STEM SUSSEX

The Bradford Business Game

Aim

To develop skills for enterprise and employability.

Description

A business simulation activity designed to provide up to one hundred KS4 students with the opportunity to develop entrepreneurial skills by understanding how a manufacturing company works.

The day starts with teams being given a brief to set up a manufacturing company. Students then go through the process of setting up a company, work begins on producing a prototype booklet and accountants are trained to set up a bank account. Marketing managers are then briefed on opportunities to increase revenue and Managing Directors meet to discuss progress to date. Sales Managers continue to negotiate orders for the company. The teams then have to overcome industrial problems.

Finally Marketing Managers gain presentation skills ready for the afternoon when presentations are prepared and given by each company.

Curriculum links

Work Related Learning for KS4: Recognise, develop and apply their skills for enterprise and employability. Learn about the way business enterprises operate, working roles and conditions and rights and responsibilities in the workplace. Undertake tasks and activities set in work contexts. Learn from contact with personnel from different employment sectors. Engage with ideas, challenges and applications from the business world.

Promotes the following key skills:

• Communication
• Application of number
• IT
• Working with others
• Improving own learning and performance
• Problem solving

Planning and running the session

The school will need to organise students into teams, with teaching staff acting as buyers or bankers. Senior Management should be involved during the day. Some materials (white and coloured paper) will be required and refreshments for the business facilitator and Science and Engineering Ambassadors.

The Business Facilitator (a SETPOINT representative) will ensure students have read and understood the brief, keep students on track, encourage time management, stimulate their thinking and give assistance when required. They will also observe how teams work and feed this information back to them in readiness for the afternoon presentations.

The Buyers (teachers) will manage the contracts with the companies and ensure these are kept secure. They will be strict on timing, charge penalties for late delivery and influence the market by increasing the price or demanding higher quality. One buyer could be a ‘tough negotiator’, another a ‘soft touch’.

The Banker (teacher) will service 3/4 companies and keep their financial records. At the end of trading they will close the accounts and present details of total profits of the individual companies to the Game Manager.

Costs: £700 per day

To book

Please complete the booking form and return by email or fax.

Download booking form

 

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