7 minute read
Strong showing by Goodman at case competitions
By Daniela Gatti
From hosting JDC Central on campus and breaking their own record at DECA U Provincials, to remaining undefeated at the World Trade Center Buffalo Niagara International Case Competition,
Goodman School of Business students experienced another successful business competition season last winter and exemplified the importance of extending their classroom learning to real-life scenarios.
“Case competitions prepare students for the working world by encouraging them to think critically and problem solve, hone their communication skills, and demonstrate competence and confidence in their business knowledge,” said Goodman Dean Andrew Gaudes. “What’s more is the camaraderie they form with other students and the feelings of accomplishment they experience when they are recognized for their achievements.”
Although students performed well in the competitions they attended, their season was unfortunately cut short due to the coronavirus pandemic. Goodman’s DECA
JDC CENTRAL
team wasn’t able to attend the International Career Development Conference in Atlanta, a competition where all 16 Goodman delegates placed in the Top 10 last year and brought home a record 34 medals. Other students were unable to compete in the University of Waterloo Accounting Conference in Toronto and members of Brock Finance and Investment Group couldn’t participate in the Quinnipiac University GAME Forum X finance competition in New York City.
First place JDC accounting case competition winners. From left, Besma Matar, fourth-year Business Administration Co-op International Double Degree student; Lewis Stevenson, faculty advisor; Harshita Santha, first-year Master of Accountancy student; and Urooj Manzoor, fourth-year Accounting Co-op student. First place JDC wild card case competition winners. From left, Sam Farberman, fifth-year Business Administration student; Lewis Stevenson, faculty advisor; Monica Upadhyay, first-year Master of Accountancy student; and Manvir Brar, fourth-year Accounting student.
The competition season kicked off in early January with the Goodman School of Business hosting one of the largest business school competitions in the country.
More than 550 students from across Canada attended JDC (Jeux du Commerce) Central Jan. 3 to 5 to compete in the 'business school Olympics.' Students from 11 universities across Ontario, Quebec and the Maritimes competed in eight pillar academic business categories, as well as sports, debate and social competitions.
After an intense weekend, Goodman students placed second for the prestigious School of the Year award, finished first in the accounting and wild card case competitions, and ranked second in both digital strategy and overall participation. Goodman’s quickball team finished third and its sports team received the team sportsmanship award.
In addition to students showcasing months of practice and proficiency in their categories, they often form lifelong relationships at JDC Central.
“The most rewarding part of participating in JDCC every year is the friendships everyone forms within the team,” said Rosie Di Matteo, a fifth-year Business Administration Co-op student and co-captain of the Goodman JDC Central team. “Although we did not successfully defend our School of the Year title this year, working with my co-captain Shane Shibley and our JDC team felt like being with family — it was the most rewarding part of it all.”
Nick Hollard (BBA '17), Goodman alumnus and former Goodman JDC Central delegate, returned to Niagara to help organize the competition as the Vice-President of Competitions with the Canadian Association of Business Schools.
Organizing the competition on hometown soil made the experience extra special for him.
“Coming back to showcase the place where I developed so many profound memories was really amazing, both on a professional and personal level,” he said.
Goodman students earned a school record of 24 medals at this year's DECA U provincial competition in Toronto.
When Nimrat Brar first arrived at Goodman as a Business Administration student, she looked for ways to get more involved with the school community. She joined Goodman’s DECA team even though she felt nervous to compete in case competitions. Four years later, she led Goodman’s team to victory at DECA U Provincials, collectively earning a school record of 24 medals.
More than 1,400 students from 20 schools participated in the provincial competition this past January in Toronto. Delegates competed in business categories, individually or with a partner, and had 15 to 20 minutes to prepare solutions to a case before presenting them to an industry-professional judge.
With 75 per cent of Goodman’s DECA team being first-time delegates this year, Brar, who served as President of Goodman’s DECA team, said training took a different focus.
“We were not focused on the medal count; we wanted to focus on building the team for future years,” she said. “Our training was more about how the delegates felt they were progressing and the personal development opportunities that came from practice.”
After placing first in the travel and tourism category in her first internal Goodman DECA competition, Brar knew she would continue with Goodman’s DECA team throughout her undergraduate degree. Now, with four years of case competitions on her resumé, Brar is confident she made the right choice.
“It is wonderful to be able to grow with the club year after year,” she said. “Getting to lead a club is like running a startup. It’s amazing to be part of the process.”
Goodman students placed first for the second consecutive year in the World Trade Center Buffalo Niagara International Case Competition. From left, Sukhwinder Gill, third-year Business Administration student; Diana Oprea, fourth-year Business Administration Co-op International Double Degree student; Nimrat Brar, fourth-year Business Administration student; and Tyler Bergey, fourth-year Business Administration student.
Goodman students also found success on an international stage this year when they brought home a first-place trophy for the second consecutive year.
A team of four Business Administration students reigned undefeated at the second annual World Trade Center Buffalo Niagara International Case Competition in February after competing against teams from five other universities in western New York and southern Ontario on a real-world international trade case provided by the American company Moog.
The case challenged students’ business knowledge and their time management skills. Tyler Bergey, Nimrat Brar, Sukhwinder Gill and Diana Oprea, were provided the case the evening before the competition and had to submit a thorough recommendation by 9 a.m. the next morning. The next day, the teams were at Niagara University in Lewiston, New York ready to present their report to industry executives.
Participating in the international competition was a unique and unforgettable opportunity for the students.
“Being able to represent Goodman and win first place for the second year was an amazing experience, said Bergey, a fourth-year Business Administration student. “Because the competition is still quite new, it was different than any other competition I’ve participated in. It was extremely rewarding.”
trophy award certificate DECA ONTARIO RESULTS:
The following teams received medals for their final award standings in their categories: • Business Law: First place, Sam Farberman and Amani Ahmad • Marketing Management: Second place, Manpriya Arora and Srushti Rajgopal
• SEED (entrepreneurship pitch):
Third place, Matthew Reid The following students received medals for placing in the Top 5 of their individual categories: • Accounting: Aman Juthani (case 1 and case 2), first place overall • Corporate Finance: Liana Biktimirova (case 1), third place overall • Corporate Finance: Manvir Brar (case 1 and case 2), first place overall • Corporate Finance: Angelo Pirrera (case 2)
• Fashion and Retail Management:
Martina Cutruzzola (case 1 and case 2), first place overall
• Human Resources Management:
Chris Kislinsky (case 2)
• Management Consulting:
Kolton Leung (case 1)
• Management Consulting:
Sukhwinder Gill (case 1)
• Restaurant and Food Services
Management: Simon Denford (case 1), second place overall
• Restaurant and Food Services
Management: Shruti Parikh (case 2) • Travel Management: Nimrat Brar (case 2)
JDC CENTRAL RESULTS:
The following teams received awards at JDC Central: • Goodman JDC Central: Second place, School of the Year • Accounting: First place, Besma Matar, Urooj Manzoor and Harshita Santha • Wild Card: First place, Manvir Brar, Sam Farberman and Monica Upadhyay • Digital Strategy: Second place, Sukhwinder Gill, Jayna Sutaria and Roshanth Thulasiram • Sports Team: Third place in Quickball and team sportsmanship, Justin Dilgert, Lucas Di Nardo, Luis Macias Gutierrez, Zain Ibrahim, Chris Kislinsky, Monica MacDonald, Cassandra Plute and Nicole Smith
OTHER COMPETITIONS:
World Trade Center Buffalo Niagara International Case Competition:
First place, Tyler Bergey, Nimrat Brar, Sukhwinder Gill and Diana Oprea LIVE Case Competition: First place, Fadi Kara, Thomas Barnes, Kevin Diep and Denise Brennan; second place, Tyler Berger, Emily Sleegers, Ryan Tully and Roshanth Thulasiram; fifth place, Manvir Brar, Sukhwinder Gill, Ashley Harold and Martina Cutruzzola
