The Final Round
The Preparation
In preparation for the Final Round, competitors should try to prepare a case presentation under severe time constraints to replicate and mimic the Final Weekend. Competitors should also work on their presentation skills to ensure they are fully confident once the final weekend commences. When finalists are selected, specific guidelines will be sent to competitors as to how to prepare and structure their presentation.
The Cases
Final Round cases are much shorter than Preliminary cases, averaging 8-15 pages plus exhibits. While shorter, the cases are very demanding given the 5.5 hour time constraints imposed on competitors. The majority of the cases are written by Queen's professors, though some are written by corporate sponsors and professors at other universities.
The Presentation
The Final Round is a real test of competitors' abilities to perform under stress, and communicate their ideas clearly and succinctly. Competitors are given 15 minutes to present their case (20 minutes for the Business Policy Event). Assisted by a PowerPoint presentation, competitors present their analysis and recommendations. The slides should support the presentation and provide additional information. Competitors should attempt to convey the most amount of relevant information while clearly indicating their strategy.
The Judges
Final Round judges are sponsor representatives from the industry or long-standing friends of the competition who are very familiar with I.C.B.C. They receive the case at least a week ahead of the competition and come prepared with very specific questions. They are looking for clear and concise presentations reflecting an understanding of all the issues at stake.