Business Simulations – Learning through experience

Learning in the corporate world is strongly driven by the objective of developing skills and applying them in the course of work. Skills are best developed by ‘doing’. In an ideal scenario, a learner should then find adequate opportunity and space to learn and practice on the work-floor. This however, is not a practical solution, as the repercussions of potential mistakes are too high and there is little space for error.

Simulations are re-creations of real-life environments, built with real-life situations that warrant a response from the learner. For many years now, they have been a tool for instruction in various industries including aviation and military services. With the advancement of e-learning technologies and methodologies, Simulation-based learning is now creating its niche in corporate learning as well.

Simulations can be built to impart learning for a number of varying functions- software based simulations for IT training, technical simulation for equipment or process training or simulated virtual worlds that teach by recreating work-places. Business simulations are yet another type of simulations that are fast gaining popularity among simulations-based e-learning courses. The reason behind the popularity of these simulations is that they can be created for diverse learner-groups with varying learning objectives – be it a sales-based training, customer service training or training on a business process. There are a number of benefits that can be derived from trainings based on business simulations.

• Practice makes perfect: Business simulations provide learners the perfect place to attain and practice skills before applying them at work. The practice sessions make sure that the learner is given enough opportunities to try out new skills, make mistakes and learn from them.
• There is no ‘wrong’ answer: Business simulations are built to provide multiple scenarios to the learner. The learner chooses the path by making choices and these choices lead him or her to a particular conclusion. The learner may take multiple turns on the same scenario, choosing different routes and aim to reach the same conclusion. Thus simulation closely mimics real life where there may not be just ONE right route to reach our destination. The learner experiences different scenarios and build his or her skills in dealing with them.
• Visual Impact: Business simulations built with rich media elements have a strong visual impact and the learner is drawn to the vibrant learning environment. 2D and 3D elements can also be introduced to breathe in life into the course, providing the learner with an immersive experience with ‘real’ people.
• Learner interactivity: Business Simulations can provide an interesting and learner-centric alternative to dry, dull or technical training. Business processes which are long drawn can be broken down into multiple modules and scenarios to attain learner interest. Learner can be motivated to interact more with the course through games, puzzles or quizzes.
• Morale and confidence boost: Simulations provide a judgment-free forum of learning where the learner can learn at his or her own pace. Mistakes are not frowned upon and the learner is give multiple chances to correct the mistakes made in past attempts. This is a powerful mode of building self-confidence and help learners move past their insecurities.

The benefits of Business Simulations in corporate learning are well established, but at the end of the day – it is a costly proposition. There is a larger cost associated with modeling and designing simulations, which can be a deterrent to enterprise-wide adoption of this mode of learning. There is however, a strong case to be made in favor of ROI of Business Simulation based trainings.

• Considerable time and moneys are lost in aligning new learners to their assigned roles within an organization. Even then, there is the risk of under-performance, which directly reflects on the profits. Business simulations provide risk reduction, by giving the learners a platform to learn and practice new skills.
• Business simulations are scalable and thus from a technology and investment perspective, they can be a sustainable proposition. Once the basic platform is built, changes can be made within existing simulations and new simulations can be added as and when required.

To conclude, there is much to be derived from simulation based trainings. In today’s competitive business environment, it successfully reaches out to the technology-savvy new-age learner and is a sustainable solution for the future of learning. To know more about business simulations to suit your learning needs, write to us at in**@gc**********.net