GLO-BUS is a business strategy simulation game that mirrors the real-world character of the digital camera industry. In this game, companies produce entry-level and upscale, multi-featured cameras in a Taiwan assembly facility. The assembly process is designed to be as efficient as possible, with no finished goods inventories and all parts and components delivered just-in-time. One of the key aspects of the game is compensation and facilities management. Company co-managers have the power to make decisions that impact production costs, including adjusting worker compensation and spending on worker training. They can also choose to assemble cameras in-house or outsource production to contractors. These decisions have a direct impact on the company's financial performance, including earnings per share, return on equity investment, and stock price appreciation.
What You'll Learn
Invest in good lighting for productivity
Lighting is an important factor in the workplace that can often be overlooked by employers. However, it can have a significant impact on productivity, as well as mood and overall well-being. Research has shown that access to natural lighting or daylight is the most effective way to increase productivity. This is equivalent to a colour temperature of 4600 to 6500K on the Kelvin scale. A study by Professor Alan Hedge from Cornell University revealed that exposure to sunlight can improve a worker’s productivity by up to 2%.
In a study published in the Health Environments Research and Design Journal, healthcare workers exposed to natural lighting had increased alertness and better moods. They also exhibited fewer illnesses and higher levels of satisfaction, resulting in increased productivity.
If access to natural lighting is not possible, installing lights that simulate natural lighting is the next best option. This means using light fixtures with a colour temperature close to or equivalent to that of daylight. A colour temperature ranging between 3500 and 5500K is generally recommended; a higher rating may strain the eyes, while a very low colour temperature could decrease productivity.
The direction of lighting can also impact the work environment. Low overhead lighting with warm colour tones creates a psychologically relaxing atmosphere for employees, while bright light in cooler, blue tones gives a uniform light distribution that increases clarity and concentration.
To reduce eye strain and headaches, it is important to remove glare and shadows in the workplace. This can be achieved by using several low-intensity light fixtures that diffuse light effectively, and by ensuring that light fixtures are correctly positioned and spaced appropriately to avoid casting shadows.
Overall, investing in good lighting that mimics natural light can lead to happier and more productive employees, making it a worthwhile investment for any company.
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On-site cafe and employee overtime
On-site cafes and employee overtime are two important factors to consider when developing your compensation and facilities strategy in Glo-Bus.
Firstly, having an on-site cafe can be a valuable asset for your company. Providing convenient access to food and beverages can boost employee morale and satisfaction. Additionally, it can lead to increased productivity by reducing the time employees spend on lunch breaks or travelling to off-site eateries. To maximise the benefit of the on-site cafe, it is recommended to invest in good lighting, as this has been shown to further enhance productivity.
However, the cost of maintaining an on-site cafe should be considered. One strategy to offset these costs is to have some employees work overtime. By utilising overtime effectively, you can ensure that deadlines are met and productivity remains high without the need to hire additional staff. This approach can also help you manage labour costs more efficiently.
It is important to note that overtime should be managed carefully. While it can provide a temporary boost to output, overreliance on overtime can lead to employee burnout and decreased productivity over time. As such, it is recommended to strike a balance between regular and overtime hours to maintain a healthy and productive workforce.
Additionally, when considering overtime, it is crucial to comply with local labour laws and regulations regarding maximum work hours and overtime pay. In some jurisdictions, employees are entitled to receive a higher rate of pay for hours worked beyond a certain threshold, typically 40 hours per week. By understanding these regulations, you can ensure that you are compensating your employees fairly and avoiding potential legal issues.
In conclusion, the decision to implement an on-site cafe and utilise employee overtime as part of your compensation and facilities strategy in Glo-Bus depends on various factors. These include the potential boost in productivity and employee satisfaction, as well as the costs and regulatory considerations. By carefully weighing these factors, you can make an informed decision that aligns with your overall business strategy.
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R&D investment
Glo-Bus is a business strategy game where you are tasked with running a digital camera and unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) drone company. The game is a simulation that spans several years, and players are scored on their performance in each year.
The impact of R&D investment on product quality is substantial. Players who invest heavily in R&D will be able to develop products with higher "star" values, indicating superior performance and features. For example, drones with longer battery lives, more propellers, and additional features. These higher-quality products can be priced higher, leading to increased revenue.
To illustrate, one player shared their experience of starting the game with high R&D investment. Despite being in last place initially, their strategy paid off in the long run. By the eighth year, their company was producing 5-6-star cameras, while competitors were only able to achieve 4-4.5 stars. Consequently, their products commanded higher prices, with drones priced at $600 compared to the competition's $300-400 offerings.
It is recommended to maximise R&D investment until the final year. This strategy may result in lower earnings per share (EPS) in the short term, but it will pay dividends as the game progresses. However, it is important to monitor your EPS to ensure it does not drop too low, as this can impact your overall score.
In summary, R&D investment in Glo-Bus is a crucial aspect of the game. Players who invest heavily in R&D, particularly in the early years, will be rewarded with better products, higher revenues, and improved long-term profitability. This strategy may require patience as short-term losses may occur, but the long-term gains can be significant.
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Marketing spend
Co-managers have up to 15 decisions to make in each geographic region regarding pricing and marketing. The marketing efforts of a company in Glo-Bus directly impact its sales and market share. The more a company spends on advertising, the more competitive its product offering becomes in a given region. This, in turn, leads to increased sales volumes and market share.
However, it is important to note that marketing spend is just one factor influencing a company's competitiveness. Other factors include the price of the product, camera performance and quality, the number of quarterly sales promotions, the length of sales promotions, the size of promotional discounts, the number of camera models, the size of the camera retailer network, the amount of technical support provided to buyers, and the length of camera warranties.
Co-managers must, therefore, strike a balance between spending on marketing and other factors to ensure their company remains competitive. They should also consider the efficiency of their marketing expenditures, as a low percentage of marketing costs relative to high sales and market share indicates good efficiency.
Additionally, co-managers should be mindful of their company's overall strategy when deciding on marketing spend. For example, a company aiming for low-cost leadership may allocate fewer resources to marketing to maintain low prices, while a company focusing on product differentiation may invest more heavily in marketing to promote the unique features of its cameras.
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Adjust pricing per region
In Glo Bus, a global business strategy simulation game, pricing is a key factor in determining a company's competitiveness and sales volume in each geographic region. The game features four distinct geographic market segments: Europe-Africa, North America, Asia-Pacific, and Latin America.
When adjusting pricing per region, it is important to consider the competitiveness of your product offering relative to rival companies. A company's price in a region is considered more competitive the lower it is compared to the regional average price charged by all companies. Conversely, a company's price is considered less competitive if it is higher than the regional average.
To enhance their performance and build a competitive advantage, companies in Glo Bus can utilise various strategies, including more attractive pricing. By adjusting prices per region, companies can offset other factors that may impact their overall competitiveness, such as product performance, quality, advertising, or warranties. For example, a company can balance the negative impact of an above-average price by offering longer warranties or investing in more advertising.
Additionally, companies should monitor their sales and market share outcomes, as well as their competitors' strategies and decisions. This information is crucial for making strategic adjustments and optimising pricing per region to gain a competitive edge.
It is worth noting that the game also incorporates fluctuating exchange rates, which can impact the revenues received from shipments to different regions. Therefore, companies must also consider the potential risks and impacts of exchange rate fluctuations when determining their pricing strategies for each region.
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Frequently asked questions
Company co-managers can impact production costs by raising or lowering worker compensation.
Company co-managers can impact production costs by spending more or less on worker training.
Company co-managers can also influence production costs by adjusting the length of warranties offered, which affects warranty costs.