Team Bombay Ducks Waddled Their Way To Winning ABG HeadstaRt 2022, Know How!

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Rob Silzer says- ‘Financial resources may be the lifeblood of a company, but human resources are the brains’. This quote perfectly summarizes the importance of HR in companies and industries all across the globe. The Aditya Birla Group took note of the complex world of HR management and gave budding HR leaders the opportunity to showcase their skills at ABG HeadstaRt 2022, a case-study competition launched in collaboration with Unstop. Let’s have a look at the journey of the winning team from TISS.

The competition was open to 6 top-tier B-Schools in the nation and we- Linta Titty John, Kanchan, and Tanmay Bhopi Pandurang from the Tata Institute of Social Sciences decided to take part in the competition. The competition was very well organized, with social events planned both before and after it so we could meet the other competitors and CHROs of these prestigious organizations. It was an experience of a lifetime, and we are giddy to have been a part of it. Not only that, we- the Team Bombay Ducks were declared the winner from amongst 195 participating teams, a win that will stay with us forever. 

The Competition

The competition was split into three rounds- business simulation, case study, and finale. The business simulation round had a gamified HR scenario that tested our HR skills. Linta from our team took part in the round and helped us move on to the next round. The executive summary round was where the actual case study was revealed to us. We then went on to submit a 2-slider deck/ solution for review on the case study of our choice. Based on this solution we were shortlisted for the National Finale which consisted of a live presentation in front of a panel of esteemed CHROs from 5 Aditya Birla Group verticals. Here is how we went on to win the competition. 

Understanding The Case Study

We were working on the Hindalco Case Study which involved community trust-building and Industrial Relations challenges. Our teammate Kanchan rightly says, the case study we chose was a real-world business issue that Aditya Birla Group was dealing with, so we first tried to determine which specific case the study was referring to. We then focused solely on comprehending the case study's unique context. Linta believed the case study we took up was based on an environmentally and socially sensitive context, and hence understanding & appreciating this context was of prime importance. 

We proceeded with this thought process. Our research included trying to pinpoint the exact site and studying the issue in detail. It was extremely evident how to proceed with the solution once we found the real-life case. 

Perspectives and Point-of-views

Tanmay believes that being TISS students, we had the advantage of having a socially sensitive viewpoint in dealing with such issues. Linta agrees that being a part of the Tata Institute of Social Sciences gave us a much-needed perspective. Interaction with students from diverse social sciences backgrounds helped us think beyond business. Our challenge was also on similar lines i.e. to propose a sustainable solution for all stakeholders. Kanchan also concurs with this and thinks that being a graduate of social sciences probably aided in bringing a social perspective to the case.

Disagreements & Healthy Discussions are key to Well-Rounded Solutions

We didn't have a conflict per se, but there were disagreements that we resolved by returning to the facts of the case and considering the whole context. We found that disagreements are the key to developing good solutions. We resolved conflicts by developing a consensus after listening to everyone's viewpoints. In fact, the exchange of ideas, discussions, and debates on differing viewpoints helped us get wider perspectives on the case. Taking everyone into confidence helped to keep the motivation and engagement high.

The Competition helped us Integrate Theory with Practice

Being presented with a real-time business case was the best possible opportunity for B-School newbies like us to get an early sneak peek into some of the pressing problems facing the business world. This competition exposed us to a real-world situation and assisted us in integrating theory and practice. It also taught us that research really plays an important role in understanding the ground realities. Our end goal was to find a good solution that creates a 'Win-Win Outcome' for all the stakeholders. And we managed to do so.

This experience will aid us to apply the academic knowledge we gather in our course, to the realities we will be facing in our professional lives in the future

Camaraderie and Mutual Respher are Paramount

Working in Bombay Ducks was really fun. The team was formed by sheer coincidence a week into our TISS B-School journey and the extent of camaraderie we had is commendable. We feel really fortunate to have such amazing teammates without whom this feat wouldn't have been possible. We barely knew each other when we started, and now we are inseparable friends!

The ease with which we understood each other's opinions was tacit in our results. Also, the mutual respect amongst us and a deep commitment to a common issue were of paramount importance in motivating us. Our innate qualities blended together and we brainstormed to reach a solution that was unanimously accepted by all of us. 

Peer Learning at its Finest

All of the 6 teams that made it to the finale had splendid ideas, but all of us were the most impressed with the work done by the team from XLRI. They were very thorough with their research and had strong primary and secondary research data points as they conducted an in-depth ground-level survey. It was definitely an enriching experience of peer learning, something that gave us a lot to think about our own research strategy.

Stimulating Q&A with Jury Pushed us to Deliver our Best

The judging panel consisted of some eminent industry stalwarts who played a role beyond being mere evaluators of our presentations. The probing questions asked by the panel were stimulating and helped us push our boundaries. The evaluation was quite thorough, occasionally giving us something to ponder about. The panel members were unsurpassed in their knowledge and frank in their views and very clear about how we could have done better. Their feedback helped us refine our idea to its finest.

Conversing with the panel was a truly humbling experience that taught us a lot. One of the CHROs initiated a candid conversation with our team. The humility and affability displayed by such a great personality were inspiring. We especially enjoyed talking with the CHROs one-on-one, mingling with other attendees, and participating in the enjoyable activities that the company organized for us.

The Glorious Moment that’s Etched into our Memories

There were many memorable moments throughout the competition, but the one that stood out for us was when a TISS alum declared his alma mater's victorious squad. "Team Bombay Ducks are the winners of ABG HeadstaRt 2022 National Finale" - this moment has been etched in our hearts and memories. To win such a prestigious competition 25 days after your B-School has started is something that no one would have expected. Receiving the award from the dynamic CHROs of Aditya Birla Group group was exhilarating. 

In the end, we’d like to say that a well-coordinated team can face any challenge thrown at them; and a sense of deep connection amongst team members is essential. Last but not least, it is necessary to enjoy the entire process. That's what creates solid bonds and life-long memories.

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