{"id":36401,"date":"2024-04-29T07:00:23","date_gmt":"2024-04-29T06:00:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.frankfurt-school.de\/?p=36401"},"modified":"2024-04-26T16:14:20","modified_gmt":"2024-04-26T15:14:20","slug":"representing-frankfurt-school-at-the-ie-bba-case-competition-in-madrid","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blog.frankfurt-school.de\/de\/representing-frankfurt-school-at-the-ie-bba-case-competition-in-madrid\/","title":{"rendered":"Representing Frankfurt School at the IE BBA Case Competition in Madrid"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">In February, our team, comprising Cloe de Leo, Tomislav Aleksic, Vato Vepkhvadze and Martha Zoller, had the opportunity to represent\u00a0<\/span><a class=\"editor-rtfLink\" href=\"https:\/\/www.frankfurt-school.de\/en\/home\/about\/student-life\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Frankfurt School<\/span><\/a><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">\u00a0at the IE Business School 2024 Case Competition in Madrid. The competition was challenging yet enlightening, pitting us against eight other globally renowned universities over one intense week.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Madrid: A City of History, Culture, and Innovation<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Upon arrival, we were greeted with the saying, &#8222;Madrid does not live in the shadow of any city&#8220;. It was the first time many of us had been to the Spanish capital, and it did not disappoint. Madrid enchanted us with its vibrant culture, historic sites, and an endless supply of tapas. Our exploration was not limited to Madrid; we also ventured to Segovia, where history stands tall in the form of its ancient Roman aqueduct. The campus locations of IE University \u2013 one standing among the four famous skyscrapers of Madrid \u2013 and the other one inside an old, fascinating building in Segovia- gave us a fantastic feeling of studying in the Spanish capital for a week.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">The First Challenge: SUSHITA<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">The competition was structured around two prominent cases. The first challenge was presented by SUSHITA, which focused on expanding its market reach while maintaining the essence of its brand. Not only did our team have to provide a strategy for the years to come, but we also had the task of analysing the past of this exciting company and how it achieved growth back in 2014. Our approach blended traditional values with innovative market strategies, earning us valuable feedback from industry experts. We had time to work on this case while still in Frankfurt.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Finally, on the first day of the competition in Madrid, we had the opportunity to present our solution to the SUSHITA case. Our efforts brought us straight to the finals, and we conquered the third place, which we celebrated together with the other teams and the competition organisers.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">&#8222;Cross&#8220;-Team-Building<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">On our second day in the Spanish capital, we enjoyed an entire day of team-building activities, which surprised us with a different format and enjoyable tasks. We were not supposed to only bond with our teammates and we were given the opportunity to get to know students from other participating universities better. This created a unique environment where teams stopped thinking about competing against each other and started observing and appreciating others&#8216; knowledge, strengths and experience.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">The 24-hour Challenge: Radisson Hotel Group<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">The real test finally came on the third day in Madrid. The second case was a relentless 24-hour challenge created by the Radisson Hotel Group. The nine teams were tasked to seek an innovative solution to increase the hotel giant&#8217;s profitability by enhancing guests&#8216; experiences while addressing the post-pandemic market shifts. This case allowed us to dive into the hospitality sector, enlarging our interest in the business world and its many factors. The intensity of working through the night, fueled by caffeine and teamwork, tested our endurance and commitment and created a special bond between us.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Key Learnings from the Business Challenges<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">The week was a whirlwind of learning, from strategic analysis to the importance of teamwork. Here are our key takeaways:<\/span><\/p>\n<ol>\n<li><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"><strong>Team Dynamics:<\/strong> The importance of a cohesive team cannot be overstated. Our success was a direct result of our collaborative efforts, where each member&#8217;s strength was utilised to the fullest. Thankfully, our team matched not only on a professional but also on a personal level.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"><strong>Preparation and Practice:<\/strong> Familiarising ourselves with case studies before the competition proved valuable. It helped us structure our responses and ensure our solutions were innovative and feasible.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"><strong>Analytical Approach:<\/strong> Adopting a structured approach helped us navigate complex problems effectively.\u00a0<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">It&#8217;s<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">\u00a0crucial to remain focused and prioritize the core issues at hand.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"><strong>Embracing Culture:<\/strong> Understanding the local culture and market nuances significantly influenced our strategic recommendations, especially in the case presented by SUSHITA.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<h2><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">The Culinary and Social Saga<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Beyond the case studies, the week\u00a0<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">was filled<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">\u00a0with networking events, cultural excursions, and Spanish cuisine. The tapas nights were culinary delights and excellent networking opportunities. Each meal was a chance to connect with fellow participants from around the globe, sharing insights and forging friendships.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">The week\u00a0<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">was characterised<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">\u00a0by acute sleep deprivation, a testament to the intensity of the competition. Yet,\u00a0<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">these moments of sheer exhaustion mixed with unwavering determination will be remembered<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">\u00a0most fondly.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Gratitude and Reflection<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Representing our school on such a prestigious international platform was an honour. We are immensely grateful for the sponsorship and support provided by our institution, which made this unforgettable experience possible.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">To anyone contemplating participating in future case competitions, we wholeheartedly recommend it. Not only does it enhance your problem-solving skills, but it also provides a unique opportunity to understand diverse business landscapes and meet inspiring individuals.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">In conclusion, the IE Business School 2024 Case Competition was more than just a contest; it was a week of intense learning, unforgettable experiences, and cultural immersion. With its rich history and vibrant nightlife, coupled with the challenging cases, Madrid provided the perfect backdrop for an enriching experience.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong>Co-author<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-36370 alignleft\" src=\"https:\/\/blog.frankfurt-school.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/Picture3-300x300.jpg\" alt=\"Cloe De Leo\" width=\"126\" height=\"126\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blog.frankfurt-school.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/Picture3-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/blog.frankfurt-school.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/Picture3-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/blog.frankfurt-school.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/Picture3.jpg 320w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 126px) 100vw, 126px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><strong>Cloe de Leo<br \/>\n<\/strong><em>Bachelor of Science in Management, Philosophy &amp; Economics Class of 2025<\/em><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Cloe De Leo is currently studying at Frankfurt School while employed as a Junior Innovation Consultant and is working towards a position in social impact consulting.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>In February, our team, comprising Cloe de Leo, Tomislav Aleksic, Vato Vepkhvadze and Martha Zoller, had the opportunity to represent\u00a0Frankfurt School\u00a0at the IE Business School 2024 Case Competition in Madrid. The competition was challenging yet enlightening, pitting us against eight other globally renowned universities over one intense week. Madrid: A City of History, Culture, and [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1354,"featured_media":36439,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1238,40,39],"tags":[895,2500,879],"class_list":["post-36401","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-awards","category-bachelor","category-study","tag-career-development","tag-case-competition","tag-challenge"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.frankfurt-school.de\/de\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/36401","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.frankfurt-school.de\/de\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.frankfurt-school.de\/de\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.frankfurt-school.de\/de\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1354"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.frankfurt-school.de\/de\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=36401"}],"version-history":[{"count":8,"href":"https:\/\/blog.frankfurt-school.de\/de\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/36401\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":36453,"href":"https:\/\/blog.frankfurt-school.de\/de\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/36401\/revisions\/36453"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.frankfurt-school.de\/de\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/36439"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.frankfurt-school.de\/de\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=36401"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.frankfurt-school.de\/de\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=36401"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.frankfurt-school.de\/de\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=36401"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}