The team’s preparation centered around refining their communication and presentation skills, especially for the 5-hour case, which required a whiteboard-only format. They participated in multiple workshops focusing on optimizing their efficiency in structuring ideas visually and developing storytelling techniques. Special emphasis was placed on the Q&A segment, ensuring they could defend their ideas under pressure. Additionally, they worked on analytical skills to generate creative yet feasible solutions for the competition cases. 

One of the key takeaways was the importance of not just presenting an innovative solution but also clearly outlining the thought process behind it. When developing outside-the-box ideas, the way a team arrives at the solution can be just as critical as the solution itself. However, it is essential to maintain a balanced approach—while creativity can be a differentiator, other fundamental aspects of the case cannot be overlooked.

– Zalán Hrabovszky 

The 5-hour case focused on Omaha Productions, where the team proposed a unique digital strategy: a musical about Peyton Manning’s life, leveraging his love for country music to reach new audiences. For the 24-hour case, they developed a product strategy for InvestCloud, designing an AI-powered, hyper-personalized digital platform for wealth management. A key feature was an ESG module to support sustainable investing while ensuring ethical AI use. 

The five organizers did a fantastic job running the event. They were efficient, quick to solve any issues, and incredibly flexible – especially when one of our teammates got sick, and we had to present with just three people instead of four. Also, the production quality during the competition was next-level, with smooth livestreaming, great photography, and well-done interviews. It felt like something straight out of a high-end corporate event or even a Hollywood production, which made the whole experience even more exciting.

– Ákos Kormos 

Their approach impressed the jury, who highlighted the team’s ability to balance professionalism with an engaging presentation style. Additionally, the depth of their research and their structured, strategic thinking stood out among competitors. 

Fanni Kondér explaind that each team member played a distinct role: 

Before the solving started, we discussed these key roles with the help of our advisor: – The Timekeeper (Ákos): Our timekeeper ensured that we efficiently allocated time for brainstorming, research, slide preparation, and final refinements. This role helped us maintain a structured workflow and avoid last-minute pani – The Challenger (Zalán): Critical thinking was essential in refining our solution. The challenger continuously questioned our assumptions, pushed us to consider alternative perspectives, and ensured that our arguments were robust and defensible. – The Focused (Robi): The focused team member ensured that we did not get lost in unnecessary details or distractions. They consistently guided discussions back to the main objectives and helped us stick to the core problem we needed to solve. – The Storyteller (Fanni): Our storyteller played a crucial role in crafting a compelling and engaging narrative for the presentation. They helped structure the slides into a persuasive and logical flow, ensuring that our recommendations were clear, impactful, and memorable for the jury.

The team also immersed themselves in the cultural and social experiences of the event.  

Our experience with both the competition and the U.S. itself highlighted how direct and open-minded people truly are. A perfect example was our ambassador, who went above and beyond despite having three exams that week – driving us around, preparing a generous welcome package, and introducing us to her equally warm and welcoming friends. Another unforgettable moment came when we nearly ran out of gas in Yosemite. With all our cards declined at a self-service station, an elderly man stepped in, paid for our gas, and shared a bit about his past.

Then, with a kind smile, he said, 

“I just wanted you to see that there are still some nice people left in the US.”

And as a final farewell, he added, 

“Welcome to America.”

– Róbert Tóth 

Congratulations to the Corvinus team and their advisor for their outstanding performance at the Marshall International Case Competition! Their hard work and strategic approach showcased the strength of the Corvinus Case Track program, setting a high standard for future competitors.