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This month, I had the incredible opportunity to participate in the AKB Business Champions Case Competition in Mannheim alongside five fellow Master’s students from Frankfurt School. Competing against nine other universities, including the University of Mannheim and HSG, we delved into four challenging case categories in partnership with top consulting firms and banks. We are grateful to Bankakademie e.V., which sponsored each of us to cover our accommodation and participation fees, helping make this experience possible.
In preparation for the competition, our team met twice a week for focused case-solving sessions. During these sessions, we worked on structuring solutions, refining our case-solving strategies, and coordinating tasks based on each team member’s strengths. This regular practice emphasized teamwork, clarity, and a strong commitment from each member. These structured meetings helped us learn how to tackle cases systematically, think critically under time pressure, and leverage each person’s unique skills.
Looking back, we realize that an area we could have improved was practicing how to quickly transfer our insights into PowerPoint with compelling storytelling under strict time limits. This skill became crucial during the competition when we were challenged to present our case solutions without preparation time. The need to balance speed with impactful storytelling became clear and is now something we’ll focus on improving for future competitions.
In the Innovation Case with BearingPoint, we were tasked with developing creative solutions for pressing business issues in marketing. This case pushed us to analyze social media activities and sharpen our creative thinking through finding applications of AI to make the content strategy more efficient. Presenting innovative approaches convincingly was both challenging and rewarding.
The Strategy Case presented by Oliver Wyman required us to make complex strategic decisions in the e-commerce and parcel delivery environment. We analyzed market trends, evaluated company strategies for last-mile delivery, and formulated initiatives to increase efficiency. This experience significantly enhanced our abilities in strategic planning and decision-making.
The Sustainability Case with Siemens Advanta focused on implementing software solutions of a company into the circular economy of several industries. Working on this case heightened our creativity in creating sustainable business models for common industries.
In the Finance Case with BNP Paribas, we applied our financial expertise to conduct detailed analyses and forecasts. This task deepened our understanding of financial interrelations and honed our analytical skills.
One of the central challenges was effective teamwork under intense time constraints. Working in a group of six, we had just three hours to solve complex cases. Coordinating tasks, aligning our work, and ensuring everyone was involved were crucial. Despite only knowing each other for a few weeks, our diverse backgrounds enabled us to stand up to the high level of competition.
After the intensive case work, we presented our solutions in a 15-minute presentation without any preparation time. Crafting the presentation while working on the case and confidently delivering it required adaptability and strong communication skills. Responding flexibly and confidently to critical questions further enhanced our ability to think on our feet.
Beyond the case challenges, the competition offered ample networking opportunities. AKB hosted a welcome dinner on the first day, allowing us to connect with participants from other universities. BearingPoint organized a networking dinner, and companies like zeb Consulting, Senacor, Oaklins, and RBC Capital were present with their own stands, inviting us to speed-dating sessions. Engaging with company representatives provided valuable industry insights and potential career opportunities. The last day offered a Gala Dinner.
The event was exceptionally well-organized. Sponsors like YFood, RedBull, and others ensured we were well-supplied during the intensive thinking phases. The smooth logistics and supportive environment allowed us to focus entirely on the competition. The representatives of AKB were both professional, yet had empathy and organizational skills, which let us feel comfortable at the event all the time.
Participating in the AKB Business Champions Case Competition was an enriching experience that I’d recommend to anyone looking to gain more case experience and undergo a real stress test. It’s an excellent opportunity to meet new companies and universities while challenging oneself.
For us at Frankfurt School, it was both a challenge and a testament to our capabilities. We learned the importance of teamwork, adaptability, and effective communication under pressure. All these experiences will help us to perform better in class, on the job, and in our personal development.
Interested in such experiences? Learn more about our programs and opportunities at Frankfurt School.
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