The Federal Consortium for Virtual Worlds (FCVW) consists of members from government (federal, state & local, & international), academia, and corporate sectors. The Consortium supports individuals and organizations to improve government collaboration through the use of virtual worlds to enrich collaborative online experiences. It provides a venue to share best practices and lessons learned for the collaborative use of virtual worlds, address common challenges, and create structures to share resources. Communication channels include a email announcements list, wiki knowledge base, and events. For further information, contact FederalConsortiumVW@ndu.edu.

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Topics range from the general use of virtual worlds in the workplace to specific examples of applications for e-Learning, onboarding, sales training, collaboration, meetings, and more. 3D Training, Learning and Collaboration (3D TLC) brings all the major players together in Washington for two days of best practice insights and business networking. 3D TLC is attended by Fortune 1000 companies, startups, investors, media, and virtual worlds platforms and developers.

In running a business simulation during a recent session of Wharton's Executive Development Program, Todd Norris, CTO of Simulations International, noticed that participants were more conservative in their decisions than previous classes, reflecting the deepening economic crisis in the world outside.

"This was concerning. They underperformed on overall growth potential, mostly through self-limiting factors," says Norris. "They feared the market was not going to be there. Everyone has recession on their minds now, so they are approaching the simulation very differently."

Teams do poorly when they tend to do the same things, the same way, all the time. They need to think differently.
–Todd Norris, Chief Technology Officer, Simulations International; Leader, Executive Development Program simulations

There was one exception to this way of thinking, however, which demonstrates the power of a divergent strategy. One team in the class, noting that the rest of the industry was playing it safe, charted a course for aggressive growth. "They were wildly successful," Norris says. While a typical successful team in other sessions of the program might double shareholder value during the simulation, this team increased shareholder value by six times. "Their sales and distribution network were so good that they could scale the business at rates that other teams, which were very asset-focused, could not do." It was a graphic demonstration of how the mindsets that managers bring to their strategic challenges limit their ability to see opportunities.

Many Degrees of Freedom
During the Executive Development Program simulation, teams of managers represent different companies in a consumer technology business. Similar to the cell phone industry, the teams represent both equipment manufacturers and service providers. Participants design their business strategy, pricing, and products for different global markets, and then adjust their decisions round by round over a five-year period. "They have a lot of freedom to design the business," Norris says.

The simulation provides participants with extensive consumer information for various markets, including information on early and late adopters. Managers design a portfolio of product offerings with the right features and pricing for different segments. They need to think about moving from new product launch to mature products, managing the portfolio from early adopters to mass markets, moving from a niche product to one that will appeal to millions of people.

Growth in Arid Regions
The teams need to develop strategies for four stylized global regions: Arid (developing region), Turbulent (a large region that is war-torn, with high geopolitical risk), Thriving (technologically hungry, growing economy), and Stable (safe but small). Faculty members play government leaders for each of these regions so the teams can interact with governments.

The teams have to think creatively in markets such as the developing Arid region, where there is limited infrastructure. Cell phones, for example, have been very successful in areas such as Indian and African nations, but companies had to rethink their business models to achieve success. "In some of these regions, companies look a them and say there is no infrastructure there — assuming the infrastructure is someone else's problem to deal with," Norris says. "You have to start from square one with a plan. It challenges them to rethink their business models."

One team, for example, proposed building schools in the Arid region. "The idea is that more education will increase the number of middle-class consumers. The plan is to create the customers," Norris says. "They come up with such obviously bright solutions to problems, that we don't know why people don't do this in real life."

The simulation creates a platform for business model innovation. "In the broad sense of innovation, what they experience in a very real way is that you can reinvent a business model around completely different rules," Norris says.

A Sandbox for Strategy
The simulation, which is an integral part of the Executive Development Program, allows managers to quickly create strategy and see the effect of strategic decisions. "It is a learning laboratory, where they can take the concepts from the classroom and apply them dynamically," Norris says.

It provides an integrated view of business decisions. "How do strategy and marketing work together and with folks in the supply chain? The dynamic complexity of the business is greater than people think," Norris says.

While a simulation may seem like an academic exercise, the creative leaps have real applications when participants return to work. In some simulations Norris has worked on, participants have used the knowledge to land a big contract or repurpose their technology for a new market. "We know it has a powerful effect," Norris says.

And while the actual business environment may be less benign than the one in the simulation, Norris says the overall message to managers still holds: "Teams do poorly when they tend to do the same things, the same way, all the time. They need to think differently."

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By Rusty Weston

Corporate trainers have long sought to exploit the possibilities of computer based training—typically with mixed results. But a new class of immersive business simulations, based on a concept known as experiential learning, has drawn raves for its ability to impart knowledge in a way that holds participants' interest from start to finish. Driving the adoption of these training simulations is a shift in corporate IT learning: away from imparting individual technology skills and toward fostering team collaboration. "We're focusing on soft-skills areas, and traditionally those are areas where tech people have not been strong," says Clark Aldrich, a former Gartner analyst and author of Simulations and the Future of Learning (Pfeiffer, 2003).

These new training simulations combine audio, video and physical classroom instruction; some also use the Internet as an on-demand delivery platform. For CIOs new to the world of simulated training, the following five applications—some in the prototype stage, others currently in use—help point the way.

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Feb. 21, 2008 The VC/Angel Workshop, hosted by The George Washington University's Council of Entrepreneurial Tech Transfer and Commercialization at the Elliot School of International Affairs on February 21, two Entrepreneur SOLUTIONS companies, SimERM and Wade Enterprises, presented their business plans before angel investors, venture capitalists, serial entrepreneurs, economic development specialists and other experts.

Simulations International and Lemaire Consulting have formed a joint venture for ongoing development of SimERM, an interactive simulation tool for risk management scenarios. SimERM pairs simulated Strategic, Operational, Compliance and Reporting Enterprise Risk Management scenarios to provide innovative, thought provoking and highly engaging strategic learning for executive management.

Simulations International will create custom, interactive and industry relevant simulations which allow management to be better able to cope with changing internal, external and global factors that can ultimately result in a well governed, profitable company growing shareholder value. In its first pan-regional survey on corporate governance, McKinsey & Company found that a significant majority of shareholders were willing to pay a premium for well governed companies that varied from 17.9% to 27.6 percent. Improvements in corporate enterprise risk management will improve rating agency scoring and reduce the cost of capital.

The workshop, which attracted more than 100 people, included a panel on the recently released Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation and Angel Capital Education Foundation report, "Returns to Angel Investors in Groups" by Dr Robert Wiltbank of Willamete University and Dr. Warren Boeker of the University of Washington. The report claims that angel investors participating in organized angel groups achieved an average of a 27 percent internal rate of return on their investments. Views and opinions about the report's findings were discussed, as well as implications for the region's entrepreneurs and investors.

Following the panel discussion, 15 companies, including the two Entrepreneur SOLUTIONS companies, made presentations about their businesses and were offered the opportunity to discuss their companies one-on-one with investors at a networking reception.

Feb 28, 2008 – Simulations International, a global provider of consulting, simulations and emerging technologies for learning, announced today a strategic partnership with Sophia Associates to deliver custom talent management programs that incorporate leadership development, coaching and diversity with simulation for customers.

The partnership blends Simulations International's deep knowledge and experience using simulations and technology with Sophia Associates expertise in leadership, coaching and talent development methodologies to offer companies an innovative and engaging way to develop and train their employees.

"Leadership and talent development are the most critical issues that will drive changes in business over the next five years" said Lori Kavle, President and CEO of Simulations International. "We are very excited about our partnership with Sophia Associates. The depth and breadth of their programs and methodology for talent development is unmatched. The benefit to both of our customers is that we can now offer solutions that combine custom scenario-based simulations specific to the customer's issues and needs that create higher levels of engagement for participants to practice leadership and coaching skills in a workshop setting or in a stand-alone environment."

"Simulations offer risk-free, virtual environments that are highly engaging, intrinsically motivating, scalable and accessible to address a new generation of employees" said Alicia Rodriguez, President of Sophia Associates. "Employees are more tech-savvy than ever and they expect engaging and interactive programs for their continued learning and leadership development. By offering a combination of facilitation, coaching and custom computer-based simulations, we can support a high-impact learning environment for all levels of employees. Human touch and high technology are leveraged for the most sustainable talent development to create learning that is highly engaging with the added value of both real and virtual coaching and feedback."

About Simulations International, LLC Simulations International is a global company that works with corporations and government agencies that want to utilize simulations, emerging technologies, virtual worlds and gaming for an innovative approach to Corporate Strategy, Enterprise Risk Management, Business Acumen, Leadership, Sales Skills and Talent Development. Simulations International offers consulting services as well as design and development of programs for blended, simulated, mobile, social and virtual environments. By utilizing the best consultants, technologies and workshops, we help our clients drive change: From executives to employees to your customers, to build a more productive and profitable workplace. For more information, please visit http://simulationsintl.com.

About Sophia Associates Sophia Associates, Inc. is an international leadership development firm that provides executive coaching and customized on-demand learning services that awaken leadership within, strengthen executive performance levels, create opportunities for personal learning and develop high performing teams. For more information, please visit http://sophia-associates.com.

Simulations International, a provider of simulations, emerging technologies, gaming and virtual learning environments, announced today that Lori Kavle, President and CEO of Simulations International, will speak at the December 20th, 2007 Women In Technology's WITConnect Forum at the Mclean Hilton, in Mclean VA. Ms. Kavle will speak on "Business Avatars-Utilizing Simulations and Emerging Technology for Talent Development". Ms. Kavle will discuss the use of avatars and demonstrate several interactive simulations and technologies that offer risk-free, virtual environments that are highly engaging, intrinsically motivating, scalable and accessible to address a new generation of employees.

"Leadership and talent development is one of the most critical issues that will drive changes in business over the next five years" said Ms. Kavle. "Employees are more tech-savvy than ever and they expect engaging and interactive programs for their continued learning and leadership development. Avatars are a great way to engage the user." Ms. Kavle will discuss what Business Avatars are, and how they can be incorporated into workshops, simulations, gaming and emerging technologies to create a more highly skilled workforce. The goal is to provide WITConnect participants innovative options for training, leadership and talent management programs.

The WITConnect Forum takes place on Thursday, December 20, 2007 from 6:00 - 8:30pm at the Hilton McLean located at 7920 Jones Branch Drive, McLean, VA 22102. Please visit www.womenintechnology.org/calendar_day.asp?date=12/20/07 for more information on the exciting program.

About Simulations International, Inc.
Simulations International, LLC (SI) is a global company that works with corporations and government agencies that want to utilize simulations, emerging technologies, virtual worlds and gaming for an innovative approach to learning and IT. We deliver engaging programs for leadership, business acumen, talent development, customer service, overall skills and product training to help you leverage business performance and profitability. Simulations International offers consulting, design, development and implementation of programs for blended, simulated, mobile, virtual and social networking environments. By utilizing the best technologies and workshops, we help our clients drive change; From executives to managers to employees to your customers- to build a more productive and profitable workplace.

About Women in Technology
Women in Technology (WIT) is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to offering women involved in all levels of the technology industry a wide range of professional development and networking opportunities. One of the organization's main goals is to create a forum where women in technology can be recognized and promoted as role models. The organization's values are embodied in its tag line: Connect. Lead. Succeed. WIT was founded in 1994 and has nearly 1,000 members. For more information, please visit WIT's web site, www.womenintechnology.org.

For More Information, Contact:
Lori Kavle
Simulations International, LLC
(410) 268-7371
www.simulationsintl.com

Why? "Connecting with job seekers on sites they use regularly is more effective than traditional recruitment methods, especially with younger job seekers," says Dave Lefkow, CEO of talentspark, consulting firm that advises companies on the use of technology in recruitment.

In addition there is a PR element. Second Life, which is far less well-known than Facebook or MySpace, had 431,000 unique visitors in May, according to Web-tracking firm comScore. But the employers who have used it for recruitment have had significant benefit out of the buzz they've generated and it shows job hunters they are innovative.

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Virtual Worlds Management, the leading media company tracking the virtual worlds industry, has announced findings from a comprehensive study of accountable transactions that venture capital, technology and media firms have invested more than $1 billion dollars in 35 virtual worlds companies in the past 12 months, from October 2006 to October 2007.

Of the $1 billion, $196.8 Million was invested in 33 companies. Significant investors in the space include Redpoint Ventures, Charles River Ventures, Intel, and Rustic Canyon Partners. Media companies are also making sizable investments, including Disney, CBS, Time Warner, and GE/NBC Universal's Peacock Equity Fund. The remaining $810 million went to two acquisitions: Walt Disney's $700 million acquisition of Club Penguin and Intel's $110 million acquisition of 3D virtual worlds graphics technology company, Havok.

"Investors are not just venture capital firms, but also include major technology, media and entertainment companies," said Christopher Sherman, Executive Director of Virtual Worlds Management. "The amount of money invested in this period of time is staggering. We don't see any slowing in the market adoption of virtual worlds technologies and expect investment in the space to continue. In fact the market is growing significantly, with the rate of adoption of virtual worlds increasing as the technology matures and has more to offer both consumers and enterprise customers."

Investment spanned the entire virtual worlds value chain, including technology platform companies, virtual worlds developers, service providers and tools providers. Business models of the companies raising capital vary, ranging from advertising and subscriptions to virtual item sales, to enterprise software licensing, hosting and services.

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