SPJIMR – PGDM participants Arjun Jayakrishnan, Nidhi Doshi, and Vatsal Doshi (Team ACESOFSPADES) emerged winners at inter B-School finance and business challenge, HUL FinAce6. Here they speak about how they navigated this competition:
“The first round consisted of a simulation with around 500+ teams registered in which we wore the hat of a CFO. As part of the second round, the teams with the greatest market share and profit were selected, and we were asked to explain our strategy. In the next round, we introduced a product called “Detergent Sheets” which is gaining traction in western markets.
Being from different backgrounds and having known each other for a while, we made a balanced team. Although we sometimes had differences of opinion, we did not engage in conflicts but rather acknowledged the difference and tried to reach a consensus by discussing or approaching a professor or mentor. Also, different core strengths and views definitely helped.
Each team also got an opportunity to interact with a mentor from HUL for a month. Our mentor was Vinita Nair, ma’am, and we got a lot of insights into the different sustainability efforts that the FMCG companies are looking at from her. Shabbir sir helped us a lot with the competition and to build confidence. Definitely reach out to mentors or professors because the experience that they bring in really refines our solution.
The most challenging part was when we had end-term exams, other competitions, and the presentation for this competition simultaneously, and we weren’t sure we could do well. Our strategy was to divide the work among ourselves.
Four teams competed in the national finals that took place at HUL’s Andheri East headquarters, where we also performed a skit that was enjoyed by all. When you do things like that, where you can express yourself well, it’s memorable. We are also excited that Forbes has featured the winning teams on their official Twitter and Facebook page.”