Cognos plays virtual game to improve business skills

Cognos has launched a series of initiatives to help UK managers make better business decisions.

The company has released a book entitled 24 Ways to Impact your Bottom Line in 90 Days, a virtual company game and a certified professional programme.

The book details how business intelligence software tools can monitor company performance.

Many large users, such as the Coors brewery in the US, have implemented its teachings, according to Cognos.

David Ayling Smith, service director at Cognos, said: 'UK managers are often in an unenviable position. They need to work multidimensionally, but are often working with very restricted information.

'The book gives practical examples, allowing managers to develop skills used by the world's leading companies and helps them to look at their businesses differently.'

In the same vein as 'god' games such as Civilization or Rail Road Tycoon, players of the virtual company game become managers of a fictional multinational car manufacturer.

The object is to juggle marketing, production costs and retail prices to make the company a success, using Cognos business intelligence tools.

Players are also given added hazards including trade union disputes and supply shortages, to test managers' planning ability. The winner is decided on profitability.

Roger Gilheany, business development manager at Cognos, said: 'The virtual game is a compelling showcase for our 24 ways programme. Senior executives find delving into the detailed working of the simulated company very intuitive. It's only afterwards that they realise they have been thinking multidimensionally.'

Cognos' Certified Professional Programme is an accreditation scheme for third-party companies and individuals. It provides consultancy and training skills in Cognos' Impromptu and Powerplay tools.

'There is a clear need to provide this training in language understood by companies in many sectors. Companies and individuals who have achieved Cognos Professional Accreditation will be well positioned to benefit from the UK's need for management training and consultancy,' said Ayling Smith.