Barnga: A Simulation Game on Cultural Clashes, 25th Anniversary Edition [Paperback]

Sivasailam Thiagarajan (Author), Raja Thiagarajan (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 14, 2006 | Series: 25th Anniversary Edition

Help your employees understand what unites them together.and what makes them unique! BARNGA is the classic simulation game on cultural clashes. Participants experience the shock of realizing that despite their good intentions and the many similarities among them, people interpret things differently from one another in profound ways, especially people from differing cultures. Players learn that they must understand and reconcile these differences if they want to function effectively in a cross-cultural group.Revised and expanded for its 25th anniversary, BARNGA's new features and enhancements include: * New rules allow for games with as few as two players. * Partnership play permitted, enabling reflection on the impact of moral support from others. * Redesigned handouts reinforce the idea that everyone is playing by the same rules. * Different tournament formats raise new types of communication problems. * Expanded debriefing section.BARNGA is an ingenious way for people to learn more about the cultures of those with whom they work-and maybe even a little about their own.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Quite simply, Thiagi is the most prolific and creative designer of games and simulations in the world." Glenn Parker, author of Cross-Functional Teams and Team players and Teamwork "Thiagi's games are always ingenious, easy to conduct, and open to several learning points." Mel Silberman, author of Active Training and 101 Ways to Make Training More Active "When I want to create a learning environment or produce a thoughtful discussion, I turn to Thiagi's games." Steve Sugar, author of Games That Teach and Games That Teach Teams "Thiagi's games provide powerful activities that are easily adapted to any learning environment." Dr. Darryl Sink, President, Darryl Sink & Associates "There are two types of training-game designers: there is Thiagi and there is the rest of us." -- Andy Kimball, President, Qube Learning, LLC "Thiagi is a master in creating accelerated learning with simulations and games." Boyd Watkins, President, Interel, Inc."

From the Publisher

"Quite simply, Thiagi is the most prolific and creative designer of games and simulations in the world." -- Glenn Parker, author of Cross-Functional Teams and Team Players and Teamwork

"Thiagi's games are always ingenious, easy to conduct, and open to several learning points." -- Mel Silberman, author of Active Training and 101 Ways to Make Training More Active

"When I want to create a learning environment or produce a thoughtful discussion, I turn to Thiagi's games." -- Steve Sugar, author of Games That Teach and Games That Teach Teams

"Thiagi's games provide powerful activities that are easily adapted to any learning environment." -- Dr. Darryl Sink, President, Darryl Sink & Associates

"There are two types of training-game designers: there is Thiagi and there is the rest of us." -- Andy Kimball, President, Qube Learning, LLC

"Thiagi is a master in creating accelerated learning with simulations and games." -- Boyd Watkins, President, Interel, Inc.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 136 pages
• Publisher: Nicholas Brealey Publishing; 3rd Edition edition (April 14, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1931930309
• ISBN-13: 978-1931930307
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 7 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #74,382 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #66 in Books > Business & Investing > Management & Leadership > Training

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

45 of 46 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great for the Board Room and College Classroom, January 27, 2001

By 

Writestuff (Daytona Beach) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Barnga: A Simulation Game on Cultural Clashes (Paperback)

I'm a college professor who also does diversity training. I use BARNGA in my corporate trainings as well as in my college classroom. Everyone loves it! The simulation is an excellent way of driving home the idea that every environment (an institution, a business, a classroom) has unwritten rules that we assume have been communicated to the uninitiated. When the new person experiences problems, we all too often attribute the problem to a lack of skills rather than to a lack of knowledge about the "rules." This game is a great deal of fun and allows the facilitator to engage the participants in some serious discussion afterward about diversity. Excellent! Get it today! You won't be sorry.

31 of 31 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Simple Yet Elegant Learning Tool, May 2, 1999

By 

William R. Matthews (Michigan, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Barnga: A Simulation Game on Cultural Clashes (Paperback)

Barnga is what I call a simple yet elegant learning tool. Though the title of this simulation-game suggests that it is a simulation on cultural clashes, one can feel free to define the term "culture" quite broadly. I have used Barnga for years to help groups understand cultural diversity issues, conflict resolution styles, mental models and paradigms, and most recently the human responses to change acceptance. If you are a business/O.D. consultant, H.R. professional or a manager charged with helping a group of people to become more effective, Barnga is likely to be one of the best learning tool you'll ever own!

24 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Frighteningly Enlightening, February 15, 2000

By 

Juliann Smith (California) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Barnga: A Simulation Game on Cultural Clashes (Paperback)

I was first introduced to BARNGA by playing the game at a diversity conference held in the Bay Area, CA. I was surprised at how ruthless and unforgiving I was to the people who entered my little community. I made them play my way and never took the time to understand their point of view or the rules that they knew. I am a student, 18 years old and i wish this concept had been introduced to me earlier. I didn't think that I had any prejudices but I do and BARNGA made me realize them.