Travel the globe as coffee traders navigating the entire supply chain from farm to cup. Teams buy from producers, trade with other syndicates, and sell custom blends to satisfy ever-changing consumer tastes. Success demands sharp market intelligence, quick reactions, and a smart balance of risk and profit to win.
- Program Designer: Catalyst Global
Bean Around The World
Teams step into the fast-paced world of global coffee trading, balancing short-term deals with long-term strategy. Buying, selling, and negotiating, participants learn to adapt quickly to market changes and customer demands. This dynamic challenge strengthens collaboration, sharpens market awareness, and inspires smarter decision-making across the whole supply chain.
Description
Learning Outcomes
Participants experience first-hand the tension between short-term gains and long-term success as they trade coffee worldwide. By building supply chains, responding to shifting market trends, and negotiating with others, teams develop practical skills in risk management and win-win strategy. This business simulation breaks down silos, driving collaboration while highlighting how gathering market intelligence and understanding customer needs can give a competitive edge. Adaptive thinking becomes essential when balancing quick profits with sustainable outcomes. Teams leave with improved communication, sharper problem-solving, and a stronger grasp of how supply chains and consumer demands interact. It’s an energising way to build practical, real-world business skills.
Quick Summary
| Team Building Type | Conferences Meetings & Townhalls, Indoor Team Building, Leadership Development, Onboarding Teams |
|---|---|
| Outcomes | Building Trust, Dealing with Change, Embracing Diversity & Inclusion, Negotiation Skills |
| Duration | 1.5 Hours, 2 Hours, 2.5 Hours |
| In-Person/Virtual | In-Person Indoor |
| Program Designer | Catalyst Global |
| Group Size | 10-25, 26-50, 51-150, 151-250, 251-500, Over 500 |
"The activity was great from beginning to the end, very well planned and organized, the facilitator also had a good vibe and good English. It was well thought, the full team liked it and we intend to repeat it." Electrolux, Bean Around The World
Frequently Asked Questions
Bean Around the World
1. What is Bean Around the World?
Bean Around the World is an interactive business simulation where participants take on the role of coffee traders operating within the global coffee supply chain. Teams source coffee beans, negotiate with suppliers and customers, respond to changing market conditions, and make strategic decisions to maximise profits while working towards shared success.
2. How does Bean Around the World work?
Working in teams, participants experience every stage of the coffee business—from sourcing and trading to blending and selling coffee products. Throughout the simulation, market conditions continually change, requiring teams to negotiate, adapt strategies, manage resources, and balance customer expectations with commercial success.
3. Do participants need business or finance experience?
No. Bean Around the World is designed for participants from all professional backgrounds. While the activity introduces concepts such as supply chains, negotiation, and market dynamics, success depends on teamwork, communication, and strategic thinking rather than prior business knowledge.
4. What skills does Bean Around the World help develop?
The programme strengthens a broad range of workplace skills, including:
- Strategic thinking
- Communication
- Negotiation
- Collaboration
- Decision-making
- Customer focus
- Resource management
- Adaptability
- Leadership
Participants also gain a deeper understanding of how individual decisions can influence wider business outcomes.
5. Who is Bean Around the World suitable for?
Bean Around the World is ideal for leadership teams, managers, sales teams, cross-functional departments, graduate programmes, conferences, and organisations looking to strengthen commercial awareness, teamwork, and strategic decision-making through an engaging business simulation.
6. How long does the Bean Around the World programme last?
The programme typically runs for 1.5 to 2 hours, making it an excellent choice for conferences, leadership development programmes, team meetings, and corporate events.
7. Is Bean Around the World suitable for large groups?
Yes. The programme scales well for both small teams and large corporate events. Participants work in smaller groups while interacting within a larger marketplace, creating a highly engaging experience regardless of group size.
8. Is Bean Around the World an indoor team building activity?
Yes. Bean Around the World is delivered as an indoor experiential learning programme and is suitable for conference venues, hotels, meeting spaces, and corporate offices.
9. What makes Bean Around the World different from other business simulations?
Bean Around the World combines commercial strategy with collaborative learning. Rather than focusing solely on financial results, participants experience the importance of negotiation, customer relationships, information sharing, and adapting to changing market conditions. The simulation demonstrates that long-term success depends on both effective strategy and strong teamwork.
10. Does the programme encourage competition or collaboration?
Both. Teams compete within the marketplace to achieve the strongest commercial results, but lasting success depends on collaboration, information sharing, and building mutually beneficial relationships. The activity demonstrates how healthy competition and effective collaboration can work together in a business environment.
11. Is Bean Around the World suitable for leadership development?
Yes. The programme develops leadership by encouraging participants to analyse market information, manage risk, negotiate effectively, allocate resources, and make strategic decisions under changing conditions. It also highlights the importance of communication and stakeholder management.
12. Can Bean Around the World be customised for our organisation?
Yes. Team Building Asia can tailor the experience to align with your organisation's learning objectives, conference themes, leadership programmes, or business priorities, ensuring the simulation delivers relevant and meaningful outcomes.
13. What business challenges can Bean Around the World help address?
Bean Around the World helps organisations:
- Improve strategic decision-making
- Break down organisational silos
- Strengthen cross-functional collaboration
- Develop negotiation and influencing skills
- Improve customer-centric thinking
- Enhance adaptability during change
- Build stronger communication across teams
- Encourage long-term strategic planning over short-term gains
These outcomes make the programme particularly valuable for organisations operating in fast-changing business environments.