COLLEGE OF THE NORTH ATLANTIC
Best Kind Solutions wins again

Best Kind Solutions has done it again. At the 17^th annual Business Case Competition held last weekend (November 16-17) at College of the North Atlantic's (CNA) Grand Falls-Windsor campus, the team earned the top trophy for the second year in a row.

Coached by instructors David Ellis and Holly Dwyer, this year's team included returning champion Ashley Hoskins, last year's impressive runner-up Corwin Greenham, and new faces Ethan Lane and Sydney Wells.

First place, Best Kind Solutions.

"It was excellent to be able to combine our ideas and skills, alongside our two teammates who were participating for the first time," Hoskins said, congratulating everyone who competed. "There was a lot of nerves involved, and some stumbles in the earlier rounds, but we all knew we could depend on each other and came together for an amazing weekend."

During the two-day competition, teams were given a business case describing a company facing a specific problem. They had to analyze the problem, recommend an innovative solution, develop a comprehensive implementation plan, and present their proposal to a panel of industry judges.

This year teams were challenged to help the owner of a fictional company with limited revenue decide whether or not to give a wage increase to employees. Without any financial statements to go on, Best Kind Solutions had 20 minutes to present their recommendations, and then defend their choices in 10-minute question and answer session.

"Lots of hard work and determination went into the competition," Hoskins said. "I knew after last year I would be back this year to try for the trophy again, and while unfortunately my teammates from last year could not join, I made sure to take all that experience and knowledge and turn it into guidance for my new team, but I'm only one person! Without my amazing teammates I wouldn't have been even able to imagine another win. I'm so honoured to be able to have this opportunity with the Business Case Competition and will be eagerly waiting for next year's competition."

Second place, Innovation Artchitects.

Hoskins said she and her teammates grew as business professionals and thanked everyone at Grand Falls-Windsor campus who made it possible. They even had the opportunity to hear from entrepreneur and CNA alum Jim Scott, author of My Road to Success. His journey from humble beginnings in Central Newfoundland to self-made millionaire taught him business development lessons he is always willing to share. Stephen Warren, CNA's Dean of Business and IT, is not at all surprised the Business Case Competition is cherished by the students who compete.

"The Business Case Competition is an incredible opportunity for students to put their business and leadership skills to the test," Warren said. "It challenges participants to develop and showcase essential abilities like confidence, persuasion, active listening, and critical thinking. Analyzing and presenting recommendations to peers, faculty, and industry leaders replicates real-world scenarios and provides a platform for students to grow and refine the skills demanded by today's business environment."

Third place, Vision Vault.

Best Kind Solutions will go on to represent CNA at the Scotiabank Vanier College National Marketing Case Competition, where more than 200 participants, facilitators, partners, leaders and executives from all over the country will meet in Montreal next March.

And they weren't the only team to take home a trophy.

In second place was Innovation Architects, with members Darlene Ireland, Lauren Bartlett, and Hailey Healey. And rounding out the top three was Vision Vault, comprised of Tristan John, Brian Barker, and Lynn Skanes. Both teams are based at the Grand Falls-Windsor campus and coached by Ellis and Dwyer.

Bob Hearn Memorial Award, Project Pros.

The prestigious Bob Hearn Memorial Award, which was established in memory of the former Grand Falls-Windsor campus instructor, was presented to the team showing the most perseverance and determination throughout the weekend.  This year's winner was Corner Brook's Project Pros, coached by Tim Oxer and including Askahdeep Singh, Gurwinder Singh, Sukhman Singh Dhanoa, and Simranjeet Kaur.

For more information about the programs offered by CNA's School of Business and IT, visit www.cna.nl.ca.