[San Jose State University]

 International Collegiate
Business Strategy Competition
College of Business > ICBSC > Hall of Fame > 2008 > Beyond Storage

Beyond Storage
2008 Undergraduate Team
Awards: Outstanding Performance and Outstanding Reports

Beyond Storage was one of two teams representing the San José State College of Business in the 2008 International Collegiate Business Strategy Competition. From among teams competing in their division, Beyond Storage won the first place award in both available categories: financial performance and written reports.

The team consisted of

  • Janelle Small, Chief Executive Officer
  • Christine Ermatinger, Chief Financial Officer
  • Justin Virrey, Chief Operating Officer
  • Pedro Alvarez, Chief Marketing Officer
  • Harry Kaura, Vice President of Finance

All are members of the Gary J. Sbona Honors Program scheduled to graduate in 2008 and begin their careers in accounting or finance.

Their advisor was Prof. Joel West.

Picture of Winning Team

From left to right: Justin Virrey, Janelle Small, Harry Kaura, Christine Ermatinger, Pedro Alvarez

[Annual Report]After several weeks of practice with the MBA students, the team made its first decision for their simulated completion on February 5, the first of eleven quarterly decisions they would make before leaving for San Diego. The faced four competitors: Sacramento State, San Diego State, University of Wisconsin (Madison) and the Higher Colleges of Technology (United Arab Emirates).

In choosing a fictional product and industry, they adopted the corporate moniker Beyond Storage and the tagline “more than just a storage device”. The bulk of their time was spent on growing the business: raising capital, building a factory, fine-tuning the four Ps, and rolling out a succession of new products. In addition to making investment and marketing decisions for their simulated company, they also developed a written business plan, sent formal financial goals, and published an annual report (complete with Sarbanes-Oxley certifications).

After two months of hard work, the team arrived in San Diego ready to finish their task. They faced tough competition from archrival SDSU, so they were determined that within 48 hours, there would be no doubt in the minds of their three judges who was the best team.

[Arriving at the Airport]
Working
Working
Winning Team
 At the end of the simulation, Beyond Storage led the industry in total net income over 4½ years, winning the overall competition for their division. They also were awarded a prize for the best annual report in their division.
Picture of Winning Team
Picture of Winning Team on a balcony

Despite the pressures of the intensive competition, the team also had a chance to relax and unwind at the hotel pool, socialize with other competitors and enjoy some of the San Diego nightlife.

[Justin]
[Pedro, Janelle, Harry]

Last updated October 2, 2008