Business strategy games give students practical learning experience in an immersive environment. Rather than simply reading about business theory, students take on the real challenges of building their own business.

Mais qu'est-ce qu'une simulation d'entreprise ? Et comment l'utiliser dans votre classe ? Nous allons explorer ces questions et bien plus encore pour vous faire découvrir une nouvelle façon d'enseigner.

Defining Business Simulations
Business Simulation Benefits
How Realistic Are Business Simulations?
Types of Business Simulations
Using a Business Simulation in Class
What Do Students Say About Business Simulations?
Explore Marketplace Simulations Catalog

Qu'est-ce qu'une simulation d'entreprise ?

A business simulation is an immersive learning experience that mimics a real business scenario. It tasks students with either starting a business or helping an existing business reach certain goals. As they work toward their goals, students make business decisions and experience consequences in a risk-free environment.

Players engage in most business simulations online, competing against classmates or computer opponents. Professors may have students work individually or as teams. The flexibility in game structure allows business simulations to work in a wide range of business courses.

Business simulations can focus on a variety of functions. For example, Marketplace Simulations has business games for entrepreneurship, marketing, supply chain management, societal impact management, and more. Each one presents students with challenges central to the business category.

In marketing simulations, students may analyze market research, design products, set pricing, or design an ad campaign. Supply chain simulations teach students how to project demand, manage production, and negotiate distribution contracts. Meanwhile, an entrepreneurship simulation will touch on much of the above—and more.

Quels sont les avantages des simulations d'entreprise ?

Les simulations d'entreprise présentent une longue liste d'avantages, notamment l'apprentissage par l'expérience, le développement du leadership, la rétention des connaissances, etc.

Experiential Learning. Business simulations bring theory to life. Students step into executive roles, implementing business strategies and adapting to real-time results.

Compréhension globale. Les simulations transversales montrent aux étudiants comment tous les domaines doivent travailler ensemble pour réussir. Les étudiants apprennent à envisager leurs décisions sous tous les angles.

Des étudiants impliqués. L'apprentissage devient une nécessité car les étudiants s'efforcent d'être plus malins que leurs camarades de classe. Les étudiants passent des heures à perfectionner leurs stratégies de simulation.

Responsible Decision-Making. Students strengthen their business acumen as they make strategic decisions. These choices will grow or diminish their market share, financial performance, and reputation.

Rétention des connaissances. Il est plus facile de se souvenir de la théorie des affaires lorsque l'on comprend comment elle fonctionne dans le monde réel. Les étudiants retiennent mieux lorsqu'ils appliquent activement ce que vous leur avez enseigné.

Développement du leadership. Les étudiants doivent travailler en équipe pour s’imposer sur leur marché. Ils apprennent à élaborer des stratégies, à communiquer et à diriger une entreprise de façon efficace, tout en empruntant le même chemin vers la réussite.

Discussions animées en classe. Jouer à une simulation d'entreprise en classe, c'est comme construire sa propre étude de cas. Les discussions en classe prennent une nouvelle importance, car les étudiants s'appuient sur leurs nouvelles expériences.

Learn more about why professors use business simulations.

Quel est le degré de réalisme des simulations d'entreprise ?

When it comes to realism, some business games offer more than others. The simplest games are designed less to educate and more to inspire. With that in mind, these games may include unrealistic features to enhance fun and help players get out of tight spots quickly.

À l'autre extrémité du spectre, les jeux d'entreprise sérieux sont très réalistes. Marketplace Simulations est un exemple parfait de cette catégorie. Ces jeux d'entreprise sont fondés sur la théorie des affaires, avec des scénarios réalistes, des modèles économiques et des réactions du marché.

These simulations can be just as fun as simple games, but they require a deeper level of effort. Students must understand key business principles and build management skills to succeed. Getting out of a tight spot requires assessing market opportunities and making wise strategic decisions.

One of the most realistic business simulations available is Marketplace’s International Corporate Management with Real-Time Economic Conditions. This management simulation game uses real exchange rates, economic conditions, and industry news. Students can also hedge and make speculative investments in response to real-life economic uncertainties.

Quels sont les types de simulations d'entreprise disponibles ?

Les jeux de simulation d'entreprise peuvent varier en fonction du format, du sujet, de la durée et du fait que les étudiants se mesurent ou non à un adversaire. D'un côté, les simulations d'entreprises complètes placent les étudiants à la tête de toute une entreprise. Elles durent entre deux heures et un semestre entier. À l'opposé, les microsimulations durent environ 20 minutes et se concentrent sur un concept commercial de base.

Chaque type de simulation d'entreprise a ses propres avantages. Lorsque vous choisissez une simulation, commencez par déterminer les objectifs et les besoins de vos classes, ainsi que le temps dont vous disposez.

Simulations d'entreprises compétitives

Nothing sparks learning like a little competition. Students play against each other or computer teams as they build a new business. These simulations provide a realistic learning experience, mimicking real-world market conditions.

Students may oversee a single department or play across functions to understand how all disciplines work together. Depending on the size of the class and its need, the game can be either an individual or a team-based exercise.

Explorer les simulations d'entreprises compétitives

Microsimulations

Les microsimulations permettent de dispenser un enseignement et une pratique à petite échelle, au moment opportun pour les étudiants. En se basant sur la science du micro-apprentissage, chaque jeu se concentre sur un concept commercial de base. Les étudiants jouent seuls et peuvent jouer autant de fois qu'ils le souhaitent. Chaque simulation ne prend que 10 à 25 minutes.

Explore Microsimulations

Comment utiliser une simulation d'entreprise en classe

There are many ways to incorporate a business simulation in a course. The method you choose will depend largely on your learning objectives.

Business simulations are most commonly assigned as out-of-class work. Instructors plan lectures and class discussions to complement the tasks students perform in the game. This strategy increases student engagement as they listen for theories and insights to help them in the simulation.

Other professors will use one class period as a lab. Students come to the class at their regularly scheduled time and work on the simulation. This lab time gives the instructor insight into how each team is working together. It also allows students to ask questions as they work. The instructor then uses the remaining class periods for standard teaching methods.

Read how one professor structured simulation coursework in his class.

Finally, some professors will implement a flipped classroom model. The professor provides instructional materials for the student to interact with outside of class. Students then bring their questions back into the class. Marketplace Microsimulations work well for this model. They offer focused teaching and practice on one business concept at a time. Students play the simulation and return to class ready to discuss the concept.

What do Students Say About Business Simulations?

A good simulation can be the highlight of a business course—or even a college career. Eager students become fully immersed as they practice business skills and compete against classmates.

Students Build New Skills

“This experience wasn’t just about winning,” says Bryce Fryman, a student at Florida International University. “It enriched my understanding of logistics strategy and underscored the power of teamwork in achieving collective success.”

The competitive nature of simulations requires students to think practically about business theory.

It’s not enough to know the right answer in theory. Students need to begin by asking the right questions and accurately assessing the situation. Then, they need to collaborate with teammates to plan and implement a successful strategy.

Students Learn Collaboration

Frances Garcia-Rodriguez was skeptical about the team aspect of business simulations.

“Having not had the best luck with school-related group projects in the past, I was apprehensive about the game’s outcome,” the Texas A&M International University student said.

Rodriguez was used to carrying the weight of freeloading classmates. To her surprise, that wasn’t an issue when her class played the Strategy and Business Policy Simulation.

The live competition made the game unpredictable. This meant that even the best students couldn’t guarantee success on their own. They needed every team member’s insights to win the game.

“With all of our efforts combined, … we were awarded first place and received a certificate of completion, both of which will be an added boost to our resumes,” Rodriguez said.

Simulations Boost Students’ Resumes

Ultimately, that resume boost is what many students value most about business simulation games. Business simulations allow participants to practice real skills and achieve real victories. They can then confidently talk to employers about these experiences.

Students gain specific examples of how they’ve applied business skills, learned from setbacks, and achieved victories. When they work as teams, they develop soft skills as a matter of course.

Even advanced students will find themselves developing new skills and fortifying core knowledge.

“Marketplace Simulations was one of the most helpful tools during my undergrad and graduate courses,” said Emily Thompson, a graduate from Bryan College. “Their products very much helped me prepare for life outside of college.”