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What is the HSBC/McKinsey Business Case Competition?
The HSBC/McKinsey Business Case Competition ("The Competition") is a business case competition organised by the Asia Case Research Centre (ACRC) for undergraduate students
Who is eligible to join the Competition?
The Competition is open to full-time undergraduate students (local or exchange) studying at universities in Hong Kong.
How do I sign up?
Any selected university can sign up a single team for the Competition. Teams should consist of 4 students who make up the team and a coach (faculty member). An assistant coach can be included at the discretion of the university. No student alternates are allowed.
The ACRC , as the organising committee, is in no way involved in the composition and selection process for the individual teams.
Interested students from HKU should contact Dr. Venkat Subramanian. Students from other universities should contact their departmental faculty.
The deadline for application is 9 April 2010.
What is the format used for the Competition?
There will be four rounds. For each round, students will have to prepare and present a different case. In round one, three teams will face off against each other with the two best teams moving onto round two. From round two onward, teams will compete one on one with the best team advancing to the next round for the championship. All matchups are determined by random draw.
Each team will have a strictly enforced maximum of 20 minutes to make its case presentation, followed by a 10 minute question and answer session. All team members are required to participate in the presentation.
Any more details on the day's program?
A preliminary schedule can be found here. Please be aware that this schedule can be changed and that the final schedule will be made available at a later date.
When do the teams get a copy of the cases and where do the teams prepare their cases?
Cases will be made available in the breakout rooms on the days of the competition. From round 2 onward, teams who have been knocked out of the competition will also receive a copy of the cases for the next round.
How much time are teams given to prepare a case?
Teams are given 2.5 hrs to prepare each case.
What is the function of the coach and the assistant coach?
The coaches should help the students prepare for the Competition. They are not allowed to assist in the case analysis or preparation on the day of the Competition. They are nevertheless invited to all other activities on the day of the Competition.
What is the nature of the cases used and how should I prepare for the Competition?
The cases used in the competition are unpublished cases developed by the Asia Case Research Centre. We recommend that you familiarize yourself with some of the cases published by the ACRC in advance. ACRC cases can be found at www.acrc.org.hk
Cases used in 2008
Round 1: Wang's Fortune Tea
Round 2: Minsheng Bank
Round 3 ITC e-Choupal
Cases used in 2009
Round 1: Hong Kong Disney
Round 2 : Naxos
Round 3: Tanzania Microfinance
Teaching faculty can register on our website to download free sample copies of ACRC cases.
Will the coaches have access to the cases used in the Competition?
As reference, a copy of the case(s) will be made available to the coach and, if applicable, the assistant coach on the day of the Competition.
What peripherals can and cannot be used when preparing the case?
You are not allowed to use computers and mobile phones when preparing the case. All mobile phones (including smartphones and PDAs) should be switched off and laptops are barred from the preparation room. Textbooks and other reference material are also off-limits. Basic HKEAA approved calculators are allowed.
Presentation devices such as laser pointers are not allowed. For further details, please look at the competition rules sheet here.
Do we need to bring our own office supplies when preparing the case?
Basic stationary will be provided but please bring any materials you deem necessary.
The presentation
The presentation has to be made in English. Overhead acetates, a whiteboard/blackboard and que cards are allowed for the presentation. You are not allowed to prepare acetates before you have received the case.
Is there a dress code for the Competition?
Business formal.
The prizes
Champion: HK$20,000 + Internship at McKinsey & Company or The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited.
Runner-up: HK$10,000
All competitors will also be presented with a certificate recognising their participation in the event.
Will there be a new case for each round of the competition?
Three cases will be used for the competition, one for each round.
Under what academic discipline do the cases used in the competition fall?
All cases will be strategy and general management cases. In addition they can touch upon other disciplines such as marketing, accounting & control.
I am not familiar with the HKU campus. How do I get to the different venues?
A HKU student will be appointed to each team. This student will accompany the teams to the various venues and assist them in other competition related matters.
In addition, a map of HKU can be viewed here .
Are there any facilities in the preparation room students can utilize?
There is a whiteboard and/or blackboard in the preparation room students can use.
Do we need to bring our own office supplies when preparing the case?
Basic stationary will be provided. You can bring any other materials deemed necessary as long as you are in compliance with the competition rules.
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