Society for Advancement of Management
International Collegiate Business Skills Championship
The International Collegiate Business Skills Championship is the first multi-dimensional Competition of its kind that analyses a students ability to operate as a multi-functional manager utilizing the skills and talent they have developed while enrolled in a Collegiate Business Program. Comprised of three divisions, Associate, Undergraduate, and Open teams compete annually for the title of International Collegiate Business Skill Champion.
Schools are invited to submit a team to compete in one or more of our signature events; our 43rd Annual Case Competition, Extemporaneous Speech Competition, Business Knowledge Bowl Competition, Business Pitch Competition, and Written Case Competition. Each competition will have winners, with an overall champion in each division being declared by school and individual as SAM International Business Skills Champions.
2024 Competition Registration Deadline: 3/4/2024
Case Competition
The case competition is much like doing a capstone presentation in a Business Policy Course. Students analyze the case to determine the strategic vision and present a recommendation on the actions the company should take to improve, sustain, turn around, or correct its performance.
The analysis is presented to a panel of judges including members of leadership from the case subject, industry officials, and business leaders. Teams are assessed on the realistic recognition of the problem(s), assessment of alternatives, recommendations for action, and their ability to respond to questions from the Judges during a question and answer period.
Written Case Study
Each team is invited to submit a 5 to 10-page (excluding references) written analysis of the case each year. Students should approach this written paper as they would be submitting it to an executive team for review.
Students do not need to cite facts from within the case but do need to cite any outside material in APA format. Any paper that exceeds 10 pages (excluding references) will not be considered or reviewed.
Extemporaneous Speech Competition
This event allows students to showcase their analytical and presentation skills under time pressure. Participants answer a question based on current business challenges in our dynamic global environment. Competitors select three questions and then have a choice on which they wish to answer. Competitors will receive 30 minutes to research their answer and then deliver a presentation lasting between 2 and 5 minutes in length. Presentations are presented to a panel of judges who will evaluate the quality of the response and presentation skills. This is an individual event.
Business Knowledge Bowl Competition
A friendly academic competition in which teams race to answer questions related to business, current events, and pop culture. Teams require a minimum of one and a maximum of five members.
This competition uses a bracket system where teams compete in a single elimination style tournament.
Business Pitch Competition
This event, sponsored by the makers of Business Walrus, focuses on a student’s ability to deliver a pitch that attempts to persuade an investor to back a new product or service. Competitors will select a series of “Ask” and “Must Have” cards to form the basis of their presentation. Competitors will then have 15 minutes to prepare a 2 to 5-minute pitch. This is an individual event.
Any student can enter the Business Pitch Competition; however, each team can only choose two students to earn points for the overall team competition.
For more information on the International Business Skills Championship or to reach one of our individual competition directors with a question, please contact studentcompetitions@samnational.org