1 Welcome to Capsim®
Capsim is a global leader in developing and delivering business simulations that prepare participants to run profitable businesses. We are used in 500 business schools and leading corporations worldwide. The Capsim Simulation Experience offers unforgettable business learning.
Each simulation teaches functional integration and business fundamentals, including:
Your participants have been introduced to Accounting and to Marketing. They have had a bit of Finance and Strategy. They have been taught about "the trees." Now it is time to understand "the forest."
The simulations show participants how to put the pieces together. They use what they've learned as the basis for the real objective - learning to run a business.
Participants must coordinate decisions across four primary functional areas:
The simulations are based in the electronic sensor industry, where each year customers demand smaller sensors with faster performance.
Sample business plans for Capstone and Foundation quickly introduce the range of strategic possibilities.
1.1.1 Foundation Business Simulation
Foundation is appropriate for first or second year college and high school business courses. It can also be used in MBA courses where time is limited.
Participants run a $40 million company for up to eight years.
Foundation companies operate in two market segments:
Participants begin the simulation with one product, and can develop a portfolio of up to five products. Optional Human Resource and TQM (Total Quality Management)/Sustainability modules are also available.
1.1.2 Capstone Business Simulation
Capstone is appropriate for third or fourth year college business and MBA courses.
Participants run a $100 million companies for up to eight years.
Capstone companies operate in five market segments:
Participants begin the simulation with five products and can develop a portfolio of up to eight products. Optional Advanced Marketing, Labor Negotiation, Human Resource and TQM (Total Quality Management)/Sustainability modules are also available.
1.1.3 Implementation
Generally, simulations begin with participants registering on the website. Next, they review the Getting Started area and the Rehearsal Tutorial, which is an individual exercise that demonstrates the decision making process.
Later, once teams are formed, participants use the Capstone or Foundation Spreadsheets to play practice rounds. In Tournament mode, participants compete against other participants. In Footrace mode, participants compete against a common set of computer run companies (see 2.3.2 Tournament or Footrace?).
At the conclusion of the Practice Rounds, the simulation is reset and the Competition Rounds begin.
6.1 Sample Nine Week Schedule and 6.2 Sample Fourteen Week Schedule illustrate two ways the simulations can be added to a course timeframe.
The Comp-XM Competency Exam can help supply the data needed for assurance of learning initiatives. In Comp-XM, each participant manages a simulated business over the course of four simulated years. During each year, participants can take a short exam with questions and answers tailored to their situation. A final wrap-up exam follows the fourth year.
The exams can be compared to snowflakes - each exam is different, yet each is the same:
Twice each year, Capsim sponsors the Capstone and Foundation Challenge. This allows participants to play and rank themselves against other participants around the world. For undergraduates, this is a great resume building opportunity.
All participants enrolled in undergraduate or graduate programs are eligible to participate in one Challenge, free of charge. The six teams with the highest Balanced Scorecard for Capstone and the six teams with the highest Balanced Scorecard for Foundation are invited to compete in the Finals (see 3.8.1 Balanced Scorecard).
In the Finals, the team with the highest Balanced Scorecard is declared the winner, and is listed in the Capsim Hall of Fame.
Capsim participants experience a rich, state-of-the-art educational program. Printed material, online material and the Rehearsal Tutorial teach participants how to run Capstone and Foundation. Capsim provides telephone support directly to participants Monday through Friday. The toll-free number for U.S. and Canadian callers is 877-477-8787; all others 1-847-501-2888. Questions about simulation rules, results, market conditions, tactical trade-offs and technical issues are fielded by courteous, knowledgeable, professional experts.
1.4.1 Requirements
To make decisions, participants need access to the Internet. Decisions can be made online with Web Spreadsheets.
We provide one-on-one training via telephone demos. We phone you at a mutually agreed time, and while you're on the Internet, we will guide you through the program and answer all your questions.
To set up a one-on-one demo from the U.S. or Canada, please call 877-477-8787; all others please call 1-847-501-2888. Or please email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .