This class exists in these courses :
• ISTC > Master in Economics and Business - Specialisation in International Business and Economics Engineering > Semester 1 > 2,00 ECTS
• ISTC > Master in Economics and Business - Specialisation in International Business and Economics Engineering > Semester 2 > 2,00 ECTS

Prerequisites

The business game is for M2 students.
The essential prerequisites are:
- basic knowledge in accounting / management
- basic knowledge of strategy and marketing

Learning outcomes

The primary objective is to strengthen students' skills in business strategy and financial analysis. The module also aims to constitute a group work exercise.
- Develop a systemic approach to the company.
- Raise awareness of the multiple and complex interactions between the different strategic functions of a company: production, commercial marketing, human resources, finance and management control.
- Complete one's knowledge of business sciences.
- Anchor the acquired knowledge in management and financial analysis.

Students develop their monitoring dashboards, construct indicators and make predictions.
The game is based on a strong strategy and marketing component. Students perform a punctual audit of their structure and make strategic choices as and when the game unfolds (launching new products, expansion, industrialization choice, etc.).
- Work in a team and communicate.
UpStrat and the situations it creates favor group work through a decision-making exercise. From period to period, the team learns to structure itself in order to analyze the results and to think about the decisions to be taken in an efficient way.
Beyond the technical skills involved, the module will promote teamwork and highlight human phenomena within a group (role distribution, leadership, conflict management, etc.).

Course description

The session will perform 5 periods of play (5 years of the life of the company). The teams will start
at the beginning of year 1 and will make a total of 5 decisions.
Pedagogical progression:
DAY 1 (half day)
- presentation of the business game and objectives.
- study of the departure documents.
- Strategic thinking.
- simulation of the first period of play (year 1).
DAY 2
- Morning: simulation of 1 game period (year 2).
Challenge: provisional financing plan.
- Afternoon: simulation of 2 periods of play (years 3 and 4).
DAY 3
- Morning: simulation of 1 playing period (year 5).
oral presentation of teams (including preparation)

Class type

Class structure

Teaching methods

• Coaching
• Group work
• Interactive class
• Lecture
• Research
• Sharing experiences
• Simulation / Role play

Assessment

Teams will be assessed collectively, based on these three points:

- The company’s “overall” performance.
Each virtual company is rated based on a score that takes into account the most representative performance criteria (profitability, turnover, market share, etc.) The score also depends on the team’s administrative skills (cash flow management, maintaining an acceptable debt level).

- The quality of materials turned in during the game.
Several “challenges” are organised during the course. These assignments are marked and each team is debriefed.

- The quality of oral presentations.
The final oral presentation is a summary of results and a justification of future strategic choices. It is assessed based on recommendation consistency and analysis quality.