DEAN’S First
CASE CHALLENGE
The Dean’s First Case Challenge (DFCC) takes place in the first week of the semester for MGMT-111 students. The competition consists of three rounds in which student teams read a Harvard Business Review case study, prepare their presentation, and present their case solutions to a panel of Management Consulting Group judges. Finalists will present in front of all 480+ of their MGMT-111 peers and a panel of top Binghamton University School of Management faculty.
Each team is a MGMT-111 mentor group. Before presenting, teams are briefed on key strategies and information they need to know in order to succeed in their first case competition. The MCG E-Board is there to make sure that while the teams are challenged, they also have the necessary support and information for them to understand the concepts of the competition.
Fall 2024 Case Logistics
You are to assume the role of a consultant hired by exercise equipment and media company Peloton Interactive, Inc. presenting to their senior management team.
The case centers on the pricing and business model challenges facing Peloton Interactive Inc's new CEO, Barry McCarthy. With the decline in demand post-pandemic, McCarthy must make pricing and product decisions that balance revenue, profitability, and changing consumer dynamics.
Use the Harvard Business Review case study, external research, and group discussions outside of class to develop three practical strategies to improve the company.
Round 1
September 6
10-minute PowerPoint presentation,
5-minute Q&A, 5-minute feedbackJudged by MCG Executive Board
Submission deadline Thursday, September 5 by 11:59pm
Round 2
September 10
8 teams selected, assigned mentor
Virtually reviewed slidedecks by MCG executive board
Submission deadline Tuesday, September 10 by Noon (12:00pm)
Round 3
September 11
3 teams selected, using slidedecks from Round 2
12-minute PowerPoint presentation,
8-minute Q&AJudged by top SOM faculty
One team member must submit the PowerPoint presentations as a PPTX and a PDF file by email to competitions@mcgbinghamton.com with each of your team members cc’d. The subject of your email should be: F24DFCC_[Mentor Team Name]_[Round #], for example: “F24DFCC_MPlotskerA_Round1”. Submissions received as Google Slides links or submissions received after the deadline will not be accepted.
On the day of your presentation, please bring a laptop with HDMI compatibility to present your slides. Business casual attire is required. Women should wear a conservative blouse or button-up shirt and dress pants with closed-toe flats or heels for shoes, jackets and blazers are optional. For men, a dress shirt with dress pants or khakis is appropriate, and a jacket and tie are optional. Shoes and belts should match, and avoid wearing jeans. During the presentation, competitors will be given time warnings at 5 minutes and 2 minutes.
August
30
Friday
Dean's First Case Challenge Help Session #1
For MGMT 111 students to ask questions and refine their presentations in preparation for round 1 of the Dean’s First Case Challenge on Friday, September 6.
12:00PM - 1:00PM
UU 111
Casual
September
3
Tuesday
Dean's First Case Challenge Help Session #2
For MGMT 111 students to ask questions and refine their presentations in preparation for round 1 of the Dean’s First Case Challenge on Friday, September 6.
4:30PM - 5:30PM
UU 111
Casual
Presentation Resources
History
The first Dean’s Case Challenge ran in the Fall of 2014 with approximately 50 students involved. By 2017, the case became a mandatory and integral part of the MGMT-111 curriculum, acting as many students' first School of Management experience. The Dean's First Case Challenge is widely recognized by students as one of the best ways to prepare for the transition into the School of Management.
The Fall 2024 semester marked over ten years of MCG's involvement with the Dean's First Case Challenge. MCG's involvement is motivated by a desire to provide value to students through training and organization, while also allowing students to gain exposure to what the organization has to offer. With MCG’s involvement in the competition through collaboration with Associate Dean George Bobinski, the competition has thrived and grown to include both freshman and transfer students with 100 teams and 480 students participating in total.