Contents

Title Page
1. Date, venue and team members 1

2. Our roles in management game 1

3. Team objective and strategies 1-2

4. Team challenges 2

5. Team achievement 3

6. Team experience:
i. Planning
ii. Organizing
iii. Leading
3-6
iv. Controlling
v. Communication
vi. Teamwork

7. Conclusion 6

8. References 7

9. Appendices 8-16
Title: Raise Our Flag (Laissez Faire)

Date: 4th of March 2016

Venue: Garden In Front of Resource Centre

Team Members:

1. CEO : Benjamin
2. General Manager : Sabrina
3. Managers : Jason, Lishalini & Tiara
4. Secretary : Faidzah
5. Members : Chang, Vincent, Jeremy, Hafizul, Rosya, Jivithra, Illiana, Ket Yee, Sin
Yong, Nithiya, Pavithra, Subaranjini, Sanggetha & Revathy

Our roles in management game:

All of us played the roles as employees in this management game. We were placed in the
second group and assigned to separate the nylon ropes provided regarding to the lengths by the
manager. Besides, we also proceeded our duties to tie up the ropes to the pipes before the joining
of pipes by the first group of our team members as well as holding the ropes tied up to the pipes
during the raising of the flag.

Team objective and strategies:

Before the game started, a discussion on the objective and strategies was carried out among
the top committee members and the other team members. During the discussion, the general
manager and other managers were instructed us to untie the ropes according to their lengths and
also measure the lengths and diameters of the PVC pipes. After that, we analysed the equipment
provided in order to decide the objective of our team. On that time, Mr. Daud came and reminding
all the team to decide how many feet of the flag should be built and raised in how many minutes.
After the discussion, our team objective was to build and raise the flag of 30 feet within 1 hour.

To achieve our team objective, we have used many strategies. First of all, one of the
managers in our team, Lishalini was explaining the SWOT analysis regarding to our team.
According to Ommani (2011), SWOT analysis is a technique used to analyse the strengths,
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weaknesses, opportunities and threats of businesses. Later, our general manager, Sabrina was
calling for the managers, Lishalini, Jason and Tiara to plan for another strategy. After a discussion,
they came up with an idea where 4 persons will be holding the rope for the top joint of pipe, 4
persons will be holding rope on the second top joint pipe, 3 persons will be holding rope on the
third top joint of pipe, 3 persons will be holding rope on the second lowest joint of pipe and 1
person will be holding the base pipe after the joining of the pipes that tied up with ropes. Then, the
managers were explaining the plan and strategies to the members followed by the division of the
team members into two group. The game started and the team members began to work on their
duties in order to achieve the objective of our team.

Team challenges:

During this management game, our team faced to many challenges. Firstly, our CEO,
Benjamin and another two members, Chang and Vincent did not arrive on time during the game
and we cannot start the game right on time. Our team also faced to the problem of not enough
manpower due to the absence of another two members in our team, Chang and Vincent during the
division of the team members into group and their duties. Besides, the weakness of our team was
plenty of the team members have never done this game before and have no idea on the process to
build up the flag using pipes and ropes. For instance, some of the team members did not know how
to tie up the ropes to the pipes. Moreover, a problem is encountered during the joining of the pipes
with different diameters of the pipe connectors where the pipe with bigger diameter did not match
with the other pipe with smaller diameter. Furthermore, there was a miscommunication between
the team members when they were instructed to untie the ropes tied up at the pipe connectors and
retied up the ropes on the middle of the pipes. Some of the team members still applied the previous
way to tie up the ropes at the joint of the pipes although instructions have been given by their
managers. In addition, some members were confused on how many people will be controlling the
rope on each layer of pipe joints. In this situation, the managers were guiding their team members
for a proper understanding of the strategies used in this game. Again the miscommunication
happened between the team members when they were instructed to hold the ropes but some of the
members were pulling the ropes and the pipes connected seem to fall down. At that time, there
were shouting and arguing among the team members but fortunately this situation stopped when
the managers were raising their voice asking all the members to calm down.
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Team achievement:

Our team was successfully raising our flag with the height of 31 feet after we asked by Mr.
Daud to add one more pipes to the existing connected pipes because he told us that there was not
enough of 30 feet in the existing connected pipes. At the end of the game, our team managed to
achieve our team objective to build and raise the flag of 30 feet within 1 hour.

Team experience:

1. Planning:

Chandra (2015) suggests ‘planning is deciding in advance what to do and how to do. Before
the game started, each team was asking by Mr. Daud to decide the objective on how many feet we
will raise the flag and in how many minutes will the flag be raised at the end of the game. A
discussion was carried out among the top committee members and the other team members in
order to decide our team objective. During the discussion, our manager, Lishalini sketched her
plan on a piece of paper on how we were going to raise the flag. This showed that she was really
dedicated on her tasks given and indicated a very good leaderships skills. She suggested a plan to
raise the flag for 28 feet. At that time, our general manager, Sabrina and the other manager, Jason
brought up a plan to raise the flag for 30 feet. Later, the discussion finalized our team objective
was to build and raise the flag for 30 feet within 1 hour.

Again another discussion was carried out on the planning of the strategies that will be use
during the game in order to achieve the objective. During the discussion, Jason came up with an
idea to connect all the pipes on the ground with ropes tied up followed by the raising process. But,
Sabrina disagreed for his idea with the reason the connected pipes will fall down at the moment
when we try to stand it up. Another strategy was planned from the discussion. One of the managers
in our team, Lishalini was explaining the SWOT analysis regarding to our team. At last, the
managers came up with an idea where 4 persons will be holding the rope for the top joint of pipe,
4 persons will be holding rope on the second top joint pipe, 3 persons will be holding rope on the
third top joint of pipe, 3 persons will be holding rope on the second lowest joint of pipe and 1
person will be holding the base pipe. After the strategies was decided, the managers were giving
an explanation to their members about the planning of the strategies and proceeded with the
division of team members into group as well as their roles and duties.

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 2. Organising:

According to Chandra (2014), organising is the process of defining and grouping activities
and establishing authority relationships among them to attain organizational objectives. Before we
started the game, our team members with their managers were divided into two groups after a
planning and discussion on the duties of each group. The management game was continued as each
team member was carrying out their roles and responsibilities assigned by their manager. The first
group was separating the PVC pipes provided regarding to their diameters and lengths. On the
other hand, the second group was separating the nylon ropes regarding to their lengths. After that,
the second group was starting to tie up the ropes to the pipes followed by the joining of the pipes
by another group. Later, the managers were assigned their team members in a proper manner to
hold the ropes tied up to the pipes in order to raise the flag while retains its stability.

3. Leading:

Leading or directing means giving instructions, guiding, counselling, motivating and

directing the staff in an organisation in doing work to achieve organisational goals (Chandra,
2014). During this game, our CEO, Benjamin was giving his experience on this management game
because he had done this management game previously. Later, he was giving some instructions
for how the pipes should be tied up with ropes. He instructed us to tie up the ropes on the midpoint
of the pipes instead of on the connectors between the pipes in order to increase the stability of the
flag during the raising of flag. Besides, he also gave some instructions to the team members for
the placing and joining of pipes, in which the pipes with different diameter should be connected
from smaller diameter (placed on the top) to bigger diameter (placed as the base) to increase the
stability of the flag. Moreover, the managers was guiding some of the team members who did not
understanding the plan and strategies of our team with detailed explanation followed by
demonstration in order to achieve the objective that have been set before the game started.

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 4. Controlling:

According to Terry and Franklin (1994), controlling is determining what is being accomplished
- that is, evaluating performance and, if necessary, applying corrective measures so that
performance takes place according to plans. During the game, our general manager, Sabrina was
calling for the managers and their members to demonstrate how the ropes should be tied up in the
pipes, not at the joint of the pipes but at the middle of each pipe when she found that some of the
team members did not tie up the ropes correctly based on the previous planning of strategies. The
game proceeded with the raising process of the flag after all the pipes were tied up with ropes. The
joining of pipes started from the top joint of pipe with the flag, Jalur Gemilang followed by the
next joint of pipes. At that time, the pipe joints seem to fall down and some of the members were
shouting and arguing with each other not to pull the ropes but hold them loosely. At this moment,
our CEO, Benjamin and the managers were raising their voice asking all the members to calm
down. After that, Benjamin gave instructions to each of the members who were holding the ropes
not to pull the pipes too hard while he was connecting the fourth joint of pipes. Again the pipes
seem to fall down. Benjamin was telling everyone who was holding the ropes to watch for the flag
instead of pulling the ropes in order to maintain its stability. Finally, the flag with the height of 31
feet was successfully raised under Benjamin’s instructions and monitoring.

5. Communication:

Communication can be defined as the process of transmitting information and common

understanding from one person to another (Keyton, 2010, cited in Lunenburg, 2010). In this
management game, there were communication between the instructors and the top committee
members as well as communication among top committee members and the other team members.
It is important in the management of a team because miscommunication can cause to the failure of
a team to succeed in their goals. During the game, our instructor, Mr. Daud was guiding us in the
game by calling out the top committee members to give explanation on the flow of the game.
Besides, he gave advices for each team in order to improve their progression and help them to
achieve their own group objectives. He also gave motivations to the team members. In addition,
one of our manager, Lishalini performed a clear communication with the team members. She was
clearly explained the planning of the strategies that will be used in the game to some of the team
members who still confused about team strategies before the game started. After her explanation,
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the team members managed to conduct their duties assigned during the game. This showed that
good communication between the manager and their employees is the oil that keeps the team
members worked smoothly and effectively. Although there were miscommunication happened
during the game among some of the team members, but our CEO, Benjamin and the other
managers performed a good leadership skill and this managed to solve the problem encountered
again with a proper communication with other team members.

6. Teamwork:

Before the game started, all the team members gathered together and discussions on objective
and planning of the strategies were carried out. The team members discussed together to set the
team objective as well as the strategies that will be use during the game. From here, the teamwork
was built among all the team members. After that, the game proceeded with the division of group
and their duties. All of the team members performed their duties together while helping each other.
Again the teamwork can be seen when they were helping each other in their duties assigned in
order to achieve the team objective. Furthermore, all the team members managed to work together
during the raising of the flag although there were some problem of miscommunication
encountered. The team members worked together as a team under the instructions from the CEO
and other managers. The flag was successfully raised and the team objective was achieved at the
end of the game with the strong cooperation among all the team members.

Conclusion:

From this game, we learned that punctuality of each member in a team is important
otherwise any activities or events cannot be started and thus the objective of the activities cannot
be achieved. Besides, we have learned how to utilize the limited resources or equipment provided
to achieve the maximum outcome. We also learned that teamwork plays a very important role in a
team to achieve their goals successfully. Moreover, we have learned the importance of
communication among the team members to ensure a smooth progression of works or tasks given.
Lastly, we learned that leaders should have good leadership skills to manage a team and to solve
the hardships when problems such as miscommunication among team members were encountered.

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References:

1. Chandra, D. (2014) Directing Function of Management [Online]. Retrieved from:

http://hubpages.com/business/Directing-Management-principles
[Accessed 15March2016].
2. Chandra, D. (2014) Organizing Function of Management [Online]. Retrieved from:
http://hubpages.com/business/ORGANISING-Management-principles
[Accessed 15 March 2016].
3. Keyton, J. (2010) Case studies for organizational communication: Understanding
communication processes. New York: Oxford University Press.
4. Lunenburg, F. C. (2010) ‘Communication: The Process, Barriers, And Improving
Effectiveness’, Schooling, Vol. 1, No. 1, pp. 1-10.
5. Ommani, A. R. (2011) ‘Strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats (SWOT) analysis
for farming system businesses management: Case of wheat farmers of Shadervan District,
Shoushtar Township, Iran’, African Journal of Business Management, Vol. 5, No. 22, pp.
9448-9454.
6. Terry, G. R. and Franklin, S. G. (1994) Principles of Management. 8th edition. New Delhi:
AITBS Publishers & Distributors.

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Appendices:

I. Photos

Mr Daud is overviewing our group strategies.

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Team members are holding the ropes to make flag stable.

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Group members are untangling the ropes according to the length.

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Our group members were celebrating the success together with Mr Daud.

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II. Secretary Report

Title: Raise Our Flag (Laissez Faire)

Date: 4th of March 2016

Venue: Garden In Front of Resource Centre

Group Members:

1. CEO : Benjamin

2. General Manager : Sabrina

3. Managers : Jason, Lishalini & Tiara

4. Secretary : Faidzah

5. Members : Chang, Vincent, Jeremy, Hafizul, Rosya, Jivithra, Illiana, Ket Yee, Sin Yong,
Nithiya, Pavithra, Subaranjini, Sanggetha & Revathy

TIME EVENT

5.00PM Everyone is gathering at the garden in front of the resource centre

5.05PM Benjamin, Chang and Vincent have not arrived yet

5.10PM The activity is not started yet. Benjamin, Chang and Vincent still not here yet. From this
we can learn that in a company, punctuality of each member is important otherwise any
activities or events cannot be started and thus the aim of the activity cannot be achieved
due to lacking of group members. After that, Mr. Daud is calling out for the group CEO
to give the game’s equipment but then since Benjamin is still not here yet, Sabrina went
to represent the group for the time being. Hafizul is following Sabrina along to take the
equipment. Mr. Daud provided us with PVC pipes, nylon ropes and 1 Jalur Gemilang.

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5.15PM Benjamin, Chang and Vincent are found not here yet. But we proceed with dividing the
group into 2. First group will be separating the PVC pipes regarding to their diameter and
length. Second group will be separating the ropes regarding to their length. Again, Mr.
Daud is calling out for the top committee members and he is reminding us that group
members should know what their roles and responsibilities. Besides that, Mr. Daud is
telling them to only utilize the equipment given and no need to use anything else. Mr.
Daud said that we must be able to tell him how tall we are going to build the flag within
how many minutes. After the short session with Mr. Daud, Sabrina is giving short briefing
to the group members. She is explaining to the members what laissez faire is.

5.20PM Lishalini is talking about the SWOT analysis. But then, Ket Yee doesn’t really understand
about the analysis. So, Lisha is repeating about the SWOT analysis.

Jivithra is then helping Lishalini to explain to the group members that we need to evaluate
our group weaknesses, strengths, opportunities and threats in order to make our group
objective achieved.

5.25PM Mr. Daud came and he is reminding all the members that we need to decide how many
feet of the flag should be raised in how many minutes. Then, all the group members start
deciding our group objective.

5.30PM All group members are still planning about the strategy of the game. From here, we can
see the teamwork built from each of the group members. Jason came up with an idea to
connect all the pipes on the ground first. But then Sabrina is telling Jason that the pipes
will fall down the moment we try to stand it up. So Jason’s strategy has been changed
with another strategy.

5.35PM Benjamin is already here. Mr. Daud is calling out for all CEO and General Manager to
give explanation on how to measure the length of the pipe. Mr. Daud is showing how to
roughly measure the pipes by comparing the height of the pipe with the height of one
person. For example, Mr. Daud is comparing the pipe with Sabrina’s height and roughly
tells them the pipe is 5 feet tall as Sabrina claimed that her height is 5 feet. From this we
can learn that we can survive measuring something even though we are not provided with
a measuring tape.

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5.40PM Chang and Vincent are found absent. Mr. Daud came and asking about our group
planning on how many feet we will raise the flag and in how many minutes will the flag
be raised. But then we still haven’t come up with the group objective due to some
members’ disagreement. Apart from that, Mr. Daud is asking us to estimate on what time
we can finish the game and ask us to maximize the profit.

5.45PM Objective has been set where we want to build the flag 30 feet within 1 hour. Everyone
now has been assigned with work. All group members are all starting doing the practice.
So the strategy also has been set where the first group that is in charge for the rope will
be tying the rope to the pipe and second group that is in charge for the pipes will be
connecting the pipe. We also have analysed that our group strength is that Benjamin had
once done this game and the weakness of our group all of the group members have never
done this game before. Besides that, some of the group members don’t even know how
to tie the rope.

5.50PM Sabrina is calling for the Managers, Lishalini, Jason and Tiara to plan for another strategy.
Then they came up with an idea where 4 persons will be holding the rope for the top joint
of pipe, 4 persons will be holding rope on the second top joint pipe, 3 persons will be
holding rope on the third top joint of pipe, 3 persons will be holding rope on the second
lowest joint of pipe and 1 person will be holding the base pipe. Then the managers are
telling the members about the plan.

5.55PM Lishalini is asking all the members whether they understand about the new plan. But
Illiana raised her hand and asking Lishalini to repeat what she said. Then, Mr. Daud came
to ask about our group decision whether we still want to raise the flag 30 feet high because
he said that if we still stick to the objective, we will be the followers because other group
is planning to raise the flag higher than us meaning that they are the market leader.

6.00PM The game has started. The first group which is in charged for the pipes is connecting the
pipes. A problem is encountered where they have problem connecting the pipe because
the pipe does not match the other pipe due to different diameter of pipe connectors. So
they quickly find another pipe which can match each other.

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6.05PM Benjamin is telling Sabrina that the pipe that has the biggest diameter should not be on
top, the one which will have flag attached with it. In fact, the pipes are not connected
from big to small diameter. The pipes size are all mixing like from a big pipe connected
to small pipe and then connected to a big pipe. Then Sabrina is telling the members to
rearrange the pipes without neither adding nor reducing the numbers of the pipes.

6.10PM The flag is attached to the pipe. The second group which is in charge for the ropes is
starting to tie the ropes to the pipes.

6.15PM Sabrina is calling for the managers and she is talking about how the rope should be tie
because Sabrina has seen some of the group members didn’t tie the rope in a right way.

6.20PM Benjamin is telling Sabrina not to tie the rope at the point where the two pipes are
connected. But then group members are arguing about it because they find that the joints
are not strong and they believe by tying the rope at the joint will make the pipes stronger.
But then since Benjamin had done this game before, he is convincing the group members
that by tying the rope at the joints won’t work. Benjamin then enlightens the group
members why do they need to tie the rope at the middle of the pipe instead of tying the
rope at the connected point.

6.25PM The group members are untying the rope and tie it at the middle of the pipe just like what
Benjamin had told them.

6.30PM The members still tying the rope but then some of the members still confused on how
many people will be controlling the rope on each layer of pipe joints. From here we can
see that a miscommunication had happened between the members. Then quickly
managers are explaining to the members about the strategy again.

6.35PM The top pipe joint which has flag attached to it is ready. Then the second joint of pipe is
connected.

6.40PM The third joint of pipe is connected. But then the pipe joints seem to fall down. The
members start shouting and arguing not to pull the rope to hard. The noises arose causing
a miscommunication to happen again. Then all managers are raising their voice asking
all the members to calm down.

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6.45PM The fourth joint is connected. Again the pipes seem to fall down. Benjamin is telling
everyone who is holding the rope to watch for the flag. If it’s falling, don’t pull the rope
too much or just pull the rope a bit.

6.50PM They are adding more length to the rope to stabilize the flag by tying another rope to the
end of the rope which has already tied to the pipe.

6.55PM The base pipe joint is connected. Jason, Sabrina and Benjamin is holding the base while
the other members are trying to get the flag balance. Finally, we are done with raising our
flag. Then Mr. Daud came to roughly measure the height of the pipes. After he measured
how tall our flag is, Mr. Daud is asking us to add one more feet to the pillar.

7.00PM Jason, Sabrina and Benjamin are connecting another pipe to the base. The height of the
flag is now 31 feet. Finally, we managed to achieve our objective to raise the Jalur
Gemilang 30 feet high within one hour. Everyone hands in and is cheering for our success.

7.05PM Every one is uninstalling the equipment and the game is dismissed.

Written by, Checked by,

(Faidzah binti Hassan) (Benjamin)

Secretary of Management Game CEO of Management Game

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