BUSINESS ESSENTIALS SIMULATION

BizCafe

Discover our Business Essentials simulation, a practical and engaging learning tool for students. It presents the challenges and rewards of running a small, service-based business. Over 16 simulated weeks, students will learn about management, operations, marketing, and accounting by operating their own coffee shop.
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Join our growing community! BizCafe has been trusted for over a decade by 450+ schools of all types to bring real-world experience into the classroom.

What is BizCafe?

BizCafe introduces students to crucial business concepts in a relatable setting. The simulation brings real-world business challenges to the classroom, immersing students in the daily operations of a local coffee shop.
Through BizCafe, students learn to handle staff management, product marketing, weekly operations, and the use of financial statements for decision making. Additionally, they acquire essential business terminology and develop an understanding of the fundamental areas of a business.

WHY IS BIZCAFE THE RIGHT BUSINESS ESSENTIALS SIMULATION FOR MY STUDENTS?

BizCafe is designed with the following learning goals:

Planning & Analysis

Write a business plan. Monitor implementation of plan. Calculate break-even point.

Staffing

Project staffing requirements. Decide on employee pay rates. Calculate total cost of compensation. Manage employee turnover.

Marketing

Identify the 4 Ps of marketing. Set pricing for multiple products. Calculate gross margin. Project impact of promotion. Create advertising copy

Operations

Project purchasing needs. Manage inventory. Set shop hours. Maximize customer satisfaction.

Accounting

Distinguish cash and accrual accounting. Create and analyze income statement. Create and analyze balance sheet. Calculate return on investment

Teamwork

Allocate responsibilities fairly. Complete assigned tasks on time. Communicate problems and plans. Collaborate with other team members.

Experiential Learning

Test ideas in a low-risk environment. Respond to and discuss unexpected events. Retain information through hands-on experience. Relate sim topics to real-world scenarios.

Creative Thinking

Handle uncertainty and ambiguity. Develop new approaches when conditions change. Determine product/company branding and design.

CLASSES

Introduction to Business
Small Business Management

DIFFICULTY LEVEL

Introductory

AUTHORS

Stu James
Mike Deighan

FIRST-TIME INSTRUCTORS

At Interpretive, we understand that running a simulation in your class may require some support. That’s why we are committed to providing you with exceptional customer support. Our experienced customer support staff consistently receive top ratings from our customers. Here’s what you can expect from us:

  • A dedicated Customer Relationship Manager who will be your go-to person for any support-related questions or concerns.
  • A team of customer support staff who are always ready to help you and your students.
  • We promise to respond to any support request or question within 24 hours during the business week, so you can be assured that your needs will be met promptly.

Instructor Preparing for Class with BizCafe Business Essentials Simulation
Short Demo Video of BizCafe Business Essentials Simulation

Request your demo access to learn more about our Business Essentials simulation!

BizCafe eBook Bundle

Introducing the Brewing a Business eBook Bundle

This is an end-to-end solution, combining the BizCafe simulation with a fresh, contemporary eBook for Introduction to Business classes. The bundle includes comprehensive chapters, integrated assignments, video interviews, ethical discussions, and mini-cases.
Written by Dr. Michael A. Levin, the Brewing a Business eBook provides a solid resource for students as they delve into key business concepts and practical applications.
Dr. Michael A. Levin

ASSESSMENT TOOLS

Combining BizCafe with our quizzes and assignments helps you measure your students’ grasp of the basic concepts of business. Use our grading rubric for a precise and thorough evaluation of their understanding.
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ASSIGNMENTS MODULE

Experience convenience with our Business Essentials simulation! Now, all assignments are exclusively online. Thanks to our innovative Assignments Module, the era of PDFs and downloads is over. Each assignment is just a click away, accessible through a user-friendly interface. Moreover, we understand the workload of instructors. Therefore, some assignments offer the benefit of automatic grading. 

Got questions? Find answers!

What classes can benefit from this simulation?

BizCafe is specifically tailored for Intro to Business classes and other courses focused on Business Essentials. It’s designed to both introduce basic business concepts and foster a competitive learning environment.

What is the recommended team size?

We suggest teams of 3-4 students for optimal collaboration and decision-making. While teams of 2 are common, larger teams promote a richer diversity of opinions.

How does BizCafe differ from the Entrepreneur simulation?

BizCafe is designed for those new to business, particularly those unfamiliar with financial statements or marketing. Unlike Entrepreneur, BizCafe’s decisions occur on a weekly simulation basis, providing a more immediate experience.

What is the duration of the simulation?

BizCafe allows students to make up to 16 decisions, representing 16 business weeks. Most classes opt for 12 or 13 rounds. Students will take between 30 minutes to an hour to make their decisions each round.

How do I find out more?

Sign up for Demo Access. This gives you access to Sample Course Sites, Resources, and even a look at completed games. For a comprehensive understanding, schedule a call with our staff to guide you through the simulation.
Explore our complete BizCafe FAQ page for detailed information on learning objectives, grading, team structure, LMS integration, and implementation.

Schedule a call with us to ask any other questions you might have!

Discover why instructors choose BizCafe as their preferred
Business Essentials Simulation!

  • Business Simulations

    I have found the Interpretive Simulation experience to be a catalyst for team members to interact with one another in and out of class. I also believe it has contributed to their social development, which is critical for freshmen, most of whom are on their own for the first time.

    Martin Cohen - Pace University

  • This is my second semester using this simulation and I have only had positive responses from the students. As a teacher I use it as an emphasis when teaching. Anytime I need help I get a very quick response.

    Mollie Andrae - Pensacola State College

  • We decided to use BizCafe as a project that we believed would provide the students the opportunity to work in cross-cultural teams and also give them some practical business experience. BizCafe didn't disappoint….The BizCafe game was great because it was very easy to administer and provided a great way to deliver the key concepts of Introduction to Business in a very practical manner.

    Lisa Cherivtch - Oakton Community College

  • The simulation is excellent and is one way I’ve found to pull the importance of cross-functionality in business into every decision. It definitely helps students have a better understanding.

    Deborah Finch-University of Massachusetts - Lowell

  • Business Simulations

    This experience, my first, with BizCafe was fantastic and I appreciate all of the support and the quality of your product.

    Randall Ugolini - Georgian College

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