'ACE' - the winning team from Earnshaw State College.

Australian Business Week competition

The School of Business at the Brisbane Campus (McAuley at Banyo) recently facilitated a program to engage with business studies students at local schools.

Several weeks ago, students from Earnshaw State College and Narangba Valley State High School formed teams to compete against one another. Each team was required to establish and operate a virtual business, with a focus on the areas of marketing, operations, finance, performance and decision making.

An event was held last week to asses the competency of each team as a business and to announce the overall winner.  The competition was judged by ACU business lecturers, Ellen McBarron, Prasad Vajjhala and Dr Charles Hollis, along with small business owners, Anne Scott and Robbie Reeman, and former senior executive of a multi-national corporation, Steven McCormack.

Program organiser, Mr John Parke, said the initiative was a great way for the students to learn how to operate a real business.

"It was an invaluable opportunity. The students learnt how to work in a team and solve real life problems," he said.

First place was awarded to ACE from Earnshaw State College.