The MSc Case Competition consisted of two eleven-hour days with a different case each day. Teams were given cases at 7:30am and were given until 12:55 to analyze the case and create a presentation. The class then had a break for lunch before presentations commenced. After lunch, teams presented to one of three different judging panels, to find who would later present in front of the entire class, based on who would have the best recommendations for the case.
On the first day, the case was a practise round for the teams to get used to working together under the time pressure of delivering. After presentations, teams received feedback on their analysis and presentations. Teams then considered how best to approach the next day’s case and improve their presentations.
On day two, after the first round of presentations, the top teams were ranked by each judging panel to see who moved on to a second round. This round took place in the auditorium, and was watched by the rest of the teams. All judges from the panels scored the top three presentations, judges deliberated, and results were announced.
To me, the case competition had three major benefits:
1. The three MSc streams: International Business; CEMS and Business Analytics; participated and teams were assigned with a mix of the three groups. This allowed students to work with people of a different educational background and to get to know other students in the program that had not had a chance to get to know before.
2. The case competition was a good exercise in analyzing real world data in a short period of time. It was a good way to practice a work-like emergency deadline in a safe space with low consequences.
3. Participating in the case competition was a new way of learning. Even though our classes are very case based, solving the cases with time pressure and without professor guidance and learning how to present recommendations in a compelling way was a new and fun way of learning.
Overall, the MSc case competition was a great way to get to know classmates better, understand different cultural and educational backgrounds in the class and simulate a real-life business situation. Going forward, I believe that I will feel more comfortable working on complex issues with a tight deadline, which will ensure that I keep a clear head and do the best work possible in the time allotted.
Until next time,
Brianna