Waitomo Group — 2023 competition
Tasked with making the most of a Commerce Commission enquiry into retail fuel and subsequent legislation, students tried to plot a new course for the Waitomo Group. Tryptic Consulting wowed the judges.
The aim of the competition
First launched in 1996, the Waikato Management School Case Competition is a practical assignment as part of STMGT303 Applied Strategy, which is the capstone paper for the subject major in Strategic Management.
Working in teams, students are given a detailed case study of a real New Zealand company to analyse over a two-week period, much as if they were employed as real-life management consultants.
Their challenge? To develop a five-year strategy to grow the company's sales, profits and revenue, by leveraging its core strengths and expanding into new national or global markets. Each team also writes an in-depth business report about their strategy for the judges to consider.
Clients involved with the WMS Case Competition in previous years have included the likes of Zealong Tea, Zuru Toys, Annah Stretton Fashion, Yealands Wine Group, and Tainui Group Holdings Ltd, to name just a few.
How the competition works
On a day known as "Super Friday", each of the competing teams gives an inspiring presentation about their strategy to a judging panel of WMS lecturers and tutors.
The best four teams are chosen as finalists for the Waikato Management School Case Competition — proudly sponsored by PWC.
Each team gives a 10-minute presentation in front of a public audience. They must also respond to some tricky questions from the panel of external judges, comprised of industry experts.
After some healthy debate, the judges choose a winning team based on a 50:50 weighting of the written reports and presentations.
At the end of the evening, all the finalists are presented with a certificate and the winning team is announced. The winning team goes home with a $2,500 cash prize sponsored by PWC.
Fonterra — 2022 competition
After posted Fonterra a healthy profit of NZ $583 million for its 10,000 dairy farmer shareholders, competitors were asked to envision what the company's next 20-30 years would look like. Dynamic Consulting put forward the best strategy.
Shift72 — 2021 competition
Video on demand platform Shift72 was a global player before Covid hit but suddenly the firm was involved with film festivals like Cannes, Sundance and South by Southwest. Competitors were asked how best to take advantage and Prestige Strategies triumphed.
Boating and Outdoors — 2020 Case Competition
Formed in the early 1990s as a buying group, by 2020 Boating and Outdoors had 24 stores across the country — and an opportune moment to step back and decide on future operations. Triple J Consulting best plotted a course that would deliver success.
Previous competitions
ZURU Edge — 2019 competition
ZURU Edge launched Rascal and Friends nappies in 2017 planning for global success across multiple consumer categories — the goal was "five billion dollar brands in five years". Watch how 303 and Me set out their impressive business case.
Allbirds — 2018 B competition
Shoe company Allbirds arrived on the scene intent on disrupting the industry with a small range of products made from sustainable materials. How could they scale up and have the impact they wanted? Watch Optimistic Idiots' plan to feather their nest.
Xero — 2018 A competition
Accounting software firm Xero had been focussed on beautiful accounting software but was planning to target beautiful business. Tehy needed to know how cloud software could help small businesses? Watch Dream Strategy deliver on their name.
Zealong — 2017 B competition
After eight years developing the Zealong brand, the tea industry was on the cusp of a renaissance. Competitors were tasked with navigating this opportunity, while expanding the revenue generated from their existing services. Watch Settlers of Catan plan.
Zuru — 2017 A competition
From its NZ origins, Zuru had ridden meteoric growth to become a China-based business with revenues of NZ$500m and climbing by 2017. Management felt ready to make a quantum leap in how they operated. Watch Elite Consulting lay out their winning plan.