GTK members at the Solvay Business Games, Brussels
The 9th edition of the Solvay Business Games was organized by Solvay Business University and McKinsey between March 4-5. There were 400 candidates from all around the world, including Europe, Asia, and Nord-America.
The first challenge of the Games was provided by Lidl. After the preliminary round, consisting of an online task,the 10 best teams, composed of two members, presented their solution in front of Lidl’s jury on the 5th of March.
The second and also the pitch-challenge, brought by McKinsey, took place on March the 4th at Sheraton Hotel. Contestantshad three hours to come up with a five minute pitch. The teams of four had to pick one out of three start-up ideas given. They could choose among an instant translator system, printing meat with the help of a 3D-printer and Bluetooth technology based charger system.
Right after the pitch-challenge, the strategy challenge took place. In this case each team was composedof six members and had two and a half hours to come up with a solution, the task beingto provide a long-term strategy for a private bank, called DegroofPetercam, while being aware of the fact that the artificial technology and digitalization is taking over the traditional private banking methods.
The last challengeof the day, provided by BDO, was the negotiation challenge. The 400 participants were divided in two types of teams: buyers and sellers. They had four hours to come to an agreement concerning a property situated inBruxelles. Each party got a different starting data and in every half hour there were news about market changes and the other party. During the last hour the actual face-to-face conversation took place. The parties had to find an arrangement, with specific terms and conditions, that satisfied both sides.
The fifth challenge took place on March 5 and it was provided by Unilever. The teams were made up of six students and had four hours to solve the task. This assignment was a marketing oriented one, theteams had to use the 6P model.Participants had to work out a marketing strategy for sprays manufactured by compressed technology, which appeared on the market one and a half year ago, but costumers arestill unfamiliar with the aforementioned technology.
One of the most exiting part of the competition was the final presentation of solutions for the pitch, strategy, and marketing challenges. The teams were evaluated by a jury of three.
The sixth and also the last task was the eloquence challenge, which unfolded after the award ceremony. In this challenge only the best eight Bachelor’s and Master’s students were allowed to compete. Contestants had 20 minutes to prepare their arguments for the debate.
The two days long intensive competition was closed by an open bar banquet. Participants had the chance to continue the networking at Les Jeuxd’Hiver Club.