[Note: This is a partial preview. To download this presentation, visit: https://www.oeconsulting.com.sg/training-presentations] Looking to have a blast and re-energize participants in a classroom or workshop? Want a light-hearted exercise that suits everyone from frontliners to senior executives? Look no further - this exercise is it! The Silly Cow Exercise can be used as an ice-breaker or a warm-up activity and is perfect for training programs such as Creative Thinking, Design Thinking, Ideation Techniques, Value Proposition Canvas, Business Model Innovation, Service Design, Organization Design, etc. INTRODUCTION TO THE SILLY COW EXERCISE: In today's modern business, organizations need to innovate their products, services, business models and ecosystems to create competitive advantage. The Silly Cow Exercise is an excellent and fun activity to unleash people's creative juices to generate innovative ideas. Participants are required to create and sketch an innovative business based on the characteristics of a cow. The exercise encourages out-of-the-box thinking and uses a creative approach for teams in the visualization of ideas. The Silly Cow Exercise can be conducted in a meeting room, classroom, workshop or any suitable space. OBJECTIVES OF THE SILLY COW EXERCISE: 1. As an ice-breaker, to welcome participants and get them to warm up to each other so as to create a cordial and comfortable environment for learning. 2. To prepare participants for an ideation session that is focused on the organization's specific needs (e.g. designing a new service). EQUIPMENT/TOOL REQUIRED: 1. Flip chart papers 2. Marker pens of a few colors for each team 3. Masking tape 4. Wall to tape stuff on

1. © Operational Excellence Consulting. All rights reserved.
THE
SILLY COW
EXERCISE

2. © Operational Excellence Consulting. All rights reserved. 2
Introduction to the Silly
Cow Exercise
 In today’s modern business, organizations need to innovate their
products, services, business models and ecosystems to create
competitive advantage
 The Silly Cow Exercise is an excellent and fun activity to unleash
people’s creative juices to generate innovative ideas
 The exercise encourages out-of-the-box thinking and uses a
creative approach for teams in the visualization of ideas
 The Silly Cow Exercise can be held in a meeting room, classroom,
workshop or any suitable space
 The exercise is ideal for an ice-breaker or a warm-up activity prior to
an ideation session that is focused on the organization’s specific
needs (e.g. innovating a new business model)
NOTE: This is a PARTIAL PREVIEW.
To download the complete
presentation, please visit:
https://www.oeconsulting.com.sg

3. © Operational Excellence Consulting. All rights reserved. 3
Silly Cow Exercise: Objectives
 As an ice-breaker, to welcome
participants and get them to
warm up to each other so as to
create a cordial and comfortable
environment for learning
 To prepare participants for an
ideation session that is focused
on the organization’s specific
needs (e.g. designing a new
service)

4. © Operational Excellence Consulting. All rights reserved. 4
Equipment/Tools Required
1. Flip chart papers
2. Marker pens of a few colors for each team
3. Masking tape
4. Wall to tape stuff on

5. © Operational Excellence Consulting. All rights reserved.
ACTIVITY
1

6. © Operational Excellence Consulting. All rights reserved. 6
Activity 1: Define the characteristics
of a cow
Instructions
1. Define the characteristics of a cow (e.g. produces
milk, eats all day, makes a mooing sound, etc.).
2. List your ideas on the flip chart.
3. You have 3 minutes.
Time: 3 mins
ACTION!

7. © Operational Excellence Consulting. All rights reserved.
ACTIVITY
3

8. © Operational Excellence Consulting. All rights reserved. 8
Activity 3: Sketch your innovative
business and present your idea
Instructions
1. Use the flip chart paper to sketch your idea of the
innovative business.
2. Prepare a presentation to sell your idea to the rest of
the group.
3. You have 20 minutes.
Time: 20 mins
ACTION!

9. © Operational Excellence Consulting. All rights reserved. 9
One Cow Describes 8 Business Models
Direct Sales Model
 You have one cow
 You sell the milk door to
door
Loss Leader Model
 You have one cow
 People can buy the milk
for 50 cents
 People can also buy
high protein, lactose
free, low fat yogurt for
$50
Freemium Model
 You have one cow
 People can have as
much milk as they like
for free
 You charge them for the
cartons to hold their milk
On Demand Model
 You have one cow
 You build an app for
customers to order milk
when they need it
 You charge for instant
delivery
Subscription Model
 You have one cow
 You offer customers one
carton of milk for $3
 You offer customers 20
cartons of milk a month
for $40
“Ziferblat” Model
 You have one cow
 People can come to
your house and have as
much milk as they like
for free
 You charge them for the
time they are there
Franchise Model
 You have one cow
 A farm sells you a
license to use their
equipment to package
the milk
 You brand the milk
using the farm’s name
Crowdsourcing Model
 You have one cow
 You ask people to
donate money to buy
one
 In exchange, you
promise the first 10
cartons of your organic,
lactose-free milk for free
The silly cow may not be as silly as it sounds!
Source: Adapted from Entrepreneur Media Inc.

10. © Operational Excellence Consulting. All rights reserved. 10
Operational Excellence Consulting is a management training and consulting
firm that assists organizations in improving business performance and
effectiveness. Based in Singapore, the firm’s mission is to create business
value for organizations through innovative design and operational excellence
management training and consulting solutions. For more information, please
visit www.oeconsulting.com.sg