Custom simulations

Our custom business simulations help clients implement new strategies and develop the management skills needed to improve bottom-line performance.

• Our approach enables managers to actively learn from accelerated virtual experiences that connect directly with their business.

Applications

We have developed custom simulations to enhance learning at both the individual and organization level, including these applications:

• Aligning the organization around a new business strategy
• Catalyzing implementation of a new process improvement initiative
• Training managers in business acumen and financial analysis skills
• Developing leadership capabilities in managers and senior executives

Approach

Managers learn best by doing. Simulations serve as “practice fields” where barriers to learning (such as fear of failure, or risk to the business) can be removed. Because simulations compress time and space, they can provide managers with more direct and timely feedback about their business decisions. As a result, years of experience can be compressed into days or even hours.

We increase the return on your simulation investment by:

• Helping you clearly define the target audience and learning objectives
• Determining the most appropriate simulation delivery mode (see below)
• Custom designing multi-day educational programs to include up-to-date content and engaging learning experiences
• Working with our strategic partners to provide expert program development and facilitation

Delivery modes

We can deliver simulations in a variety of modes, depending on your needs:

A management flight simulator is a computer-based simulation of a business process, enterprise or industry. It enables manages to rapidly explore process improvements or new business strategies by conducting “what if” experiments. Since managers interact directly with the computer, these simulations are intended for use by one or two managers at a time. However, half- or full-day workshops can easily be designed for large groups using an LCD projector or multiple laptops.

Applications: strategic forums, scenario planning, high-level process redesign, systems thinking training, sharing of modeling insights across an organization.

Total-immersion Simulations

Our custom total-immersion experiences combine computer simulation with behavioral simulation to give managers a high-impact learning experience. Teams of managers assume roles and operate a fictional business over 5 – 7 years. Because our simulations are closely modeled after the client’s actual business system, they provide excellent “practice fields” for managers to experiment with new business strategies or apply new personal skills in a realistic, competitive environment. These simulations are best suited for 3 – 4 day workshops.

Applications: business acumen training, financial decision-making training, leadership development, strategy war-gaming exercises.

Learn about the Paper Nation experience

Table-top Simulations

Our custom-designed game boards show how key business processes work right out in the open, where everyone can watch. Table-top simulations tend to be less complex than computer simulations and are usually intended for a more general audience. If the objective is to create widespread alignment around a new business concept or improvement initiative, this method can be particularly effective.

Applications: basic financial training, basic business acumen, organizational alignment around a new business strategy or improvement initiative.

Hybrid Simulations

We also have the flexibility to combine simulation approaches, depending on your needs. For example, a computer simulation can be incorporated into a table-top simulation to enhance the underlying business model or to compute financial results while still preserving a hands-on approach to learning.