It was akin to facing the giants for four TAR College students who competed with industry experts, working executives and MBA students at the recent MIM-RICOH National Management Game 2007. Although all the competitors had much more experience, the four put in a commendable effort to become the only team comprising of students in the finals.

The four students representing TAR College were Lim Keat Heong and Rebecca Chan from the Advanced Diploma in Commerce (Financial Accounting) course, Kim Sheau Chia from the Advanced Diploma in Business Studies (Marketing) course, and Yong Chook Yean from the Advanced Diploma in Business Studies (Business Administration) course.

A total of 21 teams from across the country took part in the management game. TAR College sent two teams and both teams were sponsored by the alumni of Malaysian Institute of Management (MIM). The game is a computer simulated business game often used by companies in many foreign countries to train their managers. Players pit their management and business skills against other teams to increase their market share and profits. In order to compete successfully, the students had to practise sound finance, investment, pricing and marketing decisions and strategies.

“We spent time analysing trends, interpreting economic reports, forecasting the markets, and predicting what the competitors would do,” said Keat Heong.

The game also encouraged the development of interpersonal skills, teamwork and decision-making skills among the students as they must work together to maximise their resources   and   achieve   optimum   results.   “There   were

definitely disagreements on what decisions we had to make, but we listened rationally to each other’s arguments and weighed our options,” said both Chook Yean and Rebecca.

The students’ good teamwork was the result of the preparation before the competition day. Coordinating the time and location to meet and discuss was a small challenge for the students as three of them were undergoing their industrial training at that time – one in Shah Alam, another in Klang, and yet another in an area south of Kuala Lumpur – and the fourth was in an area north of Kuala Lumpur preparing for his ACCA external examinations. “We were only able to find time to discuss at night and it was usually at one of our homes,” said Rebecca. “At times, when we found it impossible to meet in person, we would meet up online instead.”

On competition day, it was full of suspense down to the very last minute as the results in the early rounds of the finals were very close. “We were equally competitive,” said Keat Heong. “If we were given a second chance, I’m sure we can beat them.”

It wasn’t easy to get into the finals and all the finalists were considered winners in their own right. Although the students did not get their hands on the coveted champion trophy, the opportunity of competing with managing directors and chief operating officers was priceless. “We have nothing to lose but everything to gain as we’ve learned a lot,” said Rebecca.

“Besides, it’s quite fun and we would love to do it again!” said Sheau Chia, and the others nodded in agreement.