Hello SimDevGroup Community-
First, we apologize for the long lapse in posts. We just finished up over 50 deliveries in 2 months. Its nice to be home :).
Tip: Using A Business Simulation To Achieve Sales, Engineering, and Marketing Alignment
Tip 1: Work from the finish line backwards- Write down three clear objectives of what participants need to know that would help create departmental alignment. This could be product research method, customer requirements, or barriers to entry (just a few examples). A good idea to start is to brain storm as much as you can and then reduce it down to the top three.
Tip 2: From the top three objectives, write down three activities that would help participants live a day in the other capacity's shoes. For example: Marketing- Gather customer requirements, government regulations, and corporate objectives and deliver a product within those requirements (yikes! We know!). The goal here is to begin to draft out a day in the life of each functions shoes.
Tip 3: When drafting a training course, add a lot of real life examples. Preferably, add speakers to come in and talk about the experiences. Then align your business simulation around those real life experiences (or future realities).
The ultimate goal is to align with reality (or future reality) while providing a real life set of experiences that align with your program's training objectives.
Its nice to be back and we hope this helps.
Friday, December 14, 2012
Wednesday, November 7, 2012
3 Tips to Measuring Qualitative Activities in a Business Simulation
Hello SimDevGroup Community-
One the hardest things about creating a leadership development simulation is the qualitative nature of leadership. This makes most people ask, "How do I measure qualitative activities and the impact on business results within my business simulation strategy?" Its a great question which has a very complicated answer. But, we're going to try to simplify this and give you some things to think about.
3 Tips to Measuring Qualitative Activities within a Business Training Simulation:
Tip 1: Write Down The Impact on Business- If you want to teach the leadership development skill, it should have an impact on the business. Write down the top 3 places the leadership activity impacts the business. For example: Employee Engagement, Profitability, Ability to Hire, etc.
Tip 3: Create an Equation That Shows the Impact- If a team demonstrates effective leadership within the business simulation or serious game, have it impact the business in a consistent way. This will require that you create an equation to get this done. We'd tell you what this is, but we don't know what you're trying to impact or measure.
Tip 3: Keep Up The Consistency- It is important to keep the impact(s) consistent. Thus, if leadership impacts the business in one way within one of the outcomes, it must have the same impact elsewhere. If its not consistent, the simulation business game will loose credibility.
We hope this helps. Creating quantitative outcomes from a qualitative action is tough to accomplish within a business simulation. We hope these basic tips help.
Have a great day!
One the hardest things about creating a leadership development simulation is the qualitative nature of leadership. This makes most people ask, "How do I measure qualitative activities and the impact on business results within my business simulation strategy?" Its a great question which has a very complicated answer. But, we're going to try to simplify this and give you some things to think about.
3 Tips to Measuring Qualitative Activities within a Business Training Simulation:
Tip 1: Write Down The Impact on Business- If you want to teach the leadership development skill, it should have an impact on the business. Write down the top 3 places the leadership activity impacts the business. For example: Employee Engagement, Profitability, Ability to Hire, etc.
Tip 3: Create an Equation That Shows the Impact- If a team demonstrates effective leadership within the business simulation or serious game, have it impact the business in a consistent way. This will require that you create an equation to get this done. We'd tell you what this is, but we don't know what you're trying to impact or measure.
Tip 3: Keep Up The Consistency- It is important to keep the impact(s) consistent. Thus, if leadership impacts the business in one way within one of the outcomes, it must have the same impact elsewhere. If its not consistent, the simulation business game will loose credibility.
We hope this helps. Creating quantitative outcomes from a qualitative action is tough to accomplish within a business simulation. We hope these basic tips help.
Have a great day!
Tuesday, October 30, 2012
Top 3 Skills For Creating a Business Simulation or Serious Game
Hello SimDevGroup Community-
Interested in creating a custom business simulation for your training and development program? Great! We have 3 skills required to create a great business simulation or serious game.
3 Skills For Creating a Business Simulation or Serious Game:
Skill 1: Understanding of the business simulation experience- For a simulation designer to succeed, they must really understand that it's their job to create an experience for the participants. Because the business simulation or serious game cannot teach on its own, it needs an experience to do so. Thus, it is important for the designer to have a good understanding of what creates an experience.
Skill 2: Be collaborative- When designing a serious game or business simulation, the designer is going to have to solicit advice from many sources. In result, it is very important for the designer to be of a collaborative nature. If the simulation designer cannot be collaborative, it will be very difficult to gather the information needed to make a great business simulation experience.
Skill 3: Understanding of many design trades, but master of none- Well, maybe one is ok. The simulation designer will have to understand the importance of overall design and design balance. If the simulation designer is well versed in a one or a few, the simulation will feel this way. It will be unbalanced and hard to use.
Of course, this is just an overview of the many skills that are required. We just feel these are the critical skills necessary to succeed in designing a successful business simulation or designing a serious game. Its a tough thing to keep these skills in balance, but will pay dividends of balanced successfully.
We hope this helps when designing a business simulation or serious game.
Interested in creating a custom business simulation for your training and development program? Great! We have 3 skills required to create a great business simulation or serious game.
3 Skills For Creating a Business Simulation or Serious Game:
Skill 1: Understanding of the business simulation experience- For a simulation designer to succeed, they must really understand that it's their job to create an experience for the participants. Because the business simulation or serious game cannot teach on its own, it needs an experience to do so. Thus, it is important for the designer to have a good understanding of what creates an experience.
Skill 2: Be collaborative- When designing a serious game or business simulation, the designer is going to have to solicit advice from many sources. In result, it is very important for the designer to be of a collaborative nature. If the simulation designer cannot be collaborative, it will be very difficult to gather the information needed to make a great business simulation experience.
Skill 3: Understanding of many design trades, but master of none- Well, maybe one is ok. The simulation designer will have to understand the importance of overall design and design balance. If the simulation designer is well versed in a one or a few, the simulation will feel this way. It will be unbalanced and hard to use.
Of course, this is just an overview of the many skills that are required. We just feel these are the critical skills necessary to succeed in designing a successful business simulation or designing a serious game. Its a tough thing to keep these skills in balance, but will pay dividends of balanced successfully.
We hope this helps when designing a business simulation or serious game.
Wednesday, October 10, 2012
Business Simulations: Top 3 Tips and Tricks to Starting
Hello SimDevGroup Community-
The question of the day is, "What are some tips and tricks to getting started with Business Simulations or Leadership Development Simulations?" We can help with this:
Top 3 Tips to Using Business Simulations or Leadership Development Simulations
Business Simulation Tip 1: Start out small- If you're using a business simulation vendor, don't cave to creating a big simulation (unless you agree its absolutely required). Actually, this even applies if your instructional designers are creating one. Chances are that a bite sized business or leadership simulation will take you a great distance. The trick is to really look at what the end goals are and ensure the simulation is re-enforcing this.
Business Simulation Tip 2: Start at the end- The best results of a business simulation comes from looking at your end goals and mapping the decisions and outcomes of the simulation to your end goals. We know this sounds reversed, but it is almost always best to start with the goals and work backwards.
Business Simulation Tip 3: Start with someone you trust- This applies to both in-house development and outside development. You really need to trust the person who is creating the solution because by nature, business simulations are very complex and will require a broad set of skills. Ensure you trust your partner or you will be uncertain and surprised at the end of the development process.
We know, this is a quick post, but we're in our peak roll out season. We promise, we'll add more soon.
Have a great rest of the week!
The question of the day is, "What are some tips and tricks to getting started with Business Simulations or Leadership Development Simulations?" We can help with this:
Top 3 Tips to Using Business Simulations or Leadership Development Simulations
Business Simulation Tip 1: Start out small- If you're using a business simulation vendor, don't cave to creating a big simulation (unless you agree its absolutely required). Actually, this even applies if your instructional designers are creating one. Chances are that a bite sized business or leadership simulation will take you a great distance. The trick is to really look at what the end goals are and ensure the simulation is re-enforcing this.
Business Simulation Tip 2: Start at the end- The best results of a business simulation comes from looking at your end goals and mapping the decisions and outcomes of the simulation to your end goals. We know this sounds reversed, but it is almost always best to start with the goals and work backwards.
Business Simulation Tip 3: Start with someone you trust- This applies to both in-house development and outside development. You really need to trust the person who is creating the solution because by nature, business simulations are very complex and will require a broad set of skills. Ensure you trust your partner or you will be uncertain and surprised at the end of the development process.
We know, this is a quick post, but we're in our peak roll out season. We promise, we'll add more soon.
Have a great rest of the week!
Thursday, October 4, 2012
HR Magazine/SHRM Article: Business Simulations and Games
Hello SimDevGroup Community-
SHRM's publication HR Magazine published an article about using Business Simulations and Business Games/Serious Games within Corporate Learning and Development. The article was written by Drew Robb and in our opinion, he did an exceptional job. The article is titled, "Let The Games Begin". Simulation Development Group is referenced with real world examples from both Novartis and Caterpillar. The article is well worth reading because the journalist chose to examine what companies are doing in the space of business simulations and business games/serious games with particular focus on outcomes.
Mr. Robb took the time to talk to users (instead of vendors) about their business simulation strategy and results. The article is exceptionally well written, very concise, and packed with real world examples.
You will need a SHRM membership to read the article. It is well worth the time and you should take a break to read it when possible. We're quite proud of our reference in the article. Let us know what you think.
Have a great weekend!
SHRM's publication HR Magazine published an article about using Business Simulations and Business Games/Serious Games within Corporate Learning and Development. The article was written by Drew Robb and in our opinion, he did an exceptional job. The article is titled, "Let The Games Begin". Simulation Development Group is referenced with real world examples from both Novartis and Caterpillar. The article is well worth reading because the journalist chose to examine what companies are doing in the space of business simulations and business games/serious games with particular focus on outcomes.
Mr. Robb took the time to talk to users (instead of vendors) about their business simulation strategy and results. The article is exceptionally well written, very concise, and packed with real world examples.
You will need a SHRM membership to read the article. It is well worth the time and you should take a break to read it when possible. We're quite proud of our reference in the article. Let us know what you think.
Have a great weekend!
Friday, September 28, 2012
Tips: Business Simulation or Business Game/Serious Games
Hello SimDevGroup Community-
Wow! This is a tough one: Should I choose a Business Simulation or a Business Game? Well, to be very honest, we view these as very similar. This leads us to try to define the difference between the two. Without going into too much detail, here are some points of difference:
Business Simulations and Business Games Defined (high level):
- Business Simulations model a specific strategy, process, procedure or goal set
- Business Games probably don't mimic or present much similarity to your business
- Business Simulations clearly mimic your organization
- Business Games don't necessarily model much to do with your business strategy, process, procedure or goal set
- Both Business Simulations and Business Games will try to reinforce the goals and objectives of your training program
Of course, this may suggest that there are huge differences between the two. In some cases, there is. But it is important to remember that when you're creating a business simulation strategy or a serious games/business games strategy, that both tools have certain gaming elements that are present.
Gaming element? What's that? In summary, a gaming element is a situation where participants are put into challenging situations where they are trying to win something that is tough, but attainable. Think of a basic board game. There are certain things you need to do to win, but a competitor might do it better.
Both business simulations and business games have this serious games element. Business Simulations are usually a little more advanced and if customized, will certainly be far more similar to your actual organization and its challenges.
So, which should you choose? Business Simulation or Business Games? We're going to take the wimpy answer here: They're both a good solution, but if you're looking for something a little more serious, a little more advanced, and a little more applicable to your business, then a custom business simulation is probably the right way to go. Of course, there are exceptions :^).
We hope this helps and have a great week!
Wow! This is a tough one: Should I choose a Business Simulation or a Business Game? Well, to be very honest, we view these as very similar. This leads us to try to define the difference between the two. Without going into too much detail, here are some points of difference:
Business Simulations and Business Games Defined (high level):
- Business Simulations model a specific strategy, process, procedure or goal set
- Business Games probably don't mimic or present much similarity to your business
- Business Simulations clearly mimic your organization
- Business Games don't necessarily model much to do with your business strategy, process, procedure or goal set
- Both Business Simulations and Business Games will try to reinforce the goals and objectives of your training program
Of course, this may suggest that there are huge differences between the two. In some cases, there is. But it is important to remember that when you're creating a business simulation strategy or a serious games/business games strategy, that both tools have certain gaming elements that are present.
Gaming element? What's that? In summary, a gaming element is a situation where participants are put into challenging situations where they are trying to win something that is tough, but attainable. Think of a basic board game. There are certain things you need to do to win, but a competitor might do it better.
Both business simulations and business games have this serious games element. Business Simulations are usually a little more advanced and if customized, will certainly be far more similar to your actual organization and its challenges.
So, which should you choose? Business Simulation or Business Games? We're going to take the wimpy answer here: They're both a good solution, but if you're looking for something a little more serious, a little more advanced, and a little more applicable to your business, then a custom business simulation is probably the right way to go. Of course, there are exceptions :^).
We hope this helps and have a great week!
Saturday, September 1, 2012
New Leadership Simulation eBook Posted!
Hello SimDevGroup Community-
Have you used a business simulation for corporate learning and development and/or leadership development programs before? Unsure where to start, how to get the most out of it and how to set it up? If you're looking for assistance to learn more about this, great! We just posted a new eBook titled, "All About Business Simulations for Leadership Development". We're quite excited and we really hope this helps you.
How do you get it? That's easy. Just go to the home page:http://www.simdevgroup.com>. You'll see the link to the eBook.
Let us know what you think and also, please, if you have ideas of things you'd like to learn more about, let us know!!
Have a great week.
Have you used a business simulation for corporate learning and development and/or leadership development programs before? Unsure where to start, how to get the most out of it and how to set it up? If you're looking for assistance to learn more about this, great! We just posted a new eBook titled, "All About Business Simulations for Leadership Development". We're quite excited and we really hope this helps you.
How do you get it? That's easy. Just go to the home page:
Let us know what you think and also, please, if you have ideas of things you'd like to learn more about, let us know!!
Have a great week.
Thursday, August 30, 2012
3 Tips: Capstone Sim or Regular Business Simulation
Hello SimDevGroup Community-
Are you trying to decide if you should use a Capstone Simulation (CapSim) or a regular Business Simulation? Hopefully, this quick article will help you decide.
Tips to Deciding if You Should Create a Capstone Simulation:
Tip 1: Assess if you need a capstone simulation: Start by asking yourself a simple question, "Am I looking to test participant skills or use a simulation to help them learn skills?" If the answer is that you're trying to teach participants skills, then go with a traditional business simulation strategy. But if you are looking to test skills delivered in previous 'classes', then go with a capstone simulation.
Tip 2: Last program or mid program: If you are going to use this simulation within one or several programs sessions, then go with a traditional business simulation strategy. If this is going to be the final part of a series of sessions, then you might want to think about positioning your custom simulation as a capstone style business simulation.
Tip 3: Would like you like it large, or manageable?: Capstone business simulations tend to be quite large, and thus, more challenging to manage.This is important to think about if you are building your own simulation or wish to facilitate it yourself.
We hope this helps you decide if you are going to go with a capstone business simulation, or a traditional business training simulation or leadership development simulation strategy. No matter which you choose, its great you're using a simulation in general.
We hope this quick post helps.
Are you trying to decide if you should use a Capstone Simulation (CapSim) or a regular Business Simulation? Hopefully, this quick article will help you decide.
Tips to Deciding if You Should Create a Capstone Simulation:
Tip 1: Assess if you need a capstone simulation: Start by asking yourself a simple question, "Am I looking to test participant skills or use a simulation to help them learn skills?" If the answer is that you're trying to teach participants skills, then go with a traditional business simulation strategy. But if you are looking to test skills delivered in previous 'classes', then go with a capstone simulation.
Tip 2: Last program or mid program: If you are going to use this simulation within one or several programs sessions, then go with a traditional business simulation strategy. If this is going to be the final part of a series of sessions, then you might want to think about positioning your custom simulation as a capstone style business simulation.
Tip 3: Would like you like it large, or manageable?: Capstone business simulations tend to be quite large, and thus, more challenging to manage.This is important to think about if you are building your own simulation or wish to facilitate it yourself.
We hope this helps you decide if you are going to go with a capstone business simulation, or a traditional business training simulation or leadership development simulation strategy. No matter which you choose, its great you're using a simulation in general.
We hope this quick post helps.
Thursday, June 28, 2012
Using Business Simulations for Busting Business Silos
Hello SimDevGroup Community-
Does your organization have a slight problem with business silos? Are you looking to bust those silos? A business simulation or leadership simulation may be able to help you. How can a business simulation really help you reduce organizational silos or business silos? Its quite simple: Using business simulations for business silos enables the participants in the business silos to live the life of participants in other business silos. In other words, a simulation will enable participants to live and feel the impact their business silo has on another. The result is that participants will naturally understand how a non siloed way of working is superior. They'll also have a better understanding how their decisions effects other divisions within the organization.
Learn about business simulations for business silos:
We actually have a video about how a business simulation or leadership simulation can help you get an overview of how a simulation can help with your business silo problem.
> Learn about business simulations and business silos.
Its a humorous video, but actually helps get your head around business silos and using a leadership simulation or business training simulation to help you.
If you have business silos and are looking for a great way to engage and make an impact on reducing your organizational silos, think about using a leadership simulation or business simulation to help you reduce your silos.
Hope this helps!
Does your organization have a slight problem with business silos? Are you looking to bust those silos? A business simulation or leadership simulation may be able to help you. How can a business simulation really help you reduce organizational silos or business silos? Its quite simple: Using business simulations for business silos enables the participants in the business silos to live the life of participants in other business silos. In other words, a simulation will enable participants to live and feel the impact their business silo has on another. The result is that participants will naturally understand how a non siloed way of working is superior. They'll also have a better understanding how their decisions effects other divisions within the organization.
Learn about business simulations for business silos:
We actually have a video about how a business simulation or leadership simulation can help you get an overview of how a simulation can help with your business silo problem.
> Learn about business simulations and business silos.
Its a humorous video, but actually helps get your head around business silos and using a leadership simulation or business training simulation to help you.
If you have business silos and are looking for a great way to engage and make an impact on reducing your organizational silos, think about using a leadership simulation or business simulation to help you reduce your silos.
Hope this helps!
Wednesday, June 13, 2012
Leadership Simulations: How to Measure Success
Hello SimDevGroup Community-
A common question we get is, "When it comes to measuring success, how do we know when leadership simulations are successful?" This is a great question. We have some suggestions for ways to measure if your business simulation for leadership development was successful.
How to measure the success of leadership simulations:
1. Give a brief formal questionnaire before your leadership development program. Ask participants 5 simple questions that will help measure their pre-program understanding of your leadership competency model.
2. Deliver any or all of your leadership development simulations. You probably only have 1, but in some cases, this might be broken into sections. Deliver all of your leadership training programs.
3. Give a very similar, but different questionnaire at the end. You need to make sure it's asking the same questions, just with different verbiage. The goal is to get a pre and post program assessment that measures the knowledge of your leadership competency model.
Now, just compare the results. You'll be able to very quickly get an actual percentage increase (hopefully) of how effective your leadership simulations are. This is very tangible and a useful way to measure success.
We hope this helps. Feel free to contact us if you'd like more tips and tricks.
A common question we get is, "When it comes to measuring success, how do we know when leadership simulations are successful?" This is a great question. We have some suggestions for ways to measure if your business simulation for leadership development was successful.
How to measure the success of leadership simulations:
1. Give a brief formal questionnaire before your leadership development program. Ask participants 5 simple questions that will help measure their pre-program understanding of your leadership competency model.
2. Deliver any or all of your leadership development simulations. You probably only have 1, but in some cases, this might be broken into sections. Deliver all of your leadership training programs.
3. Give a very similar, but different questionnaire at the end. You need to make sure it's asking the same questions, just with different verbiage. The goal is to get a pre and post program assessment that measures the knowledge of your leadership competency model.
Now, just compare the results. You'll be able to very quickly get an actual percentage increase (hopefully) of how effective your leadership simulations are. This is very tangible and a useful way to measure success.
We hope this helps. Feel free to contact us if you'd like more tips and tricks.
Saturday, June 9, 2012
Global Business Simulation: Tips To Execution
Hello SimDevGroup Community:
Are you rolling out a global business simulation program? Looking for some tips from a company that has facilitated a global business simulation on 3 different continents at the same time?
Top 3 Tips to Managing A Global Business Simulation:
Tip 1: Give yourself extra time! You are going to find that facilitating a global business simulation takes longer than you think. This applies to almost every aspect of the program. You'll run into electricity issues, language issues, time different issues, concept issues, etc... Just count on everything taking longer. Build in time buffers!
Tip 2: Get help from local contacts- When you facilitate a global business simulation, get assistance from contacts in the local geography. They will be able to assist with transportation, setup, etc... You'll find the local contact invaluable!
Tip 3: Get ready for lack of sleep. With the combination of time changes, travel, and setup, a global business simulation will take the sleep right of you. Our tip? Drink lots of water and remember, you will catch up on sleep eventually.
We can't emphasize enough the fact that running a global business simulation is challenging. We also can't emphasize enough that its also very rewarding. Have a great time, learn from the culture(s), and don't forget to drink a lot of water.
We hope this helps!
Are you rolling out a global business simulation program? Looking for some tips from a company that has facilitated a global business simulation on 3 different continents at the same time?
Top 3 Tips to Managing A Global Business Simulation:
Tip 1: Give yourself extra time! You are going to find that facilitating a global business simulation takes longer than you think. This applies to almost every aspect of the program. You'll run into electricity issues, language issues, time different issues, concept issues, etc... Just count on everything taking longer. Build in time buffers!
Tip 2: Get help from local contacts- When you facilitate a global business simulation, get assistance from contacts in the local geography. They will be able to assist with transportation, setup, etc... You'll find the local contact invaluable!
Tip 3: Get ready for lack of sleep. With the combination of time changes, travel, and setup, a global business simulation will take the sleep right of you. Our tip? Drink lots of water and remember, you will catch up on sleep eventually.
We can't emphasize enough the fact that running a global business simulation is challenging. We also can't emphasize enough that its also very rewarding. Have a great time, learn from the culture(s), and don't forget to drink a lot of water.
We hope this helps!
Tuesday, June 5, 2012
Leadership Simulations: Tips To Implementing
Hello SimDevGroup Community-
Thinking of implementing Leadership Simulations? Excellent. How about some tips of ideas to think about?
Here are our top 5 tips for taking on leadership simulations:
Tip 1: Ask yourself, "Can I really simulate leadership?" The answer is probably no. But you will be able to setup business simulations that will enable participants to experience the impact of effective leadership on the business
Tip 2: Don't try to do everything! Take one aspect of leadership and one aspect of the business and map the two together. Once you've successfully mapped the leadership impact, move on to an additional one. After awhile, you'll have a good handful which is manageable.
Tip 3: Look around at other leadership simulations. Chances are, there are others in the industry who have done this already. Call some others, look around, and see what you think. You'll quickly realize what works and doesn't for you.
Tip 4: Talk to leaders within your company. Ask them specifically what they would like others to learn within the organization. You will begin to see patterns. From there, go back to tip 2 and make certain you've mapped the appropriate leadership skills.
Tip 5: Think if leadership simulations are really a training priority within the organization. These are complex animals and there may be lower hanging fruit that has equal or greater levels of importance.
Overall, when thinking about business simulation exercises, think about integrating a leadership component into the mix. This will help with succession planning and effective leadership development programs.
Hope this helps!
Thinking of implementing Leadership Simulations? Excellent. How about some tips of ideas to think about?
Here are our top 5 tips for taking on leadership simulations:
Tip 1: Ask yourself, "Can I really simulate leadership?" The answer is probably no. But you will be able to setup business simulations that will enable participants to experience the impact of effective leadership on the business
Tip 2: Don't try to do everything! Take one aspect of leadership and one aspect of the business and map the two together. Once you've successfully mapped the leadership impact, move on to an additional one. After awhile, you'll have a good handful which is manageable.
Tip 3: Look around at other leadership simulations. Chances are, there are others in the industry who have done this already. Call some others, look around, and see what you think. You'll quickly realize what works and doesn't for you.
Tip 4: Talk to leaders within your company. Ask them specifically what they would like others to learn within the organization. You will begin to see patterns. From there, go back to tip 2 and make certain you've mapped the appropriate leadership skills.
Tip 5: Think if leadership simulations are really a training priority within the organization. These are complex animals and there may be lower hanging fruit that has equal or greater levels of importance.
Overall, when thinking about business simulation exercises, think about integrating a leadership component into the mix. This will help with succession planning and effective leadership development programs.
Hope this helps!
Thursday, May 31, 2012
Business Simulations: Good For Leadership Development?
Hello SimDevGroup Community!
Is it really appropriate to use business simulations within corporate training and development programs? Again, great question, but actually, its very hard to say decisively. Some will say absolutely while others say its tricky. Even though we write business simulations and business training exercises that are most commonly used within corporate leadership development program, we say, "Its tricky."
Business Simulations Within Leadership Development Programs:
Why do we say it's tricky. Well, this is because connecting behavior to business results gets challenging at times. This is what we do best and have been doing it for years. That being said, we still find it very tricky at times. Every company has it's own leadership competency model that is used in many ways. Also, business methods vary greatly. This is why each of our simulations have to be custom built. It is simply impractical to assume that pre-made generic business simulations can fit all circumstances.
In our experience, business simulations and business simualtion exercises are a great tools, but it takes devotion from Training and Development to create the connection between behavior and business. But, this can certainly be done and has been done many times successfully.
If you decide to embark on using business simulations within leadership development, just be prepared to think carefully about how and why. Something we're very familiar with and enjoy very much.
Just food for thought and we hope it helps!
Is it really appropriate to use business simulations within corporate training and development programs? Again, great question, but actually, its very hard to say decisively. Some will say absolutely while others say its tricky. Even though we write business simulations and business training exercises that are most commonly used within corporate leadership development program, we say, "Its tricky."
Business Simulations Within Leadership Development Programs:
Why do we say it's tricky. Well, this is because connecting behavior to business results gets challenging at times. This is what we do best and have been doing it for years. That being said, we still find it very tricky at times. Every company has it's own leadership competency model that is used in many ways. Also, business methods vary greatly. This is why each of our simulations have to be custom built. It is simply impractical to assume that pre-made generic business simulations can fit all circumstances.
In our experience, business simulations and business simualtion exercises are a great tools, but it takes devotion from Training and Development to create the connection between behavior and business. But, this can certainly be done and has been done many times successfully.
If you decide to embark on using business simulations within leadership development, just be prepared to think carefully about how and why. Something we're very familiar with and enjoy very much.
Just food for thought and we hope it helps!
Tuesday, May 22, 2012
Tips to Building Your Business Simulation Strategy
Hello SimDevGroup Community-
Lately, we've been getting calls with people asking, "What is the best way to build a strategy that includes using a business simulation?" This is a great question and to be honest, we didn't really have any tips to help. So we took the time to create some. We then shared them with some of our partners and in the end, everyone gave us their thumbs up to the following 5 tips:
.
Tips to Building Your Business Simulation Strategy:
Hope this helps!
Lately, we've been getting calls with people asking, "What is the best way to build a strategy that includes using a business simulation?" This is a great question and to be honest, we didn't really have any tips to help. So we took the time to create some. We then shared them with some of our partners and in the end, everyone gave us their thumbs up to the following 5 tips:
.
Tips to Building Your Business Simulation Strategy:
- Become one with your corporate strategy- Before you build your simulation strategy for business training, you should know your corporate strategy very well. Talk to your corporate leaders about this.
- Know what drives the the business- Every enterprise has drivers that push the the organization forward in order to achieve it's strategic success. Sometimes its net profits, other times its cash on hand, or it could be just about anything. You'll learn what drives the business by reading your CEO's letter to shareholders in your annual report. At least this is a good place to start.
- Clearly define your training and development goals- You should have a very clear set of desired outcomes from your training and development programs. Take a look at those and ask yourself, "What content really needs an action learning module?" You'll quickly see what does and doesn't. Whatever does, see if a business simulation exercise would help with this.
- Look at your development resources- Whether we like it or not, we're all shackled by what's available. You'll need some good strong engineering and instructional resources. Once you do this inventory, you'll quickly realize if a business simulation is within reach.
- Examine the size of the training program- The training program you are thinking of using a business simulation within should be pretty healthy in size. If its a 1/2 day program, chances are the time and resource commitment might not be worth it. But if its a multi-day leadership development course. Then yes, its definitely worth the time.
Hope this helps!
Friday, May 18, 2012
Why Use A Business Simulation Exercise To Improve Leadership?
Hello SimDevGroup Community-
The question is: Why use a business simulation exercise within leadership development? Well, we thought we'd take one step even further back to ask, "Why build a high potential bench?" Well, we looked to PDI and found a great research summary.
Research: Leadership Simulation Exercise:
A recent study by PDINinthhouse found that organizations with more advanced high-potential strategies are:
Note: all information is take directly from PDINinthhouse's web site and is publicly available.
So, what does this have to do with a Business Simulation Exercise? The thought is that if you can build and engaging leadership training program utilizing a business simulation, you will engage your future leaders, build their leadership skills, their business acumen skills, and help them learn about the business they are about to help drive towards a great future. Also, if you're interested in world class leadership training content, you should certainly talk to PDI. We are strong supporters of their work.
Hope this helps.
The question is: Why use a business simulation exercise within leadership development? Well, we thought we'd take one step even further back to ask, "Why build a high potential bench?" Well, we looked to PDI and found a great research summary.
Research: Leadership Simulation Exercise:
A recent study by PDINinthhouse found that organizations with more advanced high-potential strategies are:
- Almost 12 times as likely to impact business growth and bottom-line results
- Almost twice as likely to be able to address global business needs
- Nearly three times as likely to be satisfied that their high-potential strategy is driving business/talent goals
- More than three times as likely to realize improved retention in key leader roles
- More than twice as likely to realize ready bench strength
Note: all information is take directly from PDINinthhouse's web site and is publicly available.
So, what does this have to do with a Business Simulation Exercise? The thought is that if you can build and engaging leadership training program utilizing a business simulation, you will engage your future leaders, build their leadership skills, their business acumen skills, and help them learn about the business they are about to help drive towards a great future. Also, if you're interested in world class leadership training content, you should certainly talk to PDI. We are strong supporters of their work.
Hope this helps.
Tuesday, May 15, 2012
5 Tricks To Successful Business Simulation Exercises
Hello SimDevGroup Community-
We often get the question, "How can I be successful at creating business simulation exercises?" Thus, in today's post, we have 5 tips for you that will help you build a successful business simulation exercise solution. Here are our top 5 tips and tricks:
5. Start at the finish line- This means you should start by asking, "What do we want the participants to walk out with?" This will help guarantee that your training and development simulation will be aligned with the goals of the corporate strategy.
4. Kiss! Obviously, we don't want you kissing your business simulation exercise (or participants for that matter), we mean that its incredibly important to keep your training and development simulation simple! There is a great tendency to make business simulation exercises incredibly complex. They don't need to be so keep it simple!
3. Business simulation exercises can be paper or computer based- This sort of goes along with tip 4. What we're saying here is that some of the most effective simulation exercises we've seen within training and development are paper based. They are easy to create and very effective when done right. Just remember tip 1.
2. Align the exercise with your corporate strategy- Don't create a rogue business training simulation. Create a nicely aligned business simulation exercise that fits within the corporate strategy.
1. Avoid the flash! In other words, don't get drawn into a business simulation exercise that is all glitz and no content. This training exercise is designed to reinforce your training content. Don't use it just to look flashy. Participants will see right through it.
Hope this helps and have a great day!
We often get the question, "How can I be successful at creating business simulation exercises?" Thus, in today's post, we have 5 tips for you that will help you build a successful business simulation exercise solution. Here are our top 5 tips and tricks:
5. Start at the finish line- This means you should start by asking, "What do we want the participants to walk out with?" This will help guarantee that your training and development simulation will be aligned with the goals of the corporate strategy.
4. Kiss! Obviously, we don't want you kissing your business simulation exercise (or participants for that matter), we mean that its incredibly important to keep your training and development simulation simple! There is a great tendency to make business simulation exercises incredibly complex. They don't need to be so keep it simple!
3. Business simulation exercises can be paper or computer based- This sort of goes along with tip 4. What we're saying here is that some of the most effective simulation exercises we've seen within training and development are paper based. They are easy to create and very effective when done right. Just remember tip 1.
2. Align the exercise with your corporate strategy- Don't create a rogue business training simulation. Create a nicely aligned business simulation exercise that fits within the corporate strategy.
1. Avoid the flash! In other words, don't get drawn into a business simulation exercise that is all glitz and no content. This training exercise is designed to reinforce your training content. Don't use it just to look flashy. Participants will see right through it.
Hope this helps and have a great day!
Wednesday, May 9, 2012
Business Simulations: To Use Or Not? Tips To Decide
Hello SimDevGroup Community-
Let's take a step back today and ask the basic question, "Should I begin to enter into the world of using business simulations within my corporate training and development or leadership development program(s). Well, this is a great question because business simulations are very slick, but aren't always the best tool to use. Here are some tips to decide if using a business simulation training program is a good idea or not.
Tips To Decide: Using Business Simulations
Tip 1: Most importantly, do you have the time to devote to building business simulations? If you are barely getting home in time for dinner as it is, you probably don't. Managing a business simulation is a big task. Count on it taking up about 5+ hours a day during development.
Tip 2: Do you have the technical expertise? If you don't know computer programming or have had little exposure to analytical statistics, you might get very frustrated very quickly.
Tip 3: Think about outsourcing the project: If you answered no to the above tips, but your participants are looking for business training exercises that business simulations create, then you might want to consider outsourcing development. There are many firms (including us) that would be helpful to getting started.
Overall, if you are caught in the perfect storm of needing action learning, but not having the time or expertise to create business simulations, feel free to give us a call. We aren't a sales-e organization and would be happy to help you learn more about getting started.
Hope this helps!
Let's take a step back today and ask the basic question, "Should I begin to enter into the world of using business simulations within my corporate training and development or leadership development program(s). Well, this is a great question because business simulations are very slick, but aren't always the best tool to use. Here are some tips to decide if using a business simulation training program is a good idea or not.
Tips To Decide: Using Business Simulations
Tip 1: Most importantly, do you have the time to devote to building business simulations? If you are barely getting home in time for dinner as it is, you probably don't. Managing a business simulation is a big task. Count on it taking up about 5+ hours a day during development.
Tip 2: Do you have the technical expertise? If you don't know computer programming or have had little exposure to analytical statistics, you might get very frustrated very quickly.
Tip 3: Think about outsourcing the project: If you answered no to the above tips, but your participants are looking for business training exercises that business simulations create, then you might want to consider outsourcing development. There are many firms (including us) that would be helpful to getting started.
Overall, if you are caught in the perfect storm of needing action learning, but not having the time or expertise to create business simulations, feel free to give us a call. We aren't a sales-e organization and would be happy to help you learn more about getting started.
Hope this helps!
Thursday, April 26, 2012
Business Simulation Facilitation Skills
Hello SimDevGroup Community-
We just helped a customer begin the process of self facilitation. They did great! While one of the trainers was facilitating, the manager of the program asked me, "What does it usually take for someone to facilitate a business simulation." The answer is very simple: Strong business acumen, strong technology acumen, strong training acumen, and a flare for entertainment." No problem, right? We know its a lot. But the point of this post is to remind you that it is indeed done and can be done very well.
Have a great weekend.
We just helped a customer begin the process of self facilitation. They did great! While one of the trainers was facilitating, the manager of the program asked me, "What does it usually take for someone to facilitate a business simulation." The answer is very simple: Strong business acumen, strong technology acumen, strong training acumen, and a flare for entertainment." No problem, right? We know its a lot. But the point of this post is to remind you that it is indeed done and can be done very well.
Have a great weekend.
Friday, April 20, 2012
Not A Business Simulation, But Still Amazing
Hello SimDevGroup Community-
This isn't a business simulation article, but it really is still amazing to read. Its about the upcoming revolutionary version of SimCity. For those that remember the black and white grid, you will be shocked. We love Maxis. They inspired many of us to get into modeling and simulations.
Happy Reading! http://www.computerandvideogames.com/344432/previews/simcity-the-legendary-city-simulator-returns-to-its-hardcore-roots/
Have a great weekend!
This isn't a business simulation article, but it really is still amazing to read. Its about the upcoming revolutionary version of SimCity. For those that remember the black and white grid, you will be shocked. We love Maxis. They inspired many of us to get into modeling and simulations.
Happy Reading! http://www.computerandvideogames.com/344432/previews/simcity-the-legendary-city-simulator-returns-to-its-hardcore-roots/
Have a great weekend!
Forbes: Serious Games and Simulations
Hello SimDevGroup Community-
Interesting article available online about the outward use of serious games or business simulations posted yesterday. Mostly focused on sales, but still interesting.
http://www.forbes.com/sites/gregpetro/2012/04/19/the-serious-business-of-games/
Enjoy!
Interesting article available online about the outward use of serious games or business simulations posted yesterday. Mostly focused on sales, but still interesting.
http://www.forbes.com/sites/gregpetro/2012/04/19/the-serious-business-of-games/
Enjoy!
Monday, April 16, 2012
Do You Own Your Business Simulation?
Hello SimDevGroup Community-
We have noticed a funny thing: As the economy has improved, we have been receiving more interest in a full ownership business simulation. Why is this funny, well, this is because full ownership means full responsibility. Full responsibility means more resources. More resources means that corporations are investing in their employees once again. This is great news! It is great to see trends moving back towards more investment in training and development. It's even greater to see companies self facilitating their own business simulation or leadership development simulation.
We'd like to hear your opinion... Do you see more investment in corporate learning or in training development/leadership development? From our close contact with our customers, there is a resounding yes. But this is a bad sample because most of the companies we work with invest very heavily and very carefully in their training and development programs. We hope to see more self facilitation of a corporate business simulation. We like to see self sufficiency!
Have a great week!
We have noticed a funny thing: As the economy has improved, we have been receiving more interest in a full ownership business simulation. Why is this funny, well, this is because full ownership means full responsibility. Full responsibility means more resources. More resources means that corporations are investing in their employees once again. This is great news! It is great to see trends moving back towards more investment in training and development. It's even greater to see companies self facilitating their own business simulation or leadership development simulation.
We'd like to hear your opinion... Do you see more investment in corporate learning or in training development/leadership development? From our close contact with our customers, there is a resounding yes. But this is a bad sample because most of the companies we work with invest very heavily and very carefully in their training and development programs. We hope to see more self facilitation of a corporate business simulation. We like to see self sufficiency!
Have a great week!
Tuesday, April 10, 2012
Simulation Train the Trainer or Not?
Hello SimDevGroup Community-
Are you thinking of utilizing a train the trainer solution in order to facilitate your very own business simulation? Great! Go for it! We have a couple things to think about when taking on this project.
1. Allow an extra 20%. What? Hu? What do we mean by this? Well... When it comes to facilitating a business simulation, give yourself about 20% extra runway to get it off the ground (in time and effort).
2. Pick trainers or teachers that have a nice balance of business acumen, facilitation, and technology skills. You don't need rockstars in any one, but a nice balance of all three.
3. Keep the business simulation small. Chances are, your appetite is bigger than your stomach and your stomach doesn't need much to do the job. We can't emphasize this one enough.
In summary: To facilitate a business simulation, you should plan for extra effort, find the right person, and keep it simple. If you remember these three simple concepts, you'll thank yourself later.
Hope this helps!
Are you thinking of utilizing a train the trainer solution in order to facilitate your very own business simulation? Great! Go for it! We have a couple things to think about when taking on this project.
1. Allow an extra 20%. What? Hu? What do we mean by this? Well... When it comes to facilitating a business simulation, give yourself about 20% extra runway to get it off the ground (in time and effort).
2. Pick trainers or teachers that have a nice balance of business acumen, facilitation, and technology skills. You don't need rockstars in any one, but a nice balance of all three.
3. Keep the business simulation small. Chances are, your appetite is bigger than your stomach and your stomach doesn't need much to do the job. We can't emphasize this one enough.
In summary: To facilitate a business simulation, you should plan for extra effort, find the right person, and keep it simple. If you remember these three simple concepts, you'll thank yourself later.
Hope this helps!
Tuesday, April 3, 2012
Traits of a Sucessful Business Simulation Facilitator
Hello SimDevGroup Community-
What are successful traits of a business simulation facilitator? This is a question we often get and a great one. It's very tough to nail down, but here are some critical traits:
1. Quick thinking- Ability to quickly look at data, present it, and respond to participant's questions on the fly.
2. Quantitative, Analytical, and Qualitative- Yup! All those things combined. Yikes! We know, its a lot.
3. Entertaining- The training facilitator must entertain the group. To be more specific, someone who provokes deep thought, knowledge discovery, and laughter. Yikes! We know, its a lot.
That's it. Just a quick post to talk about what usually makes a business simulation facilitator more successful. Of course, there's more to it, but these are our top three (for today :) ).
Hope this helps! Have a good afternoon.
What are successful traits of a business simulation facilitator? This is a question we often get and a great one. It's very tough to nail down, but here are some critical traits:
1. Quick thinking- Ability to quickly look at data, present it, and respond to participant's questions on the fly.
2. Quantitative, Analytical, and Qualitative- Yup! All those things combined. Yikes! We know, its a lot.
3. Entertaining- The training facilitator must entertain the group. To be more specific, someone who provokes deep thought, knowledge discovery, and laughter. Yikes! We know, its a lot.
That's it. Just a quick post to talk about what usually makes a business simulation facilitator more successful. Of course, there's more to it, but these are our top three (for today :) ).
Hope this helps! Have a good afternoon.
Monday, April 2, 2012
Top 5 Throughts to Consider When Considering a Business Simulation
Hello SimDevGroup Community-
Thinking of using a business simulation? Never used a business simulation? Well, maybe we can help. Here are 5 tips to think about when considering a business simulation for corporate training and development:
1. What am I trying to achieve- In this tip, we encourage you to start at the finish line and run backwards to the start. If you clearly define your metrics for success, you'll create a more efficient and focused business simulation program (you'll also save some $$).
2. Decide if you need a custom simulation or an off the shelf simulation- Off the shelf is cheaper, but you'll be responsible for telling participants how this applies to them and their business. If you're teaching general concepts, go with a canned sim.
3. Start early! - Creating a custom business simulation or leadership development simulation takes time. If you call a sim provider to give just a couple weeks notice, you won't be happy with the results.
4. Do your homework - A business simulation training program is a complex animal. Take your time and do your homework. There are a lot of sim providers out there and we're all a little different. Give a few of us all a call and get to know us a little.
5. Do what's comfortable for you - In the end, if you pick a business simulation provider you can communicate with, you trust, and can count on, you'll be much happier. If you find a cheap provider that you have a hard time working with, you'll pay the price in time and frustration. Us crazy sim providers all have a different style and method. There is no one single best provider. Listen to your gut and work with a business simulation provider that you are comfortable working with. You'll be much happier!
We hope to do more postings now that we have our heads above simulation development water. Drop us a note if you want us to comment on something specific.
Have a great week!
Thinking of using a business simulation? Never used a business simulation? Well, maybe we can help. Here are 5 tips to think about when considering a business simulation for corporate training and development:
1. What am I trying to achieve- In this tip, we encourage you to start at the finish line and run backwards to the start. If you clearly define your metrics for success, you'll create a more efficient and focused business simulation program (you'll also save some $$).
2. Decide if you need a custom simulation or an off the shelf simulation- Off the shelf is cheaper, but you'll be responsible for telling participants how this applies to them and their business. If you're teaching general concepts, go with a canned sim.
3. Start early! - Creating a custom business simulation or leadership development simulation takes time. If you call a sim provider to give just a couple weeks notice, you won't be happy with the results.
4. Do your homework - A business simulation training program is a complex animal. Take your time and do your homework. There are a lot of sim providers out there and we're all a little different. Give a few of us all a call and get to know us a little.
5. Do what's comfortable for you - In the end, if you pick a business simulation provider you can communicate with, you trust, and can count on, you'll be much happier. If you find a cheap provider that you have a hard time working with, you'll pay the price in time and frustration. Us crazy sim providers all have a different style and method. There is no one single best provider. Listen to your gut and work with a business simulation provider that you are comfortable working with. You'll be much happier!
We hope to do more postings now that we have our heads above simulation development water. Drop us a note if you want us to comment on something specific.
Have a great week!
Tuesday, March 27, 2012
The Business Simulation Assistant Tool Is Live!
Hello SimDevGroup Community-
We hope you are well. For years, the single biggest question we get is, "Should I use a custom business simulation or an off the shelf business simulation?" We can answer this in just a few questions. So, we decided to proactively help people choose. Granted, this is just a broad attempt, but in our testing, it's actually worked out pretty well. We went ahead and took it live last night. You can play with it by going to the home page and clicking the little guy in the middle standing in front of a question mark. For the geeks out there, its totally written HTML5. For those that don't have a modern browser, it will fall back to Javascript. For those that don't support Javascript, well, just give us a call.
We're pretty excited about the business simulation assistant tool. Keep in mind, its pretty rough around the edges for now, but hey, its just 1.0.
Enjoy and we hope this helps!
We hope you are well. For years, the single biggest question we get is, "Should I use a custom business simulation or an off the shelf business simulation?" We can answer this in just a few questions. So, we decided to proactively help people choose. Granted, this is just a broad attempt, but in our testing, it's actually worked out pretty well. We went ahead and took it live last night. You can play with it by going to the home page and clicking the little guy in the middle standing in front of a question mark. For the geeks out there, its totally written HTML5. For those that don't have a modern browser, it will fall back to Javascript. For those that don't support Javascript, well, just give us a call.
We're pretty excited about the business simulation assistant tool. Keep in mind, its pretty rough around the edges for now, but hey, its just 1.0.
Enjoy and we hope this helps!
Friday, March 16, 2012
Tips and Tricks to Picking a Simulation Solution
Hello SimDevGroup Community-
The first time most all the companies we work with call us, they say something along the lines of, "Well, I'm just learning about using a business simulation." We're always more than happy to talk about things to think about when choosing a business simulation for training and development. Here are some tips:
1. Do you need off the shelf or custom business simulation- This may seem like a big question to answer, but you'll pretty quickly see what you need most. If the subject matter has very little to do with any specifics to your company, then an off the shelf solution may be the easiest way to go. If your training program is specific to your organization or company, then a custom solution will probably be best.
2. Should you build or buy- This is a tough question to answer. One which we can't easily answer. In our experience, it will usually come down to time, resources, and expertise. If you have a team that is exceptionally good as statistical modeling, software development, and business acumen, then build inside. If you only have an instructional design team, then go outside. There is a huge difference between building a training program and building a business simulation.
3. Should you self facilitate or outsource facilitation- Again, take a look at your internal capabilities first. If your facilitators either have strong business acumen or have the capacity to learn it very quickly, then explore self facilitation. But if your team is scared of the three financial statements and concerned with being "caught", then take a look outside. There is nothing worse for a facilitator than being run over by participants.
4. Should I build new, or reuse existing training program(s)- This is actually pretty simple: A business simulation should not replace your existing training content. So don't feel that the simulation will render your existing content obsolete. Just ask this simple question, "Is my existing training program still relevant?" If it is, then definitely continue to use it. If the content is out of date or irrelevant, then its time to throw it out or update it anyway. No matter the case, the simulation is not the training, it is simply a tool for more effective training. A good business simulation should fit nicely into an existing training program.
5. Should I pay a ton for a business simulation?- No. The simulation should not cost too much. If its too much of your budget, don't risk other programs spending everything on a shiny new simulation. Chances are, those dollars could be used better if its really that big of a percentage. Spend your money like investment advisors advise their clients: Diversity!
We hope this helps. Have a great weekend.
The first time most all the companies we work with call us, they say something along the lines of, "Well, I'm just learning about using a business simulation." We're always more than happy to talk about things to think about when choosing a business simulation for training and development. Here are some tips:
1. Do you need off the shelf or custom business simulation- This may seem like a big question to answer, but you'll pretty quickly see what you need most. If the subject matter has very little to do with any specifics to your company, then an off the shelf solution may be the easiest way to go. If your training program is specific to your organization or company, then a custom solution will probably be best.
2. Should you build or buy- This is a tough question to answer. One which we can't easily answer. In our experience, it will usually come down to time, resources, and expertise. If you have a team that is exceptionally good as statistical modeling, software development, and business acumen, then build inside. If you only have an instructional design team, then go outside. There is a huge difference between building a training program and building a business simulation.
3. Should you self facilitate or outsource facilitation- Again, take a look at your internal capabilities first. If your facilitators either have strong business acumen or have the capacity to learn it very quickly, then explore self facilitation. But if your team is scared of the three financial statements and concerned with being "caught", then take a look outside. There is nothing worse for a facilitator than being run over by participants.
4. Should I build new, or reuse existing training program(s)- This is actually pretty simple: A business simulation should not replace your existing training content. So don't feel that the simulation will render your existing content obsolete. Just ask this simple question, "Is my existing training program still relevant?" If it is, then definitely continue to use it. If the content is out of date or irrelevant, then its time to throw it out or update it anyway. No matter the case, the simulation is not the training, it is simply a tool for more effective training. A good business simulation should fit nicely into an existing training program.
5. Should I pay a ton for a business simulation?- No. The simulation should not cost too much. If its too much of your budget, don't risk other programs spending everything on a shiny new simulation. Chances are, those dollars could be used better if its really that big of a percentage. Spend your money like investment advisors advise their clients: Diversity!
We hope this helps. Have a great weekend.
Monday, March 12, 2012
Right Tools For The Right Job
Hello SimDevGroup Community-
Have you taken time to think about what tools you're using for your business training or leadership development programs? If not, we actually think this is good. Why? Because most people think heavily about getting the right training tools well before they have clearly defined the job. To take a step even further back, have you taken a look at the core set of business training program needs? Where did your training program come from? Did it come from a program that has been around for awhile, built up over a series of annual need changes? If so, we're guessing you have a few training barnacles. What are we getting at?
We recommend you take an hour or so, look at your most important business training or leadership development program and look at the following: The training program need, the training program goals, and then the training tools. If you instantly look at the latter two, you will wind up with an unfocused training program that is trying to fix too many needs (some of which may no longer be relevant).
This brings us to the final point... what training tools are you using? Are you using a little bit of a lot of things? If so, you're going to get the same results... a little of this, a little of that, and not a lot of focus. This is especially the case when it comes to creating a business simulation for training and development or leadership development.
We bring this up because we just completed a very long and painful exercise of really looking at our backend office systems (which are very complex due to software development). We took a hard and focused look at the tools we use to create business training simulations and/or leadership development simulation software. In the end, we cut out roughly 30% of our development tools. This created an amazing amount of focus and we felt like our development systems went through a very much overdue car wash. Feels great and productivity is already much better and with less complaining. We just decided to apply the same concept to business training and leadership development. Hope the idea got you thinking about how and where your current training and development program come from.
We'll be writing more specifically about business simulations soon.
Have you taken time to think about what tools you're using for your business training or leadership development programs? If not, we actually think this is good. Why? Because most people think heavily about getting the right training tools well before they have clearly defined the job. To take a step even further back, have you taken a look at the core set of business training program needs? Where did your training program come from? Did it come from a program that has been around for awhile, built up over a series of annual need changes? If so, we're guessing you have a few training barnacles. What are we getting at?
We recommend you take an hour or so, look at your most important business training or leadership development program and look at the following: The training program need, the training program goals, and then the training tools. If you instantly look at the latter two, you will wind up with an unfocused training program that is trying to fix too many needs (some of which may no longer be relevant).
This brings us to the final point... what training tools are you using? Are you using a little bit of a lot of things? If so, you're going to get the same results... a little of this, a little of that, and not a lot of focus. This is especially the case when it comes to creating a business simulation for training and development or leadership development.
We bring this up because we just completed a very long and painful exercise of really looking at our backend office systems (which are very complex due to software development). We took a hard and focused look at the tools we use to create business training simulations and/or leadership development simulation software. In the end, we cut out roughly 30% of our development tools. This created an amazing amount of focus and we felt like our development systems went through a very much overdue car wash. Feels great and productivity is already much better and with less complaining. We just decided to apply the same concept to business training and leadership development. Hope the idea got you thinking about how and where your current training and development program come from.
We'll be writing more specifically about business simulations soon.
Friday, February 24, 2012
Almost Above Business Simulation Water!
Hello SimDevGroup Community!
Ok... Some good news for those that have been working with us... We're almost above the Business Simulation water line! Yes!
Again, I know we've apologized quite a bit, but we promise, we're just about to get our heads above water. We've really been buried trying to get custom business simulations for either learning and development (general) or leadership development programs out the door and in our customers hands. We had a sudden rush starting in December and one project in particular came in as a huge, "can you do us a favor and get this done really quick" manner. We aren't good at saying no when it comes to creating business simulations or leadership simulations. Thus, this put us back a few months.
Sooo.... if you have any questions, or topics you'd like us to touch on, drop us a note. We'll be happy to take a look.
Hope to write again soon!
Ok... Some good news for those that have been working with us... We're almost above the Business Simulation water line! Yes!
Again, I know we've apologized quite a bit, but we promise, we're just about to get our heads above water. We've really been buried trying to get custom business simulations for either learning and development (general) or leadership development programs out the door and in our customers hands. We had a sudden rush starting in December and one project in particular came in as a huge, "can you do us a favor and get this done really quick" manner. We aren't good at saying no when it comes to creating business simulations or leadership simulations. Thus, this put us back a few months.
Sooo.... if you have any questions, or topics you'd like us to touch on, drop us a note. We'll be happy to take a look.
Hope to write again soon!
Tuesday, February 7, 2012
SimDevGroup Business Update
Hello SimDevGroup Community-
Once again, as we've said many time lately, we very much apologize for the lack (and quality) of recent posts. We know we've said it many times, but we're just so totally swamped. This is great, and we're really excited, but we're all putting in over 14-18 hour days and working on weekends. We're also pretty much booked up for 2012, but this depends on the size and type of new business. We say this cautiously because we're not very good at saying no to things.
So, why do we bring this up? Because we pride ourselves on doing our best to try to consistently communicate useful information. We have failed at this in the past 3 months or so. We promise... We're going to improve starting the end of this month. Typically Q1 for us is always slammed and this year is off the charts. We hope to be back very soon to talk more about business training simulations and leadership development simulations.
In the meantime, if there's a specific question you have for us, please feel free to reach out to us. We don't bite!
Thanks for your patience!
Once again, as we've said many time lately, we very much apologize for the lack (and quality) of recent posts. We know we've said it many times, but we're just so totally swamped. This is great, and we're really excited, but we're all putting in over 14-18 hour days and working on weekends. We're also pretty much booked up for 2012, but this depends on the size and type of new business. We say this cautiously because we're not very good at saying no to things.
So, why do we bring this up? Because we pride ourselves on doing our best to try to consistently communicate useful information. We have failed at this in the past 3 months or so. We promise... We're going to improve starting the end of this month. Typically Q1 for us is always slammed and this year is off the charts. We hope to be back very soon to talk more about business training simulations and leadership development simulations.
In the meantime, if there's a specific question you have for us, please feel free to reach out to us. We don't bite!
Thanks for your patience!
Friday, January 13, 2012
All SimDevGroup Backend Systems In The Cloud!
Hello SimDevGroup Community-
This is more excitement for us than anything, but as of 2:33am this morning, all of SimDevGroup's backend management systems is 100% completely in the cloud. So, what does this mean and why did we do it? Here's why this matters:
- This reduces our IT costs by approximately 27% per year - Lower cost to us means lower costs for business simulation users
- This reduces our time on IT projects by about 73% - This is HUGE! This means we'll spend more time creating business simulations
- This reduces our Carbon Footprint. Its hard to measure and exact amount, but we don't have to run a closet of computer systems any longer.
- Since we're in the cloud, all computer systems sync in realtime. This means all simulation projects for training and development or leadership development are all in sync, all contacts, appointments, etc.
Overall, yes, we're excited, but anyone that uses SimDevGroup for custom business simulations or leadership development simulation should also be excited because this keeps our time to delivery down in addition to our costs of development.
Have a great weekend!
This is more excitement for us than anything, but as of 2:33am this morning, all of SimDevGroup's backend management systems is 100% completely in the cloud. So, what does this mean and why did we do it? Here's why this matters:
- This reduces our IT costs by approximately 27% per year - Lower cost to us means lower costs for business simulation users
- This reduces our time on IT projects by about 73% - This is HUGE! This means we'll spend more time creating business simulations
- This reduces our Carbon Footprint. Its hard to measure and exact amount, but we don't have to run a closet of computer systems any longer.
- Since we're in the cloud, all computer systems sync in realtime. This means all simulation projects for training and development or leadership development are all in sync, all contacts, appointments, etc.
Overall, yes, we're excited, but anyone that uses SimDevGroup for custom business simulations or leadership development simulation should also be excited because this keeps our time to delivery down in addition to our costs of development.
Have a great weekend!
Tuesday, January 10, 2012
Formats and Methods of Business Simulations- The Big Debate!
Hello SimDevGroup Community-
What format do you deliver your business simulation for training and development? Paper, Visual Basic, Flash, Flex, Compiled C, Cocoa, C#, Java, Sign Language? We have to ask: Does this really matter all that much? If the end product is exactly what you were looking for, why do people care? We use all of the above and aren't married or religious about the method and we'd suggest that you shouldn't be either.
Different business simulations have different outcomes (aka: Goals for training). Shouldn't this alone dictate the idea that different tools should be used depending on the outcome specifics of your training program. Note: Not the outcome of the simulation, but the outcome of your training and development objectives. Why do we point this out... Because business simulations should be a second priority, not the first! The first priority is ensuring the goals of your training and development program are met. Then comes business simulations.
Why are we writing about this? Because this old argument keep reappearing and we just kind of roll our eyes. The only time this really matters is if ERP or LMS integration is ABSOLUTELY essential. Why are we shouting absolutely? Because we're not a huge fan of massive overkill in any situation much less for Training and Development. These systems are huge and often massive overkill. Just IOHO ;D.
Anyway... why worry about the development environment? You should worry about the outcome and alignment. This is the most important part. Go with the 80/20 rule and you'll be happy.
Hope this helps. Have a great week!
What format do you deliver your business simulation for training and development? Paper, Visual Basic, Flash, Flex, Compiled C, Cocoa, C#, Java, Sign Language? We have to ask: Does this really matter all that much? If the end product is exactly what you were looking for, why do people care? We use all of the above and aren't married or religious about the method and we'd suggest that you shouldn't be either.
Different business simulations have different outcomes (aka: Goals for training). Shouldn't this alone dictate the idea that different tools should be used depending on the outcome specifics of your training program. Note: Not the outcome of the simulation, but the outcome of your training and development objectives. Why do we point this out... Because business simulations should be a second priority, not the first! The first priority is ensuring the goals of your training and development program are met. Then comes business simulations.
Why are we writing about this? Because this old argument keep reappearing and we just kind of roll our eyes. The only time this really matters is if ERP or LMS integration is ABSOLUTELY essential. Why are we shouting absolutely? Because we're not a huge fan of massive overkill in any situation much less for Training and Development. These systems are huge and often massive overkill. Just IOHO ;D.
Anyway... why worry about the development environment? You should worry about the outcome and alignment. This is the most important part. Go with the 80/20 rule and you'll be happy.
Hope this helps. Have a great week!
Tuesday, January 3, 2012
Business Simulations New Year's Resolution
Happy New Year SimDevGroup Community!
We've had a terrific 2011 and 2012 looks to be even better. This year, we are cutting back the number of business simulations we create (gasp!). Traditionally, we only do a handful. The reason is that we spend about 25% of our time doing research and development. The goal is to create the world's finest business simulations or leadership development simulations for training and development at the lowest price possible (aka: focus!). 2011 we only spent about 15% of our time in R&D and we want to ensure this doesn't happen in 2012.
With this in mind, we would like to solicit your help!
Please send us an email and tell us what you'd like to learn more about. Most of the business simulation research and development is dedicated to finding ways to teach others how to use a business simulation or leadership development simulation within training and development. To drop us an email, just use the contact form that is at the bottom of most any of our web pages. We use these forms because if we don't, we get an uncontrollable amount of spam.
Again: If you'd like to learn anything about using a business simulation or leadership development simulation, please send us an email and we'll do our best to create a method to share this information.
Happy New Year!!!
We've had a terrific 2011 and 2012 looks to be even better. This year, we are cutting back the number of business simulations we create (gasp!). Traditionally, we only do a handful. The reason is that we spend about 25% of our time doing research and development. The goal is to create the world's finest business simulations or leadership development simulations for training and development at the lowest price possible (aka: focus!). 2011 we only spent about 15% of our time in R&D and we want to ensure this doesn't happen in 2012.
With this in mind, we would like to solicit your help!
Please send us an email and tell us what you'd like to learn more about. Most of the business simulation research and development is dedicated to finding ways to teach others how to use a business simulation or leadership development simulation within training and development. To drop us an email, just use the contact form that is at the bottom of most any of our web pages. We use these forms because if we don't, we get an uncontrollable amount of spam.
Again: If you'd like to learn anything about using a business simulation or leadership development simulation, please send us an email and we'll do our best to create a method to share this information.
Happy New Year!!!
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