The annual ATD (Association for Talent Development) conference is a highly anticipated event for
professionals in the training and development field. In addition to the diverse range of workshops and sessions, the expo floor is always one of the biggest highlights of the show, especially coming off the pandemic. While the show ran last year, this year was different. There was a buzz. There was energy. There was pent-up demand for new and innovative ways to learn in the new normal of work. It was back to the traditional size of nearly 10,000 people who were ready to explore.
As part of Advantexe’s presentation at our trade show booth, we hosted an engaging business simulation challenge for conference participants. The Advantexe Paws and Claws Simulation Challenge was a micro business simulation designed to be completed within 15 minutes. It allowed participants to experience the flexibility of our simulations while emphasizing the importance of developing business acumen skills.
In the simulation, participants assumed the role of CEO at Kingle Plush Toys. They were responsible for
formulating a strategy and making day-to-day operational decisions to execute the strategy including pricing, infrastructure investment, supply chain management, and marketing approaches. Despite its size, the simulation incorporated Advantexe's proprietary systems dynamic business model, a mathematical framework based on historical business data. This model represented the interdependencies and feedback loops within a business, focusing on understanding cause-and-effect relationships and long-term business behaviors. This approach is the best way to learn and retain new skills.
The Advantexe Paws and Claws Simulation Challenge served as a valuable platform for participants to enhance their business acumen skills. It exposed them to various business scenarios, allowing them to analyze data, interpret market trends, and make informed decisions. By navigating challenges and experiencing the consequences of their choices, participants developed a deeper understanding of business dynamics of different organizational functions.
We had over 100 competitors participate in the simulated exercise over the three days of the expo. The simulation yielded interesting data from participants including the following outcomes:
- Strategy Chosen: 67% of players opted for an innovative strategy, emphasizing the development of unique and superior products or services. Many participants believed that innovation was a key focus at the ATD conference and wanted their company to reflect that.
- Revenue Increase: 70% of players managed to increase their revenue year over year.
- Expense Reduction: Only 12% of players successfully decreased their expenses, indicating the difficulty of achieving their strategies without increasing costs.
- Focus on R&D: 93% of players who chose an innovation strategy increased their research and development (R&D) costs.
- Bankruptcy: 5% of players bankrupted their company, with the largest loss amounting to nearly $5,000,000. One participant admitted to lowering the price too much and failing to produce enough products, learning a valuable lesson in the process.
- Revenue vs. Profitability: The highest revenue increase was 35% year over year, but profitability significantly declined during the same period.
Summary
The Advantexe Paws and Claws Simulation Challenge held at the ATD conference was an exceptional opportunity for talent development professionals to experience the power of simulation and see how this type of learning experience can enhance business acumen and decision-making skills. There was a strong recognition that things are not going to go back to the old style of standard classroom learning and that shorter, virtual, and experiential simulation-centric workshops are going to be the way of the future.
Feedback from the simulation included:
- “This was so much fun, what a great exercise.”
- “I can’t wait to tell my boss about these simulations.”
- “I guess I am ready to be a CEO!”
