Learning Simulations for the Rest of Us!

Business Learning Simulations and Games for the Rest Of Us

There has been a trend over the last decade or so to make custom simulations more and more complex. This may be due in part to the fact that development tools have become more and more sophisticated. The problem with this is that it seems to have defied the natural progression of technology: Cheaper and cheaper while being more effective. Why is this? Thinking about this, it may be good to go back to MBA strategy 101 and look at the business simulation market from Porter's point of view:

In general, strategically speaking, the business simulation and games industry hasn't felt many of these powers. The rivalry has been pretty low, substitutes haven't been so great. If anything, the simulation industry has positively substituted itself. Buyer power hasn't been strong because creating a custom business simulation is a sort of black art (its far more difficult than in looks). Finally the barriers to entry are pretty high. Why are they high? Because creating a custom business game or simulation requires a broad and specialized set of skills such as economics, finance, marketing, computer programing, and of course, learning. That's a tall order and really hard to balance effectively. But, one thing is starting change (from our view): Customers don't want massive programs. They don't want the simulation to be the program. The don't want heavy weight, massive programs that require a huge time investment (and money of course). This is going to cause a problem in the business simulation and business games industry. The trend is going towards light weight, low cost, integrated simulations.

Is Bigger Really Better?

A custom business simulation or game needs to integrate into an already existing program as a light weight tool for learning. The Sim's job shouldn't be to train the people. That's the program's facilitator and content's job. The job of the simulation should be a very rapid learning reinforcement tool. Learn, apply, and do it again. That's it.

Light Weight, Low Cost (Woo Hoo!)
Simulation Develop Group started in late 2008 to develop a method of creating very customized yet light weight simulations. We enjoy creating delivering these types of custom business simulations just as much as the multi-day programs. What exactly does light weight mean? This means that it can be delivered entirely within 1 day or in pieces throughout your program. It can also be easily adjusted to match exactly to your existing content (example: Leader Development Competencies). The point is that the Simulation Development Group's solution isn't to be the entire program, but to be the reinforcement tool.

How about simulations for the rest of us? Custom simulations don't need to be big, they just need to be effective.

Thoughts?
- SimDev Team
.

Current Economics, Leadership Development, What Now?

We have a new fed chief (again), new home sales have risen a surprising 4.9%, national home prices are up (what?), responsible consumer credit card behavior (double, what?), 6Mo Dow up ~33%, 6Mo S&P up ~36%, 6Mo Nasdaq up ~45%. Are we talking about current economic snapshots? Yup, you better believe it. Does it feel this way? Is it sustainable? How are companies reacting? What does this mean for professional/leadership development.

Granted, we have economists employed here, but we don't have all the answers to the questions above. Then again, neither do the government, hedge fund, or private equity economists. What we can talk about is what we're hearing from senior managers within companies we work with. To sum it up:

"We are cautiously optimistic, and it feels great!"

We have also had our phones ringing far more steadily with companies that are now ready to get their strategies in line, leadership in place, and fire on all cylinders. It feels like the sun is beginning to warm the skin of many who have been in the trenches weathering this storm. Its a welcome break.

As you know, we work many public companies and their senior teams. SimDev would like to take a moment to say, "Job well done." An executives job is rarely recognized. Times have been exceptionally hard for executives the last few months. Hard decisions were made, experience was put to the test, and risk was taken. From our standpoint, it looks like the time, sweat, and late nights are beginning to pay off.

What this means for leadership development is that its a good time to take account of how aligned the troops are within your organization. Does everyone know exactly the why and how behind the new strategy. Does everyone actually know the strategy. If the answer is no to any of these, its time for you to get the organization development needs in place and be ahead of the wave instead of just riding it out. This will put your organization at a competitive advantage and better positioned for optimistic change that the economy looks to be on the cusp of enjoying.

"Cheers to a new 2nd half"
- The SimDev Team
.

Leadership Development Simulations' New Home

Hello Simulation Development Group Community. This is going to be our new home for our notes/blog. We'll slowly transition over to this site. Welcome!

Getting Greener

We’re getting greener by the day. In January of 2009, SimDevGroup implemented improvements to reduce overall global waste. This includes waste from travel, office waste, program waste, and other sources. We’ve made huge improvements. We found that not only is this good for the environment, much of it is a big cost savings which is great for our customers as well. This is one of those rare win-win-win scenarios. Many thanks to Bill for taking this on and developing the program. So far, so good.

Some of ways we’re reducing waste:

Office Waste Reduction:

• Paper reduction- We’ve reduced paper by over 50%
• Successful switch to all Energy-Star compliant LCD displays
• Recycling laser toner cartridges
• Sharing less office space with European style open air layouts
• Biking to work rewards program- almost all of bike at least once a week
• Computer equipment recycling
• Overhead lights dim or off. We use natural light now

Travel Waste Reduction:

• Encouraging less travel- We’ve reduced travel by over 50%! Care for a video conference?
• Utilizing public transportation when traveling
• Re-using towels when in the hotels (if possible)

Program Waste Reduction:

• Printing 50% less at programs
• LCD projectors when possible
• Smaller/lighter equipment shipping containers

As mentioned above, most of the above has also reduced reoccurring costs which is great for everyone. If you have any other ideas for ways to reduce waste, feel free to drop us an email or make a comment.

Cheers to going green!

Leadership Competancies in Action

Let’s start with a chart. Here’s an example of somewhat standard leadership competencies:

Now that we have the great big colorful competencies up there, let’s assume the following:

• Your company has its own leadership behavior model (if not, that’s ok too)
• You have an entire program built or under construction that delivers this model (or close)
• You are unsure how to blend measurement and accountability into the program.... no prob!

You and/or your team are probably the pros at delivering the content. If not, don’t ask us :^) there are companies far better than SimDev to help with these competencies (ex: Caliper or PDI). Deliver the content as usual in your superb style.

The simulation maps very closely to your existing business. This includes market, internal, external, and cultural uniqueness. The difference is that while the participants are under pressure to execute their business plan, a facilitator is watching how they exhibit leadership competencies. The net net is that if they are great at leadership, their business execution is very effective. If their leadership behavior is very poor, they have a very difficult time executing their business plan. Thus, they loose market share, loose income, and quickly learn how important it is to invest in leadership and their people.

Basically, to win the simulation, they will have to be very competent at the following:

Its simple, to win, a team must be competent and leadership, business, and execution (teamwork).

What better way to put in play what you have delivered? This gives them the opportunity to practice and see how the importance of this drives EBITDA.

Business Leadership Simulations are exciting, applicable, and an effective part of leadership development.

Thoughts?
- SimDevTeam

Simulation Blog Comments Provider

Hello- SimDev community.

A quick note to say that we had to switch over blog comments provider. We’re sorry to say this erased the comments on the previous blog posts. We apologize for this. Unfortunately, this was a surprise to us as well. The good news is that this should complete the transition from the old blog engine. Thus, we’re good to go for the foreseeable future (in tech, that means the next 6 months :) ).

Thanks-
The Sim Dev Team

Soft Skills and Business Simulations or Games

Teaching leadership and people management skills is a critical component of effective employee development. A business simulation is an effective tool to reinforce the important skills taught in management training. How cool would this be:

The message is (these are examples):
- Be courageous
- Listen carefully
- manage execution
- be adaptable
- act strategically

How about a business game or business simulation that has the ability to measure how people put these skills into place. While participants are learning about the challenges of running their current business, they are being measured and scored on how effectively they apply these skills as a team.

Thus, teams are scored not only on how effectively they plan and execute their business plan, but HOW they execute utilizing the criteria above. This forces the participants to utilize the new skills and practice.

This is very effective experiential learning. This doesn’t need to be complicated. It just takes a coordinated effort. We recommend companies such as PDI. They are best at what they focus on.

Very cool and very effective.