Ergin Jance

Interview with Ergin Jance

1. When were you an active case student at BI and at which campus?

I participated in case competitions from fall 2022 to spring 2023, during my third year of my bachelor’s degree at BI Oslo. 

2. Why did you decide to join BI’s case activities?

I decided to join BI's Case as I was eager to apply the theoretical knowledge I gained during my studies to real-world business problems. Additionally, I saw it as an opportunity to improve my problem-solving and teamwork skills while also getting the chance to network with other motivated and talented students.

3. What was the name of your case team and how did you find your teammates?

I was part of several case teams during my time. Teams were assembled by the organizers based on our skill sets and backgrounds. This allowed me to work with a diverse group of students I may not have had the opportunity to work with otherwise. It was a challenging, but rewarding experience that really broadened my understanding of collaboration in different team settings. The names of my case teams were “Delta Consulting” and “AEY Consulting” (war dogs reference). 

4. Did you have a specific role on your team?

My roles varied quite a bit from team to team, depending on the particular case we were working on. There were times when I contributed to the strategy side of the case, while other times I worked on the financial aspect. I made it a point to be adaptable and step in wherever my skills could best serve the team.

5. Which case competitions did you take part in? 

• CBS Case Competition 2023, Denmark
• OHF Case Battle 2022
• BI National Case Competition 2022

6. What is your best memory from your case journey at BI?

It has to be the CBS Case Competition in 2023. It was a unique experience, not just because of the competition, but also because of everything else we got to do. We spent time exploring Copenhagen and the nightlife and attending various social events. It was a great chance to network with students from different countries and backgrounds, and we learned a lot from them. But what I enjoyed most was the time spent with my team. 

7. What are your top three takeaways from case training and competitions?

1. I found that structuring our approach to problem-solving was absolutely essential. It's critical to pin down the key issue in a case early on. Once we all understood and agreed on what the core problem was, our subsequent efforts were more focused and results oriented.
2. I learned the importance of storyboarding our presentation before we delved deep into research. This might seem like a time-consuming step, but trust me, it pays off. It guides the research process, ensuring that the analysis remains goal-oriented and efficient, rather than getting lost in unnecessary details.
3. Presentation and communication skills are vital in convincing the judges that your proposed solution is the best option. You´re essentially selling a solution so you need to convince the judges that your solution is the way to go!

8. What skills did you learn from participating in case which were relevant to your development/career and how?

Participating in case competitions improved my PowerPoint skills significantly, going from middle school level to actually making good and professional slides that get the point across well. It also improved my soft skills, including problem-solving, presentations, multitasking and collaboration under tight deadlines. Moreover, it confirmed my interest to pursue a career in consulting, enabling me to work towards this goal early on. 

9. Do you have any advice to students who are curious about case?

If you are interested in possibly pursuing a career as a consultant, this is a great way to get experience on that front and see if you enjoy it. Also don't be afraid to try different roles when you're starting out in case competitions. Getting a taste of the various aspects of a case really helps round out your understanding and improves your overall problem-solving abilities.