Turning Strategy into a Game – Savings Banks Group used Strategy Game to ensure Commitment and Common Direction

A Strategy Game That United 1,500 Employees

Savings Banks Group chose Muutostaito as its partner for implementing its strategy because they wanted something entirely different from traditional slide presentations. Their goal was to create an inspiring, engaging, and effective way to bring the new group strategy into practice – across the entire group.

From the outset, Savings Banks Group had a clear vision: the strategy must live in everyday work. They believed success required participation, dialogue, and shared understanding. This led to the idea of turning the strategy into a game – a board game–style workshop where every employee could have a voice.

The collaboration with Muutostaito included carefully developing questions and materials based on Muutostaito’s game concept. The design was carried out in close cooperation with management and the project team, with questions fine-tuned to support the most important strategic objectives. In this way, the strategy became concrete and discussable.

The organization-wide rollout began with a leadership strategy game event facilitated by Muutostaito, with 200 participants. This served as the launch pad for the group-wide gameplay. In total, 45 game events were held across Finland, involving all 1,500 employees of Savings Banks Group. Events ranged from small branch sessions to full-day strategic workshops. The games adapted flexibly to group size, and the atmosphere was enhanced with lighting, music, and themes.

The structure of the game enabled genuine dialogue across roles. Each participant reflected on what the strategy meant in their own work and what actions could advance it. At the end of the game, everyone made a personal strategy promise. These promises are followed up on and revisited in team discussions and development talks.

According to Merja Mäenpää, the collaboration experience was excellent: Muutostaito’s models, expertise, and support brought clarity and confidence to the process. As a result, the strategy is now truly visible and tangible in everyday work – and the game events are still remembered with a smile.

Further information about the project

Savings Bank Group
Merja Mäenpää
Strategy Lead
+358 40 772 5966

Starting Points of the Collaboration

Objective: To implement the strategy in a participatory and impactful way – ensuring commitment and turning common understanding into daily actions.

Solution: Designing Savings Banks Group´s strategy as a board game that strengthens commitment, facilitated throughout the organization by Muutostaito together with internal coaches.

What Was Done?

✅ Game content together with management
✅ Pilot game to verify content
✅ Strategy game kick-off for leadership – a 200-person event

✅ Training game facilitators and co-facilitating the strategy game with Muutostaito
✅ 45 game events across Finland, led by internal coaches
✅ 1,500 employees participated, each making a personal strategy promise – turning strategy into daily actions

Why Muutostaito game concept works?

✅ Content. The game’s questions and answer options concretely opened up the strategy – what everyday actions move us toward the strategy, and what the strategy means to me
✅ Concept. The game structure ensured that everyone had the chance to speak and hear views on the key strategic themes – commitment was built through dialogue
✅ Gamification. Enthusiasm spread across the organization – the strategy came to life. Fun and a spirit of friendly competition created an unforgettable experience.

“This was the best way to go through the strategy. Fu, engaging, and very well designed.”
– Feedback from a game event

Results

✅ 1,500 personal strategy promises
✅ The strategy is now visible in everyday discussions, meetings, and development talks
✅ Each bank continues to use the game in onboarding new employees
✅ The organization still talks about the power and atmosphere of the strategy games

Merja Mäenpää, Strategy Manager, Savings Banks Group:

“We had a very successful group strategy – and rolling it out through the game was a real success. Working with Muutostaito was smooth, creative, and professional. This process made the strategy real.”