From Warehouse to Management: Apprentices Take the Helm in the 2025 Business Simulation Game

From June 23 to 25, the NOSTA Group's Innovation Lab once again hosted its annual business simulation game for apprentices. Twelve participants from the training areas of warehouse logistics specialists, freight forwarding and logistics services clerks, professional drivers, and media design took on the role of company management for three intensive days – including all the challenges that come with it.

This year, the apprentices simulated the management of the fictional “mosaik GmbH,” a young headphone manufacturer specializing in innovative audio technology. Under the guidance of game master Thomas Temme, the teams made strategic decisions in areas such as sales, marketing, research & development, purchasing, human resources, and finance – and had to compete against other teams in a dynamic competitive environment.

“Our apprentices learn how business management works and what effects entrepreneurial decisions have,” explains Alischa Reitz, who has been organizing the simulation game for several years. “At the same time, exciting discussions and creative solutions arise – exactly what we want to promote in modern training.”

Customer Centricity, Competition, and a Commercial

In addition to classic management tasks, the focus this year was once again on “customer centricity” – that is, consistently aligning business activities with the needs of customers. Through market research, product development, and communication campaigns, the apprentices considered how to successfully place their fictional products on the market. The highlight was the creation of a commercial that creatively summarized each group's ideas.

“Our apprentices faced the unfamiliar challenge with great commitment and commendable initiative,” emphasizes Marcus Thoben, COO of NOSTA Holding. “Every decision in the game had an impact and was not easy. For us, it shows the added value of the simulation game: it strengthens the ability to solve challenges as a team, take responsibility, and promotes entrepreneurial thinking in a very practical way.”

Reflection and Presentation to Management

On the last day, the teams prepared their final presentations, in which they not only showed their results, but also reflected on key experiences and challenges – including the Competitors Challenge and the Manager Carousel, in which managers switched between teams.

The final presentations provided a good insight into the concepts developed and the commitment of the participants. They showed that the apprentices had worked intensively on the tasks and were able to gain valuable initial experience in entrepreneurial thinking.

All information about training at NOSTA can be found here