As the Cookie Crumbles: Porter's Five Forces

We describe a visual and kinesthetic exercise offering students the opportunity to experience how Michael Porter's Five Competitive Forces in Strategy operate within a specific industry, a decorated cookie industry. Donning hats which spell out roles parallel to the Five Force model, students become buyers, suppliers, existing companies, disruptors and start-ups with the goal of becoming profitable. Quickly students begin operating as they might in the real world, making deals, addressing conflict, and being competitive. The exercise can be adjusted for varying sizes of classes and learning objectives and it can be used for both graduate and undergraduate students.