By Frédéric Grenon – Contributor

Bishop’s University was represented by two teams of WSB students at prestigious case competitions from Jan. 8-12, showcasing their teamwork and innovative thinking, taking advantage of experiential learning opportunities offered at Bishop’s.

Schlesinger Global Family Enterprise Case Competition: A collaborative effort in Vermont

The first team, composed of Joseph Aubert (4th year, Finance), Josée-Anne Lafond, (4th year, Finance), Simon Salvail (2nd year, Finance), and Vivienne Webster (3rd year, Business), competed at the Schlesinger Global Family Enterprise Case Competition (SG-FECC) at University of Vermont’s Grossman School of Business. 

Under the guidance of BU alumnus Maxim Jacques, former champion of the NIBS Worldwide Case Competition, the team began preparing for their Vermont competition early in November, working to improve their case-solving strategies and presentation skills.

The “World Cup of Family Business” challenged participants with complex cases revolving around the main topic of family business enterprises, focusing on issues of succession, family harmony, corporate governance, and managerial disputes. After presenting a strong pre-arrival case, the team tackled two additional rounds with four hours to prepare each. Presentations were followed by Q&A sessions with a panel of judges, ranging from family business owners to professors from all around the world.

Although the team didn’t qualify for the final round, they were able to take advantage of the various networking opportunities with students and professors from over a dozen higher education institutions around the world offered by SG-FECC and its leadership team throughout the week. Team members were able to apply the theoretical material learned in class to real-life situations, develop strategic thinking skills, and sharpen their teamwork abilities. “The competition challenged us to think critically and act quickly under pressure,” said Joseph Aubert. “It was an incredible experience that pushed us out of our comfort zones and showed how well we could work as a team.”

Battle on Bay: A podium finish in Toronto

Meanwhile, another Bishop’s team traveled to Toronto, to compete at the Battle on Bay Case Competition held at Toronto Metropolitan University’s Ted Rogers School of Management.

The team, featuring Max Harrison (3rd year, Finance), Samuel Paré (3rd year, Finance), Olivier Pontbriand (2nd year, Sports Studies and Business), and Jake Stevens (4th year, Finance), was coached by Kevin Guay, a BU alumni now working in private debt at Caisse de Dépôt et Placement du Québec (CDPQ). Guay’s mentorship began in December and extended into the new year, contributing numerous hours of his time to work on getting his students ready for Battle on Bay.

The competition consisted of tackling two separate challenging tasks. First, the team prepared a comprehensive stock pitch for TJX, the parent company of Winners, HomeSense, and Marshalls. Their analysis included building a full financial model and presenting their findings. In the second round, the team had two hours to come up with a strategic acquisition plan for a Canadian data storage company looking to expand its energy capacity through a renewable energy company in California. This last case highlighted the importance of effective teamwork in working under pressure.

Despite the tight timelines, the team’s hard work paid off, earning them a remarkable third-place finish out of 20 schools across Canada, notably outperforming delegations from the University of Toronto and Guelph University. Max Harrison also took home the Best Speaker Award for the event.

 

Reflecting on the experience, the team cited valuable lessons learned, such as valuing stocks in uncertain economic times and balancing qualitative with quantitative analysis. “The past weekend brought incredible learning experiences that you don’t get in the classroom, challenging us to think critically, work collaboratively under pressure, and tackle real-world problems with innovative solutions,” said Harrison. “While the podium finish is rewarding, the real learning comes from the late-night brainstorm sessions with the crew, consistent practices, and countless hours digging into quantitative and qualitative aspects of TJX’s business to craft a professional stock pitch for industry professionals.”

These case competitions underscored the strength of the Williams School of Business in fostering experiential learning and professional growth. From podium finishes to making connections, both teams left an impression on the competition circuit, proving that small schools like Bishop’s can compete – and thrive – on the national and international stage.