This is with regard to Accenture and their B-school challenge. Aimed at identifying business minds of the future, Accenture announced winners of its annual ‘B-School Challenge’ conducted across business schools in India. With a view of the digital disruption facing businesses across industries all over the globe, this year’s theme is ‘Strategy for a Digital Future’. The contest, which in its third year, was open to 1st and 2nd year MBA students has seen more than 1300 teams (three members each) signing up.
IIM Kozhikode as “Team Thug Life” won and received pre-placement interviews with Accenture, and products from Apple, Bose and Samsung worth Rs. 2, 25, 000. The runners up team from IIM Calcutta “Team ICalraiders” and Indian School of Business (ISB) “Team Bazinga” won products from Bose and Apple worth Rs.1, 35, 000 and Rs. 90,000 respectively.
The Grand Prize was awarded to the team from IIM Kozhikode where the students presented the digital strategy in the Indian agriculture industry highlighting the an in-depth insight into its digital implementation and transformation.
The contest comprised four stages, where different abilities are evaluated using a unique combination of simulations, digital technologies and gamification models providing contestants with a unique experience as they gather a hands on and practical experience in business consulting. The digital approach also provides students with the flexibility to balance their participation with the demands of their college schedules.
Accenture conducted an online selection where the best minds to focus on the digital capabilities for Accenture’s 2020 vision followed by a ChangeQuest simulation & Case Presentation.
The four stages are:
- Stage 1: Timed online quiz to test general knowledge, and understanding of Accenture
- Stage 2: 15 shortlisted teams from each campus (150 teams) attempt a business simulation on ‘a day in the life of a business consultant’.
- Stage 3: 5 top performing teams from each college will make it past stage 2. They will be required to select any vertical industry and come up with a digital strategy for an organization functioning in a VUCA environment (Volatile, Uncertainty, Complexity and Ambiguity). Submissions will be made online
- Stage 4: 10 teams (the top performers from each college) will make it to the finale, which will include ChangeQuest simulation, as well as a case presentation to be completed within 14 hours. The finalists will present their case to a panel comprising of senior Accenture Strategy leadership and external jury members at an event in New Delhi on January 22nd, 2017