Business Simulation Articles & Insights

Thoughts on commercial judgement, business simulation and experiential learning from over 30 years of developing and delivering simulations.

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Commercial Judgement
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School pupil sawing a piece of timber in a woodworking class, illustrating how experience develops judgement.

Why experience develops judgement better than information

Why do some lessons stay with us for life while others are quickly forgotten? Discover why experience develops judgement better than information, and what that means for commercial learning.

harveysykes

Jul 232 min read

Business simulation performance reports, financial analysis and handwritten notes used by a team to review commercial decisions.

How Business Simulations Develop Commercial Acumen

Business simulations compress years of commercially meaningful experience into hours, helping participants connect decisions with consequences and develop commercial acumen.

harveysykes

Jul 232 min read

Facilitator leading a business simulation performance review while participants analyse financial results and discuss commercial decisions.

What makes a good business simulation?

A good business simulation is more than software. Discover the principles that create commercially realistic experiences, meaningful decisions and lasting commercial judgement.

harveysykes

Jul 233 min read

Empty training room after a business simulation workshop with round tables, presentation screen and flipchart.

The worst feedback I've ever had

The worst feedback I've ever received became one of the best learning experiences I've ever designed. Why at times, participant satisfaction and meaningful learning aren't always the same thing.

harveysykes

Jul 192 min read

Skydiver standing at the open door of an aircraft preparing to jump into uncertainty.

Building a simulation feels just like playing one

Developing a bespoke simulation feels remarkably similar to taking part in one. Both involve uncertainty, judgement and making important decisions with imperfect information.

harveysykes

Jul 162 min read

Formula 2 engineers reviewing performance data to improve performance and decision making.

Good business simulations do two things well

Good business simulations don't replace teaching—they do something different. By combining realistic decisions with meaningful consequences, they create experiences that help people develop commercial judgement rather than simply acquire knowledge.

harveysykes

Jul 161 min read

Air traffic controller managing aircraft at night, representing commercial judgement and decision making.

Why Good Business Simulations Alternate Between Complexity and Simplicity

Good business simulations don't simplify business. They help participants make sense of its complexity. By alternating between immersive decision making and thoughtful reflection, understanding develops one cycle at a time.

harveysykes

Jul 162 min read

Employee packing personal belongings after a company acquisition while colleagues discuss integration plans in the background.

Information Explains, Experience Persuades

Information can explain a business issue, but experience creates emotional understanding. Discover why business simulations produce deeper learning than presentations alone.

harveysykes

Jul 152 min read

Flight crew making a difficult landing in a flight simulator, illustrating how realistic simulation accelerates experience and commercial judgement.

Why Experience Is Expensive – And How Business Simulations Accelerate Commercial Judgement

At school, I knew what tomorrow’s lessons were going to be. Wednesday morning might have been Shakespeare, Trigonometry and Oxbow Lakes. And then a test (or exam) would show to what extent I’d understood and could remember the knowledge I’d been given. In business, nobody tells you if there will be a lesson tomorrow, we just have to wait and see what happens. An important customer moves to a competitor, a project succeeds, an investment disappoints, or perhaps a difficult d

harveysykes

Jul 142 min read