Click on the budget overview in the top-right corner to access this tool.
The budget overview in Figure 50 provides details on how you have decided to spend your marketing budget in the upcoming period. The chart shows whether you have received a loan or budget increase from your instructor. It also calculates your expenditures in the four main cost categories: advertising, commercial team, research & development and market research. Finally, it shows your Deviation from budget, which should always be positive or equal to 0, unless you have been authorized by your instructor to exceed your budget. An error message will appear if the budget has been exceeded. This message should not be ignored; otherwise, the simulation will arbitrarily cut your expenditures (starting with advertising).
Another chart provides you with the breakdown of advertising and sales budgets by product. All numbers are given in thousands of dollars.
Figure 50 – Decision tools – Budget overview