GBA places Top 3 in international competition

In short, it was a landmark performance for this relatively new Bloomsburg University student organization launched from of the Zeigler College of Business. Long term, it was a memorable experience its members say will ultimately benefit them in their professional lives.

BU’s Global Business Association (GBA) placed third this fall at the Consortium for Undergraduate International Business Education (CUIBE) Case Competition in San Diego, outperforming the likes of George Washington University, Loyola University Chicago, University of Oklahoma, University of Nebraska-Lincoln and San Diego State. It was the first time BU has placed in the top three of the CUIBE competition, according to Lam Nguyen, GBA’s advisor and professor of management and international business.

“What made this third-place award so special is that the competition was extremely competitive,” Nguyen said. “The judges were so impressed with our team’s presentation and highly applauded their great effort. This result is clear evidence again our students can compete with the top schools in the nation. We gained much respect from others in the CUIBE organization.”

It was an enlightening experience, according to Jared Ortega, a junior international business and economics dual major, who along with Ekaterina Khrunova, a freshman Russian exchange student, Jordann Marie Seasock, a senior international business and management major, and Sierra Danforth, a senior business administration major, represented BU in the competition.

“(This) provided me an outlet to apply the knowledge I’ve gained from my time in the international business program,” Ortega, said. “The Global Business Association has provided me a club that expands my outlook on the business world. It offers events that provide a great way to boost your resume and create a wide variety of experiences.”

Open to any major the GBA provides opportunities to explore international business issues, cross-cultural differences and develop cross-border professional relationships. In addition, it organizes activities and events that promote cultural awareness and diversity on campus and advance the professional development of those interested in international business.

In the CUIBE competition, student teams showcased their knowledge in international business through a case study they were given 24 hours to analyze and then presented for judging. Teams were judged on their analysis, recommendations and overall presentation.

Nguyen said BU’s team studied the case, “Paris Baguette: Quintessentially French with love from Korea,” specifically focusing on “should the company find staple bread specific to each European country and replicate the similar strategy as in France? Or should it be consistent and use the baguette everywhere else to leverage on its success in France?”

“With Tous les Jours at its heel, it was critical to gain the first mover advantage by getting its entry strategy right,” Nguyen said. “And more importantly, which country should it enter next after France?”

Although stressful, according to Danforth, the case competition was a rewarding experience.

“It involves a lot of arguing with the other group members about the best path to take,” Danforth said. “… but in the end, it always works out that each person was pushed to do their absolute best. These competitions give students the chance to travel and open their mind to a new way of thinking and living.”