Two former school teachers are seeking business partners from the logistics community to help develop a new board game that has been devised to teach young people about logistics while they play.
Andy Page and Pat Smedley hope that their game, ‘Business on the Move’, will also excite and inspire young people to develop their understanding of broader business and enterprise issues and environmental matters.
“The game is unique in that it combines the essence of succeeding in business with acting responsibly towards the environment,” said Page.
“Players must make the same decisions businesses make every day. How do I best deliver? Will I make a profit? How should I grow? How can I cut my carbon footprint?”
Page and Smedley are looking for support from partners from the logistics community to enable them to provide schools across the UK with free copies of the board game.
It is hoped that enough money will be raised to fund production of 2,800 copies of the board game. Half of the initial production run will be distributed to schools at no cost, with the remainder sold at a subsidised price.
“Our plan is for the game to become self financing as it rolls-out across UK,” added Smedley. “We will reinvest surpluses in further production runs and seek to sustain the flow of free games into schools without any further cost to business partners.”
In return for their support partner companies will be able to feature their corporate branding as an actual part of the game.
Page continued, “By being featured in Business on the Move, our partners will be aligning their business with the education of our young people and highlighting their concern for the environment.
“The game offers a novel way to demonstrate corporate social responsibility, reinforcing business reputation with key partners and networks. Featuring our sponsors will enhance their corporate identity in 400 schools and reach 12,000 pupils within 12 months and, we estimate, over 100,000 young people over five years.”
“The use of corporate names also creates all kinds of possibilities for pupils to explore the businesses behind the real names, creating an exciting platform for learning and raising awareness of logistics at the same time.”
Roger Williams, chief executive officer of the United Kingdom Warehousing Association (UKWA), a trade body representing the interests of some 700 logistics services companies, commented, “Andy and Pat have developed a product that will broaden young people’s understanding of global supply chains and raise their career aspirations. I am sure the industry will give this excellent project the support it deserves.”
Steve Agg, chief executive of the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport – the independent professional body for individuals associated with logistics, supply chains and all transport, added, “Children will learn a lot from playing this game. Things like the different ways of transporting freight and business words like profit, assets, balance sheet, logistics and globalisation. It also emphasizes the importance of reducing CO2 emissions – and environmental issues are certain to play an ever more important role in the business of our young people as they embark on their careers.”
