Vol. 1, No. 2, Summer 2005
| New Simulation: Introduction to Business and Strategy The Introduction to Business and Strategy simulation is targeted for introductory courses in business. Large numbers of students get their first exposure to business in an introductory course, and they often decide whether to pursue a degree in business based on their experience in such a course. As creator Dr. Ernest Cadotte says with a laugh, "I decided not to go into business after taking the Intro to Business course. I came back around to it later, but that course turned me off." So Cadotte and the ILS staff have designed a simulation that will give students a sample of what the study of business offers without swamping them in details. "They're looking for a taste, something to excite them, and that's what this simulation will do," says Cadotte. It introduces the participant to the basic concepts of business and strategy, providing them with broad exposure to many concepts, yet keeping the fine points at a minimum. Thus, the students will work within a multifunctional business setting where they start up and manage a new venture. The decision content includes the basics of marketing, distribution, human resources, manufacturing, finance and accounting. Because the simulation is highly integrative across functions, it provides an ideal platform from which instructors can discuss and illustrate the fundamentals of strategy. The simulation may also be used as a small outside exercise in a capstone course or a strategy course. To keep the students from getting bogged down with too much information in their first business academics experience, the Introduction to Business and Strategy game is short, with just 6 decision rounds, each taking only thirty minutes to one hour to complete. To further minimize the complexity, the game is designed especially to be used in the compete vs. computer mode, so that students can move at their own pace (although the game can also be designed in compete vs. peers mode). We are looking for beta testers for the Introduction to Business and Strategy simulation. There's no cost or obligation to you, your students, or your institution. All we ask is that you take the time to thoroughly play the game and feedback on how well the simulation works. Does the software flow logically? Does it perform smoothly? Are instructions clear? Is the workload manageable? These are the sorts of things we want to know to make our simulations as user-friendly as possible. We could also use a few more beta testers of our Strategy and Business Policy simulation, which we're offering at half price. If you are interested in being a beta tester for either of these simulations, please contact Sean Mullins via email or by phone at 865-522-1946.
Marketplace Community Newsletter, issued quarterly. Copyright © 2005 Innovative
Learning Solutions. All rights reserved. |
back
to top