Tram Nguyen, Cole Harris, Lauren Rasmussen and Thomas Gilbert proved that they have what it takes to win in the business world at SDSU’s International Business Case Competition.
October 22, 2019
By Elaine Cole
Business students from across the United States, Canada and Mexico competed at San Diego State University’s International Case Competition, and the power of purple prevailed.
TCU’s Neeley Fellows team brought home first place in a competition that applied their knowledge and skills to solve an international business case for MaxiaNet to enter the diaper market in Venezuela.
The team included Cole Harris (finance), Thomas Gilbert (marketing), Tram Nguyen (supply chain) and Lauren Rasmussen (marketing).
“This competition was one of the hardest cases I’ve done, but it came down to applying what I’ve learned through all my TCU Neeley classes,” Gilbert said. “What set us apart and led to our victory was our ability to present clearly, coherently and professionally.”
Marketing Professor Chris White, who advised the team, said the judges unanimously agreed that the TCU Neeley team was the best at presenting.
“Neeley Fellows are outstanding scholars who are well taught by their professors and the Neeley Professional Development Center to think strategically and talk clearly and professionally,” he said. “That is a recipe for success. All the kudos go to them.”
“The biggest takeaway I learned from competing in San Diego is that being great problem solvers not only involves intelligence and experience, it also requires empathy, sensitivity and the ability to adapt to circumstances,” Nguyen said.
“It felt great to work together and win!” Harris said. “We each brought a diverse skill set to the group and added a unique flavor to our final recipe.”
The TCU Neeley team went up against Instituto Tecnologico y de Estudios Superiores de Monterrey (Second Place), University of San Diego (Third Place) and San Diego State University (Fourth Place),
Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania, George Washington University, HEC Montreal Business School, James Madison University, Loyola Marymount University, Marist College and University of Arizona.
“Working together in a group of talented, hardworking and fun people was all I could ever ask for,” Rasmussen said. “We challenged each other’s ideas and delivered quality work in the way that the Neeley Fellows program has taught us to deliver.”
Last year’s team of Neeley Fellows took second place in the competition.
