The Argus Cup is a live case competition for third-year Management students at UBC Okanagan, sponsored by Argus Properties Ltd. As part of my MGMT 360 course, students were placed into teams to compete for the chance to present their strategies and win a cash prize of $3,500. Throughout the semester, my team and I participated in a business simulation where we managed a company selling sensors, competing against other teams in our class. Each “year” of the simulation required us to make strategic decisions in key business areas such as finance, operations, human resources, and marketing. After every round, we received performance feedback that helped us refine our strategies for the next stage.
Once the simulation concluded, all teams were asked to prepare a presentation outlining our strategies, team roles, challenges, and key takeaways. The top four teams, determined by combined simulation and presentation scores, advanced to the final round to present in front of faculty members and representatives from Argus Properties.
My team, Peachland Andrews, and I took a creative approach by presenting as if we were a real company with several years of experience selling sensors. This helped us stand out, as no other team had done this, while maintaining a cohesive and professional presentation style. Our strong teamwork, consistent communication, and effective strategic planning throughout the simulation led us to finish first in our division — and ultimately win the Argus Cup. It was an absolute privilege to be part of the Peachland Andrews team. Although we didn’t know each other before this experience, we quickly came together with a shared goal — to excel in the simulation and deliver the strongest presentation possible to win the Cup. We worked effectively as a team by actively listening to one another’s ideas, maintaining clear communication and expectations, and meeting weekly to review our strategies and progress. Most importantly, we supported each other throughout the entire process, which made the experience both rewarding and memorable.
Winning this competition was an incredible experience that allowed me to further develop my leadership, teamwork, and presentation skills. After the event, I was invited several times to speak with the next cohort of MGMT 360 students and finalist teams, sharing insights about the simulation and offering advice and encouragement as they prepared for their own Argus Cup competition.
Others:
Runner-up for the RBC Case Competition at the Univeristy of British Columbia 2021