Business Training Simulations: Various Types

Hello SimDev Community-

When people contact us that are new to simulations, they are often uncertain about the various types of training simulations. There really are many, but for ease of classifications, we'll highlight the top 3. These are:
1. Virtual
2. Game Based
3. Branching Stories

Let's take a quick review of these types of business simulations:
1. Virtual Business Simulation ($$$): These tend to be sensory in nature. Most people would argue that a virtual business simulation is visual, but we disagree. What happens if the participant is visually impaired? Does this mean they can't participate? To get back to the point, a virtual business simulation enables participants to interact at a sensory level. Some easy examples of a virtual business simulation is a flight simulator. Here, participants feel and see their environment and must learn to keep the plane in flight or safely landed (for example). When it comes to a business scenario, some companies have played with Second Life. We think this is expensive and a bit "far out" for now. Maybe some day this will be useful. That being said, there are definitely edge cases where this is useful for a business simulation.

2. Game Based Business Simulation ($$): This covers A LOT of territory. This spans from actual games that include a goal of learning through online interactive simulations. Some common tools for building a game based simulation are Flex, Flash, Java, C/C++ (various tools), and many many others. This is the bulk of what is used within a business simulation or business training simulation.

3. Branching Stories Business Simulation ($): These are often the least expensive and very easy to implement. They can be a little unnatural, but they are more effective than a lecture. In a Branching Stories Business Simulation, participants are given a scenario and a few choices to decide from. After each decision, the participant will be given additional information and more choices. In the end, they will realize if the outcome of the business simulation was successful or not. Branching story business simulations are often used for scenario or reaction training. This is especially the case within HR.

Please keep in mind, this is a very very brief overview and not designed to be inclusive. This give you a general idea of some of the more popular types of business simulations that are used for training and development.

We hope this helps and have a nice weekend.

Multi Day, 1 Day, or Segmented Business Training Simulation?

Hello SimDev Community-

To build on our last post, we've decided to address the question of, "What's better: Muliti-day, 1 day, or segmented business training simulations or leadership development simulations?"

That's easy to answer: It depends ;)

In reality, this is actually hard for us to answer. It really does depend. But to communicate our thoughts, we'll address the advantages and disadvantages of each.

Multi-day Custom Business Training Simulation- These are good if you want participants to really learn your entire business. We mean REALLY learn it. These usually require many many decision within the simulation and are very detailed. The goal here is to mimic the business within your training and development program. These are traditionally very expensive and exceptionally thorough. Our opinion: Good in some places, but not where trends seem to be moving when it comes to training and development and business training simulations.

1-Day Custom Business Training Simulation- These are very effective. These do a great job of balancing reinforcing your business training content and learning how the business functions. These are a very exciting and compressed day within your training program. This is a fantastic way to apply all the training content from previous days within the program. Our opinion: This is one of the more popular solutions and they work very well (cost effective too).

Segmented Business Training Simulation- These are also very effective. Running little versions of a larger training simulation at the end of each one of your leadership development days is incredibly exciting, applicable, and effective. This trend has grown in the last 2 or so years. Basically, you'll take a portion of the simulation that focuses on the content of that day and run it at the end. People get very fired up and its a great way to end the day. Our opinion: This is very effective and exciting.

We hope this helps you better understand various business training simulations and leadership development simulations. Feel free to contact us if you have any questions.

Business Training Simulations- Where to learn what?

Hello SimDev Community-

We have recently been receiving calls from people interested in working with a business training simulation or leadership development training simulation for the first time. It seems people are generally more aware of them, but uncertain where to start. A common question is, "Where can I learn more?" Unfortunately, I can't recommend any books or online resources. The books are a bit "out there" and there aren't any online learning how to's that we know of. But we have a top 5 things to know about a business simulations for training and development.

5. Be prepared with content 1st! Keep in mind, the simulation is NOT the training program. It is a reinforcement tool.
4. Pick the right type of simulation provider. Ask yourself if you want canned, customized, facilitation, or no facilitation. Many business simulation providers will want to supply their own facilitators. This is understandable, but not required. Also, do you need customized or canned? Customized is more expensive, but usually more effective.
3. Virtual or in person? This doesn't need a lot of explaining. We've found companies tried to do virtual and it just didn't work very well (not very engaging). Thus, the trend seems to be moving back towards in person. But there are different types of sims depending on location needs.
2. Have a clear idea of what you want out of the training program. Similar to what we mentioned in 5, you need to have a clear goal of what you want out of the training. The business simulation will reinforce this, but not teach it.
1. Have fun! Business simulations are an amazingly engaging tool. Have fun with the simulation and the program that surrounds it. Relax, the simulation won't bite and if the provider is good, they'll do their best to take care of the rest.

Hope this helps.

Missing Images in Business Simulation Blog

Hello- Today we launched our entirely new web platform. Nothing looks different, but its and entirely new web architecture. The only problem is: The blog images are missing. We're working on it and hope to have it fixed by Thursday afternoon.

Thanks
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