Gabi Foss is an HBA1 student who took part in the Boston Consulting Group (BCG) Case Competition Nov. 7-10, 2017. Foss reflects on her experiences and lessons learned.
There are few experiences that bring about as much personal and professional growth, in such a short period of time, as the BCG Case Competition. I had never participated in such an event before, and didn't know what to expect. Now looking back, I am grateful we had this opportunity to practice rapid teaming, case analysis, and action plan development.
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Almost immediately, it became apparent how the diverse experiences of each team member turned into collective strengths. Whether it was a passion for soccer, or a history practicing Buddhism, these various perspectives added depth to our understanding of the case.
Furthermore, I believe the time constraints caused people to be more transparent with their thoughts. We were able to respectfully challenge each other to add value to every proposed idea before it quickly became solidified in the slide deck.
The BCG judges impressed me in a number of ways.
For one, they appreciated the risk our team took in making the customer the centre of our presentation, thereby validating the importance of storytelling in business communication.
In addition, as an aspiring corporate sustainability professional, I was thrilled the judges looked for solutions to serve an eco-conscious consumer while also driving repeat purchases. Organizations don't have to choose between doing well for the planet, and for their bottom line.
I look forward to our next LTA experience in order to build on the skills acquired during BCG, and to again spend a few days immersed in the life of a consultant.
