The Business Challenge Week is a consulting competition organised by Oxford Brookes University. Master's students work in international and interdisciplinary teams to advise local companies on business management issues. The intensive and challenging week offered the participating Regensburg students the opportunity to deal with a wide range of practical issues. For example, how a traditional car repair shop can be transformed into a showroom for micro-EVs or what market entry barriers exist for an algae business in Canada.
Participation in the event was made possible by support from the OTH Foundation, the DAAD PROMOS funding programme and a grant from the faculty.
Regensburg success at the Business Challenge Week
The Business Challenge Week was part of the Regensburg module "Consulting Project" and offered an ideal opportunity to put the basics of consulting work acquired there into practice. Regensburg students Pola Wittman and Ricky Martin and their team were able to demonstrate their skills in strategic analysis, storylining and presentation. They took first place with their project work for the non-profit organisation Chiltern Rangers.
Pola Wittmann, a student on the Master's degree programme in Business Administration, reported enthusiastically: "Our task was to develop strategies for the Chiltern Rangers, who are committed to protecting and conserving a nature park in England, to encourage younger target groups to volunteer. The week was definitely very challenging, but I learnt a lot in the short time and gained valuable experience."
Ricky Martin, a student on the Master's programme in European Business Administration, emphasised the importance of social media content in reaching younger target groups. "With attention spans dwindling by the day, one of the most effective ways to capture and maintain young people's interest now is through social media content that hooks them instantly. Which is exactly what we suggested to Chiltern Rangers in their strategic planning by creating a humorous TikTok video for them, which ensures high engagement and reaching their target audience." With this well thought-out and at the same time very creative project result, it was possible to convince the jury in England.
Prof Dr Nina Leffers, who accompanied the excursion to Oxford, was very positive about the trip: "The Business Challenge Week is a very good opportunity for our students to apply their theoretical knowledge in an international environment. I am delighted that the students were able to solve the challenging projects with such commitment and creativity."
A special experience in Oxford
The week in Oxford was very labour-intensive for the students. Nevertheless, there was still time for a guided tour of Oxford by a professor from Oxford Brookes University. The students and accompanying adults had the opportunity to get to know the historical and academic sights of the university city at first hand. This tour not only offered insights into Oxford's rich history and culture, but also strengthened the sense of community and academic exchange between the two universities.
