This masterclass is designed to strengthen strategic thinking by introducing a game theory mindset for managerial decision-making. Participants will learn how interdependence, incentives, and strategic choices shape business outcomes, and how rational decisions can sometimes lead to suboptimal results. The program equips participants with practical tools to anticipate behavior, manage competition, and make more informed strategic decisions.

Overview

The program provides a practical introduction to game theory and its application in business and leadership contexts. Participants will explore the differences between strategic, tactical, and operational decisions, and learn how business problems can be analyzed as games involving players, strategies, incentives, and outcomes. Key concepts such as game classification, payoffs, Nash Equilibrium, competition, negotiation, and cooperation are explained through real-world business examples. The course emphasizes practical application, enabling participants to apply game theory frameworks to competitive strategy, negotiations, partnerships, and internal decision-making.

Who should attend

All individuals who play a role in leading and implementing ERM efforts within an enterprise. These include

• Business leaders, managers, and strategy professionals
• Project and functional managers
• Professionals involved in negotiation, competition, and partnerships
• Risk, governance, and decision-making roles

Methodology

An interactive, business-focused approach including:

• Practical explanations and real-world examples
• Scenario-based discussions and simple game models
• Group discussions and final business case or simulation

Trainer

The program is delivered by an experienced business and strategy practitioner with extensive exposure to managerial decision-making, competitive strategy, and negotiation across multiple industries. The trainer has advised and worked closely with senior leaders on strategic planning, market competition, pricing decisions, negotiations, and partnership structures.With a strong focus on practical application, the trainer translates complex game theory concepts into clear, intuitive frameworks that managers can readily apply in real business situations. The training approach is highly interactive and case-driven, drawing on real-world business dilemmas to help participants develop sharper strategic judgment, avoid common managerial blind spots, and make more disciplined, forward-looking decisions in complex and uncertain environments.

Course Content

Module – 1: Strategic Thinking & the Game Theory Mindset

• What is Game Theory in business
• Strategic vs. tactical vs. operational decisions
• Players, strategies, incentives, and outcomes
• Common managerial blind spots

Module – 2: Understanding Business Games

• Cooperative vs. non-cooperative games
• One-time vs. repeated interactions
• Zero-sum vs. win-win games
• Simultaneous vs. sequential decisions
• Mapping business problems into games

Module – 3: Payoffs, Incentives & Strategic Choices

• Understanding payoffs beyond money
• Identifying hidden incentives
• Trade-offs between short-term and long-term outcomes
• Simple payoff tables
• Why logical decisions can backfir

Module –4: Nash Equilibrium & Business Stability

• Nash Equilibrium explained
• Rational players and poor outcomes
• Prisoner’s Dilemma in business
• Price wars and margin erosion
• When stability is harmfu

Module – 5: Competitive Strategy & Market Games

• First-mover vs. second-mover advantage
• Entry deterrence strategies
• Signaling and strategic commitments
• Capacity, pricing, and investment games
• Anticipating competitor responses

Module – 6: Negotiation & Bargaining Games

• Bargaining power and leverage
• Information asymmetry
• Credible threats and commitments
• Win-lose vs. win-win negotiations
• Multi-party and internal negotiations

Module – 7: Cooperation, Trust & Repeated Interactions

• Repeated games and reputation effects
• Trust-building vs. punishment strategies
• Cooperation under competition
• Strategic alliances and partnerships
• Managing internal team dynamics

Module –  8: Applying Game Theory in Managerial Decision-Making

• Practical decision-making checklist
• When to avoid game theory
• Behavioural limitations and ethics
• Using game theory in leadership and governance
• Final business simulation or case discussion