Succeeding in FBLA Case Studies: A Path to Victory

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By Darius Anta, Northern Area Vice President

Participating in competitive events is an exhilarating and rewarding experience for members across the country. Among these competitions, the FBLA case study events are highly competitive and intellectually stimulating, with their mix of impromptu presentations and objective test taking. As my team secured 3rd place in the International Business case study at NLC 2023, I have had the privilege of gaining valuable insights into what it takes to succeed in these challenging competitions. In this article, I will share four strategies and tips that my team used to excel in FBLA case study competitive events.

1. Thoroughly Understand the Format

The first step to success in FBLA case study events is to understand what you are asked to do. Typically, these competitions involve analyzing a real-world business problem and presenting a comprehensive solution within a limited timeframe. Familiarize yourself with the guidelines, time constraints, and evaluation criteria to know exactly what the judges are looking for. Using the rubrics found on the national website, you can see exactly how important each aspect of your case study is towards your overall score

1. Strong Research and Analysis

Case study events require a deep understanding of the subject matter and the ability to analyze complex business scenarios. Start by conducting thorough research on the topic at hand, gathering relevant data, and identifying key issues. Develop a structured framework to systematically analyze the case, focusing on both strengths and weaknesses. My team found a lot of success by treating our case study first as an objective test and gaining a full score of knowledge regarding our topic prior to even starting to practice case studies. This allowed us to incorporate vocabulary and business concepts into our solutions, creating more engaging presentations for the judges.

1. Confidence and Poise

How you say something is just as important as what you say. Confidence and poise during your presentation can make a significant difference. Practice speaking in front of small groups to build confidence and project as clearly as possible. Remember that judges appreciate well-spoken and composed presenters. One speaking exercise my team found helpful was picking a random object and speaking about it with no prior preparation. This gets those creative speech juices flowing and helps you turn a simple stimulus into complex ideas on the spot.

1. Learn from Every Experience

Whether you win or not, every FBLA case study competition is a learning experience. Take the time to reflect on what went well and what could be improved. Use this feedback to continuously grow and refine your skills for future competitions. After every conference, my team and I met just to look over the feedback from judges and brainstorm ways to improve. We didn’t start off too strong, scoring around a 60 on our case study at Area. However, we used that initial feedback to propel ourselves to score above a 95 on our SLC presentation, securing our 1st place finish.
Succeeding in case study competitive events requires a combination of preparation, collaboration, and effective communication. By thoroughly understanding the general format, your event’s unique scope and relevant information, presenting with confidence and reflecting meaningfully, you can increase your chances of leaving your next conference with a medal (or maybe even a plaque!). Remember that the journey itself is valuable, and each competition is an opportunity to learn and grow as a business leader. So, embrace the challenge, put in the hard work, and strive for excellence in every FBLA competition you participate in.


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