Ted Rogers MBA students kick off year with football case competition and game

This year's new class of Ted Rogers MBA students had a chance to huddle up for orientation with the Toronto Argonauts football team.

Teamwork and collaboration are essential to succeed in the Ted Rogers MBA program and they are also what employers highly value. And what better way to have students build these skills right out of the gate than with a sport-themed case competition involving the Argos.  

Fall 2022 MBA Orientation started with virtual town halls and 1:1 meetings timed to help students smoothly manage Toronto Metropolitan University’s administrative processes, such as registering for courses. The in-person Orientation, which began on August 26, 2022, was designed as a “day in the life of….” a Ted Rogers MBA student, and involved having the class take part in a case challenge.

Argos case competition

“Case competitions are part of the DNA of MBA students,” says Dr. Donna Smith, Graduate Program Director, Ted Rogers MBA Program. “They combine solving current business issues, healthy competition and the ability to be mentally agile and react quickly.” 

The class of new MBA students had the opportunity to do their first case competition on the Toronto Argonauts football club, and present their findings in-person to industry leaders at the team’s home stadium, BMO Field. 

“Role models portrayed in cases are important because they inspire others to reach new heights, professionally or personally,” explains Dr. Smith. “We became aware that there is a lack of female decision makers in case studies, and are now writing our own cases that feature women in organizations and the decisions and issues that they face.” 

Professors Dr. Smith and Dr. Ron Babin (Professor, Information Technology Management) wrote a case for Fall 2022 MBA Orientation in partnership with the Toronto Argonauts. Specifically, Brittany Pagniello, Manager, Sales Development Academy at Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment (MLSE), asked for a plan for the Argos to extend their fan base with respect to visible minorities and women.

Seven teams of MBA students presented their solutions in a suite at BMO Field to a panel of judges, including Pagniello, Argen Colquhoun (former Argos defensive back), Jon-Paul Carfagnini (Sales Associate, MLSE), Connor Ritchie (Sr. Director, Strategy & Operations, The Good Karma Company & UNINTERRUPTED Canada, and 2021 Ted Rogers MBA graduate) and Laurel Walzak (Associate Professor, Sport Business).

The winners, Team MBA, Marketing & Branding Agency, targeted new Canadians and women through niche targeted advertising, and influencers. They also recognized the importance of seeking partnerships with and donating a percent of ticket sales to nonprofit organizations that have touchpoints with these audiences. The team was made up of Maneet Sumal, Jennifer Nham, Safa Ismail, Thuva Thuraija, Darshan Bhavsar, Kristy Walton, Alban Demaj, Sue Shen, Clarence Wu and Paul Andraous.

"The case competition was challenging, but interesting and relative,” says Demaj. “It forced us to think critically and thoroughly analyze a real life problem to strategize a solution within a short period of time, with a group of strangers who eventually became friends.” 

“It was a rare occasion to test how our informed theoretical solution was received and accepted by an influential industry leader such as the MLSE,” Demaj adds.

“The best parts of the experience were meeting and collaborating with fellow engaged and brilliant students, meeting the helpful and knowledgeable MBA faculty and working with a real life successful corporation. Winning the competition was the cherry on top!" he says.

“It was impressive to see the incoming MBA cohort handle a live case challenge with the Toronto Argonauts,” says Dr. Ken Grant, Entrepreneurship & Strategy Professor. “With only a few hours of preparation, seven teams presented team management with well thought out recommendations to improve attendance at home games.” 

After the presentations, students enjoyed the CNE and attended the Argos vs. Hamilton Tiger-Cats game. After half-time, the winning team viewed the game in a suite with VIPs, and when the Argos won, they went down to the field and congratulated the players. 

Careers, wellbeing and campus tour

On the second day of Orientation, students had a live career coaching session with Ibiyemi Balogun (Manager, Graduate Careers & Student Engagement, and 2021 Ted Rogers MBA graduate), and also met Arfa Dar (Graduate Career Coordinator) and Faith Pember (Student & Community Engagement Coordinator).

In addition, they attended a panel led by Dr. Smith on Leadership and Wellbeing. The discussion and Q&A focused on the state of wellbeing in the workplace and strategies to deal with benefits that are available. It also dealt with challenges that leaders and employees face with respect to wellbeing, and the rise of mental health issues. Panelists included:

• Rahul Raman, VP Sales & Global Partnerships at 108 Media and 2022 Ted Rogers MBA graduate. He is the first person to receive Ted Rogers MBA’s microcredential in Leadership and Wellbeing.
• Jennifer Nham, an incoming Ted Rogers MBA candidate. She is a Supervisor, Strategy Delivery, City of Toronto, and has championed wellbeing initiatives into her workplace. 
• Dr. Diana Brecher, co-developer of ThriveRU, and faculty member who teaches Mental Health and Wellbeing in the Workplace, a critical MBA elective. She has extensive experience developing and implementing wellbeing programs. 

The day ended with a campus walking tour. A highlight was a visit to the Urban Farm on top of Daphne Cockwell Health Sciences Complex. Arlene Throness, Urban Farm Manager, explained how rooftop gardens and farming contribute to the environment, wellbeing and social fabric of the community. The students also  learned about how Indigenous and Black communities are involved in research and activities of the farm. 

“While MBA 2022 Orientation was a hectic “day in the life of…”, it inspired students to think about their own career success and how the Ted Rogers MBA is a route to envisioning a workplace that can positively impact the business community of the future,” says Dr. Smith.