Post on 12-Jan-2016
Simulation Walk Through
See how your learners might use a simulation on your course.
This Walk ThroughAlthough this presentation walks you through a
specific business simulation (Product Launch) the process described here applies to business simulations where the learners use the simulator themselves such as the:
» Concepts Series» Planning Series» Process Series» Foundation Challenge» Training Challenge
Product LaunchThis simulation is one of a family of simulations
to help explore business concepts.Learners launch a unique new product with,
initially, no competition.It involves several teams of three to five people
exploring marketing and financial concepts. Where the learners use their own computer with
printer with the trainer coaching and challenging as appropriate.
What is required
A computer with printer for each team.
A room to brief the group and run the simulation.
Where, teams with their computers are spread around the room.
A trainer to brief and review the simulation and challenge and coach the learners as necessary as the simulation progresses.
The Time Table
Initial briefing (10 minutes)
Run the simulation for eight simulated periods (100 minutes)
Compare and discuss (10 minutes)
Total duration – 2 hours
The Briefing
The group as a whole is briefed about the simulation from customisable slides.
Break into teams
The group is split into teams of three to five people each using their own computer.
Where they prepare and familiarise using the written brief, plan and prepare their decisions and then enter them into the simulation.
No!?
Lets start making decisions anyway
Do we know what we are doing?
Preparing the Simulator
Now (while the teams are starting) or earlier, the trainer can get ready by:
– Enabling the full version– Changing the version (if appropriate)– Checking that the printer works!
On all the computers being used.
A code is supplied that enables the full simulation
Versions changed from Tutor’s Options (see later)
Participants’ Brief
Customisable consisting of:– Description of the Task– Business Information– The Decisions to make– The Results produced– Market ResearchBut short (2 pages)
Simulation
The learner’s should to run their business for eight simulated periods where:– Decisions are entered– A period is simulated – Results are displayed & printed– The learners analyse the results and replan
As the trainer is not directly in the decision-making loop, he or she, must move between the teams, answering questions, looking at their results and, as necessary, challenging and coaching.
Team’s enter their decisions directly into the computer using a template.
Decision Entry
Use the mouse or arrow keys to move around.Enter decisions that
change – entries shown in red
After entry and before simulation, the decisions are checked to see if they are legal or unusual and if so are commented on to allow the teams to reconsider and, perhaps, change.
Simulation and ResultsSimulation takes seconds and the results
are automatically printed and displayed on the screen.
The results consist of reports and comments.
Depending on the simulation version, these can evolve as the simulation progresses.
Comments
As the trainer is not in the decision-making cycle he or she may not identify learning opportunities or problems.
Let’s think about thisBecause of this the simulation produces comments to stimulate thought and discussion.
Have we considered this?Who forecasted demand?Bankers – that’s insulting!Examples
Continue for several periods
Lets not worryAre we on plan?
Do we have a plan?
Competition Arrives
Just when the teams are getting comfortable competitors enter the market!
But the learners have some warning.
We are ready.
Are you sure?
Ending Review
After simulating 8 periods it is possible to review performance.
The review covers several areas.
We should compare this with the other teams
Ending Analysis
Besides the review reports the simulation analyses the results and produces a commentary discussing this.
Well we did OK. But could have done better.
The Review
Reflecting the shortness of the simulation, this is a short comparison of results covering:
– Initial Price and Promotion– Worst Cash (before competition arrives)– Maximum Penetration (before competition)– Price (after competition has arrived)– Cumulative Profit
The trainer should use these to reinforce learning about basic marketing and finance.
Tutor’s Options
These are accessed from the team name by entering a code and then a password.
A menu of options is then displayed giving the trainer control over the simulation.
Return to Team Name Question
Exit simulation.
Change printer etc.
Copy team data to flash drive
Explain calculations
Restart ended team.
Enter release code
Permanently removes data
Extra review information
End simulation for a team
Allow a period to be rerun
Changes the version
VersionsTypical of all my simulations, the simulation you
can choose from several versions to allow you to match to your learning needs, to your learners and to the time available.
This is the basic version when you have little time.
This is a little more complex.
This introduces extra reports as the simulation progresses.
DocumentationBesides the customisable documents
already discussed there are– Briefing Slides– Participants’ Manual– Decision Form– Work Sheets
You can download– Reporting Pack– Using the Simulator– Running the Simulation
And the tutor’s manual (background notes) can be emailed to you.
Online Help
To help the learners there is a comprehensive on-line,context sensitive, help system to help with:– Using the software– The current task or report– Explaining results
Additionally, other simulations have an online manual.
OverviewThe simulator was designed taking into account
running simulations over two thousand times and this ensures easy, robust and speedy use.
The extensive use of the simulation with business people on company training courses ensures that it reliably delivers learning.
Help and advice is always available ((from jeremyhall@simulations.co.uk).
How might you use Product Launch and similar simulations can be
used in several ways such as:– To reinforce finance/marketing learning– As an ice breaker (on any business course)– As a team working/building activity– To provide an invigorating (evening) activity– Engaging conference activity
Further Details
The evaluation copy of the simulation, documentation and sample results can be downloaded from:
www.simulations.co.uk/maneval.htm
And for the other Concepts Series Simulations via:www.simulations.co.uk/Business Acumen Simulations
For information about business simulations and their use:
www.simulations.co.uk Or Contact
jeremyhall@simulations.co.uk