Table of content:

Competition Structure: Asian Paints Chain Reaction 2023
Strategy: Crafting a Practical and Implementable Solution
The Strength of Synergy in Team
Key Learnings: Simplicity and Practicality
A Note on Exemplary Organization and Judgement
A Moment to Cherish

SJMSOM’s Team Synergy 2.0 Wins Asian Paints Chain Reaction 2023

Team Synergy 2.0 from SJMSOM, IIT Bombay, emerged as national winners of Asian Paints Chain Reaction 2023, showcasing innovation, practicality, and exceptional teamwork.

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SJMSOM’s Team Synergy 2.0 Wins Asian Paints Chain Reaction 2023

Asian Paints Chain Reaction is a premier national-level case competition that challenges B-school students to devise innovative and practical solutions to real-world supply chain problems. In Asian Paints Chain Reaction 2023, over 1,300 students from top B-schools across India participated, making the competition fierce and intellectually stimulating.

We are Team Synergy 2.0 from Shailesh J. Mehta School of Management (SJMSOM), IIT Bombay—comprising Ayush Sharma, Prem Singh, and Vinayak Nanda. Our cohesive teamwork and diverse skill sets propelled us to clinch the National Winner title in this esteemed competition. In this article, we share our journey, strategies, and the invaluable lessons we learned along the way.

Competition Structure: Asian Paints Chain Reaction 2023

The competition was structured to simulate real-world business challenges, pushing us to think critically and innovatively. Here's an overview of the competition's structure:

Executive Summary Submission: All registered teams received access to the case and were required to submit a two-slide executive summary, embedding any supporting materials within the presentation.
Campus Rounds: The top five teams from each campus presented detailed approaches to the case before an Asian Paints jury. The schedule for these rounds was communicated well in advance to the shortlisted teams.
Mentorship Phase: Shortlisted teams were paired with mentors from Asian Paints to refine their solutions and prepare for the Grand Finale.
Grand Finale: The eight campus-winning teams presented their final solutions to the senior leadership team of Asian Paints.

The Grand Finale featured top teams from prestigious institutions, including IIM Mumbai and IIM Bangalore, who presented well-structured and insightful solutions. Engaging with such high-caliber teams pushed us to elevate our performance and think more critically.

Strategy: Crafting a Practical and Implementable Solution

Our primary objective was to develop a solution that was not only innovative but also practically feasible using the existing resources of Asian Paints. We aimed for a strategy that could be implemented swiftly and effectively.

Over one and a half months, we immersed ourselves in understanding the intricacies of the case. One significant challenge was the lack of readily available data, which necessitated making informed assumptions for our calculations. Additionally, conducting primary research required extensive groundwork, including field visits and stakeholder interviews, to gather actionable insights.

The Strength of Synergy in Team

Our dream team is a diverse group of individuals with a wide range of skills and expertise. Through our collective hard work and unwavering support for each other, we achieved national recognition as winners in the competition.

Working in a team was a rewarding experience.
We fostered open communication and a collaborative environment, which helped prevent conflicts.
When disagreements arose, we approached them constructively, listening to all perspectives, finding common ground, and prioritizing the team's goals. This approach allowed us to address conflicts effectively, ensuring a harmonious and productive team dynamic.

Our team's forte lay in our diverse skill set and individual talents. Each member brought a unique strength to the table, whether it was technical expertise, creative thinking, leadership, or problem-solving abilities. By leveraging these strengths, we were able to tackle complex challenges more effectively and push the team to achieve remarkable success.

Key Learnings: Simplicity and Practicality

Participating in Asian Paints Chain Reaction 2023 was an enriching experience that reinforced the value of simplicity and practicality in problem-solving. We learned that striving for excellence doesn't always mean opting for the most complex solution; often, the most straightforward and implementable ideas have the most significant impact.

A Note on Exemplary Organization and Judgement

The entire competition was executed with remarkable precision. The organizers ensured seamless coordination, and we were warmly welcomed at every stage. The judging panel was fair and posed thought-provoking questions during the Q&A sessions, challenging us to defend our solutions robustly and think on our feet.

A Moment to Cherish

Our winning moment is one of the most memorable moments of the event. As soon as our team name was announced as the winner, we hugged each other, and the smile on our faces said it all. An absolutely fulfilling moment.

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Edited by

Team Synergy 2.0– SJMSOM, IIT Bombay

2022-2024

Team Synergy 2.0 comprises Ayush Sharma, Prem Singh, and Vinayak Nanda—MBA students at SJMSOM, IIT Bombay. United by a shared passion for supply chain management and problem-solving, they brought together a diverse set of skills and perspectives. Their collaborative approach, open communication, and mutual respect were pivotal in navigating complex challenges and securing the national title at Asian Paints Chain Reaction 2023.