A triumph in analytical brilliance 

By Jerome Lafond – Contributor

Last Saturday, on Nov. 4, the Bishop’s University Commerce Society (BUCS) orchestrated its annual case competition, challenging business students to immerse themselves in a case study on Meta’s transformation from Facebook. Spearheaded by hosts Bill Robertson and Lisa McRae, the event saw 24 students engaging in strategic thinking and innovative problem-solving. 

For some participants, this was their first experience, while others viewed it as an opportunity to ascend to the pinnacle of success. Teams, each consisting of two seniors and two juniors, were tasked with providing an alternative growth strategy for Meta. The seven-page case study delved into the intricacies of Meta’s evolution, and participants had three hours to formulate a compelling solution. Judges, including Prof. Robert Palmer, Prof. Hamid Shirdastian, Maxim Jacques and the dean of the business school, Reena Atanasiadis, evaluated the presentations as Meta representatives. 

Johnathan Desy, along with teammates Michael Bielawski, Sara Scafuro and Jayme Marteniuk, emerged victorious, delivering a solution deemed both exhilarating and rewarding. The competition not only tested participants’ analytical acumen but also honed their teamwork efficiency and public speaking skills. 

The first round featured 20-minute presentations encompassing issue identification, comprehensive company analysis, recommendations and an implementation plan. The ensuing question period, presided over by probing judges, demanded quick thinking and responses from the participants. 

Out of the six initial teams, three progressed to the second round, which employed a condensed format with a ten-minute time limit focused on recommendations and implementation. The judges meticulously assessed the presentations, ultimately awarding first place to Bielawski, Desy, Scafuro and Marteniuk. Second place went to Evan Foran, Sara Katharina Mattheis, Loïs Verhoeven, and Joey MacLean, while Juliette Beaulieu, Josée-Anne Lafond, Henri Dessureaux and Jerome Lafond secured third place. Special awards for the best speakers among the finalists were bestowed upon Loïs Verhoeven, Josée-Anne Lafond and Michael Bielawski. 

Henri Dessureaux, a second-year management student and a first-time participant, described the competition as an “awesome experience,” pushing him beyond his comfort zone and providing exposure to presenting in front of esteemed professors, including the dean of the William School of Business. 

Looking ahead, BUCS will present “Beyond the Bubble” on Nov. 25, an event in Montreal offering a day filled with insights from guest speakers from the business field and ample networking opportunities.