For the first time after four years of studying the theory of Supply Chain Management, we were finally being told to implement strategies and to "drain the swamp" which immediately translated into stress. Nobody knew precisely where to start and what to focus on with the information given. After a restless night thinking about our companies, we met at the Innovation Hub early on Friday the 15^th of October. That was the first of two days during which the simulation would take place.

During the two days, a real life situation was presented where management teams had to align demand, distribution, production and raw material supply. This was done while dealing with realistic environmental issues like changes in the market, actions of competitors, industry characteristics and each company's own strengths and weaknesses.
The various teams started the day by meeting with the CEO's of their companies, by informing them where the company were and where the students, as the new management team, hope to take the company. Each hour represented one decision making month and the team had roughly a year to make the businesses boom.

The two days were filled with solving problems, overcoming difficulties, matching the company’s demand and supply, analysing market information and dealing with stakeholders. This all while trying to keep each month's production on time, controlling the right quantities of each product and have it sent to the right areas.
Saturday afternoon bought a close to the simulation and final presentations were delivered on how the respective businesses performed. Some took their businesses into further decline while others took their business into positive cash flows and huge profits, meeting the demand perfectly.
The skills of team work, negotiation, planning, implementing and aligning all areas of knowledge was a lesson, the whole class of 2010 agreed upon, that was priceless. The simulation was not only a challenge, but one that every aspiring supply chain professional should experience. It came down to what supply chain management is really about.”

According to Mr Wesley Niemann, lecturer in Supply Chain Management, the use of simulation tools is one of the best ways to become ‘business fit’ and students get the unique opportunity to gain years of management experience in only two days.

Congratulations to the Bakers team who have managed to successfully align their supply chain!