onboarding

The game

The Onboarding card game presents players with realistic workplace scenarios to develop effective decision-making on the level of due diligence needed day to day. Each scenario covers a situation where the right course of action isn’t always clear-cut. You can play with our bank of industry situations or add your own challenges.

With each round, the group is presented with an onboarding challenge. Each player needs to think about the scenario - should this customer be onboarded for this transaction without further scruitiny? Or is further investigation required? If so, what is needed?

The game is played in teams, with a facilitator guiding discussions and highlighting key learning points. Sessions typically last 60-90 minutes, making it perfect for training workshops or team meetings. .

Learning Outcomes

After playing theOnboarding card game, participants will be able to:

• Recognise Red Flags: Identify common indicators of money laundering across different transaction types
• Understand AML Regulations: Apply key requirements from relevant anti-money laundering legislation
• Conduct Proper Due Diligence: Know what questions to ask and what information to gather when concerns arise
• Assess Risk Levels: Evaluate the severity of suspicious indicators and determine appropriate responses
• Balance Service and Compliance: Maintain good client relationships while fulfilling compliance obligations

Why This Game Works

Traditional ethics training often relies on lectures and abstract principles that feel disconnected from daily work. The Onboarding card game succeeds because it:

Creates Safe Practice Space: Players can explore difficult onboarding decisions without real-world consequences, building confidence for when they face similar situations in their work.

Encourages Discussion: The game format naturally promotes dialogue and debate, helping teams develop a shared understanding of the firm’s risk appetite and how this affects their work.

Reveals Complexity: By presenting nuanced scenarios, the game shows that onboarding decisions often involve weighing competing values and considering multiple stakeholders.

Builds Muscle Memory: Repeated practice with reasoning helps participants develop instincts and frameworks they can apply when facing real dilemmas.

Engages Emotions: The scenarios are designed to be thought-provoking and sometimes uncomfortable, creating the emotional engagement that drives learning and retention.

Transfers to Reality: The situations in the game mirror real workplace challenges, ensuring that lessons learned are immediately applicable to participants’ daily work.

The Onboarding card game transforms abstract risk appetite principles into concrete, memorable learning experiences that genuinely change how people think about and approach onboarding challenges in their professional lives.