Thinking about a group-based business simulation to develop leaders? The thoughtful design of a business simulation experience can dramatically increase its impact on learners' skills and, ultimately, business results.
We at Insight Experience believe that it is critical for today’s managers and leaders to balance the technical requirements of their jobs with the interpersonal and social demands that are required to lead others. Our simulations teach and reinforce the necessity of developing both hard skills (technical and business acumen) and soft skills (interpersonal and social in nature). Our simulations uniquely demonstrate the impact that these skills have on business results.
A team-based business simulation creates a rich environment for multiple levels of learning and is one of the few learning tools to challenge leaders to integrate their competencies across both analytical and interpersonal skills. Strategic leaders have both skill sets: They think creatively about business choices and can lead their organization to deliver results. To maximize your ROI from the use of a team-based business simulation, it is important to ensure that you are focusing the experience design and learning debriefs on both business decisions and leadership behaviors.
To be successful, it's critical for the learning experience to fit:
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Your organization.
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Your learners' needs.
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Your operating environments.
Developing Talent for Organizational Results: Training Tools from the Best in the Field, published in 2012, was edited by Elaine Biech, president and managing principal of Ebb Associates Inc. Biech shares the wisdom and practical advice of business leaders, who discuss best practices for increasing organizational effectiveness. In this informative book, Insight Experience contributes a chapter on maximizing your business simulation ROI.
Head to Amazon to order a copy of Elaine's book.
Amanda Young Hickman
Amanda Young Hickman has more than 20 years of experience advising and leading clients on the design and implementation of strategic change initiatives and leadership development experiences. She is an expert facilitator and a seasoned program designer who works in all phases of learning experience design and delivery. Amanda is a founding partner of Insight Experience and believes in the impact a leader has on an organization and its results.