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More than just a game
Miki Island combines the Group Development Questionnaire® and Susan Wheelan’s Integrated Model of Group Development for better learning and business outcomes.
Christian Jacobsson
Head of Research, GDQ Associates
Maria Akerlund
CEO, GDQ Associates AB
Oussama Labib
CEO & Founder, Aeqlia & Miki Island
Miki Island is made possible through a collaboration between GDQ Associates AB, leading research company and aeqlia, a digital learning company.
Our ambition is clear, provide leaders, organizations and teams the best of all worlds: a fun, collaborative and engaging learning experience based on proven research and methodology to improve their performance on-the-job for business impact.
Both available face-to-face or digitally, Miki island bridges the gap between theory and practice.
The game has been designed with specific learning outcomes in mind and reflect real-life challenges teams face in the workplace. In addition, the team’s performance in Miki Island is directly connected to their ability to demonstrate and apply the behaviors and characteristics of high performing & agile teams!
The Business Impact of High Performing Teams
Backed by studies such as Wheelan (1998, 2003) and Jacobson (2014) from GDQ Associates, our research partner, we know that High Performing & Agile Teams deliver business impact:
- Have more satisfied customers and managers (Wheelan, 1998)
- Have more surviving patients in intensive care (Wheelan, 2003)
- Have members that experience higher level of work satisfaction and lower level of emotional exhaustion (Jacobson, 2014)
- Produce more goods in the manufacturing industry (Wheelan & Furbur, 2006)
- Manage money better in the financial sector (Wheelan, 2005)
- Have a greater ability to adopt to agile ways of working (Gren, 2017)
Our Team development approach
Research-based methodology
The Integrated Model of Group Development (IMGD) by Susan Wheelan provides a comprehensive framework for understanding the evolution of groups and maturity of teams. The IMGD offers insights into how groups can navigate challenges, build cohesion, and ultimately enhance their performance. It serves as a valuable guide for leaders and members alike in fostering effective group dynamics and achieving shared objectives
the 10 characteristics of high Performing Teams
Some people think focusing on team development is a waste of time, but it does make a difference to the bottom line. Research studies have identified 10 key characteristics of high performing teams that each team members should pay attention to in order to ensure group productivity.
Goals
Rules
Interdependence
Implementation
Norms
Leadership
Communication
decision making
structure
cooperation
For Coaches
Becoming a Miki Island Partner isn’t just about Membership – it’s a journey.
A journey shaped by curiosity, discovery, and transformation. Whether you’re already sold on the power of experiential learning, or just beginning to explore how immersive business simulations can elevate your work, there’s a path for you.
👉 Join our global network of certified coaches and leverage the Miki Island program to enhance your offerings.
For Corporates
Miki Island is more than a training program — it’s a catalyst for team performance.
The Miki Island program helps your teams break silos, build alignment, and accelerate performance. Whether it’s for an offsite, a leadership program, or a company-wide initiative — we help you create real, measurable change.
👉 See how Miki Island can help you build high-performing teams and a high-performance culture that drives business results.
"Miki Island experiential learning program is a great way to practice teamwork for performance improvement. The combination of doing and reflecting as well as being both concrete and theoretical is great or learnings about team development!"
Christian Jacobsson Head Of Research, GDQ Associates (Miki Island Research Partner)