Business Simulations for Strategy Testing

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Have you ever considered using a business simulation to test your corporate strategy? If so, great. What did you think? If not, have you considered it? This brings up the questions:

How do I test my strategy using a business simulation

In the industry, this is really a type of serious game. Strategic testing is where companies use advanced computer modeling to simulation their future strategy and see the outcomes. You don't always have to use a computer based simulation, but you will have to simulate something somehow. Have you ever seen the movie War Games with Matthew Broderick. Remember how they used serious games which was controlled by the WOPR? Well, business strategy testing is very similar. It uses advanced modeling to run what if scenarios.

Large companies use these to gain insight into potential outcomes of a new business strategy. The good news is that these have recently become accessible for the not so large corporation. Drop us a line if you're interested in learning more. But suffice it to say they aren't as expensive as they used to be.

Hope this helps.

Business Simulations, Business Games, Serious Games

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This has been talked about quite a bit in the past, but the topic seems to be coming up quite a bit again.

What is the difference between Business Simulations, Business Games, and Serious Games?

In short, very little, but it depends on who you're talking to. Here are some tips:
- Business Simulations- Business Simulations are often used for business strategy topics. As usual, this isn't always the case, but more often than not, a simulation will be used to help work on a business strategy related topic.
- Business Games- Business Games are really a catch all. These solutions can range from the dreaded, 'Catch me as a fall' exercise all the way up through custom business simulations. Unfortunately, this is a very generic term.
- Serious Game- This is the latest craze and most marketable catch phrase. This can be anything from a business game all the way through military simulations. Serious game (or business ramification) is really just a lot more marketable for vendors. People will certainly disagree, but they are probably working to sell a serious game :D.

Short and sweet. As you can tell, there is a lot changing over here (in a very very good way) and thus, we're head down in coding and changes. Change is a great thing!

Have a great day

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Strategy Testing Using Business Simulations

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These scenarios are rare, but they do exist and they are exciting. Using a business simulation and/or serious game for strategy testing. How does this work? Its simple in concept, but complex in execution. Here's how it works:

Strategy Testing Using a Business Simulation

The setup: You have a new strategy you're thinking of implementing. The business plan is written, and everyone has approved of it. There's a little voice inside of you saying, "Is this business strategy right? How will the marketplace change once we change? I'd like to test the strategy first."

The concept: A custom business simulation that will take all the economics of your industry, your company, your business plan, your strengths, your weaknesses, etc. This business simulation for strategy testing runs scenarios. The strategy simulation will then show you potential outcomes based on specific variables. Want to try another scenario? No problem. The strategy simulation lets you try before you buy.

The execution: This is complicated. Creating a business strategy simulation is very complex. The complexity lies in the industry research before building the solution. The solution is a combination of 3 business simulations: Economic models, Reaction models, and Outcome models. Even though these strategy testing models run separately, they are totally reliant on each other.

The value: The value is self explanatory. A business strategy simulation gives leaders the option to try before they buy. Shifting strategy is complex and requires significant resource allocation. Needless to say, this takes a lot of time. Its much better to know the potential outcomes ahead of time.

Summary- Using a strategy testing simulation could be time well spent. You may see things you didn't see before. Using these types of business simulations can be valuable, but takes commitment. It also takes a little time. In most cases, leaders want to do do do. A business strategy simulation is more of a test test test type of solution.

Hope this helps!

Human Resources and Business Simulations- 5 Tips to Getting Started

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Traditionally, Business Simulations have either been managed by Training and Development Managers and/or Business Managers. This is changing. Why is it changing? Because it seems as though Human Resource Business Managers (Divisional HR Managers) are staying in the fold (in the project) while the business simulation is being developed and being delivered. Thus, it has become more of the norm that Human Resource Managers work the entire business simulation process. Thus, here are some tips for using business simulations within Human Resources:

5 Tips For Human Resource Managers and Business Simulations

Tip 1: Brush Up! On your business acumen- Business Simulations that are used for strategic initiatives usually have a strong business component to them. Even though you know your business well, it will be very beneficial if you have a strong sense of business fundamentals. You will find it helpful if you dust off your business finance/marketing 101 book or something equivalent. You don't need to completely submerge yourself. Just a general refresher will go a long way.

Tip 2: Partner Up! Find someone in Training and Development- Business Simulations are most effective when they have a very well rooted training component to them. Get some assistance from the professionals on this. Training and Development knows learning fundamentals. Not only will this help create a better program, you will also be a good corporate citizen as well.

Tip 3: Search Well- Find someone you work well with for development- Whether you are staying internal or going external, find a business simulation developer you trust and work well with. How do you do this? Ask around and listen to your instincts. You will feel one level of comfort or another depending on who you're talking to. If you are staying internal, you may not have a choice who you work with. If this is the case, take the time to listen and ensure you are heard. No matter the case, you are one of the chief architects of this program. Make certain you aren't bullied! This is good advice for internal or external providers.

Tip 3: Size Small- You will feel pressure to build a big business simulation. This is especially true from the developer (both internal and external). Resist this urge. Stay on the smaller side. A 1/2 day business simulation goes a very long way. Don't cave to the pressure of a 2+ day simulation. 1-2 Days is a long time. Business managers tend to also want to go big. Try to stay at a day or less.

Tip 4: Take Time- Give yourself some time! You'll feel pressure to get all this done overnight. Business Simulations and Serious Games are very complex. Spend extra time in the planning and interviewing stage. This will pay dividends later! Don't rush in.

Tip 5: Read Up! There are helpful books and resources out there on business simulations and serious games. Just do a search on Amazon under 'Business Simulations and Serious Games'. You'll find a few resources. Don't buy the textbook size, they'll just overcomplicate things!

Hope this helps. Look through this resource further down and you'll find other tips that certainly apply to Human Resource Managers as well. Enjoy!

Business Simulations, Strategic Alignment, and Human Resources

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Are you looking to create organizational alignment using a business simulation? This is great! But here's another questions: Are you from the Human Resources Department? If not, you should stop reading right now and engage your HR manager. The reason this is being brought up is that this is probably the single wisest step you can take. Aligning employees behind a new corporate strategy will take far more than just implementing a nice shiny business simulation! It takes someone who really understands organization development and human assets!

Tips To Engaging HR for Strategic Alignment

Tip 1: If you haven't contacted HR, do it now! This is a no brainer.
Tip 2: You need to be as clear and transparent as possible with what you are hoping to achieve and when. The HR manager will help you figure out how.
Tip 3: Keep your HR manager very very involved in the process of creating a strategic alignment business simulation. They will help you more than you could ever imagine!
Tip 4: It is important to remember that you are talking about changing both people's behavior and changing their jobs. This is unsettling to people. Be patient and keep communication open. Your HR manager will certainly help you with this.
Tip 5: Don't get sold into a massive business simulation for strategic alignment. They aren't necessary for this. Go with something manageable and you'll see much greater success and probably save a good amount of budget.

Hope this helps. Have a terrific weekend!

Business Simulations - Tips for Leaders as Trainers

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Welp, as you have probably already noticed, there's been a bit of a lag in blog posts about business simulations and serious games. There's a good reason: Summertime! Its not an excuse, just a reason.

Anyway, let's talk about:

Tips for Leaders as Teachers Using Business Simulations

Tip 1: Train Your Leader Well! - The leader is going to think they "are all set." Chances are, they aren't. Thus, it's your job to ensure the leader to very well prepped and trained. Make sure you (or an outside facilitator) does at least three business simulation facilitations with them. This will pay off in the end.

Tip 2: Keep It Simple - Business Simulations for Corporate Training and Development are complicated. Try to introduce the leader as trainer to a more simple business simulation solution. Start small and build up.

Tip 3: Choose Your Leaders Wisely - Don't go for the 'highest leader', go for the best leader! This means find a leader that is excited to teach others, get involved, and is entertaining. The leader will have a good time and the participants will as well.

Choosing leaders to facilitate a business training simulation program is tough. Take your time! Choose wisely and the effort up front will pay dividends later.

Hope this helps!

Book About Business Simulation Games Available

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This is a quick post to let you know that the print version of Shift: Using Business Simulations and Serious Games is now available. This is a good book to either learn about business simulation games or to get up to date if you're an 'old pro'. The book reviews the what, how, and why of using a business simulation game within your corporate training and development/leadership development programs. It's easy to read, straight to the point, and will give you plenty to think about.

Thus, if you're looking for an easy to digest book about business simulations and/or serious games, this is a good guide. Its even better now that its in physical print.

Hope this helps!