Foster Students Solve International Business Problems at Annual Case Competition

150 UW Foster students, undergraduate and graduate students alike, were busy Nov. 16-19 solving real-life international business problems at this year’s annual Russell Investments International Case Competition (RIICC).  

RIICC is one among many opportunities at Foster for students to gain hands-on learning experiences with a diverse group of like-minded peers. The case competition is organized by the Global Business Center in partnership with Russell Investments to bring Foster students together for a cultivated exposure to business complications. 

Danone was the center of attention this year as participants analyzed whether the mission-driven organization headquartered in France should stay in Russia or leave, given Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Teams had 48 hours to analyze the problem, develop a solution, and create a PowerPoint presentation.   

“We had to dig through library archives, go through a plethora of articles, and find financial data to make sure any recommendation we put in is backed up with a fact or a strong data point,” said Aakash Neve, a current MSBA student, who participated in the case competition.  

A panel of corporate and academic judges evaluated the analysis, interpretations and recommendations of the 36 teams that participated. 

“The feedback from the judges and the questions asked forced us to think on the spot and address any concerns, which bolstered my confidence and gave me valuable pointers to work upon in future presentations,” shared Aakash.  

Optional coaching workshops before and during the competition were also available for participants. Associate Teaching Professor of Marketing, Leta Beard led the pre-case-competition workshop.

Learn more about the RIICC and other case competitions at Foster!