Will you run the game for me?

If I buy the game how do I run it?

The Trainer's Manual gives you the information you need. Your role is to introduce the exercise and get the teams started. During the game you might have to input some data on the computer and ensure the teams are complying with the instructions.

This is the normal process:

1. Issue briefing papers
2. Allow teams to share the information and plan their approach
3. Observe the teams in action until deadline
4. Begin the debrief:  Listen to their experiences; promote discussion from and between teams; draw out key learning points; relate it to the real world; draw up action plans for performance improvement
5. Receive standing ovation!

There will be an opportunity for you to observe the behaviours, attitudes and skills of the teams.

• How are the team working?
• Who is taking what roles?
• Are they setting objectives?
• Are they working effectively?

When the activity is over you lead the debrief and bring out the learning points. The Trainer's Manual gives you the information you need.

What skills are involved in a business simulation game?

It would be wrong to suggest that one business management game can cover all the personal and management skills involved, but different games target different skills. For example one activity might concentrate on communication, feedback, leadership and team skills whilst another will cover problem solving, decision making, managing resources and budgets.

Participants learn more than theory by practical experience, they learn about themselves and others. Team roles and skills are key components in a business management game therefore team building development is enhanced and the practical value of group dynamics is demonstrated.

By experiencing rather than discussing a model, participants gain in knowledge, competence and confidence.

"I hear I forget, I see I remember, I do I understand." - Confucius

Is the training transferable to the workplace?

An important part of any training activity is the debrief. Here the process and analysis of results also gives participants good learning experience of organisation and group working skills. All require facilitation by trainers who are familiar with the processes involved. Effective links are made between the learning and work applications appropriate to the group and the individuals within it.

We believe that training should be:

• active
• challenging
• interesting
• enjoyable
• focused on key issues and
• memorable.

These ingredients stimulate a high-level of motivation in participants in developing skills to improve their individual and team performance. These, with continued support, are transferred to the workplace.

What is a business game?

A business game is an interactive structured training activity with specially created conditions, which aim to reproduce those of a working situation in a successful business.

The training is challenging and enjoyable; developing skills to improve individual and team performance in the workplace.

Before looking further into what makes a business game we need to consider what makes a successful business?

In simple terms, it is an effective combination of people, resources and processes to produce a product which customers will value and buy.

Like a business, games should involve people, resources and processes. The aim is to give participants an experience comparable to one in 'real-life'.

A business has also to remain competitive, so business games are usually competitive in character with compressed time periods, allowing the result of decisions and policies to be seen.