Interview for I-CEE Student Case Competition Winners: Team NL

Our team consists of members from different universities and diverse cultural backgrounds: Chinese, Russian, and German. Zehua Wang is from the University of Applied Sciences in Amsterdam, Alexandra is from the University of Wittenberg, and Sophia Dienemann is from SRH Haarlem University of Applied Sciences. The combination of our varied perspectives and unique skill sets provided us with a broad set of tools that significantly contributed to the success of our case study.

Zehua Wang: 

I first learned about the I-CEE Student Case Competition while attending a youth tech startup expo in the Netherlands. Zijian Wang, my best friend here, introduced the competition to me during our conversation at the event. His explanation of the competition immediately caught my interest, as it seemed like a unique and challenging opportunity. I was excited to test my skills and see what I had learned so far in my studies. I also made it clear that if we decided to participate, our goal would be to aim for first place. It was gratifying to see our hard work pay off in the end.

Alexandra Kukhtina: 

A few days before the first I-CEE kick-off session, my lecturer, Zijian Wang, reached out with an exciting opportunity to participate in the competition alongside two students from other universities. Without hesitation, I agreed —it seemed like a fantastic challenge. After the official kick-off session, we had our first online meeting as "Team NL." From that moment, we were focused on preparing for the competition and aiming for victory.

Sophia Dienemann: 

I found out about the competition just a few days before it started. My lecturer, Zijian Wang, approached me after one of our classes and asked if I would be interested in participating in this case study competition alongside two students from other universities. I saw it as a fantastic opportunity, both personally and academically, to learn from others and tackle new challenges. Without hesitation, I decided to jump right in and take part.

Zehua Wang:

Selecting the "Kuaishou" case was a strategic decision for our team. The case was well-defined, and there was sufficient data available to build a comprehensive strategy. As a Chinese student, I felt a personal connection to the company's goals of expanding into new markets. The challenge of entering the Brazilian market seemed both intriguing and complex, making it the perfect opportunity to leverage our diverse team’s skills.

Alexandra Kukhtina:

All of the cases were intriguing, which made it difficult to choose. We ultimately selected Kuaishou because the case was clearly defined, had sufficient of data available, and presented the exciting challenge of entering the Brazilian market.

Sophia Dienemann:

After the kickoff session, our team held a meeting to discuss the cases that interested us. We researched the options, and each of us shared our preference. Wequickly realized that we all had a common interest in the Kuaishou case. The chance to work with a Chinese company looking to expand internationally, combined with having a Chinese teammate, made it a compelling choice. The task was well-structured, so we could start right away.

antly contributed to the success of our case study.

Zehua Wang:

We started by thoroughly analyzing the case and then divided the tasks based on each member's strengths. I took on the responsibility of providing insights into Kuaishou's core strategies and cultural background, given my familiarity with the company. We followed a structured process, holding regular meetings to discuss our progress and adjust our strategy based on feedback. My role also involved ensuring that our final presentation aligned with Kuaishou's branding, keeping the focus on entering the Brazilian market effectively.

Alexandra Kukhtina:

We focused on each member's strengths and divided tasks to maximize efficiency. We used materials from the Rotterdam International Case Academy for guidance, held regular meetings, and stuck to strict deadlines. We took on feedback from our supervisor and put in maximum effort to achieve the best results.

Sophia Dienemann:

Throughout the process, we had regular check-ins to distribute tasks and monitor progress. We held weekly meetings to ensure everyone stayed on track, and if any questions or challenges arose, we met even more frequently to address them. We also dedicated time to strategizing our solution and refining it based on feedback from our supervisor. This consistent collaboration and structured approach allowed us to develop a strong final product and stay aligned as a team.

Zehua Wang:

This competition was a learning journey for me in many aspects. It emphasized the importance of strategic thinking, teamwork, and effective communication. Working with teammates from different cultural backgrounds gave me new perspectives on market analysis and business strategy. Additionally, managing time efficiently and aligning our efforts towards a shared goal was a key takeaway. Overall, it was a valuable experience that allowed me to test my skills in a real-world scenario.

Alexandra Kukhtina:

This competition taught us invaluable lessons in teamwork, market research, case analysis, and strategic thinking. We gained skills that are essential for succeeding in the business world.

Sophia Dienemann:

The biggest takeaway from the competition was the importance of teamwork and communication. Clear communication, especially regarding deadlines and expectations, played a key role in our success. Additionally, our diverse perspectives greatly contributed to developing a strong strategic solution, particularly during our research into the Brazilian market. While the knowledge we gained through market analysis was valuable, the competition highlighted how essential it is to work effectively as a team and maintain open communication throughout the process.

Zehua Wang:

What sets the I-CEE Student Case Competition apart is the direct engagement with real-world companies and business scenarios. Unlike other competitions that often deal with hypothetical cases, this one required us to think practically and apply our knowledge to address genuine business challenges. Additionally, the diverse pool of participants and the caliber of judges made the competition more enriching and competitive.

Alexandra Kukhtina:

I think the competition stands out due to its diversity of participants, the range of real-world business cases, and the caliber of the judges. These elements create a unique and enriching experience for all involved.

Sophia Dienemann:

One of the most distinctive aspects of the I-CEE Student Case Competition was the direct connection with real companies. From the kickoff session, companies presented their cases, making the experience feel practical and industry-focused. We weren ’t just w orking on hypothetical scenarios; we had the opportunity to engage with real cases, which made the competition much more meaningful. Additionally, the competition’s online format allowed us to participate from different countries, coordinating our work via Zoom. This flexibility made it possible for us to collaborate despite being in different locations, which added to the unique nature of the competition.

Zehua Wang:

Our team’s shining aspect was our clear focus and strategic approach. From the start, we set the target of winning first place and tailored our efforts towards that goal. I encouraged the team to dig deep into the details and think creatively about solutio ns that would leverage Kuaishou ’s strengths. Our effective communication, attention to detail, and ability to synthesize different perspectives into a cohesive strategy were crucial to our success.

Alexandra Kukhtina:

Several aspects contributed to our success:

• Focused analysis : We narrowed down our research scope to focus on key challenges rather than trying to address every potential issue.

• Creative solutions : We came up with innovative ways to leverage Kuaishou's strengths to overcome its weaknesses.

• Attention to detail : We ensured our report and presentation aligned with Kuaishou ’s brand.

• Effective communication : With team members from different backgrounds, we prioritized open communication, shared feedback, and maintained a collaborative atmosphere.

By honing in on key issues, proposing innovative solutions, ensuring brand consistency in our work, and fostering a collaborative environment, we were able to tackle the challenges effectively and deliver a standout performance.

Sophia Dienemann:

The most shining aspect of our performance was our ability to work as a cohesive team consistently. We approached the competition with a strong strategic focus, conducting thorough market analysis while remaining mindful of scope, time, and profitability. Our teamwork was the foundation of our success, helping us navigate challenges and deliver results effectively.

Zehua Wang:

My advice would be to set a clear goal and work relentlessly towards it. Take full advantage of your team’s diverse strengths and maintain open communication throughout the process. Understand the case thoroughly, focus on the key challenges, and present your solutions creatively. Lastly, be confident in your ideas, but also be open to feedback. Success in this competition comes from a blend of strategic thinking, teamwork, and a drive to achieve the best outcome.

Alexandra Kukhtina:

To all future participants, this competition is a fantastic opportunity to work on real business challenges, collaborate with international peers, and hone your skills in communication, creativity, and teamwork. My advice is to listen carefully, understand the case thoroughly, use all available resources, and collaborate with company representatives. Attention to detail, team spirit, and good support from your supervisor are key to unlocking success in the I-CEE Student Case Competition. Best of luck!

Sophia Dienemann:

For future participants, my advice is to prioritize teamwork. Use your different perspectives to dig deep into the data and develop solutions as a group. Strong collaboration will ultimately give you the best results.