Crisis Case Challenge 2021

The Crisis Case Challenge (CCC 2021) is an SBE student initiative that was created by students for students with the primary aim to offer creative and innovative strategic solutions for companies who are heavily affected by the current pandemic. The challenge officially starts on 11 March 2021.

The Crisis

The coronavirus has impacted our lives forcing us to adapt to a new normal. The government has set-in restrictions to ensure people’s health and safety. Times are tough for businesses and entrepreneurs. In order to flatten the curve, society has adjusted its daily routine. Most businesses in the Netherlands (and in the world for that matter) are having to close doors, pause operations or figure out the digital landscape in a quick pivot in order to keep their community and consumers. COVID-19 has created a higher rate in unemployment and loss of profit for many entrepreneurs and regular employees.

The Case

To address these challanges, a group of students at SBE has created the first edition of CCC in 2020 to encourage our fellow students to utilise the essential (business) skills to help struggling businesses in this uncertain time. As the first edition of the competition was a huge success, we wanted to continue reaching out to more companies and to help them out in these turbulent times.

The main goal is to provide a selection of local companies with a strategic plan that hopefully encompasses most limitations brought forth due to this pandemic. We encourage students to reflect on the situation by focussing on lessons that can be learned from our new normal and to come up with ways where companies will be better equipped in case something of this nature occurs again. Embedded in SBE’s identity is educational innovation. All degree programmes make use of Problem-Based Learning, with an emphasis on skills development – problem-solving, group work, and self-directed learning. Why not use these skills to help small local business?

The Challenge

The challenge officially starts on 11 March 2021. The student teams (maximum four, you can also participate solo) will receive a case which describes the company you will be helping. Students can also opt for participating solo. You will have until 23 April 2021 to come up with your most creative solutions with focal areas being: how can the company proceed after the government restrictions are lifted (or even during), what are the lessons learned from this pandemic that can be utilised to be better prepared the next time and what aspects of our “new normal” can be used when things go back to the way it was!

Do you want to make an impact?

This challenge is open for all UM students who are willing to take on the task of helping local businesses to navigate their way through this pandemic. Use your skills and talent to do good in time of need! Together with your team (or alone), you are expected to create a 15-20 min video pitching your idea. Next to that, you are free to create either an infographic, PowerPoint or use other online tools to properly visualise your ideas!