December 10, 2021
By Emily Morris
Following two hours of intense deliberation, the five Business Scholars on Team Oranges connected all the dots in their November case competition. The team impressed the judges by recommending seamless solutions to spur growth and increase revenue for a hypothetical educational toy company.
Presented with the same business information from the case, each of the five Scholars teams was charged with analyzing the case, developing recommendations and creating a presentation. For this competition, the Scholars transported themselves into planning crucial expansion for the mock “Learn Play Grow” educational game startup in southern Europe.
The winning team, comprised of Lauren Goralczyk, management information systems major; Alexis Harp, management major; Kurtis Jackson, marketing major; Leo Kaçaj, finance major; and Mari Romund, accounting and finance major, began by speed reading the information. Next the team divided to conquer, with each member focused on specific elements: overall analysis, breakdown, short term goals and long-term goals.
“We all presented on the topics we focused on,” Goralczyk said. “This is a plus about dividing the work: Each person becomes an expert on the slides [and topics] they created.”
In team Oranges’ presentation, the Scholars addressed internal and external challenges of “Learn Play Grow” and developed a thoughtful budget for the company’s expansion. Three judges listened to the presentations and asked follow-up questions.
“I found our strongest moment to be in the question-and-answer session,” Goralczyk said. “Our teamwork was particularly impressive — we had each other's backs.”
Their teamwork led the group to a win, developing and presenting the best business plan of the teams. According to Judge Yan Ling, Ph.D., associate professor of management, the winning team edged ahead with their “strong link between analysis and recommendation.”
OU’s Business Scholars will continue to exercise their skills through more business school case competitions, leading up to an international case competition in February. The next case competition is scheduled for January.
Learn more about Oakland University’s Business Scholars.