Simulating Organizational Reality

Cosmetica is more than just a business game - it's a comprehensive tool that can be used for multiple purposes in personnel selection and training.

The integration of a wide variety of different demands in the cognitive, emotional and interpersonal area allows for the development and diagnosis of multiple competencies that can be subsumed under the label of "competence for action".

Competence for action is not just domain-specific knowledge, but includes basic knowledge, skills and competencies in the cognitive, social and emotional domain, such as analytic thinking, planning, complex problem solving, stress management and teamwork.

Competence for action means putting one's knowledge, skills and abilities to effective use in a wide variety of problem situations.

The simulation

The simulation combines the advantages of conventional business games with complex problem-solving scenarios and assessment center elements.

Depending on the version of the game,

a single player (single player version)
a team of players (team version) or
several teams of players (multi-team version)

manage a computer-simulated company in the cosmetics business.

During the simulation, players

develop
design
produce and
sell products

Multiple role-played interactions and negotiations (e.g. negotiations with a supplier, the bank or interactions with the press) are embedded in the simulation, creating a high degree of realism and involvement for the players.

The simulation in action

One or several player-PC's enable the participants to act on the simulation by use of a simple-to-handle graphical user interface.

With computer-based actions, players can fix prices, production numbers, etc. directly on the screen.

Non computer-based actions such as product design, the analysis of financial data or negotiations with external interaction partners such as the bank or the supplier complement the simulation.

The game master software running on a separate PC acts as the central nerve station for the simulation and allows for multiple interventions by the game master.

A simulation game consists of a number of consecutive turns. Each turn corresponds to one month of real-time. The duration of the turns can be flexibly manipulated by the game master. After the completion of a turn, all player actions are collected on the game master PC. Based on the players' actions, the operating figures of the next turn are being calculated by complex mathematical algorithms.

Technical requirements

Microsoft Windows™ network

Cosmetica as a diagnosis tool

Levels of diagnosis:

"Hard facts" such as operating figures (turnover, company value, etc.) are combined to complex performance indices automatically calculated by the system. Indices such as system stabilization or system optimization can be used to reliably diagnose the complex problem solving competence of a single player or a team.

Observation of the players' behavior during the simulation by use of a set of predefined, behavior-based competencies allows for the reliable diagnosis of skills and abilities in the social, emotional and interpersonal domain.

Observation of the players' behavior in standardized situations (e.g. negotiation situation, conflict management situation) allows for the reliable diagnosis of specific skills and abilities such as negotiation or conflict management.

Cosmetica as a training tool

Nobody is born to be a perfect problem solver. However, competence in complex problem solving can be systematically enhanced.

Our training concept provides for a continuous alternation of playing stages and training stages, enabling participants to reflect their own actions, acquire new skills and strategies with the help of an experienced trainer and put these skills into action in the next playing stage.

The flexible architecture of the simulation (containing more than 2000 parameters and 60 critical incidents) allows for a customized design of individual scenarios. Thus, the simulation can be tailored to the needs of any training group.

The opportunity to reflect and learn from one's own actions and to experience complexity firsthand ensures that learning experiences are carried over into the participants' daily practice.

Training with Cosmetica provides a highly rewarding, unique learning experience that will have a lasting impact on the participants.


Home Advanced Hiring System Leadership Potential Center Cosmetica Case Studies Scientific Background The Company Downloads & Publications Please contact us at: 100 Lincoln Way East Suite 180 Massillon, Ohio 44646 Phone: 330.880.4888 Fax: 330.880.5029 info@scitrain.com	Simulating Organizational Reality Cosmetica is more than just a business game - it's a comprehensive tool that can be used for multiple purposes in personnel selection and training. The integration of a wide variety of different demands in the cognitive, emotional and interpersonal area allows for the development and diagnosis of multiple competencies that can be subsumed under the label of "competence for action". Competence for action is not just domain-specific knowledge, but includes basic knowledge, skills and competencies in the cognitive, social and emotional domain, such as analytic thinking, planning, complex problem solving, stress management and teamwork. Competence for action means putting one's knowledge, skills and abilities to effective use in a wide variety of problem situations. The simulation The simulation combines the advantages of conventional business games with complex problem-solving scenarios and assessment center elements. Depending on the version of the game, a single player (single player version) a team of players (team version) or several teams of players (multi-team version) manage a computer-simulated company in the cosmetics business. During the simulation, players develop design produce and sell products Multiple role-played interactions and negotiations (e.g. negotiations with a supplier, the bank or interactions with the press) are embedded in the simulation, creating a high degree of realism and involvement for the players. The simulation in action One or several player-PC's enable the participants to act on the simulation by use of a simple-to-handle graphical user interface. With computer-based actions, players can fix prices, production numbers, etc. directly on the screen. Non computer-based actions such as product design, the analysis of financial data or negotiations with external interaction partners such as the bank or the supplier complement the simulation. The game master software running on a separate PC acts as the central nerve station for the simulation and allows for multiple interventions by the game master. A simulation game consists of a number of consecutive turns. Each turn corresponds to one month of real-time. The duration of the turns can be flexibly manipulated by the game master. After the completion of a turn, all player actions are collected on the game master PC. Based on the players' actions, the operating figures of the next turn are being calculated by complex mathematical algorithms. Technical requirements Microsoft Windows™ network Cosmetica as a diagnosis tool Levels of diagnosis: "Hard facts" such as operating figures (turnover, company value, etc.) are combined to complex performance indices automatically calculated by the system. Indices such as system stabilization or system optimization can be used to reliably diagnose the complex problem solving competence of a single player or a team. Observation of the players' behavior during the simulation by use of a set of predefined, behavior-based competencies allows for the reliable diagnosis of skills and abilities in the social, emotional and interpersonal domain. Observation of the players' behavior in standardized situations (e.g. negotiation situation, conflict management situation) allows for the reliable diagnosis of specific skills and abilities such as negotiation or conflict management. Cosmetica as a training tool Nobody is born to be a perfect problem solver. However, competence in complex problem solving can be systematically enhanced. Our training concept provides for a continuous alternation of playing stages and training stages, enabling participants to reflect their own actions, acquire new skills and strategies with the help of an experienced trainer and put these skills into action in the next playing stage. The flexible architecture of the simulation (containing more than 2000 parameters and 60 critical incidents) allows for a customized design of individual scenarios. Thus, the simulation can be tailored to the needs of any training group. The opportunity to reflect and learn from one's own actions and to experience complexity firsthand ensures that learning experiences are carried over into the participants' daily practice. Training with Cosmetica provides a highly rewarding, unique learning experience that will have a lasting impact on the participants.