|
What is the McKinsey/HSBC Business Case Competition?
The McKinsey/HSBC 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 2009.
What is the format used for the Competition?
Teams will compete one on one. The match-up will be 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. Winning teams advance to the next round for the championship.
For the final round, the Q&A will be 20 minutes.
Any more details on the day's program?
The agenda for the day will be made available after 9 April 2009.
Last year's agenda is available here .
When do the teams get a copy of the cases and where do the teams prepare their cases?
Teams are given two hours to prepare.
How much time are teams given to prepare a case?
On the day of the Competition, each team will be assigned a preparation room where they have to prepare the cases. Copies of the cases will be made available in this room.
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The cases used at the Competition are unpublished business cases written by the Asia Case Research Centre. These will typically be cases on Asian companies or overseas companies doing business in Asia. We recommend that you familiarise yourself with some of the cases published by the Asia Case Research Centre in advance. ACRC case can be found at www.acrc.org.hk.
Last year, the following cases were used:
Round 1: Wang's Fortune Tea from China: Competing for a New Arena of the Beverage Market
Round 2: Minsheng Bank: Penetrating the US market through Acquisition
Round 3: ITC e-Choupal: Corporate Social Responsibility in Rural India
Coaches 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.
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 and a whiteboard are allowed for the presentation. You are not allowed to prepare acetates and whiteboard before the day of the Competition.
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 and 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.
|
