Passive or automated learning
Because… it will limit engagement and reduce retention.
delete? Choosing the Best Business Acumen Simulation: Start Here-working-delete
Published Date
Why Simulations Matter—and How This Series Will Help You Choose the Right One
If you’re investing in business acumen training, the right simulation can deliver lasting business insight. The wrong one can be a waste of time, money, and credibility.
So why use a simulation at all? Why not just use books, lectures, or e-learning?
Because people learn by doing—and they learn even more with practice.
A business simulation gives them both, and it's all 'in context' so there is even more learning!
A good simulation offers a way to test ideas, experience outcomes, and refine decisions. This kind of active learning helps people internalize how the business works. It builds confidence. And it sticks.
Simulations let learners wrestle with complexity. They link cause and effect. They give participants a safe space to make decisions, learn from them, and try again. That kind of learning shows up later—in meetings, in budgets, in strategy sessions.
Business acumen can’t be memorized. It can be experienced.
What This Series Covers
This blog series is your guide to choosing the best business acumen simulation for your people, your culture, and your goals.
Across 12 core posts—plus bonus chapters on AI, ROI, and next steps—you’ll explore the design elements that matter most. Each chapter highlights one design pitfall to avoid and one principle to look for.
You’ll learn how to:
- Choose simulations that engage people through action—not just information
- Spot features that support big-picture thinking, financial fluency, and decision-making
- Recognize design traps that look impressive but hinder real learning
- Evaluate tradeoffs in scope, realism, scale, and AI integration
Whether you’re in L&D, HR, or the C-suite, this series will help you choose a simulation that delivers more than a good workshop. It delivers lasting business acumen.
Example Pairings to Watch For
These examples show how common pitfalls can be reframed into better practices. Use them as a quick reference when evaluating programs, partners, or approaches—so you can spot what to avoid, and what’s worth seeking out.
Truly experiential learning
Because… it uses hands-on, interactive methods to drive engagement and retention.
Start Where It Matters Most
If your goal is to build business acumen that leads to smarter decisions, better conversations, and measurable outcomes, this series is for you.
→ Start here: Passive vs. Experiential Learning →
You can also explore the full series, or download the key tools below.