Product Press Release for:
Common Currency  

New Game Teaches the Value of Cooperative Competition

Everyone knows that a spirit of cooperation is the cornerstone of effective teamwork. But what about competition? Does it have a place in the team-building process?

According to Lorraine Ukens, owner of Team-ing with Success, the answer is an emphatic "yes." She is the author of Common Currency, a new hands-on game that demonstrates the value of cooperative-competition within and among teams - inside and out of the organization. Published by HRDQ, the game is featured in a recent issue of the HRDQ Catalog, an international collection of experiential learning materials.

"The idea for this game came about as I was exploring the effects of competition on team-building," says Ukens. "Teams often become complacent because they have been shielded from competition. But competition, rather than harming team productivity, actually encourages group members to cooperate and work more closely together more closely."

To play the game, teams represent several fictional countries that are faced with an impending unification of their separate currencies. Armed only with limited information about the unification, each country attempts to maximize its own wealth. Because no one country has all the information, they must negotiate with each other - exchanging colored coins and information cards - to achieve success. As a result, one team is clearly the winner - but all teams will have gained something in the process.

With its emphasis on individual and group interaction, Common Currency can be used in a wide variety of training programs - team building, negotiating, communication, problem solving, strategic decision making, conflict resolution, goal setting, and more. The author has also prepared a separate change module that helps teams to apply the principles of cooperative competition in times of organizational change.

"I've found that very few people are aware of the beneficial nature of competition within a collaborative environment," says Ukens. "But I believe that a blend of cooperation and competition is necessary to help teams strive to do their best. Hopefully, the spirit of cooperative competition - and its benefits - are captured in this game."

Common Currency is available exclusively from HRDQ. If you wish to receive more information about this game or any of HRDQ’s other products and services, please contact our marketing team, via e-mail at news@hrdq.com or via telephone at 800.633.4533.

About HRDQ
 
HRDQ puts theory to work through the development of high-quality, well-researched learning instruments, hands-on games, multi-day programs, and other training re-sources for individuals, teams, and organizations. For more than 25 years, HRDQ has distributed these products through its catalog, website, and a worldwide network of distributors. HRDQ's services also include consulting, custom-developed products, and organizational analysis.
 

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