GoVenture Menu

Learn about entrepreneurship, or proceed to the GoVenture SetUp to start or resume a simulation. You can start a new simulation, save a simulation in progress, resume an existing saved simulation, or use the Quick Start option to dive instantly into the GoVenture simulation with one of the preset scenarios. This screen also lets you adjust the controls for volume, music, and sound effects.

Getting Help

GoVenture has been designed to be very easy to use. The GoVenture software includes directions and hints throughout the program, including several options for more detailed help at the click of a button.

Help
Get detailed explanations of each screen. A second click brings you to the overall GoVenture flow chart help system.

Walkthrough Window
This window automatically opens when you start a new simulation. You can move it to any convenient position on your screen. The Walkthrough Window steps you through GoVenture as you run your simulation.

GoVenture Advisor
The advisor will appear throughout GoVenture. Click the GoVenture character whenever you need a few words of advice.

GoVenture Discovery Center
Visit the Discovery Center in GoVenture City for a video overview on venturing and a variety of other business topics.

GoVenture.NETwork
GoVenture.NETwork is your Entrepreneurship Portal on the Internet and an extension of the GoVenture simulation. Whenever you are connected to the Internet, you can get additional information that may be helpful in running your GoVenture business by clicking the GoVenture.NET icon, found on screen of the simulation.

Personal Profile

Being a successful entrepreneur means much more than simply earning a living by operating your own business. It is important to balance your personal life and responsibilities as well. You can define your personal profile by clicking on each of the boxes displayed.

Business Profile

There are a variety of important decisions to make, research to conduct, application forms to complete, and so on. It is important to remember that everything affects the success of your business in some way or another.

GoVenture City

The hub of all activity is the business community in which you operate your company. In GoVenture, this center is called GoVenture City.

In GoVenture City you can visit the Discovery Center to learn more about entrepreneurship; go to the Newspaper, TV Station, Radio Station, or Print Shop to purchase advertising; go to the Bank for a loan; visit your Accountant and Lawyer for advice; or print your own business cards at the Print Shop. From here you can access all areas of GoVenture including your Home, Work, Profiles, and the Venture Menu.

Home

You should start and end each workday at home.

You can set the number of hours to spend on personal time and the hours you will sleep. The hours you set will determine when you can return to work, and will impact your health, productivity and the overall success of your business. Use your personal cash, after living expenses have been automatically deducted, to invest in your business or purchase personal items. Check your personal status or open your briefcase to do some work at home.

Work

At your work, you can monitor your sales for the day. Watch the footprints of customers entering your business. Watch sales flash for each product. See current price and sales by product for the day. Check customer and employee satisfaction. You can also access your desk, inventory, products, and work schedules. As well, you can receive important messages and check the day’s weather.

Products

This screen shows the products your business sells and their selling prices. You can change the prices at any time, so you may want to experiment. The price of your product should usually be higher than the cost of what you paid for the inventory items needed to make the product. Otherwise, you lose money on every sale!

Inventory

To sell a product, you must have all the inventory items in stock for that product.

Check the inventory of items that you have in stock. Put together your orders for more inventory. You have three suppliers and each offers different quality levels and different prices. You decide what you want to purchase and from whom. Then call in your orders using the telephone on your desk.

Employees

Your Employee Files are found on your Desk. Here you can view your current employees and the resumes of those who are available for hire.

To hire employees, scroll through the resumes in your file. Check references at the bottom of each resume by using the telephone on your desk. If you make salary offers which are equal to or better than their expectations, they will accept. Once you hire an employee, remember to set his or her work hours using the Schedule screen.

Schedule

Your work schedule includes your business hours of operation and your staffing.

There must be at least one employee at the business for your business to be open – this could be you or someone you hire.

Checks & Accounting

Your Checkbook is found on your Desk, and it is linked to your Accounting records.

Each time you make a purchase or owe money a "payable" is automatically created. Click on Accounts Payable and select which bill you wish to pay. Fill in the check in your checkbook, and press the Pay It! button. You can check Bills Paid to see what you have already paid, and the Accounts Received to view all the money received into the business. You can also write yourself a salary or bonus check.

Desk & Briefcase

Your Desk is found in your Work screen.

Your Desk contains several useful items and is accessible from anywhere while you are at your business. It has your employee files, notebook computer, checkbook, calculator, personal organizer, telephone, and fax machine. When you are away from your business, you will have access to your Briefcase which includes most of your work tools.

Operating Your Business

Now that you have an overview of what GoVenture is all about, the next step is to run your business day-to-day: order inventory, pay bills, adjust the prices of your products, and so on. You can visit GoVenture City to purchase advertising and to learn more about venturing. Be sure to keep an eye on the time, because the GoVenture clock is always running! At the end of each workday, you should go home and decide how much time to allocate for sleeping and personal activities. Try to balance your work, personal, and sleep time well, otherwise your stress level will go up.

Your Computer
Your Computer can be found on your desk at the business, or in your briefcase when you are away from the office. Write a new business plan. Study your charts on the results of your operations. Check your financial statements. Use your word processor or visit the GoVenture NETwork.

Telephone & Fax
Use the phone to call in your inventory orders, or check references on a potential employee. You could get messages on your answering or fax machines.

Personal Organizer & Calculator
Need to schedule your time? Make notes about that important meeting, or your spouse’s birthday? Use the personal organizer. Or click the calculator to help you run some quick calculations.

Time and Stress
The GoVenture clock is displayed on every screen once you start, or resume a simulation.