7 arguments to convince your principal to invest in industry business simulations

12 min read

Business and management lessons can be more engaging, effective and practical, but persuading the school administration to invest in industry business simulations is not always easy. Below are 7 arguments showing why this tool is an investment, not a cost: lessons become more interesting, and students gain skills that matter for their future careers. Together, they give teachers a clear case to bring to the administration.

1. Training with simulations supports competency development

During the training, teachers acquire practical skills for teaching business and management in a hands-on way. In a 3-hour workshop, they learn how to work with students both from the perspective of an instructor and as a participant in the simulation.

After the training, the school receives a certificate confirming the acquired skills. It also counts toward the teacher’s professional development, as evidence of continuous improvement of teaching competencies. Alongside the certificate, a digital micro-credential in the form of a badge is issued to formally recognise the skills gained.

2. The school gets access to the tool alongside the training

Knowledge from the training can be applied in practice straight away. With the training, the school receives 12 months of access to the industry business simulations at no additional cost. The number of industries and student access keys depends on the chosen training package.

3. Simulation training is affordable

The training is built around the need for practical business education, and the aim is for every school to be able to afford it. Even when the budget is limited, there are usually ways to make it work.

Typically, training with access to the simulations can be financed from the “teacher professional development” budget. Beyond the school’s own budget, there are additional funding opportunities, such as educational projects.

4. Teachers learn to use the tool and build future-ready skills

After the training, teachers can work confidently with simulations. Lessons built around industry business simulations develop the so-called 4C competencies: communication, critical thinking, collaboration and creativity. During the simulation, students:

manage virtual companies in groups (communication and collaboration)
make realistic business decisions, such as organising the company, purchasing equipment, hiring employees, sales, finance and marketing (creativity)
receive the results of their decisions after each round, analyse the outcomes and draw conclusions (critical thinking)

5. Lessons become more engaging and students more involved

The tips and training materials from the workshop serve as a ready-made blueprint for lessons, so teachers can start using simulations in class immediately. According to Dale’s Cone of Experience, the use of educational games can increase learning effectiveness from approximately 5-10% to 70-80%.

Simulations also make lessons more practical. Competition with peers motivates students to work actively, analyse their actions and adjust their strategies to become the best on the virtual market.

6. Teachers gain a tool for practical business and management learning

The simulations included in the training package give students a practical reflection of the theory taught by the teacher and can stand in for textbook content or additional exercises. Teachers can use students’ decisions in the simulation to explain concepts, and the results students achieve help in assigning grades. This saves time otherwise spent on correcting quizzes and preparing extra tasks.

Simulations can also be used in different ways, for example actively during lessons or as materials for students’ independent work at home.

7. Training with simulations helps promote the school

Every school whose teachers take part in the training receives the title “Innovator of Industry Entrepreneurship,” a plaque to display at the school and a ready-to-use media package. The modern educational tools in the package also increase the school’s appeal, enrich its educational offer and show a commitment to preparing students thoroughly for entering the job market.

Need more convincing arguments?

It’s natural to have doubts, which is why we’re happy to share more about the benefits of implementing simulations. Contact us to learn more.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does the teacher training for industry business simulations include?

A 3-hour workshop where teachers learn to work with students both as an instructor and as a participant in the simulation. The school then receives a certificate confirming the acquired skills, and teachers get a digital micro-credential in the form of a badge.

What access does the school get together with the training?

12 months of access to the industry business simulations at no additional cost. The number of industries and student access keys depends on the chosen training package.

How can a school finance the simulation training?

Typically from the “teacher professional development” budget. Additional funding is available through the school’s own budget and educational projects.

Which skills do lessons with simulations develop?

The 4C competencies: communication, critical thinking, collaboration and creativity. Students manage virtual companies in groups, make realistic business decisions and analyse the results of their choices after each round.

How do simulations save teachers time?

They can stand in for textbook content or additional exercises. Teachers use students’ decisions in the simulation to explain concepts, and the results help in assigning grades, which reduces time spent on correcting quizzes and preparing extra tasks.

How does the training help promote the school?

Every school whose teachers take part receives the title “Innovator of Industry Entrepreneurship,” a plaque to display at the school and a ready-to-use media package.