At IE University, we strive to give our students hands-on experiences that allow them to put theory into practice. Recently, we sent four students from our business and management programs to compete in the 3rd edition of the Universidad Panamericana Business and Management Case Competition.
What are business case competitions?
Business case competitions bring together teams of three to four students to solve problems for real-life companies. Winning strategies showcase strong business acumen, creativity and out-of-the-box thinking.
Four students from IE Business School’s Business and Management programs recently traveled to the Universidad Panamericana Campus Guadalajara to compete in the Third Edition of the Business and Management Case Competition (BMCC). This edition’s theme was cultural enrichment.
We recently caught up with Sondre Tostrup, one of the four students representing IE University at the BMCC in Guadalajara, to learn more about his experience.
The BMCC: one of its kind in Mexico and Latin America
The Universidad Panamericana Campus Guadalajara, host of the third edition of the BMCC, is the only university in Mexico and Latin America that holds this competition. This year’s edition saw 16 participating universities, with four student representatives from each. The judging panel was made up of 45 judges who scored and offered feedback to the competitors.
The theme for this third edition of the business case competition in Mexico was cultural enrichment, with three cases from three companies: Chopo, Calaverandia and Club Deportivo Guadalajara (Chivas).
“During the week-long competition, we tackle three cases: two with our respective university teams and one with mixed teams. This gave us the opportunity to learn and collaborate,” explains Sondre.
In the first three days, competitors visited the cities of Tequila and Tlaquepaque, as well as IPADE Business School, the Chivas stadium and Calaverandia. On day four, they worked on their cases.
On day five, students presented their solutions and closed out the week with a gala dinner at the Hospico Cabañas. “The primary goal of the competition is to enhance problem-solving skills and develop viable solutions under tight time constraints,” says Sondre.
IE Business School: experiences beyond the classroom
From conferences and networking events to student case competitions like the BMCC, the IE Experience allows students to step out of their comfort zones and into hands-on learning. Students participate in experiences like this to expand their horizons and make connections with peers from around the world.
Sondre Tostrup, Leon Elias Bonell, Bruno Fernando Monterosso and Joaquin Jonas Herz made up the IE Business School competition team for the BMCC’s third edition. These four team members had previously participated in the internal case competition at IE Business School. Naturally, they were selected to represent the institution at the BMCC.
The students saw the BMCC as an opportunity to continue their pursuit of careers in consulting or management. Especially as it provides a platform to network and connect with like-minded professionals from across the globe.
Sondre shares that “the experience of working under pressure is highly relevant for future job applications.” He goes on to explain that the small team sizes make it an excellent way to stand out as a candidate in the world of work.
Challenges, advice and future opportunities
The team agreed that the main challenge was to truly understand the problem presented. Especially as misinterpreting what the company was asking for could potentially lead to solving the wrong issue. “A structured approach is crucial, as successful solutions typically include multiple aspects and propose comprehensive, multi-step strategies,” says Sondre.
Approaching each case with a consistent framework and methodology, a skill acquired during their respective programs, the competitors were proud of their solutions and how they represented IE Business School.
The team may not have landed in the top three for the case studies, but they did win the Spirit Cup after excelling in other cultural events. “The case analysis is only part of the experience—BMCC is also about immersing yourself in Mexico’s rich cultural heritage.” The event features tours, sports and galas, among other activities.
Sondre encourages students interested in consulting and management to get involved in case competitions early on. “Volunteer at the international case competition to better understand how these events work. Be sure to sign up for the qualifying competition for a chance to represent IE Business School.”
IE Business School offers students endless opportunities to network, participate in competitions, attend lectures and learn hands-on. Take the chance to go beyond the classroom and immerse yourself in the real business world.