The NABA X Bentley Business Bowl competition is an annual, campus-wide business case competition that offers students the opportunity to demonstrate their skills in solving real-world business problems and network with business professionals.
Participants were presented with a case study the day before the competition. Following class sessions, teams met up to brainstorm and create a presentation that addressed the case’s intricacies. With a tight schedule of less than 24 hours to prepare, teams worked until late hours. Teams of up to five students of the same class year level compete against other teams of the same level. Some teams were self-chosen, while others entered as free agents and were grouped randomly. Participating as a free agent offers a unique experience - starting with unfamiliar faces, you spend the 24 hours delving into each person’s interests, skills, passions, and working styles, leveraging strengths and fostering connections throughout the process.
Judges were drawn from alumni and the professional and corporate community. They evaluated each presentation based on the teams’ ability to identify critical issues, supplemental research, feasible and creative recommendations, thoughtful answers for the Q&A session, and their overall impression. Post-evaluations, judges arrived at Bentley University to provide feedback. However, there were notable areas for improvement regarding how Bentley University prepared these judges.
Some judges arrived tardily, while others seemed unaware of the 24-hour time constraints imposed on the teams, suggesting impractical solutions like conducting actual interviews instead of addressing hypothetical scenarios. Additionally, some judges appeared underprepared, admitting to only skimming the case study on the morning of the presentation. They proceeded to question fundamental aspects of the case, even suggesting that participants conduct further research before making assumptions regarding topics such as the demographics of the case population.
Despite these challenges, the Bentley Business Bowl competition is a valuable experience where students can collaborate with diverse teams, enhance their problem-solving skills, gain practical insights into real-world business scenarios, and network with professionals in their field of study. It is my hope that constructive feedback from this year's event will be considered for future competitions, ensuring continued growth and participation. These competitions demonstrate Bentley University’s commitment to excellence and set it apart as a leader in experiential learning.
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