Kris-Robin Eik Ramskeid

"If you’re dedicated and you want to challenge yourself academically, there is no better place to join than BI Case."

When were you an active case student at BI and at which campus?
I was an active case student at BI Bergen from fall 2019 to spring 2020 at campus Bergen.

Why did you decide to join BI’s case activities?
My motivation for joining BI’s case activities was mainly to challenge my academic knowledge with real-world cases. In class you typically learn a lot about different business-related theories and models. However, utilizing those in a real-world scenario makes for a great challenge. 

What was the name of your case team and how did you find your teammates?
We had some rotations between the teams in Bergen, so I was competing with both SEKK Consulting and Lighthouse Consulting. My teammates were incredibly talented, and I owe much of the experience to them. Case activities can be quite challenging sometimes, so it is nice to know that you are surrounded by likeminded people who support you and make you laugh.  

Did you have a specific role on your team?
I wouldn’t say I had a specific role, as we all cooperated on the different areas. However, as a marketing student it was quite obvious, I would contribute with my insights on the field.

Which case competitions did you take part in?
I competed in the BI National Case Competition 2019 with SEKK Consulting as well as at BI International Case Competition Open 2020 with Lighthouse Consulting. 

What is your best memory from your case journey at BI?
This is a tough one. To win BIICC Open 2020 is probably right up there, as it was a recognition of our dedication and hard work. However, looking back, I think my best memories came from traveling and spending time with my teammates. When you spend countless hours together, solving complicated business cases, you really get to know each other on a whole other level. There’s been frustrating times and there’s been times where everything has gone on rails, but either way we’ve got through it with a lot of laughter and banter. 

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

1. Breaking down complex problems and situations. When assigned with a case you’re typically met with a lot of information regarding the current situation. Firms of the modern world are complex systems, and you must account for different shareholders and stakeholders, and how they might react to the proposed solutions. At first this might seem overwhelming, and the main problem is not necessarily obvious from the case summary. Through a lot of case training, we’ve learned how to break down such problems and find the right solutions. 
2. Teamwork. When assigned with a complex and challenging case it is essential that the team is working together at the best of its ability. This might sound straight forward, but when you have to solve a case in the span of 12 or 24 hours, it becomes a little more challenging. Teamwork is a balancing act, but you quickly learn how to cooperate in an effective manner. 
3. Presentation skills. Presenting case solutions is demanding and puts a lot of pressure on you, especially during competitions. You’re forced out of your comfort zone, and it might feel unpleasant in the beginning. However, once you master it, you’ll be able to present with calmness and composure, even in stressful conditions.  

What skills did you learn from participating in case which were relevant to your development/career and how?
The most useful skill I got from case is probably the ability to present and defend a solution in front of an audience. It’s a great trait to have, and one that surely will come in handy later in my career. 

Do you have any advice to students who are curious about case?
If you’re dedicated and you want to challenge yourself academically, there is no better place to join than BI Case. At first it might feel uncomfortable and out of your comfort zone but give it some time and it will pay off massively. The learning curve is steep so don’t be discouraged if things are not going your way at first. It’s long hours and hard work, but the reward is so much greater.