The results of these contracts occur just prior to the central simulation run. In this way, student firms use Contracts to better position their firms before every quarterly run. A firm short on production capacity, for example, may contract for finished goods prior to high demand quarters. Aside from the option to buy and sell finished goods, student teams may also buy and sell raw materials, plant hours and consulting services, or use contracts to move their own plant hours and raw materials between different sites. These options expand possible game strategies exponentially.
Some students are initially shy when it comes to communicating outside their group.
Professors usually require that teams attempt several serious negotiations, so that their students feel comfortable using the Internet and working with contracts. Once student teams understand the potential contracts can offer they become extremely excited. Teams who made fatal data entry errors, can sometimes use contracts to turn their mistake into a fat profit. A team who has produced too much aftershave, for example, may be able to find a buyer through negotiations. Likewise, a firm which has built more plant than they need, can sell off these hours to another team.