A practical, 2‑day game theory training for procurement and sourcing professionals
Concentrated supply markets, internal stakeholder pressure, and repeated negotiations demand more than experience and gut feeling. The Game Theory Open Training by TWS SkillForge equips procurement teams with a game theory mindset to analyse incentives, anticipate counterpart behaviour, and design negotiations that deliver better outcomes in complex procurement environments.
TRAINING FORMAT & ORGANISATION
- Duration: 2 full days (on site)
- Small training groups: 8–12 participants
- Format: open training (participants from multiple organisations)
- Style: highly interactive, workshop based
- Materials: comprehensive training documentation, “training nudge” 4 weeks after the training
- Catering: coffee/tea, water and other soft drinks, snacks and lunch on both training days included
- Certificate provided after completion
- Price: 2,500 EUR / 3,000 CHF excl. tax per participant (reach out to check your eligibility for early bird or corporate discounts)
Why attend this training?
Most negotiations fall short not because of weak tactics, but because preparation lacks structure. Game theory provides a powerful framework to understand strategic interaction: who are the players, what do they want, and how will they act and react.
The Introduction to Game Theory Open Training is designed for individual professionals and small teams who want to build this structured way of thinking. Delivered on-site, it provides day-one applicable insights from TWS’ flagship negotiation trainings through an interactive format combining negotiation games, experiments, real-world case studies, group discussions, and peer exchange with professionals from other industries.
3 + 4 March 2026
Lucerne, Switzerland (German)
application closed
11 + 12 March 2026
Copenhagen, Denmark (English)
25 + 26 March 2026
Veenendaal, Netherlands (English)
April 2026
Germany (English)
more details coming soon
You can select your preferred date directly in the registration form.
Your trainers
The Introduction to Game Theory trainings are delivered by senior TWS Partners trainers with deep expertise in game-theory-based negotiation and sourcing. Trainers vary by session, ensuring that each training combines rigorous thinking with practical relevance.
DR. BIRGIT MORITZ
Principal
DR. BIRGIT MORITZ
Principal
DR. BIRGIT MORITZ
Principal
Birgit holds a PhD in Economics and leverages deep expertise across diverse industries to train and advise clients on high‑impact challenges.
DIETER VAN DE SCHEUR
Principal and General Manager Netherlands
DIETER VAN DE SCHEUR
Principal and General Manager Netherlands
DIETER VAN DE SCHEUR
Principal and General Manager Netherlands
Dieter draws from international experience across multiple industries. He advises and trains clients on effective negotiation strategies, applying game‑theoretic and market making methods to strengthen sourcing performance.
DR. MIRIAM THÖNE
Senior Project Manager
DR. MIRIAM THÖNE
Senior Project Manager
DR. MIRIAM THÖNE
Senior Project Manager
From PhD research in economics to tough supplier negotiations, Miriam consults and trains purchasing professionals to compete smarter, negotiate stronger, and create measurable business impact.
MICHAEL BERBERICH
Senior Engagement Manager
MICHAEL BERBERICH
Senior Engagement Manager
MICHAEL BERBERICH
Senior Engagement Manager
With more than 20 years of project experience – spanning global CAPEX tenders to major transformation initiatives – Michael brings deep, senior‑level insight to his trainings.
CARLOTTA PILGRAM
Project Manager
CARLOTTA PILGRAM
Project Manager
CARLOTTA PILGRAM
Project Manager
As a project manager, Lotta works side by side with clients and deals with project challenges on a daily basis. As a trainer, she combines this hands-on project work with deep economic expertise and a passion for training and connecting with participants.
What you will learn
Over two intensive days, you will work hands-on with real cases, simulations, and negotiation experiments.
Core modules include:
- Game Theory fundamentals – understanding strategic interaction, incentives, equilibria, and backward induction
- Bargaining Theory – analysing power, information, commitment, timing, and alternatives (BATNA)
- Auction Theory – core auction formats, design choices, and robustness to information gaps
- Applying the concepts – translating theory into concrete negotiation and awarding designs
The emphasis is on building a robust decision logic, not on fixed recipes or generic negotiation tips.
What you will take back to your role
Beyond concepts and tools, the training changes how you approach real negotiations in your day to day work.
After the training, you will:
- Anticipate supplier reactions and second order effects more reliably
- Make negotiation choices with greater confidence and consistency
- Design robust negotiation and awarding processes that stand up under pressure
- Apply game theory based thinking across categories, projects, and stakeholder settings
What makes this training different
Participants work through realistic scenarios and experience how different choices change outcomes.
- Highly interactive format: simulations, experiments, group discussions, and case work
- Real-world relevance: all concepts are applied directly to procurement and sourcing situations
- Experienced trainers: led by senior TWS Partners trainers with deep project experience across industries
- Proven methodology: TWS’ game-theory-driven approach, used in complex, high-stakes negotiations
At the core of all SkillForge trainings is a mindset shift. Participants move away from intuition-led negotiation approaches towards a clear, game-theory-based way of thinking about strategic interaction.
Who should attend
This training is aimed at professionals who are actively involved in sourcing and negotiation decisions, including:
- Procurement managers and category managers
- Strategic sourcing leads
- Negotiation project members
- Purchasing professionals facing complex, high stakes, or recurring supplier negotiations
If you want to improve outcomes by changing the game – not just by playing it better, this training is for you.
SkillForge Open Trainings are designed for individual participants and small teams. If you are looking for a tailored in-house programme for your team, please contact us directly at SkillForge@tws-partners.com.