WestFocus offers a variety of different approaches to Entrepreneurial Learning. These range from Training Courses and MasterClasses, to competitions and Games. The main Entrepreneurship web site has full details about all of these whether you're a student, an academic or a business. One of the newer offerings is the development of 'Games' as a means of learning basic business skills. A range of board games are under development, the first of which (MarketPlace) focuses on 'negotiation'.
MarketPlace
Students can now practice their business skills with MarketPlace, a new entrepreneurship learning game developed by the WestFocus Knowledge Exchange. Based on a real-life online restaurant reservation business, MarketPlace presents a new and exciting way of teaching negotiation skills at all levels. This board game focuses on key marketing concepts: features, benefits, needs and objectives.
Participants are divided into 2 groups. One group are the ‘sellers’; and the other group are the ‘purchasers’. The sellers then make their pitch, elicit needs and encounter objections from the purchasers. It usually takes around 30 to 45 minutes to play. MarketPlace has already been piloted successfully on intensive programmes and on curriculum modules for developing entrepreneurial skills. The game is very versatile and can be used in a variety of learning situations including entrepreneurship courses, marketing courses and professional development programmes.
The Apprentice Entrepreneur
WestFocus has developed a range of PC-based games designed to 'simulate' the creation and operating of a business in a fun way, using video gaming (Serious) technology.
E-Trader
E-Trader is the first in the ‘Apprentice Entrepreneur’ series of computer games simulate the setting up of a new business. The E-Trader has to establish and run an internet-based book selling business which involves creating a web site, and capturing demand, buying, holding and distributing stock, and taking decisions relating to managing working capital.
Additionally, an elevator pitch and a business plan can be created by the player as part of a learning portfolio. The game can be incorporated into academic modules, or act as a standalone learning vehicle.
DJ Life
DJ Life is about the setting up and running of a mobile DJ business for a year. Skills tested involve choosing the right marketing approach, negotiating gigs, purchasing the right music, and attracting and keeping the audience by superb mixing of the tracks. All the time keeping a close eye on the cash flow of your business. The better you become, the better the gigs offered, and the more money you make.
Over 50 specially commissioned music loops in 9 different ‘genres’, make this game ideal for budding DJ’s keen to show how good they really are.
