Teaching the Decision Making with Cases course at All Nations University College in Koforidua, Ghana has been rewarding and challenging - but most of all, a collaborative experience that I will never forget. Over the course of a week, we went from introducing students to their first ever Ivey business case to holding a formal business pitch competition! I like to use the word facilitating rather than teaching when talking about my experience because the students taught me just as much as I could have taught them. It truly embodied the spirit of Ivey's partnerships around the world.
Facilitating Case Discussion
Facilitating the case classes was one of the most engaging learning experiences I have ever had! In the beginning, I faced challenges like making sure that I gave everyone equal opportunity for contribution. I have definitely gained a new respect for my professors at Ivey! However, very quickly everyone became familiar with the case method and the classes became incredibly perceptive. The students loved to take part in lively debates over the decision that should be made in the case. One of the most memorable quips from the students was "there are no friends in business!" I hope that was a joke! As a facilitator, it was really interesting for me to see students make implications relating to the business environment of Ghana. I learned about many things, such as the thriving entrepreneurial spirit that existed in Ghana's informal economy. I wish the class could have gone on much longer!
Testing Out Our Very Own Case
One of the most rewarding moments for me occurred when we facilitated a class using a case that our team had just written. Shortly before class began, we traveled to Accra to visit a startup hub called iSpace. After conducting interviews with the co-founder and some inspiring female entrepreneurs at the hub, we were able to put together a case that focused on strategy and entrepreneurship in Ghana. Seeing that case come to life in the classroom for the very first time was incredible - the students were relating to the entrepreneurs in the case and recommending courses of action that could shape the future of iSpace. I was incredibly proud of our team and the students, and am overjoyed to say that the students identified iSpace as their favorite case at the end of the course!
The Business Pitch Competition
On the last day of class, we hosted a pitch competition where the students presented an original business idea using some of the frameworks and concepts they had learned. The students were also in for a surprise - we invited two guest judges from iSpace to help out! The iSpace ladies grilled the students on their business ideas and were extra tough on the ideas they saw the most potential in. They reminded me of the judges I faced many times during Ivey case competitions and really helped to bring the real business world to the classroom. Additionally, the judges exchanged contact information with some of the students so they could kick-start their entrepreneurial ideas at iSpace!
I am sad that the course is over. However, I am even more excited to see how these students, Ghana's Future Entrepreneurs, change their business community for the better. I hope that the Decision Making with Cases course gave them some of the tools, experiences, and networks to go forth into the business world. Yet, I know that it is the incredible passion of these students that will truly bring their business ideas to life - so watch out Ivey and watch out Ghana!