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| International business competition tests UNI students |
Wednesday February 16, 2005
Article by: Jim Stanton
Waterloo Cedar Falls Courier
CEDAR FALLS --- Competitors are placed in a room with little more than writing utensils, paper, a few reference books, a computer and a printer.
They're given the mock business scenario --- perhaps a corporate takeover.
Then they get six hours to analyze the proposal, make a presentation and field questions from a panel of judges.
"During that span we look at the pros and cons and determine what the best approach is, whether it's feasible," said David Holtkamp, 22, a University of Northern Iowa student majoring in economics.
"It's a very high-pressure situation, but it gives you an idea of what international business is really about," he said.
On Friday, Holtkamp and three other UNI business students will leave for Rennes, France, near Paris, to compete against collegiate teams from Finland, Ireland, Canada and elsewhere.
They're converging for the finals of the International Business Case Competition, sponsored by the Network of International Business Schools. NIBS is an association of more than 60 business colleges globally. This is the ninth annual contest.
At a qualifying round in the fall, the UNI squad advanced to the finals --- and will be the only team from the United States.
Team member Beth Kies, 22, said U.S. business colleges don't emphasize business competitions.
"Our education system hasn't focused on taking business concepts and putting them in a competitive setting," said Kies, a finance and political science double major. "In European schools, all their education is geared that way."
That lack may put U.S. business graduates at a competitive disadvantage, Kies said.
Once the competition commences Monday, each team will compete at least three times. Those receiving the highest marks from judges will advance to the final round on Feb. 25. An awards dinner will follow.
"The process challenges them to work under pressure and interact as a team," said Chris Schrage, adviser to UNI's International Club of Business Students.
All four UNI team members belong to the club and have contemplated working for international companies after completing their schooling.
Thanks to the twice-weekly practice sessions, team member Cody Myers, a finance major, says he has a greater awareness of the workings of international finance.
"For me, this is something that's out of my area, so it's been a learning experience," he said. "This teaches you how to get along with people from other countries."
"It's also an opportunity to make future business contacts in other countries," Kies added.
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