1. Lesson 2 - Introduction to SimVenture Evolution
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2. Summary of Lesson 1 In this module we covered the following areas:
How you’ll gain an increasing understanding of organisations, their management, the economy and the business environment
How you’ll prepare for and develop the knowledge and understanding needed in business and management or as an entrepreneur
How you’ll enhance a wide range of skills and attributes which will equip you to become effective global citizen
Summary of Lesson 1
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3. Start-up to SME Welcome to today’s module
This module is aimed at providing students with a practical understanding of setting up and managing small or medium sized enterprises the business simulation called SimVenture Evolution.
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4. Introduction to SimVenture Evolution
Overview of what we’re going to cover today:
Why we’re using SimVenture in this module
SMEs and employability skills
Guided tour of SimVenture Evolution
Logging in to your account
Use headphones| videos on-line
Quiz to assess your learning
Overview of what we’re going to cover today:
Why we’re using SimVenture in this module
SMEs and employability skills
Guided tour of SimVenture Evolution
Logging in to your account
Use headphones| videos on-line
Quiz to assess your learning
So let’s get started.
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5. Why are we using SimVenture Evolution?
We’re using the business simulation game SimVenture Evolution because it will give you all a practical understanding of setting up and managing small or medium sized enterprises and/or entrepreneurship.
You’ll gain knowledge and skills required to set up, run and plan the management of SMEs including the development of a business plan and form an introduction to the process of developing business ideas in a safe and engaging environment.
Even if you make dodgy decisions and crash the business, or go bust it doesn’t matter as long as you learn by your mistakes and take this knowledge and understanding out into the workplace with you.
As Richard Branson says “It’s never easy to set up any business, but it comes back to determination and drive and the love of what you do!” These qualities are what we are expecting from you in this module.
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6. What’s an SME UK Europe Chances are you’ll work for one
What’s a Micro Enterprise
For this program of studies you’ll be owning and operating a virtual SME
So, what is an SME in the UK?
The usual definition of small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) is any business with fewer than 250 employees.
There were 5.4 million SMEs in the UK in 2016, which was over 99% of all business.
[researchbriefings.files.parliament.uk/documents/SN06152/SN06152.pdf]
Micro-businesses are business with 0-9 employees.
What is an SME in Europe?
Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) represent 99% of all businesses in the EU. The definition of an SME is important for access to finance and EU support programmes targeted specifically at these enterprises.
Company category
Staff headcount
Turnover or
Balance sheet total
Medium-sized
< 250
≤ € 50 m
≤ € 43 m
Small
< 50
≤ € 10 m
Micro
< 10
≤ € 2 m
Read more here:
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7. What you’ll learn in the simulation
Broad concepts which span multiple business areas
Specific areas of business
Problems, issues & dilemmas
Business phases
Employability skills
Enterprise
Innovation
Entrepreneurship
You’ll learn all of areas of expertise via the SME you will be running virtually:
Broad Concepts which span multiple business Areas e.g.
You’ll have an increasing understanding of the organisation, it’s management, the economy and the business environment (QAA) – see Lesson 1.
You’ll also be able to understand Business objectives / information management / forecasting / analysing / planning / monitoring / and how to evaluate your company cash flow
Specific Areas of Business e.g. Marketing & Sales, Operations, Organisation, R & D, and Finance
This allows you to focus their attention on the key functions of a business.
Problems, Issues & Dilemmas e.g. complex situations involving multiple areas of the business. eg. speed to market. This allows you to see relationships, and Inter-dependencies. You will also prepare for and develop your business and management or entrepreneurial skills and capabilities (QAA)
Business Phases e.g. issues around particular periods in the life cycle of a business eg. start-up. This allows you to appreciate the life cycles involved in products, markets and businesses
You will also enhance a wide range of skills and attributes which will equip you to become effective global citizens (QAA) Employability Skills which will therefore be practiced using the simulation as a context include (QAA):
 People management: to include communications, team building, leadership and motivating others.
 Problem solving and critical analysis: analysing facts and circumstances to determine the cause of a problem and identifying and selecting appropriate solutions.
 Research: the ability to analyse and evaluate a range of business data, sources of information and appropriate methodologies, which includes the need for strong digital literacy, and to use that research for evidence-based decision-making.
 Commercial acumen: based on an awareness of the key drivers for business success, causes of failure and the importance of providing customer satisfaction and building customer loyalty.
 Innovation, creativity and enterprise: the ability to act entrepreneurially to generate, develop and communicate ideas, manage and exploit intellectual property, gain support, and deliver successful outcomes.
 Numeracy: the use of quantitative skills to manipulate data, evaluate, estimate and model business problems, functions and phenomena.
 Networking: an awareness of the interpersonal skills of effective listening, negotiating, persuasion and presentation and their use in generating business contacts.
 Enterprise, Innovation and Entrepreneurship skills
Please also review the other generic skills outlined in the QAA documentation you have read already in Lesson 1.

8. Employability Skills Self-management Team working
Business & customer awareness
Problem solving
Positive attitude
Communication & Literacy
Information technology
Numeracy
Along with the skills outlined by the QAA this program of studies also takes in the Chamber of British Industry’s (CBI) definition of employability skills which can be seen on this slide:
To help you to be more aware and to develop these skills you will be taking part in an evaluation of your skills both before and after the program. Part of your assessment will then reflect on the development of these skills.
We’re going to measure your skills before and after the module so that you can see your successes and add them to your CV.
Please read about the employability skills you’ll be practicing and think about which of those skills you have already and which you need to develop in preparation for the survey. Also, think about where you can evidence the development of these skills.
CBI definition of employability skills:
A positive attitude (readiness to take part, openness to new ideas and activities, desire to achieve) underpinning:
Self-management – readiness to accept responsibility, flexibility, time management, readiness to improve own performance
Team working – respecting others, co-operating, negotiating/ persuading, contributing to discussion.
Business and customer awareness- basic understanding of the key drivers for business success and the need to provide customer satisfaction.
Problem solving- analysing facts and circumstances and applying creative thinking to develop appropriate solutions.
Communication and literacy-application of literacy, ability to produce clear, structured written work and oral literacy, including listening and questioning.
Application of numeracy-manipulation of numbers, general mathematical awareness and its application in practical contexts.
Application of information technology-basic IT skills, including familiarity with word processing, spread sheets, file management and the use of internet search engines.
Read more here:
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9. + Experience Paid work Voluntary Live briefs Committees
What will you do?
You can also evidence your employability skills by doing paid work, voluntary activity, life briefs for local employers, or being part of a committee.
Employers like this and value these experiences when looking to employ people like you.
Please make the time to take any opportunity to get work experience.
It will be the best thing you ever do towards a long-term job and will set you apart from other applicants applying for the same job.
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10. Applying to SimVenture Evolution
You need to have both a wide range of employability skills and had some work experience of some kind to be successful in job applications.
Learners Students will be able to demonstrate and evidence employability skills and capabilities throughout SimVenture Evolution.
Applying to SimVenture Evolution
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11. Live training - Logging in
SimVenture Evolution
It’s now time to SIGN UP and log into your activity so that you can get started with understanding how the simulation works.
Go to:
Remember to use Chrome or Firefox NOT Internet Explorer because IE doesn’t work as well as Chrome or Firefox.
You will need to use the registration key that was sent to you by when you first registered for this program and follow the registration process on the next slide(s).
If you have already completed the registration process simply log into your account using your user name and password.
Live training - Logging in

12. Sign up instructions
Please sign up for our SimVenture User Group by accessing the following URL
Please use Chrome/Firefox BUT NOT Internet Explorer
Click ‘Sign Up’ (left hand box)

13. Access Code
Complete your details in the box: User Name: Something unique to you e.g. Amy123 [you have to make a note of this – there is no reminder function] First Name: See student card Last Name: See student card Your preferred address Password: your choice of password
Access Code: Copy and paste this access code: XXXX
Click SUBMIT
After clicking 'Submit' you will receive an asking you to confirm your registration [please do this within 24 hours of receiving the ].
After activation you will be able to access the simulation via the same URL by entering the User Name and Password you used in the Sign Up process and clicking 'Login'.

14. Logging in Go to: http://server.simventure.co.uk/SimVenture/
After activation you will be able to access the simulation via the same URL by entering the User Name and Password you used in the Sign Up process and clicking 'Login’.
Go to - don’t forget to add the last forward slash.
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15. Once you’re logged in you will see this screen called MAIN MENU.
Click into this box and you will see a section called GETTING STARTED – Give yourself a head start – get to know the essentials before you move on…

16. Watch the Walkthrough Videos1 2
View the
User essentials 3 4
Watch the walkthrough videos
To help you learn more about SimVenture Evolution, how it works and what it offers, we’ve prepared four short walkthrough videos.
To watch the films, simply click the 'Play' button to run each video, and use the expand icon to view in full screen mode if you prefer.
Watch the videos now.
Once the videos have been watched they will not appear on the dashboard again but can be found at or by going to the Dashboard-Main Menu-Help- show the welcome screen-and the walkthrough videos will be there to watch.
Also read the ‘User Essentials’ document which includes all the key points from the videos.
Then press BACK to access the MAIN MENU 5

17. Quiz
Please complete the quiz questions by going to this link X6TP6
QUIZ
Please complete the questions below to assess your learning. The quiz is part of your summative assessment to pass this study programme. You can access the survey here:
1. Basics (3:07)
Q. What does the company manufacture?
Q. How many departments does the company have?
Q. How often are business decisions made?
Q. How many years can the company be run for?
2. Navigation (4:01)
Name the 4 departments in the business
Q. What does the ‘I’ button do?
Q. Can you send and receive messages in the simulation
3. Workflow (3:52)
Q. What is the 3-stage workflow cycle in SimVenture Evolution
What does the briefing explain
Every decision you make has implications in two areas – what are they?
If the bar turns yellow what does it mean?
Q. What does it mean it the task bar turns red?
Q. Are borrowed workers 100% efficient?
4. Help & advice (2:05)
Q. Where you can access the videos in the simulation
Q. What does the document ‘user essentials’ contain

18. Summary In this module we have covered the following areas:
Why we’re using SimVenture in this module
SimVenture Evolution- Key Features
SMEs and employability skills
Guided tour of SimVenture Evolution
Logging in to your account
Use headphones| videos on-line
Please remember to complete all the quizzes to demonstrate what you’ve learned today.
The CBI skills you may have developed today are:
A positive attitude (readiness to take part, openness to new ideas and activities, desire to achieve)
Application of information technology-basic IT skills, including familiarity with word processing, spread sheets, file management and the use of internet search engines.
Summary
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