Focus on fundamentals
Participants run a business in a competitive team environment — setting prices, monitoring cash flow, making operational improvements, and planning for growth and profit. They also learn to use financial statements as a tool for measuring results. This 4-hour workshop enhances everyone’s ability to communicate, implement and exercise initiative.
Stealth Learning
This simulation develops business acumen through stealth learning – people are so busy having fun in the game that they do not realize how much they are learning. The business finance learning is thorough and participants gain a big picture understanding of business, finance terminology, working with financial statements, the importance of cash flow, and more. All while playing a game! They learn because they want to win.
Owning the results
Participants make all the decisions about production, marketing, sales, and finance… and own all the results. And they bond with team mates as they collaborate in a challenging game environment. Everyone receives materials that reinforce the learning in the business simulation.
Learning Outcomes
In the 4-hour Income|Outcome business simulation, the goal is for each participant – whether a front line worker, a manager, or an executive – to grasp essential financial concepts and tools such as:
- Income statements and balance sheets
- The difference between cash and profit
- Fixed versus variable costs
- Using operating income to compare results to competitors
- The need to control working capital
- Standard metrics (operating income, net income, ROA)
- Your company’s specific financial metrics
- Investing, generating profits, and posting losses
- Maintaining financial statements
- Implementing change and measuring results
Course Outline
Introduction and Fundamentals
1 hour
Team competition
2.5 hours
Analysis of your company’s financial position
30 minutes
Overview and introduction by facilitator
Includes financial statements (how to read an income statement and balance sheet), finance terminology, discussion of cost structures, difference between cash and profit, and more.
Team competition
Team competition simulations consist of three business cycles in which teams have full decision-making power and are accountable for the business results.
In each cycle, the team-based companies develop and implement a business strategy which incorporates real-world dynamics: production capacity, customers, prices, and financing.
Each cycle includes competitor and market analysis; setting prices in a competitive market; monitoring cash flow; preparing an income statement and balance sheet; and posting, comparing, and discussing results.
Teams have opportunities to improve their companies with real world business solutions: expansion, quality initiatives, niche marketing, and more. Finance learning is wholly integrated within the simulation.
Focus on your company’s actual financial position
We turn to The Company Board®, a 3D visual representation of your corporate financial position or industry analysis. This module connects the learning from the classroom to the real world. The tie-back and discussion relate the simulation experience to your company’s concerns, measures, and goals.