Strategic Management Simulations

Strategic Management Simulations

Let your students practice the use of the tools of strategic management in an engaging business simulation. Students take leadership positions on the executive team of a simulated company. They develop and manage a business strategy and implement it across all functional areas of business. They learn to use performance-based management focused on the bottom line and customer value to succeed in a highly competitive business environment.

About this Category

Marketplace offers a variety of business simulations to complement strategic management courses. Our games in this category make a great capstone exercise for 3rd and 4th year undergraduates. Depth and breadth of content differs across the games to provide a good fit for various time frames, class concentrations, and apportionment in your course.  

Have your students compete amongst themselves in teams to leverage their competitive spirit and maximize engagement. Where available, use computer-generated competitors when administration and coordination of the teams must be as simple as possible, such as in very large classes.  

Choose from two storyline scenarios. Our newest edition features an exciting storyline that revolves around 3D printed bikes. 

Core Learning Content

Marketing Strategy

Develop, price, and promote a portfolio of brands using strategies based upon segment needs, market size, price points, competition, and ability to adapt.

Sales

Create global expansion strategy based on market potential, costs, and available resources.

Manufacturing

Project demand, schedule production, and invest in capacity expansions. Manage inventory, lost sales, and excess capacity.

Accounting/Finance

Review intermediate level financial statements, brand profitability reports, and industry financial ratios in order to manage operations, cash, and profits. Plan ahead with multi-period pro forma accounting. Work with capital structure with equity and loans options.

Human Resources

Create compensation packages, including employee benefits, and affect employee productivity.

Business Negotiations

Negotiate R&D license agreements.

Entrepreneurship

Start up and run a new venture. Students face new issues, decisions, and information as they naturally unfold over the life-cycle of a company/product. A pitch to outside investors can be added to further contribute to entrepreneurial insights.

Key Differences Between Strategic Management Simulations

Simulation
Strategic Management

Conscious Capitalism®¹

Strategy and Business Policy

Business Management

Integrated Business Management
Description Focuses on the development and management of business strategy across all functional areas and over time. Extensive use of the tools of management is required for success. Builds on Strategic Management with a focus on Conscious Capitalism. Students consider all of the firm’s stakeholders and deal with HR, ethical, environmental, and sustainability issues. Builds on Strategic Management with a focus on formal strategic planning. Templates are provided for strategic analysis, strategy specification, tactical execution, and real- time tactical control. Business Management includes all of the decisions of Advanced Strategic Marketing. Its differentiating feature is that these decisions are within the context of a full enterprise to break down the silo mentality. Students learn how marketing coordinates with all of the functions of a complete business by making financial and manufacturing decisions. Provides a deep understanding of the entire business enterprise in the global market. Students must deal with complex strategic and tactical issues across all functional areas. Success requires the use of a wide variety of business concepts and analytics.
Typical courses Capstone business courses Corporate governance, capstone, and entrepreneurship courses Capstone business courses with a strong strategic focus Capstone, integrative business courses
Educational level Third and fourth year undergraduates. Introductory courses at the master’s level are also viable.
Decision rounds 6 decision rounds of 1.5 to 2 hours 6 decision rounds of 2 to 3 hours 8 decision rounds of 2.5 to 3 hours 8 to 12 decision rounds of 3 to 3.5 hours
Class size Small to large classes Small to medium classes
Gameplay Compete against classmates or the computer Compete against classmates
Languages English*, Spanish, Portuguese-Br*, Chinese, French* English*, Spanish*, Portuguese-Br*, Polish, Korean, Russian English* English, Spanish, Portuguese, Polish English*, Polish

*Language available in Bike edition. ¹Created in cooperation with Conscious Capitalism® Inc.

Instructor Involvement

Student work is self-guided with an intuitive interface and built-in instruction — everything they need is at their fingertips. A balanced scorecard provides students with personalized performance feedback for self-improvement. As students progress through the game, business challenges arise, prompting class discussion and coaching opportunities. Time-saving presentation and syllabus templates are provided to help instructors devote time for coaching. Additional student exercises and assessments are available to further customize the simulation.


Ready to Experience Marketplace® Simulations?