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Dhivyen Aaron, Alex Ziqing Zhao, Minqiu Zhao, Jeff Brown, Rhys Jennings, Lily Zheng
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Six students from the University of Sydney Chapter travelled to Chicago, where BAP was originally founded, for the Annual Meeting where they met with other chapters, heard from insightful speakers and participated in the community service event, Chicago Food Drive.
Led by the 2019 Executive Team, Jeff Brown (President), Alex Zhao (Vice President), Lily Zheng (Competitions Director), Dhivyen Aaron (External Engagements Director), Sachin Samarawickrama (Membership Director) and Minqiu Zhao (Marketing Director) and Faculty Advisor Janine Coupe, the USYD Chapter was honoured to win three prestigious awards:
- KPMG Gold Challenge Award (third consecutive year): USYD BAP was one of only ten chapters globally (out of 350+) to be awarded “gold” status for consistent commitment to go above and beyond in organising high-calibre, innovative events and sustainable investment in the success of the chapter and its community.
- EY Inclusive Leadership Award: USYD BAP won 1st place for initiatives enabling individuals to gain insights into the significance of workforce diversity and empowering them to lead, think and act inclusively.
- Grant Thornton Ethics Award (second consecutive year): USYD BAP was one of only 4 chapters to receive this award for initiatives encouraging a strong ethical foundation and empowering individuals to act on ethical principles.
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Alex Ziqing
Zhao, Rhys Jennings, Dhivyen Aaron, Jeff Brown, Minqiu Zhao, Lily Zheng
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Another Highlight in Chicago: Project Run With It Competition
Project Run With It (PRWI) consulting competition furthers the community service component of Beta Alpha Psi. Ninety-six participants are split into teams and given 32 hours to complete a consulting project for a local not-for-profit organisation.
Second-year Commerce/Law student Rhys Jennings (chosen to attend after winning best speaker at BAP’s Diversity & Inclusion event in March) was part of the winning team. He shares his experiences below.
If someone had told me six months ago that I would have the chance to travel to Chicago for a consulting competition, I would have told them that they were joking.
Fast forward to today and I’m incredibly grateful to BAP as well as the University of Sydney Business School for this opportunity.
Our client, the Volunteer Center, is a Chicago based not-for-profit that helps residents find volunteer opportunities at 160+ organisations.
They were seeking innovative solutions to increase funding and grow membership which had recently stagnated. We were placed into teams of four, with students we had not met, and were given 36 hours to develop our proposal.
Our three recommendations included a donations-model overhaul that incorporated emerging technology, a company restructuring and a millennial marketing campaign.
Our three recommendations included a donations-model overhaul that incorporated emerging technology, a company restructuring and a millennial marketing campaign.
We presented a slide deck to the Volunteer Centre, industry professionals and Beta Alpha Psi International.
I’m incredibly grateful for this opportunity and proud of the work we did. I had the chance to apply what I have learnt in the classroom, from financial analysis to marketing fundamentals, in a high pressure, real-world context.
Speaking to our client afterwards, it was rewarding to hear that they will be implementing our recommendations, as they’ve done some great work for Chicago and have more to do.
One thing I was surprised by was how close my teammates and I grew in such a short time. They came from all corners of the US and seeing how they do things has broadened my thinking and reinforced the power of teamwork.
Another takeaway - never underestimate a jar of Vegemite in connecting with a team of Americans.
https://www.bapusyd.org/
https://www.facebook.com/BAPUSYD/
I’m incredibly grateful for this opportunity and proud of the work we did. I had the chance to apply what I have learnt in the classroom, from financial analysis to marketing fundamentals, in a high pressure, real-world context.
Speaking to our client afterwards, it was rewarding to hear that they will be implementing our recommendations, as they’ve done some great work for Chicago and have more to do.
One thing I was surprised by was how close my teammates and I grew in such a short time. They came from all corners of the US and seeing how they do things has broadened my thinking and reinforced the power of teamwork.
Another takeaway - never underestimate a jar of Vegemite in connecting with a team of Americans.
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Project
Run With It Consulting Competition Winners: Rhys Jennings (University of
Sydney), Kira Wolak (Florida Atlantic University),
Emma Kolar (Grand Valley
State University), Drew Isennock (Loyola University Maryland)
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To find out more about BAP or join us:
https://www.bapusyd.org/https://www.facebook.com/BAPUSYD/
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