Hello SimDev Community!
We are almost out of this crazy simulation delivery season. Soon, we'll be able to take a breather and work on other things for a month or so. Thus, we're pre-announcing a slow migration to a new web site platform. What does this mean for those who use a customer business training simulation for learning and development? Well, it means you'll be able to learn more than ever. We try our best to make our site educational, but this can get challenging at times due to infrastructure. We plan on creating a new place for you to go and learn more about business training simulations, leadership development, or learning and development as a whole. We hope to finish the transition by the end of the summer. If we don't we're in trouble because the fall delivery season cranks back up and we'll be behind.
Stay tuned! More coming soon!
- SimDevGroup Team
Friday, June 17, 2011
Monday, June 6, 2011
New Advances in Delivery Technology in Learning and Development
Hello SimDev Community-
Long time no talk and we hope to be out of the madness soon.
Facilitation a learning and development program is hard enough without having to worry about technology. The good news is: Technology is getting smaller and faster (gasp- Shocker, we know). When thinking about the technology needs of facilitation a learning and development business training simulation or leadership development simulation, you should think about a few things:
Our top 5 list of technology considerations to think about when facilitating a learning and development business training simulation:
1. Use Clean Technology- What we mean here is: Is the technology you're using very non-contaminated? Is the technology yours or are you using participant's technology. Our advice: Use your own clean machines.
2. Test and Test Again- Get your hands on the technology as early as possible and then test your business simulations on this technology as much as you can. You'll thank yourself for it later.
3. Forego Power For Predictability- We have yet to see a business simulation really use up the power of modern computers. Thus, if you can, try to get older machines that your IT department has cleaned up for you. Chances are, there are older computers laying around that will work great.
4. Scrap advanced technology for tested!- Don't feel the need to invite uncertainty into your program. Go without wireless if you can, its more stable. Go without advanced HDMI if possible, its more stable. Go without the flux capacitor, its more stable. Go with what works and has been around for awhile!
5. Keep Technology Local- Try to avoid a highly internet dependent solution. Make sure there are backups if the internet goes down. Believe us, it happens. Whether it be a hotel connection (very unstable), Corporate connections (firewall issues), or anything, make sure to have a local backup solution.
As you have probably guessed, we believe in the show must go on! No matter the case, the technology has to work. Even though there have been advances in technology, go with what works when it comes to using a business simulation within your learning and development program.
Good Luck!
Long time no talk and we hope to be out of the madness soon.
Facilitation a learning and development program is hard enough without having to worry about technology. The good news is: Technology is getting smaller and faster (gasp- Shocker, we know). When thinking about the technology needs of facilitation a learning and development business training simulation or leadership development simulation, you should think about a few things:
Our top 5 list of technology considerations to think about when facilitating a learning and development business training simulation:
1. Use Clean Technology- What we mean here is: Is the technology you're using very non-contaminated? Is the technology yours or are you using participant's technology. Our advice: Use your own clean machines.
2. Test and Test Again- Get your hands on the technology as early as possible and then test your business simulations on this technology as much as you can. You'll thank yourself for it later.
3. Forego Power For Predictability- We have yet to see a business simulation really use up the power of modern computers. Thus, if you can, try to get older machines that your IT department has cleaned up for you. Chances are, there are older computers laying around that will work great.
4. Scrap advanced technology for tested!- Don't feel the need to invite uncertainty into your program. Go without wireless if you can, its more stable. Go without advanced HDMI if possible, its more stable. Go without the flux capacitor, its more stable. Go with what works and has been around for awhile!
5. Keep Technology Local- Try to avoid a highly internet dependent solution. Make sure there are backups if the internet goes down. Believe us, it happens. Whether it be a hotel connection (very unstable), Corporate connections (firewall issues), or anything, make sure to have a local backup solution.
As you have probably guessed, we believe in the show must go on! No matter the case, the technology has to work. Even though there have been advances in technology, go with what works when it comes to using a business simulation within your learning and development program.
Good Luck!
Wednesday, May 25, 2011
Where has SimDevGroup Gone?
Hello SimDev Community-
Let's start off with an apology. Our postings have been less frequent. We warned this was going to happen in a previous post. April, May, and June have training simulation overlap in them. This wasn't intentional, but when it comes to planning outcomes, what really is? In results, we haven't been able to make many postings worth reading when it comes to business training simulations or leadership development simulations. We'll keep trying but until we get through this perfect storm of simulation programs, they might be a bit thin. :) Stay tuned.
Thanks!
Let's start off with an apology. Our postings have been less frequent. We warned this was going to happen in a previous post. April, May, and June have training simulation overlap in them. This wasn't intentional, but when it comes to planning outcomes, what really is? In results, we haven't been able to make many postings worth reading when it comes to business training simulations or leadership development simulations. We'll keep trying but until we get through this perfect storm of simulation programs, they might be a bit thin. :) Stay tuned.
Thanks!
Thursday, May 12, 2011
Business Training Simulation Facilitation- Give Yourself Some Time!
Hello SimDev Community!
We are entering the tail end of the mass business training simulation facilitation season. This includes business simulations, leadership development simulation, or just the generic business training simulation types. We have noticed a trend that is worrying us. People new to facilitation are giving themselves very little time to facilitate the simulation. This is not a good idea. We very highly urgently recommend you give yourself plenty of time to facilitate a business training simulation. Think we feel strongly about this :) ? We certainly do.
If you give yourself just a little bit of time to facilitate a business training simulation, you will make mistakes and your prep work will be just adequate at absolute best. Net Net: Give yourself more time than you think you need. We can promise you, its more stressful than we make it look. Why? Because we have been facilitating business training and leadership training simulations for a long time. Thus, we can do it in our sleep.
Please, please... give yourself plenty of time to work with the simulation, look at the results, and build a learning story around the simulation. You will be much happier with your results and your participants will learn a lot more.
We hope this helps!
If you give yourself just a little bit of time to facilitate a business training simulation, you will make mistakes and your prep work will be just adequate at absolute best. Net Net: Give yourself more time than you think you need. We can promise you, its more stressful than we make it look. Why? Because we have been facilitating business training and leadership training simulations for a long time. Thus, we can do it in our sleep.
Please, please... give yourself plenty of time to work with the simulation, look at the results, and build a learning story around the simulation. You will be much happier with your results and your participants will learn a lot more.
We hope this helps!
Thursday, April 21, 2011
Mobile Site for Business Simulations
Hello SimDev Community-
Last week, Simulation Development Group launched it's mobile site. We're pretty excited. You can now view business training simulations and leadership development simulation related information on the go. The site is optimized for most any mobile device and adjusts on its own. Thus, if you're looking to get information on business training simulation, learning simulations, or leadership development simulations from a desktop or any type of mobile device, the site will automagically adjust.
This is something that is long overdue and we just simply fell behind. But, its up and running. By no means is this final. Its just a starting point. We're going to continue to work on this and refine it over the the next couple of weeks.
To view the site, just to go simdevgroup.com with a mobile device and it will automatically adjust for you.
Enjoy!
SimDevGroup Team
Last week, Simulation Development Group launched it's mobile site. We're pretty excited. You can now view business training simulations and leadership development simulation related information on the go. The site is optimized for most any mobile device and adjusts on its own. Thus, if you're looking to get information on business training simulation, learning simulations, or leadership development simulations from a desktop or any type of mobile device, the site will automagically adjust.
This is something that is long overdue and we just simply fell behind. But, its up and running. By no means is this final. Its just a starting point. We're going to continue to work on this and refine it over the the next couple of weeks.
To view the site, just to go simdevgroup.com with a mobile device and it will automatically adjust for you.
Enjoy!
SimDevGroup Team
Thursday, April 7, 2011
Leadership Development Simulations and "Business"
Hello SimDev Community-
We have written extensively on utilizing a business simulation for leadership development. This is a fantastic solution for your leadership development program. Interestingly, over the past few months, we have had an unusually high number of inquireries regarding the business side of the leadership development simulation. Remember, when we say business, we are speaking generally. Every organization, from education to not for profits has a "business" side to it somewhere. Maybe your "business" is measured in the number of people you make smile. Great! We love it. But then you're in the business of smile development.
We post this note because you shouldn't feel like your organization (or sub-organization) needs to be in "business" because it doesn't. It just needs to have some sort of organization to it where somebody can learn something to better it's desired outcomes.
So, when you think of a business simulation, don't think briefcase, big glass building, and cubes. Think "me!".
Have a great weekend!
We have written extensively on utilizing a business simulation for leadership development. This is a fantastic solution for your leadership development program. Interestingly, over the past few months, we have had an unusually high number of inquireries regarding the business side of the leadership development simulation. Remember, when we say business, we are speaking generally. Every organization, from education to not for profits has a "business" side to it somewhere. Maybe your "business" is measured in the number of people you make smile. Great! We love it. But then you're in the business of smile development.
We post this note because you shouldn't feel like your organization (or sub-organization) needs to be in "business" because it doesn't. It just needs to have some sort of organization to it where somebody can learn something to better it's desired outcomes.
So, when you think of a business simulation, don't think briefcase, big glass building, and cubes. Think "me!".
Have a great weekend!
Friday, April 1, 2011
April Fools Day Simulation
Hello SimDev Community-
We love pranks, fun, and laughing. Thus, we had to post something on April Fools Day. Did you know that April Fools Day has been traced back to the 1300s. WOW! People have enjoyed pranks and fun for many many years. Wikipedia has an interesting write up about April fools day here: About April Fools Day. What does this have to do with a business simulation, business training simulation, leadership development simulation, business silo simulation, or custom business simulation? Absolutely nothing. We just wanted to wish everyone a happy April Fools Day!
Have fun!
- SimDevGroup Team
We love pranks, fun, and laughing. Thus, we had to post something on April Fools Day. Did you know that April Fools Day has been traced back to the 1300s. WOW! People have enjoyed pranks and fun for many many years. Wikipedia has an interesting write up about April fools day here: About April Fools Day. What does this have to do with a business simulation, business training simulation, leadership development simulation, business silo simulation, or custom business simulation? Absolutely nothing. We just wanted to wish everyone a happy April Fools Day!
Have fun!
- SimDevGroup Team
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