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Facilitation Suggestions from the Masters

Celemi Apples & Oranges has been translated into more than a dozen
languages and has been delivered to thousands of learners. Master
Facilitators offer their suggestions to novices as to what to focus on to
make your delivery successful. Review these as you prepare.

Before the Seminar


1. Flag the answer pages in the facilitator guide for easy reference during the seminar.
2. Practice playing the simulation on your own. Pay special attention to the inter-relationships in
the model. What do you think the simulation is trying to teach here?
3. Note in your facilitator manual your key points, discussion questions, expected answers, and the
like. Refer to them as you present.
4. Review the latest financial and strategic information on the company for relating to the
simulation. Connect these facts with the way they’re presented in the simulation.
5. Customize your own PowerPoint deck with notes. Print them for reference during the seminar.
6. Set out all materials for each team, but let the teams set up their own models. This aids in
learning the rules and procedures.

During the Seminar


1. Set the expectations at the outset that the learners are the focus, not the instructor as ‘expert.’
2. Establish that the simulation is designed to find the “sweet spot” to balance reality with
simplicity. While not everything is simulated, everything is relatable and learnable.
3. Start with an icebreaker. Use financial quiz questions or other opener.
4. Ask learners to rate their comfort level with business finance during introductions.
5. Make everyone comfortable. Finance is new to most people and intimidating.
6. Describe elements of the simulation as they relate to your company. Ask these questions a lot:
a. How does this relate to our company? How do you see this at our company?
b. How are these challenges like what we face here?
c. What initiatives or projects do you have ongoing that are like these?
d. What is your role on the poster/work mat? What value do you bring?
e. Would your customer be willing to pay for what you accomplished last week? Why or
why not?
7. Avoid providing lectures. Let the participants learn from experience.
8. Provide only guidance, not a lot of up front talking and explanation. Let the participants learn
in context.
9. Help the teams balance their balance sheets
a. Did the team pay its taxes?
b. Did they pay depreciation from cash?
c. Can you see their error when comparing it to the period by period answers in the
facilitator guide?
10. Keep an eye on teams’ pace. If they are falling behind, encourage them to work quickly. If they
are racing ahead, remind them that speed kills!
11. Use open ended questions in your discussions after each year. Prepare them ahead of time.
12. Ask learners to put themselves into the shoes of our Board of Directors. How would you assess
the Apples & Oranges company performance?
13. Point out the glossary and other reference material in the participant guide.

Celemi Apples & Oranges Supplemental | Facilitator Exercises | MDI, Inc. 1|Page
Facilitation Tips from the Masters
Celemi Apples & Oranges has been translated into more than a dozen
languages and has been delivered to thousands of learners. Master
Facilitators offer their suggestions to novices as to what to focus on to
make your delivery successful. Review these and prepare your thoughts.

After the Seminar


1. Encourage participants to complete a survey of their reaction to the seminar.
2. Ask participants to talk to their manager about what they learned in the seminar. Encourage
follow through on learning.
3. Keep a journal of your experience for reference at the next seminar. You’ll quickly forget how
you did things and the choices you made.
4. Provide the learners with follow information on where to learn more or how they can apply
their learning.
5. Adapt, refine, and revise your facilitation to continuously improve.

Notes:

Celemi Apples & Oranges Supplemental | Facilitator Exercises | MDI, Inc. 2|Page

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