Deal with a plummeting dollar or respond to a hugely effective campaign of a competitor, an imminent strike by employees or the nitty-gritty of international business law. You can do all this without committing your company to a few million dollars.

The Netherlands-based MCC International has introduced its business simulation programme, The International Management Course (IMC), in India. Marketed by Sista's Worldcom, its licensees for India, the nine-month course offers managers an opportunity to run a fictitious company at a cost of a mere Rs 1.50!

While Gurgaon-based Management Development Institute (MDI) has developed such simulation programmes and the Indian Institutes of Management also offer some form of simulation games, the advantage of IMC over other business simulation programmes is the global exposure it offers to the participating team. With nearly a hundred variables, this is one of the most complex management games ever, aver participants.

``Though a little longdrawn, IMC does give a feel of how to run your own company,'' feels Mario Nazareth, general manager, accounts, Mahindra & Mahindra, the team leader of one of the two teams fielded by the company. His team-mate, Girish Patkar, manager, corporate finance, who has also participated in a workshop at MDI, concurs: ``It sharpens your skills in the areas of strategic planning, risk management, cash planning -- indeed all aspects of business management.''

This year, 800 companies from across the globe have participated in the International Management Course, so rechristened from International Management Competition to stress upon the learning aspect of it rather than the competitive one.

Each team is given a model company to run in an international business environment. The task is to ensure maximum profits, the largest possible market share and continuity. In the process, you hone your managerial skills -- quick decision making, strategic thinking and gain an overall business perspective (see box).

IMC 1998 starts with a trial round in May or June. Those who qualify for the mains after the trial round, battle it out for the finals conducted live in Amsterdam in January 1999. The total time commitment to IMC is estimated to be in the range of 30-60 hours, 3-6 hours of each of the 10 periods. A team plays a period roughly every 10 days.

MCC has been in the business of interactive management training for the last 25 years. It ran a national business simulation competition in the Netherlands, which was modified to suit global standards in 1992. Today, companies from more than 25 countries participate in the IMC. MCC is trying to internationalise the course by involving more non-Dutch companies in the IMC.

This year, seven teams from India have participated in a competitive field of 800 teams. In round one, the team fielded by Mahindra & Mahindra emerged among the top 15 teams. For IMC 1998, Sista hopes to rope in 30-40 teams from India. So, if you are in middle management, here's your chance to learn -- virtually.

What IMC can do for you

Experience with international collaborations

Copyright © 1997 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.