An Inspiring and Entrepreneurial Case Competition
By Darren Moffatt
It was an early morning for the Entrepreneurship Team as they headed down the highway for the annual Appleby Case Competition. After a sleepy drive past Toronto and a quick coffee stop, Lakefield College School’s Entrepreneurship Team was ready to defend a championship that we had unexpectedly won last year.
The day opened with an excellent keynote speech from Lisa Lisson, the president of FedEx Express Canada. As the leader of a team of over 6,000 members and eight airport hubs feeding into a worldwide network that handles 8 million shipments a day in 220 companies, Lisa has helped build FedEx Express Canada into the most reliable courier network in the country. This is a woman who has by all accounts reached the highest of highs on a professional level, but her message to the crowd was focused less on her successes in business and more on what it means to be “a successful person in life.” She was adamant that this had to be our participants’ number one priority if they were to make meaningful advancements in the world of modern business. We were lucky enough to hear Lisa’s 11 key insights into how to be the best versions of ourselves. Her advice included reading as much as possible, seeking the advice of expert mentors, and giving back to the communities in which we live. However, her most powerful message centered around the benefits of a positive mindset and attitude. Lisa explained that we must learn to let go of the things that are beyond our control and try, as difficult as it may be, to approach each day with positivity and enthusiasm. Lisa stated that “it is not enough to stare longingly at a door that has closed in front of you; you must pick yourself up, move on, and find the next door that is open.”
After such an inspiring speech, the Entrepreneurship Team was ready to tackle the many challenges of the case study ahead. For three hours, Lakefield College School students worked together in two teams of four to solve the numerous problems of a real-life business case study. The groups were asked to analyze all aspects of the business, with a focus on sales and marketing. The teams were required to create a ten-minute presentation, that they would then deliver to five judges, made up of alumni and parents of Appleby College. This was no easy task, especially considering six of our eight participants had little to no experience in case study competitions. That being said, our students performed to a very high standard and I was extremely proud of their professional attitude, effective teamwork skills, and high ability to think logically about difficult problems.
However, it is with a heavy heart that I inform you that LCS Entrepreneurship Team was unable to retain the title of Appleby Case Competition champions. Despite two very high scores (both in the 80s), we were unable to match the technical and precise business knowledge of Crestwood Preparatory College and Appleby College. Lisa’s speech appeared to have resonated with our students, as every one of them left in good spirits, recognizing the valuable experience they had gained and vowing to work especially hard to make significant improvements before our next competition. It is this power of reflection and desire to be the very best that they can be, that I admire in so many members of the Entrepreneurship Team here at LCS. There can be no doubt that with such an approach, the Entrepreneurship Team can expect many successes in future case competitions and the world of business more generally.
School Information
4391 County Road 29, Lakefield Ontario K0L 2H0 705.652.3324 admissions@lcs.on.ca
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Lakefield College School is a private, coeducational boarding and day school for students in grades 9 through 12, located in Lakefield, Ontario, Canada.
We respectfully acknowledge that Lakefield College School is located on the Treaty 20 Michi Saagiig territory and in the traditional territory of the Michi Saagiig and Chippewa Nations, collectively known as the Williams Treaties First Nations, which include: Curve Lake, Hiawatha, Alderville, Scugog Island, Rama, Beausoleil, and Georgina Island First Nations. Lakefield College School respectfully acknowledges that the Williams Treaties First Nations are the stewards and caretakers of these lands and waters in perpetuity and that they continue to maintain this responsibility to ensure their health and integrity for generations to come.
We respectfully acknowledge that Lakefield College School is located on the Treaty 20 Michi Saagiig territory and in the traditional territory of the Michi Saagiig and Chippewa Nations, collectively known as the Williams Treaties First Nations, which include: Curve Lake, Hiawatha, Alderville, Scugog Island, Rama, Beausoleil, and Georgina Island First Nations. Lakefield College School respectfully acknowledges that the Williams Treaties First Nations are the stewards and caretakers of these lands and waters in perpetuity and that they continue to maintain this responsibility to ensure their health and integrity for generations to come.
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