Business Simulations - On Paper?

Hello World-

There seems to be a trend in the world of business simulations and serious games… Paper! Yes, like physical paper. Why is this? It's probably because more people are aware of business simulations for training and development, but either don't have the budget, don't have the expertise, or both. Paper based business simulations are great! They should not be looked down on. With some basic forms and thinking, you can very easily create business simulations that are paper based that participants will love.

Some Tips to Paper Based Business Simulations

1. Make the 'grading' process easy on the facilitator - If you go with a paper based or inexpensive business simulation, you should make sure the facilitator has a nicely laid out form to score or grade participants. If you leave it up to the facilitator to lay out, something will certainly go wrong.
2. Provide clear instructions - Inexpensive paper based business simulations can sometimes be more difficult to understand. This is especially true when it comes to the process. You should make sure you have very clear instructions for both the facilitator(s) and for the participants.
3. Focus heavily on the story - This is very important. Because a paper business simulation will lack the 'sizzle' of a computer based solution, you need to make sure there is an engaging story. Participants will thank you.
4. Provide great visuals - This is an attempt to add the sizzle back into the program. Very well thought out visuals within your business simulation will also provide clear information that will help the participants more easily use your solution.
5. Try to reduce paper - Paper based business simulations can quickly create a sea of paper. Be nice to mother nature and try to be conscience of the paper usage.

Hope this helps!

Business Simulations and Human Interaction

Hello Business Simulation and Serious Game Users-

Should human interaction play into the world of business simulations? Human interaction is defined as voice interaction and/or motion interaction. This is a recently common and good question. In a past life, we've worked on voice recognition and reaction software (and hardware). We still dabble in it from time to time. When it comes to business simulations and serious games for corporate training and development, we just don't see a good fit here yet. Its possible, but it still requires a great amount of lifting and money. There are ways to get around this.

Depending on if scale is an issue, it might be effective to have team to team interaction instead within your business simulation solution(s). Is it possible to give criteria to other participants and have them act as the recognition software? This accomplishes two things:

a) Massive cost and complexity reduction and
b) The trainee becomes the trainer which creates hugely positive learning

We dunno, but what we do know is that when it comes to learning and development business simulations and serious games, we just don't see a fit for things such as motion and speech recognition. These solutions usually only create marginal results and cost a lot in time and money to create. Just our thoughts, but of course, we know there are others who think differently.

Have a great week!

Three Tips To Getting Started Using Sims and Games

Hello World-

How about three tips to getting started using business simulations and serious games. Its been awhile since a post like this has appeared so here goes:

3 Tips to Getting Started Using Business Simulations and Serious Games

Tip 1: Start Small- Whether you are building a solution for your company or hiring an outside contractor to build one for you, start small! If you're going with an outside vendor, you will feel some pressure to go large. Remember, this is your project and you should control it. Sim Bloat has many negative effects such as hard to launch, hard to control, learning focus creep, etc. In the beginning, just go with a few game or simulation exercises. As you learn more, you can add more. Just start small.

Tip 2: Own Your Solution- This really applies if you're going outside your company for a business simulation or serious game. You should make certain you can run the program how, when, and where you want without paying a toll or tax. Of course, this only applies if you're going with a custom solution. If its a pre-made solution, then you should expect to pay for usage.

Tip 3: Ask around before you leap- Have you asked others in your industry about business simulations or serious games? It might be time well spent to ask others and learn from their mistakes (and successes). Most often, people are happy to share. If you can't find anyone, just drop us a letter and we'll be happy to try and connect you.

Yes, this is very basic and entry level, but a good reminder and starting point no matter. If you're just starting out, these are easy places to start. Just remember, start small, retain ownership, and ask others. Its basic, but in many cases, the basics are the best.

Learn About Business Simulations & Serious Games

Hello World-

Great news, Hugh Hunter has released a very easy to read and genuine book about getting started using business simulations and serious games. Even if you are experienced with sims and games, the book suggests great ways to save tons of money and aggravation up front. You can download the business simulation book from here. This is a link that will connect you to the Amazon store.

The Business Simulation Book Will Help With:

- Learning about the various types of business simulations and serious games
- How to set yourself up for success using business simulations and serious games
- Help you sort through if you really need a business simulations and serious games
- Help you save tons of money and retain ownership of your solution
- Set your program up for sustainability
- Overall, save money, and be more successful using business simulations and serious games

Hope this resource helps you!