Play for Profit

Visible Value is the fastest and most engaging way to learn business finance. Participants discover how to run a sustainably profitable business, how to interpet key financial jargon and how to adapt to changing market conditions - all whilst immersed in a competitive game!

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How does it work

Teams compete against each other to build the most profitable manufacturing business. Over a series of game rounds (simulated months), they must decide what products to make and which customers to attract - all whilst ensuring they manage cashflow. Each round contains a distinct learning exercise ranging from budgeting to managing capital. At the end of each round, P&L statements and balance sheets must be completed correctly to reflect the decisions and outcomes in that month. Reflections and facilitated discussions help to create insights to take back into the real world.

Key outcomes

• Financial literacy
• Commercial acumen
• Greater cross-functional alignment (e.g. between sales and finance)

Business Benefit

• More informed decision making which leads to more profitable performance

Companies who are playing this game

Stryker, Cotecna, CRH, Edwards LS, PespiCo, Teichert, Great Game of Business, LeSaffre, Univar, Nivea India, Smurfit Kappa, FMI, Nestlé

Who is it for

Literally anyone: school students right up to the C-suite!

Guide price

£80

per participant
per hour

Game Modules

The game spans to 8 rounds (simulated months) with the first 4 core modules detailed below:

Module 1

Cash vs.
Profit

Topics & Tasks
1) Interpreting and using key financial statements/jargon
2) The difference between cash and profit

Key Learning
Understand the difference between cash and profit

Module 2

Profitable
Growth

Topics & Tasks
1) Strategic planning
2) Understanding gross profit
3) Fixed vs variable costs

Key Learning
Understanding the drivers of growth

Module 3

Pricing
Effectiveness

Topics & Tasks
1) Setting a pricing strategy
2) Understanding "Money left on the table"

Key Learning
Understanding how to price for profit

Module 4

Budgeting and
Forecasting

Topics & Tasks
1) Working with budgets
2) Cashflow forecasting

Key Learning
Understanding how to plan accurately

Feedback

This is what participants have to say about this game

Charlotte Hobster

Senior Proposals Manager, CRH

"The platform used is very intuitive and makes difficult topics come to life. I feel I now understand the key terms and can put them into practice very quickly. The time flew by and I was able to take instant learning."

Jennifer Williams

Global Procurement Manager, PepsiCo

"Great class! Enjoyed it so much more than I anticipated! The simulation was SO impactful and really helped me understand the concepts by seeing them applied."

Renisha Singh

Technical Manager, Cotecna

"A wonderful experience. Financial terms are no longer "Greek" to me and I have a better understanding of the impact my operational decisions have on the financial side of my division."

Who it involves

Normally between 12 to 24 participants in each session (but this is flexible), competing in smaller teams against each other.

They are led at all times by a facilitator either from PBS or the client.

How long it lasts

Most games are 2-8 hours. Some classroom courses last up to 4 days. We tend to avoid playing online for more than half a day in one go.

There is normally some brief pre-work for participants to complete and we suggest a short follow-up workshop to embed the learning.

Where it happens

Almost all of our games can be played face-to-face, virtually or a combination of both.

Increasingly, we are seeing demand for digital games to be played face-to-face in the classroom.