What's Involved?

A Typical ABW Tertiary Program

The tertiary institution set specific objectives for the week including:

• To integrate students with their peers
• To encourage students to question decisions; to become proactive rather than passive as they tend to be in the traditional classroom situation
• To apply theory to practice
• To foster team-work
• To encourage new friendships
• To make learning fun

Tasks involved:

• Form a company team of ten participants
• Review an 80 page ABW student manual covering key business areas
• Compete against other student companies within a computer simulated model economy
• Make up to 54 decisions each quarter on pricing and product strategies, finance and operations issues as well as
• staffing and training requirements
• Meet tight deadlines in finalising their decisions at the end of each simulated quarter
• Develop a marketing strategy for a new product, service or enhancement
• Make a mock up of the new product, service or enhancement and mount a trade display complete with promotional material and business cards
• Produce a 30 second video commercial featuring the new product, service or enhancement
• Prepare a written company report explaining the decisions made and outcomes of their company's performance
• Make an oral presentation of the company report to an audience of business people, teachers, students and parents

Events:

• Oscar Night

Staff organised an evening presentation of company reports and showing of videos. This was called 'Oscar Night - A celebration of Excellence'. This was a wonderful evening and illustrated the student's enthusiasm, commitment and nervousness as it all came together.

• Trade Display

Friday's 'Trade Display - Innovation and Production' and the 'Luncheon - Company of the Year Award' were greatly enjoyed by all who participated; a rewarding finale to a hectic week.

Evaluation

Students were enthusiastic and highly motivated from the outset. There was lengthy discussion about strategies and forecasts and their decisions became highly sophisticated as the week progressed. They enjoyed the competitive challenge and waited anxiously for the results of each quarter. Staff were impressed with the practical application of theory that the simulation encouraged and the students enjoyed the other aspects of the program greatly. The Trade Display was the highlight of the week for many as they set about selling their products to anyone who would listen.

A luncheon/barbecue was held on Day 5 when students and staff enjoyed and shared the week's experiences in a less formal environment.

Highlights of the Program

Enthusiasm of all involved; staff, students, guest speakers and visitors.

The making of new friends in an environment where this is often difficult - this was actually stated by one of the CEOs at the end of the presentation on the Thursday evening.

The 'Oscars night' and the 'Trade Display' were the event highlights of this program.