Business Game “The Chocolate Factory”: Students Stepped into the Role of Real-World Consultants
On October 24, 2025, students at HSE University – Saint Petersburg found themselves at the heart of a high-stakes corporate decision-making process — albeit in game format. The Department of Finance hosted the business game “The Chocolate Factory”, developed and facilitated by Technologies of Trust (TeDo), a consulting and audit firm and partner of the master's programme.
The game was led by Nikita Lutsenko, a manager at Technologies of Trust. Formerly part of the PwC global network, the company now operates independently in Russia, delivering consulting, audit, and strategic advisory services. Their engagement with universities — including HSE — brings students closer to the logic of business consulting through interactive, hands-on formats.
A Story of Strategy, Investment, and Chocolate
In the simulation, participants took on the role of external consultants for the fictional Polish chocolate company B. Mebel, which had recently secured 100 million investment units and was seeking advice on how to use these funds to grow its market presence and strengthen its leadership in the confectionery sector.
The case was rich in detail and complexity, offering students a glimpse into the kind of decisions faced by real companies. The proposed options ranged from acquiring a competitor or supplier, to launching a new premium product line, investing in marketing, developing retail infrastructure, or expanding into digital and sustainable product formats. Every decision came with trade-offs, financial risks, and strategic implications.
The game was split into two phases: first, each student received a unique piece of information relevant to the investment analysis. They had to understand their part, critically assess it, and be ready to communicate it. Then, in small teams, students engaged in dynamic discussions — debating priorities, interpreting financial indicators, evaluating risks, and building an argument for their chosen investment strategy.
Learning through Action
Although the company and scenario were fictional, the level of immersion was high. The atmosphere in the room closely mirrored a real-life consulting setting: focused conversations, time pressure, data-driven decisions, and collective accountability. Teams ultimately presented their investment recommendations to an imagined Board of Directors, defending their reasoning with evidence and financial logic.
The format was highly engaging and well-received by students. Many noted that it gave them a chance to combine financial analysis with strategic thinking, and helped them better understand how investment decisions are shaped not only by numbers, but also by teamwork, communication, and market context.
By the end of the session, participants had not only improved their technical and soft skills, but also got a closer look at what it means to work in consulting — making this business game a valuable addition to the applied learning experiences at the Department of Finance.