BYU Wins Big at Business Language Case Competition

PROVO, Utah – Dec 18, 2019 – If creating and presenting an international business plan isn’t challenging enough, try doing it in a foreign language. Students from across the country traveled to BYU Marriott to compete in the Global Management Center’s two-day Business Language Case Competition on 7–8 November 2019. 

BYU teams took home first place in Spanish and tied with the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, for first in French. Emory University won first place in Chinese, followed by BYU in second place.

“The competition is a chance for students to test their knowledge; it gives them a different experience than one in the classroom,” says Jonathon Wood, managing director of the Global Management Center. “The students have been studying, and we want to see what they can do.”

The Business Language Case Competition gives non-native speakers a chance to present an international business case in Mandarin Chinese, Spanish, French, or Arabic. Students from different universities showcase their international business and language abilities, refine their presentation skills, and network with business professionals.

The seventeen teams who competed came from University of North Georgia, Indiana University, Northeastern University, Emory University, American University, Weber State University, University of Rhode Island, University of Nevada Las Vegas, Babson College, University of Washington, University of Utah, and West Point Military Academy.

This year, the competition required teams to create an international business plan for Coalatree, a company that designs ecofriendly gear and apparel. “Coalatree has a desire to grow internationally,” says Wood. “The Global Management Center created a new international business case based on the things the company needs. The student’s ideas and solutions will be timely and applicable to Coalatree.”

On the first day of the competition, participants toured Coalatree headquarters in Salt Lake City. The teams then met with Coalatree executives to learn about the company’s operations, supply chain, and marketing strategies.

After the tour, teams re-evaluated their cases and prepared to present the next day. On the second day of the competition, participants presented their cases to a panel of judges. The winning teams in each category walked away with $2,000, while second-place winners received $1,000, and third-place winners were awarded $500.

Ogden, Utah, native and BYU economics major Cade Perry, from the winning Spanish team, shared how the Business Language Case Competition has given him the confidence to work in international business after graduation.

“I was nervous about my Spanish before the competition, but competing showed me the possibility of doing international business in the future,” says Perry. “With a little preparation, I felt comfortable in a situation where I presented in another language. I hadn’t considered a career path in international business, but this competition has opened my eyes to the idea.”