BizCafe provides undergraduate students an opportunity to learn the fundamentals of business by running a simple start-up enterprise. As students progress through BizCafe, they will encounter the real world problems of managing personnel, marketing their product, and managing cash flow in the easy-to-understand context of a local coffee shop. Students learn business terminology and how to interpret business information as they develop an understanding of the key functional areas of a business at a basic level. The simulation and supporting materials are developed by Interpretive. BizCafe is an excellent complement to traditional teaching methods, allowing students to apply business concepts in a dynamic, integrative environment.
The Case: Groups of 2-4 students receive $25,000 from a local entrepreneur to start-up a coffee shop near a university in a good downtown location. They must hire servers, decide on marketing plans, and purchase materials and equipment to make their shop a success. Challenges include keeping customers and employees happy, ordering the right amount of coffee and cups to meet demand, and attracting customers to their shop. Students learn the difference between cash-based and accrual accounting, and must manage their cash flow and payroll accordingly.
Decisions in BizCafe include:
Management = Who should I hire? What should I pay them?
Marketing = What price should I charge? How do people learn about my business?
Operations = How much should I purchase? What equipment do I need?
Accounting = How do I keep track of money? What is an income statement and balance sheet?
Student performance can be compared on a number of performance metrics including an instructor-weighted balanced scorecard. All Interpretive simulations include a pre-simulation quiz and peer review.
BizCafe allows students to experience the key issues in running a business before their paychecks depend on it!
Covers Management
Introductory Level
Direct and/or Benchmark