:00 – Game stages 3 and 4
13:00–14:00 – Lunch break (approximate time, +/- 30 minutes)
14:00–18:30 – Game stage 5 and closing
18:30–20:00 – Game debriefing and evaluation
! During the event, drinking water will be available to participants (please use the containers you bring with you).
Change Management Simulation Game “President”
What is “President”?
It is a strategic and intensive simulation game focused on cooperation between public administration and business. Over the course of two days, participants simulate five years of government and business life while taking on various roles within business and public-sector structures.
Key outcomes of “President”
- Experience-based understanding of how business structures operate and how business decisions are made.
- Experience-based understanding of entrepreneurship.
- A macro-level, “big-picture” view of business and public administration, rather than focusing only on one’s specific function.
- Experience-based understanding of how legislation is implemented in practice.
- Experience gained through creating a model for economic development in a simulated country.
How does “President” work?
- Approximately 200–250 participants take part in the game and are divided among 4–5 countries. Each country has government and business structures. Business structures include more than 15 different companies in the furniture manufacturing/supply chain, as well as a stock exchange. Government structures include the President, Cabinet of Ministers, Parliament, ministers, and institutions subordinate to the ministries.
- The task of the government structures is to manage the country and achieve economic prosperity, enact laws and ensure compliance, collect taxes and balance the state budget, as well as maintain good foreign relations with neighboring countries.
- The task of the business structures is to make as much money as possible and pay taxes.
- Political and economic processes are simulated in parallel, including developments in business, government structures, and society as a whole — elections, privatization, national external debt, and other processes.
- Each participant performs a specific role within a government or business structure. Roles may change over time.
- At the same time, each participant must manage their own social and personal life. Social life refers to the position a person holds in the game and the responsibilities associated with it. Personal life involves managing personal finances, making personal investments, and covering everyday expenses.
- 85% of the time is devoted to practical activities.
Skills developed through “President”
- Developing leadership qualities and potential
- Strategic thinking
- Negotiation skills with the external environment
- Problem-solving skills
- People management
- Teamwork
- Rapid decision-making
- Expanding participants’ personal boundaries and creating a breakthrough in thinking
Methodology: how do people learn through “President”?
- The game is based on the principles of experiential learning. It creates an environment that closely resembles real life. Participants make decisions within their roles, and time then reveals how successful those decisions were. After each cycle, participants structure their experience through self-reflection sessions, guided discussions, and group feedback sessions led by trainers. They draw their own conclusions, particularly regarding what experience means for real life and what could be changed in real-life situations.
- After drawing conclusions from one game cycle, participants move on to the next, allowing them to immediately apply their insights, test them in practice, and see their effectiveness.
Basic knowledge required for simulation
- Problem-solving skills — shifting from thinking about problems to thinking about solutions
- How to think “outside the box”
- Fundamentals of the state budget (to the extent necessary for the game)
- Business economics (to the extent necessary for the game)
- Creating a business-friendly environment (to the extent necessary for the game)
Game details
- Duration: 2 days (approximately 20 hours)
Game facilitator
- Uģis Strauss, founder of Nordic Group, Chairman of the Board of Strauss Innovation, NLP Master Trainer, and partner in the Bizness 24h project.
 will take part in an intensive business and public administration simulation called “President.”
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