Course detail

Strategic Game - Strategic Business Development

FP-IBsgPAcad. year: 2020/2021

The course Strategic Game: Strategic Business Development is an entirely unique course, both in terms of content and form - students will be able to practice a range of marketing and business development management skills that they have gained during their current study and practice using the strategic marketplace "Live Market". Content is a top-of-the-line "wargame simulation" - a team-based simulation that focuses on developing a business, acquiring the necessary number of customers, market share, etc., and consequently achieving a significant company appreciation. From a formal point of view, students will certainly appreciate the highly e-learning form of study - a significant part of the work may take place at a time and place of student’s choice (but it will be necessary to agree clearly on the assignment of the roles and deadlines for the deadline for sending the decisions in each quarter).

Language of instruction

English

Number of ECTS credits

4

Mode of study

Not applicable.

Offered to foreign students

Of all faculties

Learning outcomes of the course unit

The specific goal of the simulation exercise is to develop your management skills by giving you an integrated perspective of the entire business operation. In terms of specifics, the exercise can:
• Develop strategic planning and execution skills within a rapidly changing environment.
• Crystallize the linkages between business decisions and financial performance.
• Instill a bottom line focus and the simultaneous need to deliver customer value.
• Internalize how important it is to use market data and competitive signals to adjust the strategic plan and more tightly focus business tactics.
• Promote better decision-making by helping you see how your decisions can affect the performance of others & organization as a whole.
• Facilitate learning of important business concepts, principles and ways of thinking.
• Experience the challenges and rewards of the entrepreneur by starting up and running a new business venture.
• Build confidence through knowledge and experience.

Prerequisites

International Marketing Course

Co-requisites

Not applicable.

Planned learning activities and teaching methods

The course is organized using high portion of e-learning with regular consulting meetings during the semester.
Team Effort
You will team up with three or four other students to form an entrepreneurial firm that will compete in a "business strategy game. As you tackle the simulation, you will take your fledgling business through the natural stages of business growth, including emergence, development, and maturity. Along the way, you will learn to develop and refine your strategies and tactics.
Required Software
The simulation that will be used in this course is entitled Advanced Strategic Corporate Management by Ernest R. Cadotte. It is available through Innovative Learning Solutions, Inc.

Assesment methods and criteria linked to learning outcomes

Performance of the team in the game - 50 %, Business Plan - 35 %, Final presentation - 7 %, Individual results - 8 %.
A Balanced Scorecard will be used to measure your firm’s performance. The team’s total business performance will be based upon its financial performance, market effectiveness, marketing performance, investments in the firm’s future, manufacturing productivity, asset management, human resource management, creation of wealth, and financial risk. A total score will be computed for each firm competing in the Marketplace Live.

Course curriculum

Week 1: Introduction to course and expectations
Team Formation Exercise - Resume Presentation
Week 2: Team Formation Exercise continued
Week 3: Executive Briefing with entire team
Submit Quarter 1 decisions
Week 4: Executive Briefing with entire team
Submit Quarter 2 decisions
Week 5: Executive Briefing with entire team
Submit Quarter 3 decisions
Week 6: Executive Briefing with entire team
Submit Quarter 4 decisions
Week 7: Work on Business Plan
Present draft of Tactical Plan and Pro Forma Financial Statements
Week 8: Business Plan presentations
Submit Quarter 5 decisions
Week 9: Executive Briefing with entire team
Submit Quarter 6 decisions
Week 10: Executive Briefing with entire team
Submit Quarter 7 decisions
Week 11: Executive Briefing with entire team
Submit Quarter 8 decisions
Week 12: Prepare Report to Board
Present Report to Board
Week 13: Summary of the course

Work placements

Not applicable.

Aims

The overall objective of this course is to develop the professional business skills. Through computer simulation, students will be placed into a very realistic international business setting where they will run a company for two years in compressed time (eight rounds of decision-making). They will work closely with a team of fellow students to manage a highly complex and integrated business. Personal leadership and strong interpersonal skills will be necessary to succeed.
Throughout the exercise, students will receive guidance and feedback from professional coaches. Their job is to challenge the business thinking and help students to become a good team player and business manager.

Specification of controlled education, way of implementation and compensation for absences

Not applicable.

Recommended optional programme components

Not applicable.

Prerequisites and corequisites

Not applicable.

Basic literature

JOHNSON, Gerry, Kevan SCHOLES a Richard WHITTINGTON. Exploring corporate strategy. 7th ed. New York: FT/Prentice Hall, 2005. ISBN 978-0273687344.
KOTLER, Philip a Kevin Lane KELLER. Marketing management. 14th ed. Upper Saddle River, N.J.: Prentice Hall, 2012. ISBN 978-0132102926.
MULLINS, John W. a Orville C. WALKER. Marketing management: a strategic decision-making approach. 8th ed. New York: McGraw-Hill, 2013. ISBN 978-0078028793.

Recommended reading

BRADY, D. L. Essentials of international marketing. Routledge, 2014. ISBN: 978-0-7656-2475-8.
KOTLER, Philip a Gary ARMSTRONG. Principles of marketing. Seventeenth edition. Hoboken: Pearson Higher Education, 2018. ISBN 978-0134492513.

Elearning

Classification of course in study plans

  • Programme MGR-IBM Master's 2 year of study, winter semester, compulsory

  • Programme MGR-Z Master's

    branch MGR-Z , 1 year of study, winter semester, elective

Type of course unit

 

Exercise

26 hod., compulsory

Teacher / Lecturer

Elearning