CAPITAL RAISING - In the game students get to study the market, here the pitches from each team and decide where to invest their money while at the same time pitching to the other teams to invest their money with them.
PLANNING - In the game students need to plan for years in advance where they are going and be able to break it down month by month and see how close their execution can match their plan
RESOURCE MANAGEMENT - Teams will need to manage their resources carefully to make sure they are getting a good return on their resources or else the finances of the team can go backwards and bankruptcy can loom.
FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT - A very competent accountant has to be able to manage their teams finances and investments to make sure that the development team is not spending all their money and blowing through all the reserves.
CONTRACT WRITING - Teams will need to be able to be innovative and come up with creative contracts to be able to win the game. Often the teams with the most number of high quality contracts will win the game as they are able to manipulate the rules (with permission) for their advantage.
NEGOTIATION - There is a lot of negotiation in the game regarding the contracts, resources, strategy, track routes, media and reputation management and more and great negotiators will have a huge advantage.
REPUTATION MANAGEMENT - Everything you do in the game is scrutinized by the media. Your derailments become national news. Use the media to announce new routes opening, carriage layouts, improved services and more. Manage any calamity along the way so it does not destroy your reputation and your financial stability.
TEAMWORK - These games reveal how you are at teamwork. A championship team will do wonders compared to a team of champions who cannot work together. Constant communication will be critical for you to succeed at this game.