Global Challenge 2012
Commencing 5th March 2012, in the first Global Challenge of The Fresh Connection participants from around the world will have the task to work as a team to save the fictional company, The Fresh Connection, from financial ruin. Participating in country pools, teams will over a 12 week period experience 6 iterations/rounds of the simulation as they compete to make the best business decisions for the value chain of The Fresh Connection company.
The challenge: to collaborate with fellow team members, craft a strategy, integrate decisions, implement change, make effective strategic and tactical decisions, and to completely transform The Fresh Connection company so as to make it as profitable as possible.
The Mechanics
To participate your company, institute, or university first needs to form teams of 4 participants who will assume the functional roles of Purchasing, Sales, Operations, and Supply Chain Management. As an optional 5th role teams may also appoint a team coach to support them on their journey through The Fresh Connection.
For 12 weeks teams will participate in one iteration/round each fortnight (2 weeks) as they are challenged to make the most effective decisions as opportunities and risks become evident.
Throughout the challenge decisions can be made or adjusted at any time during a round, with the rankings enabling teams to track their performance and where they are placed in their country's pool. Team members need not be co-located making virtual team building a possibility. Typically 2-3 hours per round will be required.
After 6 rounds the best performing teams will qualify for the Dutch Final Event. The team winning the Dutch Finals qualifies for the international final to be conducted in Barcelona, Spain in September 2012. In Barcelona the world's best teams will then come together with the chance to claim the title of Global Champion of The Fresh Connection: the ultimate value chain experience.