Lead and lag situations are built into production schedules. At some point, teams face a recession. Layoffs are necessary. At other times, team members learn the cost of human resource development. Money must be spent to make the company attractive enough to retain workers.
Students learn the cost of borrowing, too.
Other business costs confronting the teams include advertising and market research. Then come the dilemmas, such as how to handle a wildcat strike, dealing with an alcoholic employee and what to do with a worker caught stealing from the garbage. Rather than lecturing, Grant plays the role of a neutral mentor to each team. For competitive reasons, the teams meet at separate locations. Grant likes the software because he says it teaches students to be aggressive in business while simultaneously showing them the value of working as part of a team.