I'm designing a management development programme, one module is about the business and needs to cover at least finance (budgets, costs, sales and margins, profit) and HR (recruitment and performance management). I vaguely remember taking part in a programme - many years ago! -where a game was used as the basis for the learning. Delegates had to think of a hypothetical product and cost the design, manufacture and sales as well as put an organisation structure together and recruit people to work in the business.
If that's not an option, can anyone suggest how to make this interesting and interactive.
many thanks
Denise Amoss
Denise Amoss
5 Responses
Business Game
If you are looking for a simple business game that addresses most of your needs look at http://www.simulations.co.uk/CHALENG.HTM It shows a range for different industry types (manufacturing, service, retail, distribution, not-for-profit and even casino!)
‘Managing a Business’ game or exercises
Denise,
To add to Jeremy’s suggestion, I can give you a lot of information on custom designing a business simulation based on your own organisation. The Simulation can be custom designed to recreate key aspects of the whole company or a particular part or slice of it. It can be complex or simple, and it can be designed to meet specific needs for learning or change. Customers and suppliers can be represented as well as internal departments. Participants enjoy learning in an active way by developing ideas and testing them out practically. They are able to explore and change their structures, systems, roles and responsibilities in a risk free way that feels like the real thing. They can also take on roles in other functions that they wish to learn more about. Because of this learning-by-doing approach, participants have opportunity to put ideas into actions and learn from the results in a supportive way. Let me kn ow if you would like more details.
good wishes,
John Teire
john.teire@virgin.net
Examples..
Hi Denise, there are many different ways of approaching this but I can let you have lots of example and case studies of experiential & ‘game’ based simulations which might be helpful. If you’d like to get in touch you can mail me. lucie@profitability.co.uk
Computer Based Business Simulation
Denise
Just to add to John and the others by saying that a business simulation is an ideal way to cover the topics you mentioned and obviously has the “learning by doing” as pect as well. But to fully see how the various areas effect each other and the implcations of each why not try a computer based simulation?
Take a look at http://www.thebusiness-game.com It is aimed at a younger market than yours but is probably still relevant and available in far more complex format if suitable.
Good luck
Richard
Thanks
I appreciate all your answers and am now knee deep in reading! The business game web sites were useful, thanks.
Denise