Commercial Learning
As with any business simulation, part of the learning is achieved through playing the game - by enjoying successes and, perhaps more so, by overcoming challenges and setbacks. This learning is enhanced through working in a small team, sharing ideas and correcting misconceptions.
But unlike in many other business simulations, our one-day and two-day programmes feature a significant amount of facilitator-led instruction too. We have never taken the view that finance is a subject that can be learned by osmosis - it needs a bit of explanation! ​
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​Beyond the financial training, the simulation does allow participants the opportunity to enhance their business acumen, deepening their understanding of how businesses make (or lose) money. This​ 'commercial awareness' training, is brought out during the review of the simulation and draws on the activities of the pubs, either by reference to what they did (good and bad) or the pitfalls they managed to avoid. The review discusses the strategies, market positioning and key decisions of the teams, using graphs - first for the Black Horse and then overlaying the other pubs in turn. A second series of graphs shows how the pubs fared in each of the 'mini-contests' - sales growth, gross margin management, cost control and capital employed - and explains how their decisions produced these outcomes.
The checklist of commercial learning points which the facilitator draws out are encapsulated by the wise words of Chad - Little Chadwick's favourite barman. This document is provided to participants at the end of the course.
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