42 WAIKATO BUSINESS NEWS <strong>October</strong>/<strong>November</strong> <strong>2016</strong> Students’ big ideas for Kiwi fashion company The fashion industry is highly competitive, with rapidly evolving fashion trends and technologies. In <strong>Waikato</strong> Management School’s 41st Case Competition, students locked horns in a fierce battle to develop the best growth strategy for Annah Stretton, founder of one of the New Zealand’s most successful Publisher Alan Neben Ph: (07) 838 1333 Mob: 021 733 536 Email: alan@wbn.co.nz Sales director Deidre Morris Ph: (07) 838 1333 Mob: 027 228 8442 Email: deidre@wbn.co.nz Editor Geoff Taylor Ph: (07) 838 1333 Mob: 022 694 1595 Email: geoff@wbn.co.nz Production Manager Tania Hogg Ph: (07) 838 1333 Email: production@wbn.co.nz ADVERTISING INQUIRIES Please contact: Sales Manager Jody Anderson Ph: (07) 838 1333 Mob: 027 236 7912 Email: jody@wbn.co.nz Candra Hansen Ph: (07) 838 1333 Mob: 027 386 2226 Email: candra@wbn.co.nz Joanne Poole Ph: (07) 838 1333 Mob: (021) 507 991 Email: joanne@wbn.co.nz ELECTRONIC FORWARDING Editorial: <strong>News</strong> releases/Photos/Letters: geoff@wbn.co.nz Production: Copy/Proofs: production@wbn.co.nz Subscriptions: kim@wbn.co.nz <strong>Waikato</strong> <strong>Business</strong> Publications Ltd specialises in business publishing, advertising, design and print media services. <strong>Waikato</strong> <strong>Business</strong> <strong>News</strong> has a circulation of 11,000, distributed throughout the <strong>Waikato</strong> between Tuakau and Turangi, and to a subscription base. <strong>Waikato</strong><strong>Business</strong> PUBLICATIONS 12 Mill Street, Hamilton PO Box 1425, Hamilton, 3240. Ph: (07) 838 1333 Fax: (07) 838 2807 | www.wbp.net.nz fashion companies Stretton Group. The students were asked what the future could look like for Annah Stretton and her business, Stretton Clothing. Some of the questions they faced were: how could Stretton Clothing thrive as it moved forward in an increasingly digital and global market, and should the Stretton Foundation stop at its Reclaim Another Woman (RAW) initiative which matches mentors with women who have been victims of domestic violence, or look for other opportunities to help? In the competition final in <strong>October</strong>, four teams of students were given 10 minutes to present their recommended strategies to a large audience, before facing a grilling from the judges who asked a few tricky questions to probe the finer details of their plans for Stretton Group. The panel of judges chose team PESTE Control as the winners of the case competition. The winning team consisted of Bachelor of Management Studies students Sam Corban, Hannah Raos, Emily Welburn and Alexander Dowie. Their three-phase strategy for Stretton Group focused on a new website that would create ‘the best online shopping experience in New Zealand’, including an online personal styling service; launching a new ‘Navy’ fashion brand targeted at time-poor business women; and holding a glitzy ‘Navy Blues’ annual fashion show in four cities to raise positive publicity and money for the Stretton charitable foundation. Sam Corban says spending time with Ms Stretton in the run-up to the competition was valuable. “Seeing how passionate Annah is about her foundation just captured all of us, so we ensured the Stretton Foundation was a key part of our strategy.” Ms Stretton says she enjoyed her experience working with the students at <strong>Waikato</strong> Management School. “It’s great to work with such highly engaged people. I hope all the students have taken something from this experience whether it’s the practicality of problem solving or identifying new growth opportunities.” The team has proven that students don’t necessarily need a financial background to develop a feasible growth strategy, says Emily Welburn. “As long as you create a plan <strong>Waikato</strong> Management School winners Sam Corban (back left), Emily Welburn (front left), Hannah Raos (front right) and Alexander Dowie (back right). and stick to it, do the research, listen to the client and talk to the people around you for help, you’ll stand in good stead for the competition.” PESTE Control received a $2500 prize from competition sponsor PWC. Some of the top students from the competition will be selected for a team to represent the University of <strong>Waikato</strong> at national case competitions, where they can test themselves against the best strategic minds in New Zealand. This year's judging panel included Vanya Wallis, <strong>Waikato</strong> grad makes his way in London University of <strong>Waikato</strong> graduate Stuart Barrass is working with some of Europe’s most innovative companies. He’s a management consultant for Ernst & Young (EY) based at their global headquarters in London. The companies Stuart works for are so high-profile, he wasn’t allowed to name them – company policy – but he did say they were companies listed on the Financial Times Stock Exchange 100 Index. In his role, Stuart helps clients find ways to use or adapt to new technologies. He’s also involved in the EY Startup Challenge, an initiative that gives Europe’s latest and greatest start-ups an opportunity to test their innovations on clients. “I actually learn something new every day,” says Stuart. “I have many different roles and responsibilities and get to work at the forefront of the European start-up scene.” EY's headquarters are in central London but Stuart spends most of his time in Shoreditch, an area in London commonly referred to as UK's Silicon Valley. “London is a fantastic place to live,” says Stuart. “There’s always something happening and events here draw the world’s best leaders, academics and entrepreneurs.” Stuart says the recruitment process to land his big break wasn’t easy. He had to go through several interviews and assessments in New Zealand and London. “Going into the final interview I expected to be grilled over the current global economy and the latest business trends but that’s not what happened,” says Stuart. “It was actually just a good chat about me and the firm, and the hour flew by.” Stuart says his time at university helped him land this job. The former Palmerston North Boys’ High School student completed a Bachelor of Management Studies with Honours and Graduate Diploma in Japanese at <strong>Waikato</strong>. During his studies, he went on a university exchange at Kansai Gaidai University, to enhance his Japanese language skills and learn more about the culture and society in Japan. He also won several scholarships including the Golden key International Scholarship and Asia Foundation New Zealand Japan Scholarship, and was involved in student clubs such as Enactus, debating and the investment club. “This is where I learned a lot about public speaking, fundraising and social enterprise. In my second year I was lucky enough to go to the Enactus World Cup in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia,” he says. His key piece of advice? “Think far ahead about where you want to be. Learn the winner of <strong>Waikato</strong> Management School’s first Case Competition in 1996, and now client services manager at Mayston Partners Ltd. The other judges were Emma Jones, director at PWC; and Professor Deborah Willis, acting dean of <strong>Waikato</strong> Management School. Stuart Barrass. how others made it there and make plans. It takes a lot of effort and planning to get your dream job.” FEELING A LITTLE DOWN IN THE MOUTH? PUT A SMILE BACK ON YOUR FACE Check out our special for the month. With every Volume Replacement Filler, receive a FREE Fine Line Filler valued at $110. APPEARANCE MEDICINE Make your appointment with one of our registered nurses, Deborah or Toni, for a free consultation. BEFORE AFTER Visit www.cliniqueelan.co.nz for a full list of services | 47 Pembroke Street, Hamilton | 07 839 2262 J8962A
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