*** This is an Online Business Simulation Exercise delivered through our VirtualAC Platform.***
The Participant is asked to assume the role of an Administrative Assistant who has been called in to replace am employee who has suddenly been taken ill. The Participant is required to deal with a number of important issues such as the organisation of an international conference, the co-ordination of a selection interview schedule and various other general administrative matters. The Participant is required to act decisively, prioritise and display good planning and organising ability.
The Participant plays the part of an external Consultant asked to conduct a benchmark analysis of competitive standing in the marketplace for Seagrooves, a watch manufacturer. The Participant is presented with a range of numerical and textual data, including financial performance, market share, staff headcount, budget expenditure profiles, market locations and much more. Participants do not need any knowledge of benchmarking procedures in order to do this Exercise.
As a HR Officer in Bel-Smith Ltd, a pharmaceutical company, the Participant is required to analyse the results of an Employee Survey and Training Needs Analysis which have recently been conducted by an outside consultancy. In addition the Participant is provided with a report by the consultants recommending certain courses of action based on the results. The Participant is required to analyse all documentation and give a presentation on the suitability of the recommendations made, along with their own conclusions.
The Participant is required to act as a partner of Chemical Solutions Ltd, a small software house specialising in the design and installation of information systems for the chemical industry. The Company has been invited to tender for a number of contracts, but does not have the resources to undertake all of them. The task is to analyse the enclosed information, to prepare and deliver a presentation to the Management Committee on which contract option(s) to tender for.
This is a dual task exercise that has a focus on creativity. Task 1 requires the Participant to generate ideas to meet the needs of the brief. Task 2 provides more detailed information for the Participant to analyse and then recommend which ideas to pursue.
The Participant assumes the role of a Marketing Executive in a UK Nationwide Energy company, EnerGenius. They are responsible for developing ideas for an advertising campaign for a new range of renewable energy products. The Participant is provided with the information regarding their Company, competitor activity, internal stakeholders, consumer preferences and advertising channels. They must analyse this information, suggest creative ideas, arrive at well reasoned recommendations, outline an implementation plan and convey this information clearly to their manager, the Marketing Manager.
The Participant assumes the role of Programme Manager responsible for the Raising Ethnic Minority Achievement Programme (REMAP). REMAP deliver practical initiatives to help school pupils from ethnic minority groups to realise their potential and increase attainment levels. REMAP has been working with Local Authorities to pilot various initiatives to support these goals. The Participant is asked to analyse information relating to these initiatives and make recommendations as to which should be given funding for expansion into more schools. Information is both qualitative and quantitative, and includes REMAP aims and objectives, measured outcomes from the pilot, stakeholder comments, expansion costs and pupil attainment figures.
The Participant is asked to take on the role of a Project Manager within EsTeal plc, a multi-national organisation. They are presented with information relating to two projects and have been given limited resources with which to complete them. They are asked to analyse the information and write a report recommending a division of resources. Participants do not require any knowledge of Project Management in order to complete this Exercise.
The Participant assumes the role of Head of Energy for GEM plc, a British-based international retailer. The Board has expressed the desire to proceed with a new initiative to diversify into the lucrative Energy market. The New Business Department has been in negotiation with four Energy suppliers who have been shortlisted as potential commercial partners. The Participant is provided with a range of quantitative and qualitative data about these suppliers and the market place. He/she is expected to analyse these data, to make a clear recommendation on a commercial partner and to draft a business implementation plan.
The Participant assumes the role of Head of Development at Alpha Plastics, a global manufacturing company. Alpha Plastics is looking to expand into Asia in the coming year and there are two locations to choose between for a new site. The Participant’s role is to analyse the information collected to date and to recommend which site should be chosen and then resource the project. Information provided includes company details, Corporate Social Responsibility policies, industry trends and local area data. The Participant is also required to recommend a team to manage and deliver the project taking into account expertise, individual development needs and budget constraints.
An Express version of this exercise is now available.
Participants assume the role of a call centre Team Leader at First Line Finance, a financial services provider. They are presented with detailed information including the quality of the team members telephone calls, sales figures and future targets. Their task is to analyse the information and devise a plan for use as a brief at the next team meeting in order to increase the motivation and performance of their team.
