Course Starter A simulation is used at or close to the start of a course.

• BREAK DOWN INHIBITIONS
• BUILD THE "TEAM"
• RAISE EXPECTATIONS
• ASSESS PRIOR LEARNING
• ASSESS TRAINING NEEDS

Suitable Simulations

• Business Appreciation
  • Operations
  • Product Launch
• Strategic Management
  • The Challenge Series
• Tactical Management
  • Operations
• Financial Appreciation
  • Operations
  • Product Launch
• Operations Management
  • Operations
• Operations Appreciation
  • Operations
• Marketing Management
  • Product Launch
  • Sales Calls
• Marketing Appreciation
  • Product Launch
• Sales Management
  • Sales Calls

BREAK DOWN INHIBITIONS

Most, successful, executive short courses are highly participative. This means that inhibitions must be broken down. The stimulating and active nature of simulations does this. Early use of a simulation accelerates breaking down inhibitions.

BUILD THE TEAM

Competitive team activities help build the course group. Members of individual teams relate to each other. Since, suitable simulations are simple and the activity takes place at the start of the simulation, the effect of "losing" is not major. If anything, it encourages greater effort in later sessions.

RAISE EXPECTATIONS

The highly participative and student centred nature of simulations helps raise expectations. This is particularly true for delegates, whose previous learning experiences have been pedagogic at school or college. Simulations, by utilising and recognising participants' knowledge and experience, are particularly appropriate for the adult learner. Especially the executive who has industry experience and is in a responsible position. (Obviously, if the following sessions consist of lectures and are non-participative, the use of a simulation at the start of the course is counter productive.)

HELP ASSESS NEEDS

A particular need for executive courses is to match content against existing knowledge and experience. If course content is simplistic delegates will regard it as a waste of time. Equally, if it is too advanced, then delegates will be equally, vocally, dissatisfied. Course design & style and team working (where delegates share knowledge) are major success factors. However, an early session, which challenges delegates' knowledge can help the tutor assess levels of knowledge and experience and from this, proactively, change the course.

PRACTICAL ISSUES

• DIRECT USE OF SIMULATION
• TEAM FORMATION
• COMPETITION
• LOGISTICS

DIRECT USE OF SIMULATION

Since little time can be budgeted for this activity, suitable simulations involve participants entering their decisions directly into the simulation. This means that teams can enter decisions and receive results independent of the other groups with the model simulating direct competition.

COMPETITION

Despite the model simulating competition teams will see themselves in competition. Where simulations are used in other ways it is generally to attempt to de-emphasise this. However, this is not necessary here. The "fun" and learning aspects of the session should be emphasised.

TEAM FORMATION

Without experience working with participants and before it has been possible to assess fully their knowledge and experience it is not possible to build balanced teams. This rarely causes problems and division on a "random" basis is acceptable. However, it is sensible to split executives from the same company and provide an even mix of genders and functional expertese in each team.

LOGISTICS

Instead of running the simulation with each team using a separate syndicate room it is attractive to run the simulation in one large room. This improves the tutor's ability to assess teams and individuals (having to move between syndicate rooms makes this difficult). If there are any problems with computer use this can be rectified quickly. Working one room allows comparative team results to be displayed on a central black board or flip chart, improving the process and learning. Finally, this form of working emphasises the integration of the group.

Most recent update: 20/07/03
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Phone & Fax +44 (0)20 7537 2982 E-mail jeremyhall@simulations.co.uk