The difficulty level and the content of HotCalc can be adapted so that it can be used as an educational tool at several levels ranging from high school economics to advanced university business and management courses as well as in-house training of middle and upper management in the hospitality industry.

Adaptation of course content

The game includes a number of elements, such as balance sheet, efficiency ratios, financial ratios, the DuPont model, cash flow analysis, budgeting, group accounting and financial analysis, etc. The content of a course can be adapted by introducing the various elements at different stages in the game, or simply by omitting certain elements.

The course leader can supplement the course content through own initiatives. Participants in a marketing course can be asked to design an advertisement corresponding to the market measures the team has decides on the game. In an investment course, participants can be asked to establish an investment appraisal of the hotel business which participants have the opportunity to start during the game or calculate the profitability of their decisions on the rationalization investments in the restaurant kitchen.

Adaptation of the difficulty level

The level of difficulty is adjusted by dimensioning the market size and composition. Market-sensitive factors such as tax rates, the right to deduct for business entertainment expenses, interest rates and corporate tax can also be adjusted. The difficulty level can also be adjusted by the choice of course literature. The course leader/teacher decide the extent of written tasks and assignments.