Event format: In stand-alone applications, events can focus on the interaction between different business functions, or the members of a project team, or a combination of both. By dramatically reducing the delay between actions and their consequences, simulations provide a safe environment to explore opportunities, identify potential pitfalls and experiment with alternative solutions.

Augmenting a conference, seminar or course with a Business Game event can take learning and motivation to an entirely new level. Putting new knowledge into practice immediately ignites enthusiasm, improves the depth of understanding and consolidates retention.

The scoring system can be adjusted such that the different aspects of business performance can be weighted to reflect those of greatest significance to the client.

Group: There are options to suit almost any number of people from one to 100 or more. For a single group of between 12 to 35, participants compete in teams. The more teams/companies in a virtual market, the greater the challenge! Depending on the size of the group, each "virtual board" will have between 4 to 7 members, each taking on a specific role.

For larger numbers, events are run with multiple groups, either simultaneously or sequentially. A “League Table” scoring option can be provided for regional, national or international Business Games.

Smaller groups (from 1 to 11 people) can act as a single team, or as two competing teams with the addition of one or more "ghost" teams.

Simulation mode: In team mode, between 3 and 5 virtual companies compete against each other. In solo mode, participants compete against one or more ghost teams, whose strategies and policies can be selected using smart pseudo-random techniques to maintain unpredictability. A typical solo mode application would be a start-up business working with an adviser, coach or mentor.

Simulation level: With the maxi level, teams develop and implement a strategy to achieve their priorities and objectives. They experience the primary and secondary consequences of policy decisions and learn how to balance the often-conflicting interests of Finance, HR, Admin, Marketing, Sales, Operations, Customer Service and R&D. There are numerous opportunities to improve “soft skills” such as negotiation, communication and presentation.

The mini and midi levels are used when time is limited, or where the emphasis is more focused on a specific team or business issue and the Business Game is run with one or more policy decision subsets disabled.

Simulation version: The standard version provides six annual trading periods in which to develop and implement a successful strategy. The short version is for applications where time is limited.

On-site Facilitation: This requires a room large enough to accommodate the group as a whole, preferably with break-out areas or rooms where teams can hold their board meetings in privacy. The full Team/Maxi/Standard application requires 2/3 whole days or 4/5 half days, which can be consecutive or at regular intervals.

On-line Facilitation: This enables teams from different continents to engage in the same event. One such application involved entries from 21 teams including Sydney, Johannesburg and Seattle.

Combined On-site/On-line Facilitation: One of the most popular applications includes a live Launch Day, a series of on-line interim rounds and a live “Oscars style” Awards Day, with multiple prize categories. Other options range from live team interviews to audience voting.

For advice on which permutations and combinations of the various Format/Mode/Level/Version/Facilitation options are most suitable, please ask your Business Game Partner or use our Contact facility.