Flevy Management Insights Case Study
Innovative Strategy for Virtual Reality Arcade in Recreation Industry


Fortune 500 companies typically bring on global consulting firms, like McKinsey, BCG, Bain, Deloitte, and Accenture, or boutique consulting firms specializing in Workplace Productivity to thoroughly analyze their unique business challenges and competitive situations. These firms provide strategic recommendations based on consulting frameworks, subject matter expertise, benchmark data, KPIs, best practices, and other tools developed from past client work. We followed this management consulting approach for this case study.

TLDR A VR arcade firm experienced declining employee efficiency and customer service amid rising demand and costs. By adopting a digital platform and enhancing employee engagement, the firm improved operational efficiency by 20%, increased employee satisfaction by 30%, and expanded revenue through new market segments. This underscores the critical role of Digital Transformation and Strategic Planning in overcoming operational challenges.

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Consider this scenario: A burgeoning virtual reality (VR) arcade firm is confronting dwindling workplace productivity amidst surging demand in the recreation sector.

Despite experiencing a 25% increase in customer footfall, the organization is grappling with a 15% decline in employee efficiency and customer service ratings. External challenges include an intensifying competitive landscape with the emergence of home VR systems and a 20% uptick in operational costs due to high-tech equipment maintenance. Internally, the organization struggles with outdated operational processes and a lack of employee engagement initiatives. The primary strategic objective is to enhance workplace productivity and operational efficiency to bolster customer satisfaction and maintain a competitive edge in the recreation market.



The VR arcade industry is at the cusp of transformation, driven by technological advancements and changing consumer preferences. The rapid evolution of VR technology and the increasing demand for immersive recreational experiences present both significant opportunities and challenges for existing arcades.

Strategic Planning

  • Internal Rivalry: The competition within the VR arcade sector is intensifying as existing players upgrade their technology and new entrants offer innovative experiences to attract tech-savvy consumers.
  • Supplier Power: Suppliers of VR equipment wield considerable power due to the specialized nature of their products, driving up operational costs for arcades.
  • Buyer Power: Consumers have high bargaining power, driven by the availability of alternative recreational activities and the rising popularity of home VR systems.
  • Threat of New Entrants: The barrier to entry in the VR arcade industry is moderately high due to the significant initial investment required in cutting-edge VR technology and space.
  • Threat of Substitutes: The major threat comes from the increasing quality and accessibility of home VR systems, which offer a comparable experience without leaving the house.

Emergent trends in the industry include the integration of social gaming experiences and the use of VR for educational and training purposes, expanding the market beyond traditional entertainment. Changes in industry dynamics include:

  • Increased consumer expectation for high-quality, immersive experiences, necessitating continuous investment in the latest VR technology.
  • The rise of home VR systems as a direct competitor, pushing arcades to innovate and offer unique, socially engaging experiences.
  • Expanding the use of VR in educational and corporate training sectors, opening new revenue streams for arcades willing to diversify.

A STEER analysis indicates that technological advancements (Technology) and evolving consumer preferences (Economic) are the primary external forces impacting the VR arcade industry. Environmentally, the push towards sustainable business practices is influencing operational decisions, while Regulation around digital content and user safety is becoming stricter. Socially, there is a growing acceptance of VR as a mainstream form of entertainment and education.

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Internal Assessment

The organization boasts innovative VR gaming experiences and a strong brand presence in major urban centers, yet faces challenges in employee engagement and operational efficiency.

MOST Analysis

Our analysis reveals that the organization’s Mission to provide exceptional VR experiences is hindered by outdated Operational processes and insufficient Staff engagement, leading to suboptimal Tactical outcomes.

McKinsey 7-S Analysis

The organization’s Strategy and Structure are aligned with industry trends, but there are misalignments in Systems, Shared Values, and Staff, affecting its overall effectiveness.

RBV Analysis

The organization has valuable VR content and strategic locations as key resources, but lacks in fully leveraging these due to gaps in technology management and employee capabilities.

Strategic Initiatives

  • Enhance Workplace Productivity through Digitalization: Implementing an integrated digital platform for operational management to streamline processes, improve employee engagement, and enhance customer experience. This initiative aims to reduce operational inefficiencies by 20% and increase employee satisfaction scores by 30%. The source of value creation lies in optimizing operational workflows and fostering a more engaged workforce, expected to lead to higher customer satisfaction and repeat business. Resources required include investment in digital tools and training for staff.
  • Develop Exclusive VR Content: Create proprietary VR games and experiences to differentiate from competitors and home VR systems, aiming to increase customer visits and time spent by 25%. The value creation comes from offering unique, high-quality VR content not available elsewhere, expected to drive customer loyalty and attract new visitors. This initiative will require investment in content development and partnerships with VR developers.
  • Expand into Educational and Corporate Training: Leveraging VR technology for educational programs and corporate training, aiming to open new revenue streams and reduce dependency on the consumer entertainment market. This strategic move is expected to contribute 15% to the overall revenue within the next two years. The source of value creation lies in tapping into the growing market for immersive learning and training solutions. Resources needed include development of educational VR content and marketing to educational institutions and corporations.

Workplace Productivity Implementation KPIs

KPIS are crucial throughout the implementation process. They provide quantifiable checkpoints to validate the alignment of operational activities with our strategic goals, ensuring that execution is not just activity-driven, but results-oriented. Further, these KPIs act as early indicators of progress or deviation, enabling agile decision-making and course correction if needed.


In God we trust. All others must bring data.
     – W. Edwards Deming

  • Operational Efficiency Improvement: Tracking the reduction in process completion time and errors post-digitalization.
  • Employee Satisfaction Score: Measuring improvements in staff engagement and satisfaction levels.
  • New Customer Acquisition Rate: Monitoring the increase in first-time visitors following the introduction of exclusive VR content.

These KPIs will provide insights into the effectiveness of the strategic initiatives in enhancing operational efficiency, improving workplace productivity, and driving business growth. They will help in making informed decisions for further strategic adjustments.

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Workplace Productivity Best Practices

To improve the effectiveness of implementation, we can leverage best practice documents in Workplace Productivity. These resources below were developed by management consulting firms and Workplace Productivity subject matter experts.

Workplace Productivity Deliverables

These are a selection of deliverables across all the strategic initiatives.

  • Operational Digitalization Plan (PPT)
  • Exclusive VR Content Development Roadmap (PPT)
  • Educational and Corporate Training Program Framework (PPT)
  • Strategic Initiative Performance Dashboard (Excel)

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Enhance Workplace Productivity through Digitalization

The strategic initiative to enhance workplace productivity through digitalization was significantly supported by the application of the Diffusion of Innovations Theory and the Goal Setting Theory. The Diffusion of Innovations Theory, developed by Everett Rogers, was instrumental in understanding how the digital platform could be adopted across the organization. It provided insights into the characteristics that influence the rate of adoption of new technologies. The organization utilized this framework to ensure rapid and widespread adoption of the digital management platform. The process included:

  • Segmenting employees based on their readiness and willingness to adopt new technologies, categorizing them as innovators, early adopters, early majority, late majority, and laggards.
  • Developing tailored communication strategies for each segment, emphasizing the relative advantage, compatibility, simplicity, trialability, and observable results of the new digital platform.
  • Implementing a pilot program with a select group of early adopters and innovators to collect feedback and demonstrate success before a company-wide rollout.

The Goal Setting Theory, proposed by Edwin Locke, was applied to enhance employee engagement and productivity by setting clear, specific, challenging yet attainable goals. This theory was crucial in motivating employees to embrace the digital transformation initiative. The organization adopted the following steps:

  • Setting specific performance targets for each team and individual related to the adoption and effective use of the digital platform.
  • Providing regular feedback on progress towards these goals to maintain motivation and address any challenges promptly.
  • Encouraging employee participation in setting their own usage goals to increase commitment and accountability.

The combined application of the Diffusion of Innovations Theory and the Goal Setting Theory led to a successful digital transformation across the organization. Employee engagement levels saw a notable increase, and the adoption rate of the new digital platform exceeded initial expectations. Operational efficiencies improved by 20%, and employee satisfaction scores rose by 30%, demonstrating the effectiveness of these frameworks in facilitating the digitalization initiative.

Develop Exclusive VR Content

For the strategic initiative of developing exclusive VR content, the organization employed the innovation target=_blank>Value Innovation framework and the Experience Curve. The Value Innovation framework, which is a central tenet of the Blue Ocean Strategy, guided the organization in creating new demand and breaking away from competition through the creation of unique VR experiences. This approach was pivotal in conceptualizing and delivering VR content that provided unprecedented value to customers. Following this framework, the organization undertook the following steps:

  • Conducting a comprehensive analysis of existing VR offerings to identify gaps and unmet customer needs.
  • Engaging with customers through workshops and feedback sessions to co-create VR experiences that were unique and highly valued.
  • Aligning the development of exclusive VR content with the strategic aim of differentiating the arcade's offerings from competitors and home VR systems.

The Experience Curve was utilized to gain insights into cost management and pricing strategies as the volume of VR content developed increased. By leveraging the experience gained from each new VR development project, the organization was able to reduce costs and increase efficiency. The implementation included:

  • Tracking the time and resources spent on each VR content development project to identify patterns and areas for efficiency improvement.
  • Investing in training for the content development team to enhance their skills and reduce the time required to bring new content to market.

The application of the Value Innovation framework and the Experience Curve resulted in the successful development and launch of several exclusive VR experiences, leading to a 25% increase in customer visits and time spent. This strategic initiative not only differentiated the arcade from its competitors but also established it as a leader in providing unique and immersive VR experiences.

Expand into Educational and Corporate Training

To expand into the educational and corporate training sectors, the organization implemented the Core Competence framework and the Strategic Alliances framework. The Core Competence framework, introduced by C.K. Prahalad and Gary Hamel, was essential in identifying the organization’s unique strengths and capabilities that could be leveraged in the new markets. By focusing on its core competencies in VR technology and immersive content creation, the organization was able to develop targeted educational and training solutions. The steps taken included:

  • Identifying core competencies that provided a competitive advantage in the education and corporate training sectors.
  • Developing VR-based educational and training programs that capitalized on these core competencies.
  • Aligning product development efforts with the identified core competencies to ensure a strong market fit and value proposition.

The Strategic Alliances framework was utilized to establish partnerships with educational institutions and corporate entities. These alliances were critical in gaining access to new markets and creating tailored VR solutions that met the specific needs of these sectors. The implementation process involved:

  • Identifying potential partners in the education and corporate sectors who shared a mutual interest in innovative training solutions.
  • Negotiating and formalizing partnerships that allowed for the co-creation and distribution of VR training programs.
  • Leveraging these alliances for market insights, co-marketing, and shared technology development efforts.

The strategic expansion into the educational and corporate training sectors was highly successful, contributing an additional 15% to overall revenue within two years. The use of the Core Competence and Strategic Alliances frameworks enabled the organization to effectively enter and compete in these new markets, demonstrating the value of applying targeted business strategies to support growth initiatives.

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Key Findings and Results

Here is a summary of the key results of this case study:

  • Operational efficiencies improved by 20% following the implementation of an integrated digital platform.
  • Employee satisfaction scores increased by 30% due to enhanced engagement and clearer goal setting.
  • Customer visits and time spent in the arcade rose by 25% with the introduction of exclusive VR content.
  • Expanded into educational and corporate training sectors, contributing an additional 15% to overall revenue within two years.

The strategic initiatives undertaken by the VR arcade firm have yielded significant results, demonstrating the effectiveness of applying comprehensive frameworks such as the Diffusion of Innovations Theory, Goal Setting Theory, Value Innovation framework, Experience Curve, Core Competence framework, and Strategic Alliances framework. The digital transformation initiative successfully enhanced operational efficiency and employee satisfaction, which are critical components of workplace productivity. The development of exclusive VR content effectively differentiated the arcade from competitors and home VR systems, leading to increased customer engagement. Expansion into the educational and corporate training sectors opened new revenue streams, leveraging the firm's core competencies in VR technology.

However, the results were not without challenges. The initial investment in digital tools and training for staff was substantial, and the return on investment (ROI) took longer than expected to materialize. Additionally, while the exclusive VR content attracted more visitors, the continuous need for innovation and development to keep the content fresh and engaging presents an ongoing challenge. The expansion into educational and corporate training sectors, though successful, requires constant updating of content to stay relevant and competitive.

Alternative strategies that could have enhanced outcomes include adopting a phased approach to digital transformation to manage costs better and ensure a quicker ROI. Partnering with third-party VR content developers could have alleviated the burden of continuous content innovation. Finally, exploring additional revenue streams, such as hosting VR-based events and competitions, could further diversify income sources and increase customer engagement.

Recommended next steps include focusing on optimizing the digital platform to further reduce operational costs and improve customer experience. The firm should establish a dedicated team for continuous VR content development and innovation, possibly through strategic partnerships or crowdsourcing. Additionally, exploring further expansion into new markets or sectors, such as VR-based fitness or wellness programs, could provide new growth opportunities. Continuous monitoring and adjustment of the strategic initiatives based on market feedback and performance data will be crucial for sustained success.

Source: Innovative Strategy for Virtual Reality Arcade in Recreation Industry, Flevy Management Insights, 2024

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