In today’s dynamic and international environment, the ability to solve complex problems through a global lens is paramount. And Ivey’s Scotiabank International Case Competition (SICC) offered students from around the world the opportunity to do just that by combining a case competition focused on deepening their understanding of the global environment along with international networking events and Canadian cultural experiences.
Presented and sponsored by Ivey’s Scotiabank Digital Banking Lab in partnership with Scotiabank, the student-organized event consistently attracts teams from top business schools around the world. This year’s event brought together 10 international teams along with two Ivey teams and challenged them to analyze growth options for American audio equipment manufacturer Sonos as it seeks to move into new value-conscious market segments. The students even had the chance to gather some preliminary details from Kurt Preston, Vice President of Global Product Operations at Sonos, during his virtual address from Austin, Texas at the competition kick-off event.
Caleb Miller from the University of Sydney, said he has participated in other international case competitions before but noted that Ivey’s was different because of the real-world case, and the chance to hear the case introduced by an executive with the company was an added bonus.
Gaining a global perspective
For Seyeon Won from Korea University, the chance to meet people from other countries was a draw.
“When you go further in your career, you’re going to work with people from so many different countries and backgrounds so having a perspective that’s international from meeting people from all around the world is crucial for understanding the whole,” he said.
Won said an unexpected highlight for him was reuniting with a friend from high school who now attends Ivey.
Both Miller and Won said they were visiting Canada for the first time and looked forward to learning more about the country’s culture. In addition to the case competition, the SICC teams participated in social activities such as table tennis, bowling, and one of Canada’s favourite sports – curling. Each team also had a student ambassador from Ivey to help the SICC participants get acclimated to Ivey and Canada.
HBA students Roberto Armena and Kaitlyn Crombeen co-chaired the event and said it exceeded their expectations.
“We were amazed by the diverse strategies and perspectives used to tackle a common case. Every single team displayed a high degree of enthusiasm and dedication that makes SICC a truly remarkable event,” Armena said.
Photo above – Experiencing Canadian sports
Congratulations to the winners
The team from the Münster School of Business and Economics in Germany, made up of Benedikt Jurgeleit, Niclas Kempken, Catrin Klocke, and Nike Schachtebeck took home the first-place prize. Finalists included Universidad del Pacifico (second place) and Singapore Management University (third place).
Universidad Panamericana won the coveted Spirit Cup, which is given to the team with the most enthusiasm and participation in various events and challenges.
Photo above – Spirit Cup winners, Team Universidad Panamericana
The full roster of SICC teams included:
- Australia – The University of Sydney
- Canada – Ivey Business School (two teams)
- China – University of Hong Kong
- Germany – Münster School of Business and Economics
- Mexico – Universidad Panamericana
- Netherlands – Rotterdam School of Management
- New Zealand – Otago University Business School
- Peru – Universidad del Pacifico
- Singapore – Singapore Management University
- South Korea – Korea University Business School
- Spain – IE Business School
Thank you to the judges
- Ryder Britton, MBA ’19 – INTEGRA Technologies
- William Burnfield, MBA ’84 – Great Village International Consultants Inc.
- Audrey Grant –Scotiabank
- Darren Jack, HBA ’88, MBA ’92 – Impact360
- Dayo Odunfa, MBA ’19 –Manulife
- Craig Pattinson, EMBA ’04 – BCE/Bell Canada (Retired)
- Julie Strofolino, HBA ’96 – Scotiabank
- Stephanie Zee, MBA ’06 – Scotiabank