I’m looking to beta-test an idea of mine for a set of online courses and “entrepreneurship games” aimed around business negotiation. Basically, the idea is that the various principles I would wish to communicate will be taught through a series of simulation games that will take place in a MSN-like chat-room.
Each game has two players: A Buyer and a Seller. A half hour prior to the game start, each player will be emailed a business scenario – each mail will contain general information mailed to both players, and specific information that only a particular player sees. For example, both players may receive the same retail price list for a list of products sold by the Seller’s company; the Buyer only may also be sent alternative suppliers’ price list, and the Seller only may be sent the cost price for each item. The players will each have a specific business goal to achieve, e.g. the Buyer must source items to build a computer at the lowest price, while the Seller must get rid of inventory at the best possible markup. After the half hour of preparation, the players will log-on to the chat room and negotiate online for up to a half hour to see what kind of deal they can broker. At the end of the session, both players will need to agree on the deal and email the details of the deal to the moderator for scoring.
If you are keen to be a beta-participant in the first game, please email me negotiations@dig-in.net – If I get at least 10 people willing to try the game, I will schedule a tournament and take the idea forward.
Participation in the beta games is free, though participants will need to have MSN Messenger installed on their machines. Participants will also need to agree to the fact that all entries in the chat room will be recorded for possible use as examples in the online course material. However, you will be given complete privacy: all chats will appear under a pseudonym, and we will not be distributing your email to any third-party (including other players), nor will we SPAM you with any product promotions. We will send you your score report on request.
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