GIRL POWER The successful UP group members are all smiles as they hoist the trophy and the ceremonial examine for $1,500 prize cash. From left: Chelsea Denise Cregencia, Aleisha Hailey Ong Uy, Ma. Angelica Grace Rapal, Karla Lorena and coach Mikhael Anjelu Magana—CONTRIBUTED PHOTO
An all-women group of problem-solving enterprise administration and accountancy college students from the College of the Philippines-Diliman bagged the gold prize on the sixteenth Wing Lung Financial institution Worldwide Institute for Enterprise Growth (IIBD) Worldwide Case Competitors held within the Netherlands.
The group consists of Chelsea Denise Cregencia, Karla Lorena, Ma. Angelica Grace Rapal and Aleisha Hailey Ong Uy, who had been coached by Mikhael Anjelu Magana.
Their successful presentation in the course of the last spherical held at Windesheim College of Utilized Sciences on Nov. 7 was about an American recent produce firm that’s contemplating to pivot to indoor farming.
The UP group bested 4 different groups from Ateneo de Manila College, College of New South Wales, Thailand’s Thammasat College, Hong Kong Baptist College and Windesheim Faculty of Utilized Sciences.
Groups from Ateneo de Manila College and College of New South Wales acquired the silver and bronze prize, respectively.
Article continues after this commercial
IIBD Worldwide Case Competitors is a “distinctive platform” for college kids from member and nonmember universities worldwide to use their data and creativity in fixing real-life enterprise points. Every group was given 5 hours to analysis, analyze, develop a set of motion plans and make suggestions. The enterprise case was solely revealed on the day of the competitors.
Article continues after this commercial
Lengthy journey
Staff members inform the Inquirer that they went via bodily and emotional whirlwind earlier than reaping the fruits of their labor.
For every enterprise case dissected, every group was given quarter-hour to current their suggestions, and grilled by panelists for an additional 20 minutes.
The theme of this 12 months’s competitors was “Water for the World.”
BRAINSTORMING Utilizing just one laptop computer, the UP group was capable of create a transparent storyline and suggest options to a simulated enterprise downside. —Windesheim College of Utilized Sciences
“We imagine our success could be attributed to the sturdy bond we shaped as a group and the compelling narrative we weaved all through our presentation. From the in-depth evaluation to the modern methods, we introduced a cohesive and persuasive case,” says the 23-year-old Cregencia.
Uy, 21, explains that previous to the ultimate spherical, they analyzed 20 circumstances throughout their two-month weekend coaching classes, every of which lasted as much as 15 hours. These had been on high of juggling their educational necessities as graduating college students of Bachelor of Science in Enterprise Administration and Accountancy.
Within the first spherical, the case was to find out how a market-leading Mexican water product and companies supplier might assist clear up Mexico’s water disaster by way of wastewater therapy options.
“We had already established our roles in order that on the day itself it could be clear who can be answerable for which half. Not solely that, the group was very comfy in bouncing off one another concept’s … so we might attain a transparent technique,” 22-year-old Rapal explains.
A lot to their reduction, the group breezed via the primary spherical. Their secret weapon? Set up a transparent storyline early on. “[We] ought to be capable to make it clear what the issue was, why it’s such an enormous downside, what options can clear up it, and the way these options truly clear up the issue,” Rapal says.
In making their suggestions, the group drew from present finest practices from different international locations.
“The mannequin and the case research constructed upon each the readability, feasibility and credibility of our technique. One of many distinctive factors of our presentation was additionally an in depth monetary evaluation on the influence of our methods to the corporate,” she says.
After the primary spherical, the group needed to look ahead to greater than two months for the announcement of the finalists. There have been a complete of 51 universities from 20 international locations that participated this 12 months.
Once they had been advised they made it to the finals, it felt surreal, Cregencia recounts.
“I felt ecstatic, excited for what’s to come back, and the expansion we had been sure to see as we put together for the competitors,” she provides.
Coach Magana, an assistant professor on the UP Cesar E.A. Virata Faculty of Enterprise and director of the undergraduate packages, stuffed within the gaps to additional hone the group.
“The coaching would normally final the entire day, answering two circumstances, spending three to 5 hours to arrange for every case. We did our greatest to simulate the rigor of the particular competitors,” he provides.
As well as, Magana would “throw arduous and surprising questions, critique and argue in opposition to their evaluation and suggestions, and allow them to defend their very own concepts.”
Uy describes their coach as a “reliable determine.” Not solely was he at all times current throughout their marathon weekend trainings, but in addition offered very important analysis supplies and even invited college members and trade professionals as panelists throughout apply classes.
Greatest presenter
FLAG-BEARERS The group members went via a rigorous coaching program whereby they needed to analyze 20 circumstances and defend their concepts earlier than a panel throughout apply displays. —CONTRIBUTED PHOTO
Lorena, 22, who was additionally awarded as the perfect presenter, narrates that they had been a bunch of nerves throughout competitors day.
Magana believes the group stood out as they raised essential and reasonable factors synergy inside a conglomerate setting whereas contemplating monetary limitations of the topic entity.
When a panelist questioned Lorena on whether or not there’s any benefit in working with an all-women group, she replied that being an overthinker was truly a bonus.
“They used this ‘overthinking’ to guarantee that they thought-about all of the related info introduced within the case, which finally made their suggestions well-grounded,” Magana says.
Uy says the group naturally spent a variety of time on the nitty gritty, utilizing these particulars to research totally and validate the information via analysis to assist them make knowledgeable choices.
“It was terrifying to suppose that, as unlucky because it sounds, solely a win provides credit score to all of your arduous work,” Lorena says.
Your subscription couldn’t be saved. Please attempt once more.
Your subscription has been profitable.
“They’re an excellent group skills-wise, however their drive to reach the competitors was the last word deciding issue. Representing the Philippines on the world stage was already one thing to be happy with, however they didn’t cease there. They actually needed to win!” Magana says.
