‘Incredible Opportunity’: Q&A with Poole Student Radhika Kulkarni

Junior Radhika Kulkarni reflects on the impact of her case study experience after competing with her Poole College teammates in spring 2024 at the Belgrade Business International Case Competition.

Tell us a bit about you and your time at Poole College.

I am currently a junior at NC State majoring in business administration with a concentration in marketing. When I participated in the Belgrade Business International Case Competition (BBICC), I was only a sophomore. I am a Spring Connect student, so at the time I had been at NC State for less than two semesters. Despite my relatively short time at the university, my experiences and education at the Poole College of Management provided a robust foundation that prepared me exceptionally well for the competition.

How was your coursework applicable to the Belgrade Business International Case Competition?

The coursework at Poole, particularly classes like BUS 360 (Marketing Methods), BUS 461 (Channel and Retail Marketing), and MIE 310 (Introduction to Entrepreneurship), equipped me with critical theoretical knowledge and practical skills. BUS 360 and BUS 461 deepened my understanding of marketing strategy and consumer behavior, enabling me to approach complex business problems with a structured, data-driven mindset. MIE 310 was pivotal in fostering an entrepreneurial mindset, teaching me to think creatively, embrace innovation, and take calculated risks – traits that are invaluable in high-pressure, fast-paced environments like BBICC. The entrepreneurial framework provided by MIE 310 allowed me to look at business challenges from fresh angles and develop innovative, outside-the-box solutions.

What other experiences helped you prepare for the BBICC?

It was the combination of classroom learning and extracurricular involvement that truly set me up for success at BBICC. My leadership roles in the NC State American Marketing Association (AMA), particularly as director of Website Content and Content Specialist for the Annual Regional Conference, honed my ability to work effectively in teams, manage complex projects, strategize, and create compelling presentations. These skills were directly applicable to the intense environment of BBICC. Additionally, my consulting experiences with CMS Consulting and 180 Degrees Consulting were invaluable. These opportunities allowed me to apply classroom concepts to real-world business challenges, significantly enhancing my problem-solving abilities and my capacity to deliver actionable recommendations – key components of success in case competitions.

Moreover, my experience winning the business case competition at the AMA regional conference was excellent preparation for BBICC. It familiarized me with the intense pressure of solving complex business problems within tight time constraints and presenting solutions to executives. My entrepreneurial ventures in photography and digital content creation, while not directly related to business case analysis, further enhanced my creativity, problem-solving, and visual communication skills. These skills proved unexpectedly useful in crafting engaging presentations at BBICC.

How did all of this tie together when you found out you’d be competing at BBICC?

Dr. Pieter Verhallen, who has been instrumental in my development, hosted case practices on weekends during the spring semester. These sessions were incredibly rewarding and provided an opportunity to refine my skills, which I eagerly seized. Poole College of Management offered me an education that blends theoretical knowledge with practical application, preparing me to excel in the dynamic, challenging environment of an international case competition. At the end of the day, there are countless opportunities and potential positives waiting for you. It’s all about taking charge when presented with opportunities, even if it means stepping outside of your comfort zone, because that is where true growth happens.

What was the BBICC experience like for you?

BBICC itself was an eye-opening experience. It was an incredible opportunity to apply what I had learned in my coursework to real-world scenarios and present ideas to industry professionals on an international stage. It also provided me the invaluable opportunity to network with peers and professionals from diverse backgrounds across the globe. However, I found the experience transformative in ways I hadn’t expected. Beyond honing my business acumen and presentation skills, BBICC opened my eyes to various cultures and provided me with a wider global perspective – whether it was understanding how different individuals socialize or present their solutions, or tackling a case that required us to think about business environmental factors in another country. It broadened my understanding of global business practices and challenged me to grow both personally and professionally.

“It was an incredible opportunity to apply what I had learned in my coursework to real-world scenarios and present ideas to industry professionals on an international stage.”

The competition also challenged my preconceptions about failure. Our team faced setbacks, but rather than being discouraged, we strategized on how to put our absolute best foot forward, and we did. It taught me more about adaptability and resilience than any success could have.

How have you taken this experience forward with you in your studies and career preparation?

This experience has since influenced how I approach challenges in my career and personal life. Competing alongside incredibly talented teams from around the world and networking with them and other professionals was an honor.

Since the competition, I have worked with various clients across the United States to address their marketing needs, and I have been able to apply everything I learned from Dr. Verhallen and my experiences in Belgrade to this work. The global mindset, critical thinking, analytical and financial skills, presentation capabilities, understanding of what it takes to succeed in the industry, and insights into what success and failure look like have all been put into practice and have helped me continue to develop my skills further.

Currently, I am enrolled in Dr. Verhallen’s BUS 495: Global Business Case Analysis course, and I am eager to dive in. The BBICC experience has not only enhanced my academic journey but also shaped my career aspirations, instilling in me a passion for global business and a drive for continuous growth and learning. I am ready for more growth and the incredible opportunities the Poole College of Management has enabled me to seize.