*** This is an Online Business Simulation Exercise delivered through our VirtualAC Platform. ***
This exercise is a parallel version of The Restructuring Challenge Express Analysis Exercise.
The Participant plays the role of an Area Sales Manager of a recently amalgamated healthcare company, Rivero Derma Pro. Due to the merger the Manager must reorganise their sales region. Written and graphical information is provided, including: product sales, potential competitor information, sales representatives’ performance and logistical considerations. The aim is to supply the Business Unit Director with a written report of how the objectives can be achieved.
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.
The Participant assumes the role of a Business Development Manager for BetterCare Pharmacy, a chain who are in the process of identifying a suitable location for one of their new pharmacy Stores. Detailed written information is provided about the town, transport, customers, past and future developments, as well as a detailed town plan, which shows the layout of the shops, roads, car parks, etc. The analysis is to be delivered in the form of a presentation, identifying which of six possible sites have been chosen, with full justification and detailing the reasons why the others have been rejected.
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 assumes the role of a Trainee Store Manager working for a major international retailer, EuroBargain, which has numerous hypermarkets across Europe. They are presented with a range of qualitative and quantitative information relating to past store performance and current retail trends and their task is to analyse the data in order to plan for the upcoming season. The Participant must make recommendations regarding products, staffing and profit in order to maximise one particular store’s market position.
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.
