Three teams of Concordia University, Nebraska business students wrapped up their experience in the online Business Strategy Game ranked in the top four percent worldwide. The game is a real-world simulation where teams of students run an athletic footwear company.
Members of Dr. Andy Langewisch's administrative policy class took part in the game and their results were ranked against nearly 2,500 other teams from around the world. Teams made decisions about operations, distribution, warehousing, compensation, online presence, sales, marketing and finance.
"It is exciting to see our teams do well in this hands-on application of all they have learned at Concordia," said Langewisch.
The challenge, according to the game's website, is to "craft and execute a competitive strategy that results in a respected brand image, keeps your company in contention for global market leadership, and produces good financial performance as measured by earnings per share, return on investment, stock price appreciation, and credit rating."
Over the course of the semester the rankings of each team fluctuated at times, but that did not worry Jonathan Jank, a senior from Lincoln, Neb. "We had a plan from the beginning and stuck to it. We were second to last in the class after the first week, but knew our strategy was geared for the long haul. Our success in this simulation gives our hard work hitting the books some gratification knowing that we are truly prepared with a Concordia business education to compete with any business student worldwide."
Concordia's top-performing teams and their rankings include:
Team members: Josh Gilmore, senior, Ord, Neb.; Chris Heins, senior, Higginsville, Mo.; Jonathan Jank, senior, Lincoln, Neb.
Rankings: 14th in stock price, 16th in earning per share, 91st in return on average equity
Team members: Dan Graumann, senior, Rapid City, S.D.; Peter Ruhl, senior, Exeter, Neb.; Jeremy Schnackenberg, senior, Concordia, Mo.
Rankings: 59th in stock price, 50th in earnings per share
Team members: Mike Frates, senior, Brule, Neb.; Mike Kulzer, senior, St. Cloud, Minn.; Chris Whirrett, senior, Fort Wayne, Ind.
Ranking: 95th in earnings per share