Welcome to the 2018 edition of GLO-BUS!
A maker of wearable video cameras
expands into camera-equipped drones

About the 2018 Edition of GLO-BUS

We have completely updated the GLO-BUS simulation to take advantage of the latest technology.

In the new GLO-BUS, 1 to 5 class members run companies that are in a neck-and-neck race for global market leadership in two product categories: (1) wearable video cameras and (2) sophisticated camera-equipped copter drones. As many as 12 companies can compete in a single industry grouping (class sizes above 50 are typically divided into two or more industry groups). The companies compete in a global market arena, selling to buyers in four geographic regions—Europe-Africa, North America, Asia-Pacific, and Latin America.

The co-managers of each company are responsible for assessing market and competitive conditions in the two product categories, determining how to respond to the actions of competitors, forging a long-term direction and strategy for their company, and making decisions relating to:

  • the design and performance of the company’s two products (21 decisions, 10 for cameras and 11 for drones),
  • assembly operations and workforce compensation (up to 8 decision entries for each product)
  • pricing and marketing (7 decisions for cameras and 5 for drones)
  • corporate social responsibility and citizenship (as many as 6 decisions)
  • the financing of company operations (up to 8 decisions).


Comparing GLO-BUS to previous versions

The big changes are on the student side. Very little is new or different for instructor setup and administration. Except for the reports and the “Add A Company” feature, you will hardly see any differences.
 
GLO-BUS
2016 GLO-BUS
Web Address

glo-bus.com

flash.glo-bus.com

Market / Industry Setting
Companies that design, assemble, and market wearable video cameras and camera-equipped copter drones
Digital camera industry—companies design, assemble, and market entry- level and multi-featured cameras
Market Scope
Worldwide

Production occurs at a single location and sales are made to buyers in 4 major geographic regions—North America, Europe-Africa, Asia Pacific, and Latin America.

Number of Market Segments
8 market segments
(2 products in each of 4 geographic regions)
Number of Decision Entry Variables
  • Design and performance of cameras and drones (up to 10 decision entries for cameras and 11 entries for drones)
  • Assembly operations and workforce compensation (up to 16 decision entries, 8 for each product)
  • Camera pricing and marketing (up to 7 decision entries in each of the 4 geographic regions)
  • Drone pricing and marketing (up to 6 decision entries in each of the 4 geographic regions)
  • Financing of company operations (up to 8 decision entries)
  • Social responsibility and citizenship (as many as 6 decision entries)
  • Character and performance of the camera line (up to 10 decision entries for entry-level cameras and 10 decision entries for multi- featured cameras)
  • Production operations and worker compensation (up to 15 decision entries for the 2 products)
  • Pricing and marketing (up to 15 decision entries for the 2 products in each of 4 areas, with 5 entries for entry-level cameras, 5 entries for multi-featured cameras, and 5 entries applying to both products)
  • Financing of company operations (up to 4 decision entries)
  • Social responsibility and citizenship (as many as 6 decision entries)
Competitive Variables Used to Determine Market Share
  • Prices
  • Number of camera/drone models
  • Performance/quality ratings
  • Number of weekly sales promotions
  • Promotional discounts
  • Advertising
  • Size of retailer network
  • Warranty period
  • Retailer support
  • Brand image/reputation

All sales and market share differences are the direct result of differing competitive efforts among rival companies.

  • Prices
  • Number of camera models
  • Performance/quality ratings
  • Number of quarterly promotions
  • Length of promotions (in weeks)
  • Promotional discounts
  • Advertising
  • Size of dealer network
  • Warranty period
  • Technical support

All sales and market share differences are the direct result of differing competitive efforts among rival companies.

Number of Companies in an Industry
Any number from 4 to 12, with an Add a Company feature and a Delete a Company feature
4, 8, or 12 companies initially, with a Delete a Company feature.
Measures On Which Company Performance is Judged
  • Earnings Per Share (EPS)
  • Return On Average Shareholder Equity (ROE)
  • Stock Price
  • Credit Rating
  • Image Rating
  • Earnings Per Share (EPS)
  • Return On Shareholder Equity (ROE)
  • Stock Price
  • Credit Rating
  • Image Rating
Scoring Standards
  • Investor Expectations (I.E.)
  • Best-in-Industry (B-I-I)

Both combined (using a weighted average) into a single overall score

Degree of Complexity

Moderate. All production is in a single plant and there are no finished goods inventories. However, sales forecasting capabilities in GLO- BUS, while a bit more robust, are significantly more accurate.

Web Site and Interface Technology
Web browser delivery of decision entry and report interface (in Javascript/HTML5), accessible to all computers, tablets, and smart phones.
Decision entry and report interface delivered via third-party plug-in (Adobe Flash).
Industry Report

Camera & Drone Journal (CDJ)

(a 7-page report)

  • Complete scoreboard of company performances (3 pages)
  • Selected industry statistics (1 page)
  • Financial statistics for all companies (1 page)
  • Benchmarking statistics (2 pages)

GLO-BUS Statistical Review (GSR)

(a 7-page report)

  • Complete scoreboard of company performances (3 pages)
  • Selected industry statistics (1 page)
  • Financial statistics for all companies (1 page)
  • Benchmarking statistics (2 pages)
Competitive Intelligence Reports

Segment marketing efforts, unit sales, and market shares by company with segment-specific strategic group maps.

Company Operating Reports

A 4-page report that covers:

  • Assembly operations
  • Market segment statistics by region—Cameras
  • Market segment statistics by region—Drones
  • Financial statements (income statement, balance sheet, cash flow statement)

A 6-page report that covers:

  • An income statement
  • A balance sheet
  • A cash flow statement
  • Production operations
  • Sales and costs in each geographic area
Participant’s Manual
35 pages
30 pages

Explore GLO-BUS

Access GLO-BUS

Your GLO-BUS instructor account is active for both editions.


Have Questions?

Sign up for a Webinar / Demo lead by a member of the GLO-BUS author team.


Acquaint Yourself

Would you like to see what students will be using? Watch the student tour video (9:48).