TOPSIM - Euro

TOPSIM - Euro

1. What is TOPSIM - Euro

TOPSIM - Euro is a strategy simulation of the opportunities and threats for companies that
result from the opening of international markets (e.g. European common market).
As a business strategy game, TOPSIM - Euro simulates the manufacturing of a “Euro washing
machine” for up to 9 fiscal years by 5 companies in 5 different regions. Typically, a team
made up of 3 to 5 participants represents each company.
• The starting position is different for each company and is determined by the structural
data of the respective regions.
• The companies have to make a variety of commercial decisions.
• TOPSIM - Euro simulates market behavior taking into account

• the decisions of the participating companies,
• the behavior of potential customers, and
• the influence of general economic development.

The results are made available to the companies in the form of reports.

1. The Learning Targets of TOPSIM - Euro

The primary learning target is:
Businesslike thinking, planning, and acting
in an international context.
Further targets include,
the correct analysis of market situations and market potential in Europe taking regional
differences into account, and making targeted decisions on this basis, especially:
Expansion strategies for European regions such as:

• Cooperation with other companies,
• Purchase of other companies, or
• Creation of own companies.

• Further product development in line with market demands, particularly with respect to
technology and environmental concerns.
• Setting prices, advertising, sales promotion, and distribution in line with market demands.
• Decisions about investments in capacity, rationalization, recruitment/lay-offs of production
personnel, procurement of supplies, and financial strategies.
• Formulation of plans, their application, and ongoing control of their effectiveness.
• Practice in the use of PCs and planning software as tools and as aids in decision-making.

1. The Business Matters of TOPSIM - Euro

Company Goals

• Planning and setting of economic, social, and

Ecological goals

• Control of goal attainment

Sales

• Competitor Analysis
• New Sales Markets
• Strategic Alliances
• Distribution Strategies
• Marketing-Mix

Procurement / Stock Control

• Determination of optimal order quantities
• Problems of Stock Control
• Euro-Logistics

Production

• Investment decisions
• Make or Buy
• Capacity Planning
• Rationalization

Finance and Accounting

• Financial Planning
• External Accounting (Balance Sheet, P & L)
• Internal Accounting with Cost Accounting

Personnel

• Personnel Requirements
• Recruitment
• Problems of Turnover
• Personnel Quality

Specific regional economic environment

• Inflation
• Economic Climate
• Productivity
• Wage levels