It was an exciting week for Team Horizon Consulting as its members NUS BBA students Peggy Deng, Devin Nathanael, Janel Ong and Nigel Toe, clinched third at the University of Navarra International Case Competition 2018 held in Pamplona, Spain from 11 to 16 March.
Teammates Devin and Janel look back on their experience in Pamplona, a city made famous by Ernest Hemingway’s novel The Sun Also Rises.
Guided by faculty adviser Associate Professor Tan Soo Jiuan, our team competed with 15 teams from some of the world’s finest undergraduate business schools in North America, Europe, Asia and Australia.
We emerged first in our division against University of Washington, HEC Montreal and Erasmus University Rotterdam and eventually achieving third place overall.
During the competition, our team’s challenge was to formulate within 24 hours, the digital strategy for an insurance company, Helvetia in Spain as a result of current trends that were disrupting the industry.
We first analysed the different customer segments and distribution channels involved, before providing targeted recommendations.
Given the large complexities in both the front- and back-end technologies involved, we came up with a ‘Digibox’ strategy which integrated the different aspects into a simple solution for the company while having to ensure it was feasible.
The most exciting part was when we got to present to representatives of the company which made it extremely fulfilling when our ideas were validated.
The judges were impressed with the team’s sound understanding of the case and loved the innovative use of new technologies in our approach. They also liked our strong teamwork and how we supported each other.
Beyond the case presentations, the competition brought together students from all over the world, fostering cross-cultural interactions where many friendships were forged.
We also had the opportunity to explore Pamplona and its various landmarks made famous by Ernest Hemingway’s book. We walked along the streets of Pamplona’s famous Bull Run during the annual San Fermin Fiesta, ate at Cafe Iruña, built in 1888, and immersed ourselves in the charm of the city.
Through these, our team enjoyed an enriching experience – academically, socially and culturally which will definitely go a long way towards strengthening our skills and personal development for the future!
Visiting Saint Sebastian after the intense case competition
For more information on the NUS BBA programme, please visit bba.nus.edu.sg.