Several University of Montana MBA Teams Make Global Performers

Beginning in the spring of 2008, MBA students engage in a computer simulation as an integrative project during their last semester. In a team of two, students compete with their peers in class, who will run a company in the same industry and with identical start-up conditions. The simulation mirrors the real-world global athletic footwear industry. In running their footwear company, the challenge for each team is to craft and execute a competitive strategy that results in respected brand image, keeps the company in contention for market leadership, and produces good financial performance as measured by earnings per share, return on equity investment, stock price appreciation, and credit rating. Each “year” the co-managers will make decisions on issues relating to marketing, distribution, advertising, R&D, production, HR, finance and operations for their firm. Much data is available for analysis to identify how each firm is performing and how co-managers can achieve their goals, improve performance, “beat” the competition, etc.

As a tribute to the caliber of MBA students at UM and what they have learned here, In the recently finished competition, seven of the 19 teams participating in the recent simulation placed within the 100 Global Top Performers in this simulation, which is performed at many universities across the globe. Here is what some of our students had to say about their experience:

“Overall, I feel this course really improved my understanding on what it takes to manage a company. I now see how all of my coursework is interrelated, and how to use all the concepts in running or managing a company.” (Janelle Fausett, MBA ’08)

“The BSG game offers an opportunity to simulate the management of an international company, including production, distribution, pricing, promotion, and sales decisions. This process is stimulation, challenging, and educational; however it offers its players just as much opportunity to learn about their personal decision tendencies, interpersonal skills, and unique traits as it does to learn about business operations and management decisions.” (Matt Stroth, MBA ’08)

“Whether it was interpreting financial ratios, figuring out how to work within a group or focusing on strategies—this activity dipped into seemingly every course we’ve taken since August.” (Troy Foster, MBA ’08)

Source: Dr. Klaus Uhlenbruck

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