 Sun
Microsystems was
named a 2008 Learning Leader for its highly developed - and innovative
- leadership strategy. A key component of leadership development at Sun is an
extremely sophisticated, custom-designed business simulation program targeted to
mid- and senior-level management.
The
case study, Enabling
Talent Mobility: Business Simulation at Sun Microsystems Builds Organizational
Leadership and Collaboration, provides an in-depth look at Sun's
Leadership Connections program, a five-day business simulation workshop in which
teams are put into real-world business situations spanning the course of three
years. During the workshop, teams make approximately 100 business decisions and
compete against each other for market share, customer growth, revenue, and
competitive advantage. At the end of the session, teams are evaluated against
Sun's key success metrics: revenue growth, EBITDA, and long-term customer
value.
Prior
to the workshop, attendees take online preparatory courses and participate in
coaching sessions. Selected vice presidents serve as workshop facilitators and
coaches, and provide real-time feedback. Attendees participate in briefing and
coaching sessions following the workshop.
The
28-page case study includes many supporting graphics, including Sun's leadership
framework, its Leadership Academy framework, simulation dashboards, and screen
shots from the Facebook-like Leadership Connections portal.
This
case study is an example of the amazing power of well-designed business
simulation. You'll come away with new ideas, technology information, and best
practices for design and implementation.
Here's the case study.
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