Team makes top six, will return to New York
Leeann Kline
Issue date: 2/3/10 Section: In the Spotlight
When you think about New York, you may think about Wall Street and the Empire State Building. But your first thought probably would not be about Danon, the yogurt and bottled water producing company.
Danon filled the thoughts of 10 business majors over the winter break and continues to fill the thoughts of five students waiting their return to New York.
Southwest Baptist University sent two teams consisting of five students each to the annual TRUST by Danon business competition at Danon's U.S. headquarters in White Plains, NY from January 22-24.
The six hour interactive business simulation included 15 teams from top schools nationwide.
Upon reading a 23-page case study, competitors completed a S.W.O.T. analysis (Strength, Weakness, Opportunities, Threats), developed four goals of company strategic action and a three year income statement for a virtual foreign branch of the Paris-based Danon company.
Teams were judged by how well they answered emails received every 15 minutes and how their decisions adhered to company values.
Participants soon found out that Danon provides more than just yogurt.
"Danon is a company that strictly adheres to its values and missions statements and is solely dedicated to health and nutrition," said junior Justin Wessels.
Although the simulation was stressful, teammates had to learn to work together and under time constraints.
"As SBU students, we're good at working under pressure," said senior Mallory Malloy. "We knew we were prepared because we had been challenged at SBU in classes."
The competition required teams to adapt to hurdles presented in the simulation.
"We came into it with a strategy and once we got to it we had to modify it and then race to the finish," said junior Lauren McGuire.
SBU's advancing team placed in the top six out of fifteen teams to compete in the simulation.
"We received the highest rating out of all the teams," said McGuire.
Succeeding at such a prominent competition feels reassuring.
"It really validated my major for me," said McGuire.
Members of the team that are going back to New York include graduate Sam Birks, junior Daniel Lancaster, senior Rachael Levingston, junior Lauren McGuire and junior Justin Wessels.
Now, they will complete in an internship project and then go back to New York to present their case study to Danon executives.
The returning team's internship will focus on helping Danon promote its products and increase sales.
"I'm really nervous because we have four weeks to put a presentation together," said McGuire. "Then, we will present again on March 4th."
Danon filled the thoughts of 10 business majors over the winter break and continues to fill the thoughts of five students waiting their return to New York.
Southwest Baptist University sent two teams consisting of five students each to the annual TRUST by Danon business competition at Danon's U.S. headquarters in White Plains, NY from January 22-24.
The six hour interactive business simulation included 15 teams from top schools nationwide.
Upon reading a 23-page case study, competitors completed a S.W.O.T. analysis (Strength, Weakness, Opportunities, Threats), developed four goals of company strategic action and a three year income statement for a virtual foreign branch of the Paris-based Danon company.
Teams were judged by how well they answered emails received every 15 minutes and how their decisions adhered to company values.
Participants soon found out that Danon provides more than just yogurt.
"Danon is a company that strictly adheres to its values and missions statements and is solely dedicated to health and nutrition," said junior Justin Wessels.
Although the simulation was stressful, teammates had to learn to work together and under time constraints.
"As SBU students, we're good at working under pressure," said senior Mallory Malloy. "We knew we were prepared because we had been challenged at SBU in classes."
The competition required teams to adapt to hurdles presented in the simulation.
"We came into it with a strategy and once we got to it we had to modify it and then race to the finish," said junior Lauren McGuire.
SBU's advancing team placed in the top six out of fifteen teams to compete in the simulation.
"We received the highest rating out of all the teams," said McGuire.
Succeeding at such a prominent competition feels reassuring.
"It really validated my major for me," said McGuire.
Members of the team that are going back to New York include graduate Sam Birks, junior Daniel Lancaster, senior Rachael Levingston, junior Lauren McGuire and junior Justin Wessels.
Now, they will complete in an internship project and then go back to New York to present their case study to Danon executives.
The returning team's internship will focus on helping Danon promote its products and increase sales.
"I'm really nervous because we have four weeks to put a presentation together," said McGuire. "Then, we will present again on March 4th."
Be the first to comment on this story