The winning team in this year’s Waikato University Management School case competition had strong Cambridge connections.
Aotearoa Advisory, winners of the Case Competition, from left: Hayden Collier, Alysha Gill, Jared Lines, Bennett Greenough.
Two of the four attended school in the town – and a third student with Cambridge ties was in another of the teams to make the final.
The winning team, called Aotearoa Advisory and made up of Hayden Collier, Alysha Gill, Bennett Greenough and Jared Lines, collected a $2500 cash prize.
The Waikato Management School Case Competition, launched in 1996, is a hands-on assignment and part of the Applied Strategy Paper.
Bennett Greenough is a professional BMX rider who attended St Peter’s School and is studying a Bachelor of Management Studies, Business Administration and Management. He is at the university on a Sir Edmund Hillary and Prime Minister’s scholarships.
Alysha Gill attended Hautapu Primary School before moving to Tauranga and is studying a Bachelor of Law and Business majoring in strategy in Hamilton.
She also gained work experience at Waipā District Council on the Ahu Ake Spatial Plan project.
Former Cambridge High School student Edyn May – studying a Bachelor of Business with a focus on supply chain and strategic management – was in the Fantastic Five Consulting team which was one of the other three finalists.
Edyn May, second left, part of the Fantastic Five Consulting team.
The winning pitch was a business expansion strategy for Ozone Coffee. “Beyond the Brew” recommended that Ozone expand into the United Kingdom to increase brand awareness, reach and market share.
The three-phase strategy involved developing a new mobile app for customers, partnering with Otis Oak Milk and Bidfood UK to provide innovation to Ozone’s coffee bean subscription service, and acquiring smaller coffee roasters in the UK to increase their capacity and scaleability.
Judges said the strategy was carefully considered, and capitalised on Ozone’s core competencies and what their new partners could bring to the table.
Aotearoa Advisory, from left Hayden Collier, Alysha Gill, Bennett Greenough and Jared Lines.
Aotearoa Advisory, winners of the Case Competition, from left: Hayden Collier, Alysha Gill, Jared Lines, Bennett Greenough.
