Linda Ferraro announced as 'Featured Professor'

April 19th, 2012 - Posted by Brendan Langen

In Capsim's Top 10 rankings, high performing business schools regularly appear top of the list - schools such as Notre Dame's Mendoza College of Business, University of California Berkeley's Haas School of Business, Southern Connecticut State University........yes, that's correct.

7.5% Above the Current Debt Interest Rate Buys a Lot of Books

April 16th, 2012 - Posted by Big Al

I'm going to tell you something about myself that might surprise you—I like to read. Doesn't matter to me if the book's on an eReader or a bound copy from the library, words are words. Now that I've mentioned this, it should not be a surprise that some of my favorite books are in the sub genre of financial crime!

The Capsim Challenge

March 30th, 2012 - Posted by Big Al

You know that I know the value of a buck, so I was at a loss for words when my assistant Roy asked "the Capsim Challenge, what's in it for them?"

Al Fillenwarth (Big Al) announced as 'Featured Professor'

March 21st, 2012 - Posted by Brendan Langen

Capsim Business Simulations are usually seen as a great way to emphasize competition in the classroom, but one professor has found a more laid-back approach much more effective.

I Was in Greece

February 24th, 2012 - Posted by Big Al

I've been in Greece. You've probably read about my success there, but you didn't see my name. Sometimes I like it that that way.

I'm not going to bore you with platitudes like "Tough Love" or "Bite the Bullet." The folks there had difficult choices. From my side of the table, the issue was clear. "Come to an agreement with us lenders or risk causing a collapse of the global economy. I don't need to tell you what that would do to olive oil exports."

Joel Goldhar announced as 'Featured Professor'

February 21st, 2012 - Posted by Wendy Guest

Joel Goldhar has been using Capsim to teach students about the real world of business for over 15 years. For Professor Goldhar, who teaches Operation and Technology Management for the Stuart Graduate School of Business at the Illinois Institute of Technology, the most important element of Capsim Business Simulations is how it provides real world business experience to students.

The Dilemma of Business Ethics

February 10th, 2012 - Posted by Kirsten Hansen

Previously, we introduced a framework that you can use to shape ethical discussions in your classroom. Today, we will talk about why these discussions are crucial for your students before they get into the corporate world.

Capsim Ethics Plug-in Process

February 2nd, 2012 - Posted by Kirsten Hansen

The following is a suggested template to guide your class discussion about the ethical issue or dilemma that will engage your students during the business simulation experience. Of course, you may provide your students with an alternative model to help shape your discussion in a different way.

Who should be Big Al?

January 24th, 2012 - Posted by Reda Chafai

For those of you who don't know, Big Al is the Capsim lender of last resort. When Capsim companies run out of money, Big Al arrives, with a checkbook and a smile, to write a check that covers the shortfall - at above market interest, of course!

It's time to put a face to the infamous name. We have created seven possible looks for Big Al, and we want his "clients" to make the final decision. Please take a look at the rough sketches below and vote for the one you like best.

Five Ways to Shape Ethical Decisions: Virtue Approach

January 24th, 2012 - Posted by Kirsten Hansen

We've already covered the Utilitarian, Rights, Fairness, and Common Good Approaches. Last but not least, the Virtue Approach.

Larry Chasteen announced as 'Featured Professor'

January 18th, 2012 - Posted by Brendan Langen

Imagine you must deliver a semester long MBA course - in one week. How would you rework your curriculum? As a strategy professor and Director of the Online MBA program at University of Texas at Dallas, Larry Chasteen, Ph.D. has faced this problem. Professor Chasteen found his solution in Capsim's Foundation business simulation.

So You Don't Believe in Big Al

January 17th, 2012 - Posted by Big Al

Now that the holidays have passed, I'd like to discuss something that's sticking in my craw. Seems there's a fair number of you who do not believe I exist. Like my red-suited friend, who shall remain nameless, but who tends to be discussed each year towards the end of December, I find myself the subject of much speculation and doubt.

Five Ways to Shape Ethical Decisions: Common Good Approach

January 16th, 2012 - Posted by Kirsten Hansen

The fourth of the five theories is the Common Good Approach. When debriefing an ethical dilemma, the Common Good Approach can be useful when the issue involves, or should involve, the overall picture or environment.

The Common Good Approach regards all individuals as part of a larger community.

Five Ways to Shape Ethical Decisions: Fairness Approach

January 10th, 2012 - Posted by Kirsten Hansen

We are in the middle of reviewing popular western ethical theories you can use to debrief a case or ethical dilemma in your class.

The Fairness Approach focuses on the fair and equitable distribution of good and harm, and/or the social benefits and social costs, across the spectrum of society.

Five Ways to Shape Ethical Decisions: Rights Approach

January 3rd, 2012 - Posted by Kirsten Hansen

Last time, we talked about the Utilitarian Approach to ethical decision-making. More generally, we are reviewing five theories that provide the ethical building blocks you can use in your classroom to debrief any ethical dilemma. Of course, every dilemma can be dissected using more than one approach, and thus, the end result or decision may be different depending on the road taken.

Five Ways to Shape Ethical Decisions: Utilitarian Approach

December 19th, 2011 - Posted by Kirsten Hansen

Last time, we talked about the significance of shaping an ethical character and mindset. This allowed us to segue into the various ethical approaches or theories that provide the ethical building blocks you can use in your classroom to debrief any ethical dilemma. Of course, every dilemma can be dissected using more than one approach, and thus, the end result or decision may be different depending on the road taken. Our first approach: Utilitarian.

If Only They Had Done The Ethics Plug-in

December 15th, 2011 - Posted by Big Al

You might remember reading about a brokerage company that filed for bankruptcy a few weeks ago. It was run by a dear friend of mine. Seems they had a cash shortfall of more than a billion American. My friend knows I routinely lend amounts in that range, so he gave me call. Now I like to think I'm discrete, but he and I are good friends—we both have healthy appetites for risk—so I'm sure he won't mind if I relate to you our conversations.

Sustaining an Ethical Frame of Mind

December 12th, 2011 - Posted by Kirsten Hansen

As we saw in last week's BP example, many questions can be raised after the fact, after a corporate and environmental disaster occurs. A series of small, even unrelated, decisions can culminate in "the perfect storm" of cumulative effect.

Gary May announced as 'Featured Professor'

December 9th, 2011 - Posted by Brendan Langen

Professor Gary May knows that teamwork is much more than just a word. For Gary and his students at Clayton State University in Georgia, it's a dynamic process.

"I use a three-part process for both my undergraduate and MBA classes to teach collaborative team skills within the context of the simulation," May says. The method provides students with a deeper understanding of team-building and the importance of each functional part of a team.

Why Should Educators Care About Teaching Business Ethics?

December 5th, 2011 - Posted by Kirsten Hansen

In the last few weeks, we've discussed some misconceptions of what ethics is based on Claire André and Manuel Velasquez's article, "What is Ethics?" Now, let's mull over the significance of ethics in your classroom. We will have a similar post in the following weeks that deals, essentially, with the question: why should we care that our students care?

What Ethics Is Not (Part Two)

November 28th, 2011 - Posted by Kirsten Hansen

We have already reviewed what ethics is, and last week we began discussing what ethics is not. Today, we will wrap up our discussion of what ethics is not.

What Ethics Is Not (Part One)

November 21st, 2011 - Posted by Kirsten Hansen

Last week, Capsim talked about what ethics is. Today, we will discuss what Ethics is not.

There is a natural tendency to overlay our wants, needs and beliefs on an ethical issue, only to obfuscate the facts and undermine an ethical line of reasoning. Claire André and Manuel Velasquez review these misconceptions in their article, "What is Ethics?" which contributes to the summary here.

Apprentice CEOs compete worldwide

November 15th, 2011 - Posted by Wendy Guest

Aspiring CEOs from more than 280 universities on five continents competed in the Capsim Challenge in November, with 12 teams qualifying for the 48 hour, high pressure business simulation playoffs last weekend.

Case Study Marries Simulation:
A Perfect Match for Teaching Business Ethics

November 15th, 2011 - Posted by Reda Chafai

Capsim Management Simulations has introduced the first interactive business simulation with 'plug-in' case studies to provide students with ethical decision-making experience in a competitive business context.

Introducing Ethics to Your Students: What Ethics Is

November 14th, 2011 - Posted by Kirsten Hansen

It is always easier in hindsight to see how we might have done things differently. So, how can ethical reasoning help us identify what our options might be before we act and evaluate which of those options might be the most appropriate course of action?

'Occupy' movement should show me more respect

November 11th, 2011 - Posted by Big Al

I'm a little miffed that not one of these "Occupy" movements has mentioned me. You know what I'm talking about, the tens of hundreds of protesters who have camped out near Wall Street in New York and other financial centers these past several weeks. The protesters are speaking out against what they call corporate greed, and what I call a reason to get up in the morning. Like yesterday, I lent one company, I think it was called Andrews, $280 Million at 18% interest—a legitimate transaction. You'd think the protesters would say something about me, they've got plenty to say about big banks and brokerage houses.

Teaching Ethics in an Ethically Challenged World

November 7th, 2011 - Posted by Kirsten Hansen

Welcome to the Ethics Connection! This series is dedicated to educators like yourself who teach business ethics in the classroom. It will lay out the ins and outs of business ethics every Friday for the next several months. We welcome your own thoughts and opinions as we attempt to create a discussion in business ethics for the academic community.

Derrick Walters announced as 'Featured Professor'

November 3rd, 2011 - Posted by Brendan Langen

Professors can deliver Capsim business simulations to their students in many different ways. One man who knows that is Professor Derrick Walters.

In Professor Walters' Adult Studies program, he faces a tough task - squeezing an 8 round Capsim simulation into a 6 week course. He first tried to run rounds in-class, but due to his course-work requirements, "In our situation, the approach was unacceptable."

What's the deal with Groupon?

October 13th, 2011 - Posted by Big Al

Big Al here. I've helped a lot of struggling companies through the years. I know the signs: bloated inventory, unfunded plant purchases, products that are sold for less than the cost of production. I can smell a client a mile off. So I was very surprised to read in the papers about Groupon, the Chicago-based company that was the darling of the Internet...

Capsim Challenge Announced

October 10th, 2011 - Posted by Reda Chafai

Twice each year, Capsim alumni square off in a battle to be the ultimate champion of the Capstone and Foundation business simulations. The two week challenge pits former users in a race to determine the best in the world. Students may compete alone or in a team to take the crown.

Professor Insights at Train the Trainer

October 3rd, 2011 - Posted by Wendy Guest

For professors pondering whether to attend an upcoming Capsim User Seminar, the words of someone like Dave Luvison of DeVry University may be of assistance.

"It's valuable to learn how other professors are teaching and to gain the experience of playing the simulation from a student's perspective," Luvison said. "It was foolish to not attend before."

Josephine Kershaw announced as 'Featured Professor'

September 27th, 2011 - Posted by Brendan Langen

Health Care Management classes may not immediately seem like a fit for Capsim business simulations, but University of Findlay in Ohio professor Josephine Kershaw Ph.D has found Capsim to be a linchpin for her course. "Using Capsim along with cases makes my class interactive by nature, which easily allows for improvement as students learn from their mistakes."

Janis Dietz announced as 'Featured Professor'

September 9th, 2011 - Posted by Wendy Guest

Professor Janis Dietz wants her business classes to be as close to real life as possible, so she sets performance goals for her students during each round of Capstone Business Simulation in her course. If they reach their targets - just as in the real world - they earn a bonus.

Capsim announces 2011/2012 product enhancements

September 2nd, 2011 - Posted by Brendan Langen

"I need help debriefing my class," is one of the most common requests Capsim receives from professors. Well, the wait is over. Because of your suggestions, Capsim has launched a Debrief Rubric Report as part of its 2012 product line. Now, no matter what the situation, you can still deliver a comprehensive debrief to your students.

Capsim's User Seminars prove to be effective

August 25th, 2011 - Posted by Wendy Guest

Stepping back into a student's shoes can be a great way to take a fresh look at teaching. For 18 professors across the globe, Capsim's August User Seminar in Chicago was an opportunity to do just that.

Capsim announces Ethics Plug-in

August 18th, 2011 - Posted by Reda Chafai

A newly minted MBA is asked, after a few weeks on her new job, to massage some figures on a sales report. Which path does she take? Refuse to comply with her manager's request, or run the risk of getting caught fudging numbers?