On-line simulations provide an opportunity to try a business in a realistic risk-free environment that includes competition, decision-making and problem-solving in an interactive environment.
One example is www.sim-u.com .
Learn Business Incorporated Blog
Online course ideas, simulations, business games and assessment tools for higher learning for business education and training. www.sim-u.com, learnbusiness.com, 1-877-819-SIMU
Thursday, December 16, 2010
ENTREPRNEURSHIP & MENTORING
1. Study by US Small Business Administration ranking-fostering entrepreneurial creativity and zeal: #1 Denmark, #2 CANADA, #3 U.S.
2.MicroMentor.org is a free on-line service that connects small-business owners with volunteer business mentors run by Mercy Corps, a non-profit humanitarian agency; currently 3,500 entrepreneurs and 2,600 business mentors are enrolled
2.MicroMentor.org is a free on-line service that connects small-business owners with volunteer business mentors run by Mercy Corps, a non-profit humanitarian agency; currently 3,500 entrepreneurs and 2,600 business mentors are enrolled
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
ENGAGE YOUR STUDENTS/TRAINEES WITH A SIM-U BUSINESS SIMULATION - www.sim-u.com
On-the-job or On-line Learning Delivery.
Learn Business Incorporated has just launched our upgraded VERSION 4.0 of on-line simulations on www.sim-u.com, an online multi-participant interactive simulation univerCITY program. They blend with regular and condensed textbooks and technical books supporting classroom, on-the-job and on-line courses.
Sim-U brings the classroom to life by using simulation in 8 different communities. Sim-U helps managers and trainees to learn how to collaborate with others, improve critical thinking, make decisions and solve problems. Courses run from 2-8 weeks in length with an investment of just 20 minutes a day. Sim-U is powerful and measures and assesses user progress (using a performance management tool that is available on-line to both the trainer/facilitator and to the manager/trainees) throughout the program. Try a demo of Sim-U (using desktop, laptop or smartphone) and discover how this innovative training tool can support classroom, on-the-job and manual course delivery needs (available in English, French, Punjabi and Hindi).
Sim-u.com Simulations:
EntrepreneurSIM (4 to 8 weeks in length) – Plan, build and run a business.
ManagerSIM (2 weeks in length) - Oversee all departments and guide the existing business to achieve profits. OR Managerial Team Sim with managers in 4 business departments coordinated by a General Manager.
MarketingSIM (2 weeks in length) - Plan create and manage marketing campaigns based on real products and services.
FinanceSIM (2 weeks in length) - Manage finances, pay bills, balance bank accounts and create budgets.
HumanResourcesSIM (2 weeks in length) Hire virtual workers from hundreds of resumes, schedule and interact.
Sim-U brings the classroom to life by using a simulation:
• Trainees employ an investment of just 20 minutes a day
• Simulations are browser based - no disks, downloads or annoying updates; works seamlessly on all hardware including: Desktop, Laptop, iPad, iPhone, Android Phone or other Smartphone!
• Users select one of 14 business types to run or manage including hospitality, retail, professional and medical services, export-import and more.
• Trainees chose their own location in 1 of 8 different communities with realistic demographics. on our Island OR
• We can create a private Island for your organization and your clients• Trainees can outfit or create business interiors and exteriors in a real-time 3D environment
• Our business coaches guide your trainees towards best business practices.
• Progress Performance Reports are generated daily (for trainees, trainer/facilitator, human resources/supervisor)
• Simulations are available in English, French, Punjabi and Hindi-additional languages can be added.
Sim-U simulations help your managers, trainees and clients to learn how to collaborate with others, improve critical thinking, make decisions and solve problems.
Contact andy@Sim-U.com, or call 1-877-819-SIMU to sign up today!
www.sim-u.com
www.golearnbusiness.com
Learn Business Incorporated has just launched our upgraded VERSION 4.0 of on-line simulations on www.sim-u.com, an online multi-participant interactive simulation univerCITY program. They blend with regular and condensed textbooks and technical books supporting classroom, on-the-job and on-line courses.
Sim-U brings the classroom to life by using simulation in 8 different communities. Sim-U helps managers and trainees to learn how to collaborate with others, improve critical thinking, make decisions and solve problems. Courses run from 2-8 weeks in length with an investment of just 20 minutes a day. Sim-U is powerful and measures and assesses user progress (using a performance management tool that is available on-line to both the trainer/facilitator and to the manager/trainees) throughout the program. Try a demo of Sim-U (using desktop, laptop or smartphone) and discover how this innovative training tool can support classroom, on-the-job and manual course delivery needs (available in English, French, Punjabi and Hindi).Sim-u.com Simulations:
EntrepreneurSIM (4 to 8 weeks in length) – Plan, build and run a business.
ManagerSIM (2 weeks in length) - Oversee all departments and guide the existing business to achieve profits. OR Managerial Team Sim with managers in 4 business departments coordinated by a General Manager.
MarketingSIM (2 weeks in length) - Plan create and manage marketing campaigns based on real products and services.
FinanceSIM (2 weeks in length) - Manage finances, pay bills, balance bank accounts and create budgets.
HumanResourcesSIM (2 weeks in length) Hire virtual workers from hundreds of resumes, schedule and interact.
Sim-U brings the classroom to life by using a simulation:
• Trainees employ an investment of just 20 minutes a day
• Simulations are browser based - no disks, downloads or annoying updates; works seamlessly on all hardware including: Desktop, Laptop, iPad, iPhone, Android Phone or other Smartphone!
• Users select one of 14 business types to run or manage including hospitality, retail, professional and medical services, export-import and more.
• Trainees chose their own location in 1 of 8 different communities with realistic demographics. on our Island OR
• We can create a private Island for your organization and your clients• Trainees can outfit or create business interiors and exteriors in a real-time 3D environment
• Our business coaches guide your trainees towards best business practices.
• Progress Performance Reports are generated daily (for trainees, trainer/facilitator, human resources/supervisor)
• Simulations are available in English, French, Punjabi and Hindi-additional languages can be added.
Sim-U simulations help your managers, trainees and clients to learn how to collaborate with others, improve critical thinking, make decisions and solve problems.
Contact andy@Sim-U.com, or call 1-877-819-SIMU to sign up today!
www.sim-u.com
www.golearnbusiness.com
Sunday, November 28, 2010
WHAT DO FACULTY SAY ABOUT SIMULATIONS
Teaching with Simulations
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Harvard Business Publishing asked a group of simulation authors questions about their experience using simulations (aka "sims") in the classroom. Their answers show that simulations challenge students to analyze available information and make critical decisions to solve a business challenge. While sometimes perceived as "video games," in fact, the best simulations allow students to experiment with ideas and outcomes and ultimately master the application of concepts to real situations.
What does a simulation do for student learning that other methods don't?
Playing a role, not just reading and analyzing. They make decisions and see the results of their decisions in the response of other players and the outcome of the sim. Simulations generate much more energy among students than traditional lectures or case discussions.
Prof. Ernst: With simulations, students can explore the impact of multiple decisions at the same time. Simulations also allow students to validate their common sense relative to a particular situation.
Prof. Shih: A simulation forces students to synthesize and integrate what they read and make actual decisions based on facts or data presented in the case. Simulations give students a temporal dimension, an opportunity to experience outcomes that change based on their inputs over time.
Prof. Roberto: Simulations provide one way to provide some variety in pedagogy. They also provide that rapid feedback on student decision-making which is so critical for their learning.
Prof. Casadesus-Masanell: It's fun for students. There's not much preparation on their side, and it breaks the routine of cases. A simulation allows students to be in their own skin and directly experiment with ideas. It's very different from a standard class.
Prof. Edmondson: A sim requires action, and decisions. Students are right in the mix, having an experience as opposed to reading about an experience. Team-based sims have the added value of getting students to deal with team dynamics-just like in real life.
How do students react to using simulations?
Prof. Austin: Students don't want to stop playing. They play very differently. Some crash ahead, make mistakes, run through a scenario many times quickly. Others move much more slowly, deliberately, thinking carefully, studying what happens.
Prof. Ernst: Students enjoy winning. A well designed simulation includes an element of competition that encourages them to strive and to impress their classmates (and the faculty) while learning!
Prof. Shih: Students have told me that sims force them to integrate and apply material that they have learned. The opportunity to try things-test a hypothesis and receive immediate feedback-gives the sim a dimension that you can't get from a case alone.
Prof. Casadesus-Masanell: When I first started using a sim, I did not imagine the energy it would bring to the class. I've taught with sims in MBA and Executive Education and with both, the level of discussion is different than with cases-people get much more emotionally involved and competitive-they get hooked and their understanding of the learning points increases.
What surprised you the most about using simulations in your classes?
Prof. Luerhman: I am most surprised by the breadth of students' experiences. The more students talk about what they did in the course of the sim and what they learned from playing it, the more it becomes clear that the experience is a little different for everyone.
Prof. Austin: The biggest surprise is that we tend to get tremendous amounts of learning even when the results are markedly different in various runs of the simulation.
Prof Ernst: I have been impressed by how much students enjoy using simulations. It is a clear venue to convey concepts in a very friendly environment. When followed by a good debriefing session the learning obtains a different meaning.
For faculty who haven't tried a sim-what one thing would you say to convince them to try one?
Prof. Edmondson: The students love it. It's hard to get them to stop talking about it, they want to do it over and over, and to share the experience. They have fun, it's engaging, they laugh, they're surprised. And it's memorable. It sticks.
Prof. Luerhman: Your students will thank you for trying it.
Prof. Austin: I'd say "Just wait until you hear the students' discussion after they've used the simulation." It's exhilarating, really, the issues the sim gives them access to. This is a really important point: The educational power is in the debrief. A sim is not the same thing as an online course. Rather, it's a way to get students talking about what you need to teach them.
Prof. Shih: Try it, play it on a demo account, and recognize that your comfort level will rise quickly with a little bit of experience. I have talked to a number of faculty users of Harvard Business Publishing sims, and I observe that once they took the plunge, they quickly saw the pedagogical value and their comfort level rose quickly.
Prof. Roberto: I believe that a good simulation offers opportunities for rich discussion and powerful learning even if the results don't work as predicted in the instruction's manual. I also believe that a diversity of outcomes represents one of the strengths of a good simulation.
www.sim-u.com
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Harvard Business Publishing asked a group of simulation authors questions about their experience using simulations (aka "sims") in the classroom. Their answers show that simulations challenge students to analyze available information and make critical decisions to solve a business challenge. While sometimes perceived as "video games," in fact, the best simulations allow students to experiment with ideas and outcomes and ultimately master the application of concepts to real situations.
What does a simulation do for student learning that other methods don't?
Playing a role, not just reading and analyzing. They make decisions and see the results of their decisions in the response of other players and the outcome of the sim. Simulations generate much more energy among students than traditional lectures or case discussions.
Prof. Ernst: With simulations, students can explore the impact of multiple decisions at the same time. Simulations also allow students to validate their common sense relative to a particular situation.
Prof. Shih: A simulation forces students to synthesize and integrate what they read and make actual decisions based on facts or data presented in the case. Simulations give students a temporal dimension, an opportunity to experience outcomes that change based on their inputs over time.
Prof. Roberto: Simulations provide one way to provide some variety in pedagogy. They also provide that rapid feedback on student decision-making which is so critical for their learning.
Prof. Casadesus-Masanell: It's fun for students. There's not much preparation on their side, and it breaks the routine of cases. A simulation allows students to be in their own skin and directly experiment with ideas. It's very different from a standard class.
Prof. Edmondson: A sim requires action, and decisions. Students are right in the mix, having an experience as opposed to reading about an experience. Team-based sims have the added value of getting students to deal with team dynamics-just like in real life.
How do students react to using simulations?
Prof. Austin: Students don't want to stop playing. They play very differently. Some crash ahead, make mistakes, run through a scenario many times quickly. Others move much more slowly, deliberately, thinking carefully, studying what happens.
Prof. Ernst: Students enjoy winning. A well designed simulation includes an element of competition that encourages them to strive and to impress their classmates (and the faculty) while learning!
Prof. Shih: Students have told me that sims force them to integrate and apply material that they have learned. The opportunity to try things-test a hypothesis and receive immediate feedback-gives the sim a dimension that you can't get from a case alone.
Prof. Casadesus-Masanell: When I first started using a sim, I did not imagine the energy it would bring to the class. I've taught with sims in MBA and Executive Education and with both, the level of discussion is different than with cases-people get much more emotionally involved and competitive-they get hooked and their understanding of the learning points increases.
What surprised you the most about using simulations in your classes?
Prof. Luerhman: I am most surprised by the breadth of students' experiences. The more students talk about what they did in the course of the sim and what they learned from playing it, the more it becomes clear that the experience is a little different for everyone.
Prof. Austin: The biggest surprise is that we tend to get tremendous amounts of learning even when the results are markedly different in various runs of the simulation.
Prof Ernst: I have been impressed by how much students enjoy using simulations. It is a clear venue to convey concepts in a very friendly environment. When followed by a good debriefing session the learning obtains a different meaning.
For faculty who haven't tried a sim-what one thing would you say to convince them to try one?
Prof. Edmondson: The students love it. It's hard to get them to stop talking about it, they want to do it over and over, and to share the experience. They have fun, it's engaging, they laugh, they're surprised. And it's memorable. It sticks.
Prof. Luerhman: Your students will thank you for trying it.
Prof. Austin: I'd say "Just wait until you hear the students' discussion after they've used the simulation." It's exhilarating, really, the issues the sim gives them access to. This is a really important point: The educational power is in the debrief. A sim is not the same thing as an online course. Rather, it's a way to get students talking about what you need to teach them.
Prof. Shih: Try it, play it on a demo account, and recognize that your comfort level will rise quickly with a little bit of experience. I have talked to a number of faculty users of Harvard Business Publishing sims, and I observe that once they took the plunge, they quickly saw the pedagogical value and their comfort level rose quickly.
Prof. Roberto: I believe that a good simulation offers opportunities for rich discussion and powerful learning even if the results don't work as predicted in the instruction's manual. I also believe that a diversity of outcomes represents one of the strengths of a good simulation.
www.sim-u.com
Sunday, October 31, 2010
SOCIAL ENTERPRISE etc.
Entrepreneurship, ecopreneurship and social entrepreneurship can be employed to help communities:
(1) create jobs
(2) build a green sustainability community with pride
(3) create tax revenues to improve community services
(4) create social enterprises to train unemployed and underemployed and support those who want to be self-employed.
We would like input and suggestions and commentary to develop chapter projects to establish this model.
(1) create jobs
(2) build a green sustainability community with pride
(3) create tax revenues to improve community services
(4) create social enterprises to train unemployed and underemployed and support those who want to be self-employed.
We would like input and suggestions and commentary to develop chapter projects to establish this model.
Saturday, October 30, 2010
BUSINESS PLANNING
Business planning is a challenging and time consuming effort by small, medium and large businesses. One of the most important benefits is getting ideas down on paper. Research and review of competing organizations around the world can provide good information. Some people use R&D (research & development) while others use rob and duplicate best ideas.
One recommended one page business plan has the following sections:
Vision-where do we want to be in five years
Mission-1 line description of the purpose of the business
5 Objectives-1 line measureable objectives such as revenue, profit, # of customers; for the first 2 years
5 Strategies-how will the objectives be achieved i.e. what 1 line description of methods
5 Plans-tasks to be performed to exectue strategies to include a completion date
Such an approach could be used ina simulated business such as available in www.sim-u.com
One recommended one page business plan has the following sections:
Vision-where do we want to be in five years
Mission-1 line description of the purpose of the business
5 Objectives-1 line measureable objectives such as revenue, profit, # of customers; for the first 2 years
5 Strategies-how will the objectives be achieved i.e. what 1 line description of methods
5 Plans-tasks to be performed to exectue strategies to include a completion date
Such an approach could be used ina simulated business such as available in www.sim-u.com
INTERESTING FACTS
A TD Small Business Index
-62% of Canadian small business owners describe themselves as very happy
-1% very unhappy
-why happy-97% owning gives a sense of pride & accomplishment
-where happiest-Calgary, Montreal, Ottawa, Toronto, Vancouver
Restaurants in Canada
-36,390 full service restaurants with 64% independent brands; over 1 million employees plus 210,000 as product and service providers
-62% of Canadian small business owners describe themselves as very happy
-1% very unhappy
-why happy-97% owning gives a sense of pride & accomplishment
-where happiest-Calgary, Montreal, Ottawa, Toronto, Vancouver
Restaurants in Canada
-36,390 full service restaurants with 64% independent brands; over 1 million employees plus 210,000 as product and service providers
Monday, October 25, 2010
Learn Business Incorporated Blog: VOLUNTEER BUSINESS ADVISORY BOARD
Learn Business Incorporated Blog: VOLUNTEER BUSINESS ADVISORY BOARD: "ALL micro and small businesses and social enterprises must establish a BUSINESS ADVISORY BOARD. Benefits to business owner-free advice, sale..."
Friday, October 22, 2010
Past and current users of our simulations...
Been very busy helping to improve all of Learn Business Inc's products, as well as improving the Sim-U website.
We will be having some exciting new things happening for Sim-U as we completely finalize how we want it to look for you!
Just attended the SOHO SME conference in the Toronto area this week, met some great contacts there. We will also be attending the SOHO SME conference in Ottawa next week (OCT 29), so hopefully we will see you there.
We would like to thank all of the past and current users of our simulations...
University of Toronto Rotman School of Management
Niagara College
Seneca College
University of Delhi
Jindal School of Hotel Management
Centennial College
Don Cherry's Sports Grill
Humber College
George Brown College
Mohawk College
And more!
For a complete list click here
We will be having some exciting new things happening for Sim-U as we completely finalize how we want it to look for you!
Just attended the SOHO SME conference in the Toronto area this week, met some great contacts there. We will also be attending the SOHO SME conference in Ottawa next week (OCT 29), so hopefully we will see you there.
We would like to thank all of the past and current users of our simulations...
University of Toronto Rotman School of Management
Niagara College
Seneca College
University of Delhi
Jindal School of Hotel Management
Centennial College
Don Cherry's Sports Grill
Humber College
George Brown College
Mohawk College
And more!
For a complete list click here
Friday, October 8, 2010
Sim-U is now open to the public.....
The day is finally here.
Sim-U - the business simulation website for Learn Business INC. is up and running.
When you are free, feel free to look over the site. www.sim-u.com
If you have any questions, would like a demo, or a webinar, feel free to send us an email to andy@sim-u.com.
Sunday, June 20, 2010
ECOPRENEURISM
GREEN and SUSTAINABILITY are beneficial as a uniqueness and competitive advantage. A 2007 report by Environics Research Group for Bullfrog Power, Canada's 1005 green electricity provider, indicated "2/3 of Canadian consumers are likely to switch their spending to support companies that have demonstrated a commitment to green policies".
Products, services, suppliers are available that can contribute, not just in terms of social responsibility, but driving profit to the bottom line. The added benefit is contribution to brand name and image.
Products, services, suppliers are available that can contribute, not just in terms of social responsibility, but driving profit to the bottom line. The added benefit is contribution to brand name and image.
Saturday, June 12, 2010
EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING
Students and trainees learn more by DOING than hearing and seeing!
"Studies show we retain under 20% of what we see or hear alone, and 50% of what we both see and hear but up to 80% of what we interact with."
Using simulations, on-line learning and business experiential applications, supports blended hybrid learning in a mixed mode experiential environment.
Learn Business, http://www.golearnbusiness.com/ , has some of those tools, and is looking for partners who have additional approaches and methods or partners who would like customized tools.
"Studies show we retain under 20% of what we see or hear alone, and 50% of what we both see and hear but up to 80% of what we interact with."
Using simulations, on-line learning and business experiential applications, supports blended hybrid learning in a mixed mode experiential environment.
Learn Business, http://www.golearnbusiness.com/ , has some of those tools, and is looking for partners who have additional approaches and methods or partners who would like customized tools.
Friday, June 11, 2010
VOLUNTEER BUSINESS ADVISORY BOARD
ALL micro and small businesses and social enterprises must establish a BUSINESS ADVISORY BOARD.
Benefits to business owner-free advice, sales leads/referrals, credibility (names on web site/brochure)
Benefits to advisor-networking with other advisors to get leads/referrals, free advertising on company site, letter from company to boss saying positive involvement, add to resume-community involvement, learn something, social involvement
Process:
1. Identify needs for business-e.g. marketing, sales, financial, technology, knowledge re product/service
2. Recruit and have them sign a confidentiality/non-compete document
3. Have them agree to a once a month meeting for 1/2 hours-in-person or on-line or skype; plus 2 e-mails and 2 phone calls
4. Conduct monthly meeting with 1-2 items such as new product/service, marketing plan, problem, opportunity
NO one person has the knowledge and skills to manage ALL aspects of a business. A business advisory board (preferably volunteer)can provide professional advice and support to grow the business.
Based on your needs, more than one board should be established.
Benefits to business owner-free advice, sales leads/referrals, credibility (names on web site/brochure)
Benefits to advisor-networking with other advisors to get leads/referrals, free advertising on company site, letter from company to boss saying positive involvement, add to resume-community involvement, learn something, social involvement
Process:
1. Identify needs for business-e.g. marketing, sales, financial, technology, knowledge re product/service
2. Recruit and have them sign a confidentiality/non-compete document
3. Have them agree to a once a month meeting for 1/2 hours-in-person or on-line or skype; plus 2 e-mails and 2 phone calls
4. Conduct monthly meeting with 1-2 items such as new product/service, marketing plan, problem, opportunity
NO one person has the knowledge and skills to manage ALL aspects of a business. A business advisory board (preferably volunteer)can provide professional advice and support to grow the business.
Based on your needs, more than one board should be established.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)