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Molson Update – Interesting Fact

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Of the top 11 schools in this year’s competition, 3 are from Canada, 3 from the US, 2 from Germany, 1 from Finland, 1 from Sweden and 1 from Portugal. Except for 1 school, a win or loss on Friday (with 30 points at stake) separates making the semi-finals from sitting in the audience!

The US schools are South Carolina, Pepperdine (CA) and UMaine.

UMaine Wins Case 4 – In the Semi-Finals?

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In a major victory on Thursday, 1/6, the UMaine team has moved into 2nd place in its division. Maine earned a significant 8-3 win over the Paris School to place 11th overall in the competition with just a few points separating the top teams. At this point, only one team is assured a place in the semi-final round.

Since 9 teams make the semi-final round, Maine is now in a strong position to be one of those teams based on the performance of the teams in the last case tomorrow.

If Maine wins against the divisional leader (Aalto of Finland), we should earn a spot. Aalto has lost to a team Maine has already bested in an earlier case.
In addition to our performance however, other factors that may decide the final result …… primarily the fact that in addition to Maine, a number of the other top 11 teams are facing off against each other in the last case.
So, you can see that Friday, 1/7 will be an exciting and dramatic day in Montreal.

Molson Update – Wednesday, January 5

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Wednesday is called “moving day” at the competition since there are two cases … a an already very intense and competitive environment.

The UMaine team won its first case (6-5) in a close decision against Asper. The case was an international marketing case involving a German company in France competing in the lighting industry when CFL lights were mandated by the EU. Both teams had made similar analyses and recommendations. The judges’ decision to favor Maine was based on its “well presented, direct” recommendations and its ability to answer questions. Overall the feedback said the team “spoke well” and exhibited “good teamwork.”
Maine lost the afternoon case – another international business case – with a 7-4 decision to LUMS. Frankly, we were all disappointed in the result and somewhat confused by the judges’ comments regarding a “lack of creative alternatives” that appeared to be the deciding factor. Both John and I felt the team had been impressive with both content and its presentation. Relative to the other team, we thought our team had won the case convincingly.
The case was modeled on Rio Tinto and concerned “best practices” in winning contracts in developing markets in the mining industry. Despite the result, the judges’ comments were consistent with other feedback Maine has been receiving …. such as “good clear presentation with effective time management” and the ability to defend “their position consistently well.”
Notwithstanding the loss, overall the UMaine team remains in a strong competitive position, placed third in its division in a very tight point race (3 teams with 2-1 records) and 15th overall in the total competition.
Today’s “live case,” just now beginning, concerns Canada’s global commercial strategy …. indeed the firm is the Canadian Trade Commissioner Service. It should be a most demanding case with Maine up against the Paris School.
Given other competitive lineups, at the end of the day Maine to greatly improve its competitive position in both the division and overall with another strong performance. Go Black Bears!

Victory in Case 1

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The UMaine team won their first case today with a clear 7-4 victory against a polished Laurier team. They earn a total of 37 points for the win and are placed second in the division after round one.

The case involved an Indian-Japanese (Honda) joint venture in India’s scooter/motorcycle market. The judges’ feedback was extremely positive citing the UMaine team as “confident presenters” with an analysis that provided a “clear evaluation of the market and direction of the business.” The judges also said the team was excellent at handling questions and noted their “ability to defend and build on their recommendation.”
John, Jason and I are proud of the team’s hard work and accomplishment today.
Tomorrow the team will compete in two cases. The morning case against Asper is another 3 hour preparation with a 25 minute presentation and 15 minutes of questioning. The afternoon case, against Paris, is a “short” case likely requiring the team to advise a business on an emerging crisis situation.

Molson Update – Monday Jan 3

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The competition draw places UMaine in the Bombardier Division along with Aalto University School of Economics (Finland), LUMS – Lahore University Suleman Dawood School of Business (Pakistan), Paris School of Business (France), University of Manitoba Asper School of Business (Canada), and Laurier University School of Business and Economics (Canada).

The UMaine first case is Tuesday afternoon against Laurier. Let the competition begin!