Undergraduate Team Places in Top Four at McCombs Business Challenge

A team of undergraduate students at Georgetown University’s McDonough School of Business finished in the top four of 20 institutions at the invitation-only 2009 McCombs International Business Challenge (MICB) case competition held at the University of Texas (Austin) Oct. 27 to Nov. 1.

Georgetown was represented by senior Jonathan Fein and juniors Alienor Armand, Yu-Ching Chiang, and Christine Chung. Each undergraduate team had two days to prepare and solve a “live” business case that depicts contemporary real-world problems confronted by Motorola’s Mobile Device Business. Student teams developed a set of recommendations to improve the division’s strategy in terms of its product portfolio, geographic expansion, and competitive positioning. At the end of the two days, each team presented its solution to the “client,” a panel of judges that included three senior vice presidents and a board member from Motorola, industry consultants, and academics.

“In presenting our recommendations directly to high-level Motorola executives about their current and extremely dynamic problems, we were no longer students learning about business, but instead business people in action,” Fein said.

Participating for the ninth time in the MIBC, Georgetown’s team advanced out of its preliminary round against Erasmus University Rotterdam (The Netherlands), Chinese University of Hong Kong, the University of Alberta (Canada), and Babson College. The final round pitted Georgetown against peers from Hong Kong University, FGV-EAESP (Brazil), and the University of Washington. Hong Kong University finished in first place, and the three other finalist teams were left unranked.

“As in previous competitions, our team proved itself in providing thoughtful strategic recommendations for both the short- and long-term. The team’s presentation clearly demonstrated strategic thinking and actionable recommendations for Motorola’s MDB Division,” said Associate Professor Jeffrey Macher, faculty advisor for the team. "I have high praise for the work ethic and performance of these students. To finish in the top four against several of the best undergraduate business schools in the world is a testament to the intellectual horsepower of our students and the strength of our undergraduate program.”

The students were selected to represent Georgetown’s McDonough School of Business through a rigorous application process that Macher conducted last spring. The students prepared throughout the fall semester in coaching sessions with faculty members Rebecca Heino, Jacqueline Hoell, Muir Macpherson, David Tan, and Macher.