What was the best thing about the competition?
This trip had it all; meeting people from various countries, experiencing a city in ways I have never done before, and making core memories with my team. From such a varied experience, it may seem hard to pick a singular best thing about it - but there was one constant throughout it all, one element of the competition which shaped the way I am today, and that is how much my confidence developed over the course of the week. The competition put my whole team and I in a boundary which was unknown to us, but I genuinely believe that securing my grad role was due to the presentation skills our mentor helped me develop. It also goes without saying that you soon become a next level team player, and glean so many new team working skills you never thought existed. What seemed so daunting and impossible at the start of the week, culminated in me walking away feeling like I had accomplished something much bigger than I ever could've imagined.
What would be your advice to the next team?/What do you wish you knew before participation?
Prep, prep, prep! Not in the non-pragmatic sense of remembering theory and solutions page for page. Do timed practice runs with your team, get to know your team inside out; 'Who's the finance person? Who is the team 'leader'? What are your individual strengths and weaknesses? Who will make your slides look pretty? Who is an engaging talker? Do you have someone who can always play devil's advocate and equally do you have someone who can come up with multiple ideas, fast?'. It also goes without saying, that knowledge on current global and knowing the basics of good business presentation is key, and don't take for granted the importance of personal experiences you have gained in any working environment!
Have fun, take it all in. Sometimes the most simple and streamline solutions are the way forward. Sense check at every stage!! Nervousness and excitement are the same chemical brain process, so tell your brain you're excited when you step into that presentation room and finally, make friends with everyone because you never know when you'll be needing a place to stay in one of their home countries!