In Sunrise on the Reaping, the 50th Hunger Games are about to begin—an “extra special” Quarter Quell with double the tributes and none of the mercy. The Capitol has once again reminded the districts who holds the power. The system is working exactly as intended.
And that’s the problem.
The Hunger Games were never just entertainment—they were a system of control, fear, and compliance. They created a world where survival meant sacrificing your humanity, and where strength was defined by who you could outlast.
It’s fiction, yes. But it’s also a cautionary tale for anyone who builds systems.
Your software is a system. What is it encouraging?
In business, we often think of software as neutral—a set of tools to track data, run reports, and move information around. But the truth is, software is never neutral.
It shapes behavior.
It rewards some actions and discourages others.
It makes certain paths easy—and others exhausting.
The systems you build or buy are creating an invisible framework that your team is working within every day. And just like the Capitol, you might be unintentionally building a structure that rewards the very outcomes you don’t want.
Bad systems bring out the worst. Good systems bring out the best.
We’ve seen it over and over again:
- A ticketing system that penalizes collaboration and encourages finger-pointing
- A billing process so convoluted that it hides fraud instead of preventing it
- A workflow tool that creates silos because no one can see what anyone else is working on
But we’ve also seen the flipside:
- A dashboard that creates clarity around priorities and helps people step in where needed
- A client portal that makes customers feel empowered and supported
- A workload view that shows leaders when a team member is underwater before they burn out
Custom software is more than a convenience—it’s a chance to build a system that reflects your values.
What Are You Optimizing For in Your Software Design?
Do you want transparency?
Build systems that make data visible and accessible.
Do you want efficiency?
Automate the repeatable and let your team focus on the high-value work.
Do you want trust?
Create workflows with checks and balances that don’t feel like surveillance.
Your outcomes aren’t just about your team—they’re about the structure you’ve placed around them. If your software isn’t aligned with what you want to see, you may be unintentionally rewarding the opposite.
You don’t need to settle for off-the-shelf control.
At I-Tul, we work with clients to build custom systems that:
- Fit real workflows—not fantasy ones
- Provide guardrails without locking people in
- Encourage the right actions through thoughtful design
Whether it’s billing, project tracking, customer communication, or reporting—we help you define the kind of system that brings out the best in your business.
Build the world you want to work in.
The Capitol built the Hunger Games to maintain power. You have the opportunity to build something better.
Let’s create systems that reward clarity, compassion, and courage. Not just because it’s better for your team—but because it’s better for your business.
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