Business Games - as with flight simulators - can be used to:
Typical business examples include:
Business Games have been configured to address all of these needs. In addition to the six versions shown in the table below, Business Games can be configured with different sets of decisions and trading periods to meet individual requirements.
Please check the Frequently Asked Questions or Case Studies pages for more details.
| Game Version | No. of Rounds / Trading Periods | Applications include: | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 6+ | ||
| No. of Policy Decisions | ||||||||
| Apprentice 3R | 3 | 5 | 7 | Introduction | ||||
| Entrepreneur 3R | 5 | 10 | 15 | Business start-ups, training needs analysis | ||||
| Entrepreneur 6R | 5 | 10 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | Business development, trouble-shooting | |
| Professional 3R | 8 | 22 | 22 | Recruitment; Team-building; Skills develoopment | ||||
| Professional 6R | 8 | 22 | 22 | 22 | 22 | 22 | Strategic planning; Finance readiness; Problem-solving | |
| Professional Plus | 8 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 25 | Specialist Applications |
Event Type Options:
- In stand-alone applications, events can focus on the interaction between different business functions, or the members of a project team, or a combination of both. By dramatically reducing the delay between actions and their consequences, simulations provide a safe, accelerated learning environment to explore opportunities, identify potential pitfalls and experiment with alternative solutions.
- Augmenting a conference, seminar or course with a Business Game event can take learning and motivation to an entirely new level. Putting new knowledge into practice immediately ignites enthusiasm, improves the depth of understanding and consolidates retention.
- Business Games can be combined with other activities to provide highly effective staff incentive programmes. For example, they can be combined with karting to keep clients' teams on track!
- The scoring system can be adjusted such that the different aspects of business performance can be weighted to reflect the specific priorities of each client.
No. of Groups:
- There are Business Game events to suit almost any number of people from one to over 100.
- For a single group of between 12 to 35, participants compete in teams. The more teams/companies in a virtual market, the greater the challenge!
- Depending on the size of the group, each "virtual board" will have between 4 to 7 members, each taking on a specific role.
- For larger numbers, events are run with multiple groups, either simultaneously or sequentially.
- With large organisations, a “League Table” scoring option can be provided for regional, national or international Business Games.
- Smaller groups (from 1 to 11 people) can act as a single team, or as two competing teams with the addition of one or more "ghost" teams.
No. of Teams:
- In team mode, between 3 and 5 virtual companies compete against each other.
- In solo mode, participants compete against one or more ghost teams, whose strategies and policies can be selected from default options or chosen by the facilitator.
- A typical solo mode application would be a start-up business working with an adviser, coach or mentor.
No. of Policy Decisions:
- The Apprentice Version has a minimal set of decisions. This provides an introduction with a focus on understanding the consequences of basic decisions, predominantly in marketing.
- The Entrepreneur Version has an intermediate set of key cross-discipline decisions and is used where the focus is on specific business issues, or soft skills such as negotiation, communication and presentation.
- The Professional Version has an full set of decisions which leads to a deeper understanding of secondary consequences and the interdependence of the different disciplines in an organisation.
No. of Trading Periods:
- The Apprentice Version provides an introduction with up to three rounds/trading periods (3R) depending on the time available.
- Other 3R versions are mainly used as diagnostic tools, or as part of an integrated package such as a training course or conference, or where time is limited.
- Versions with six rounds (6R) allow teams to develop and implement a successful strategy.
- Versions with more than six rounds are used in specialist, customised and some hybrid applications, or where there may be a need for a tie-breaker.
On-site Facilitation Options:
- This requires a room large enough to accommodate the group as a whole, preferably with break-out areas or rooms where teams can hold their board meetings in private.
- The Professional Edition requires 2/3 whole days or 4/5 half days, which can be consecutive or at regular intervals.
On-line Facilitation Options:
- This enables teams from different locations to take part in the same event.
- Examples include a global multi-group Business Game event for 21 teams from as far afield as Sydney, Johannesburg and Seattle.
Other Facilitation Options:
- One of the most popular events involves a live Launch Day, a series of on-line interim rounds and a live “Oscars style” Awards Day, with multiple prize categories. Other options range from live team interviews to audience voting.
- For further guidance, please ask your Business Game Partner or use the Contact Us facility.