Net Impact Competition 2012

Overview

The Leeds Net Impact Case Competition is the premier case format competition built around businesses facing sustainability challenges, while succeeding financially. Together with our sponsor, this competition attracts the top rated business schools and future industry leaders to Boulder, Colorado, for a two-day event. The competition is an opportunity to bring together students, executives and businesses who share a common commitment to sustainable business practices and financial returns.

We are very pleased to announce that the sponsor of our 11th Anniversary competition is Encana Oil & Gas (USA) Inc.!

A high-growth, low-cost leader in unconventional natural gas production, Encana is reshaping North America's energy portfolio by providing a clean, affordable, abundant resource for future generations. By helping to grow the North American economy, Encana helps build sustainable communities. Encana employs 4,200 and is the second largest natural gas producer in North America.

Even though the natural gas game may be changing, Encana’s commitment to safety, the environment and the community has not. That is why we are very excited to work with Encana as the energy landscape of America is changing before our very eyes; they bring a unique set of challenges that provide a relevant and exciting case for the competition.

2012 Highlights Include

1. $15,000 in prize money – an increase from $12,000 last year
2. Amazing networking opportunity – MBAs from across North America and professionals from a wide-range of industries
3. Discounted lodging in historic Downtown Boulder – The Boulderado Hotel
4. Chance to sample some of Boulder’s best sustainable products
5. Many more to come

We look forward to hearing from everyone who is interested in competing. Please don’t hesitate to contact us with any questions at nicomp@colorado.edu.

Rounds

First Round

The first round consists of an online submission of a short deck formatted PowerPoint presentation. The submission requires teams to creatively analyze a particular issue (not the same for the final rounds). Teams, which consist of four students, will have two weeks to complete the case and return the deliverable to us for judging, which will be done by Colorado business professionals and professors.

Semi-Final and Final Round

The semi-final round will consist of the top 20 teams from the first round. The 20 teams will be divided into five groups and compete against other teams for a spot in the final round. Teams will be given the semi-final and final round case, which is the same, before they arrive in Colorado. Once in Colorado, the teams will be given a live review from the Encana Government Stakeholder and Relations Team, and will have the chance to reassess their analysis. On Saturday morning of the competition, teams will present their PowerPoint presentation to the final round judges. Of the 20 teams that advance to the semi-finals, five teams will qualify for the finals. The finals will allow the teams to present their presentation to a new set of judges. The top three teams will be awarded a CASH Prize. The finals judges will be comprised of C-Level executives from sustainability, energy and academia.

Please don’t hesitate to contact us with any questions at nicomp@colorado.edu.

Semi-Finalists

• Bainbridge Graduate Institute (2 teams)
• Claremont Graduate University
• Columbia School of Business
• Concordia University
• Darden School of Business (Virginia) (2 teams)
• Duke University (2 teams)
• George Washington
• Georgia Tech
• HEC Montreal
• Indiana University
• Penn State
• University of Alabama
• University of Arizona
• University of Minnesota
• University of Washington (3 teams)

Logistics

Congratulations on reaching the semi-finals. Below is some information regarding of the logistics for the finals weekend in February. If you have questions beyond what is below, please post them on blackboard and we’ll get to them as soon as we can.

The Final Case

The final case will be posted on blackboard on February 3rd.

Arrival

You should plan to be in Boulder and checked into the Hotel Boulderado by 5pm on Friday, February 17th. When booking your room at the hotel Boulderado, be sure to use the promo code for the discounted room rates.

Most major airlines fly into Denver’s airport, however, it is a major hub for United, Southwest, and Frontier. You will need to get yourself from the airport to Boulder; we do not provide transportation. There are several means to do this.

Transportation

Shuttle

• Super Shuttle
• Fare Quote from DIA to Hotel Boulderado

Bus (RTD)

Upon exiting the airport, follow signs to “RTD” which is located on the 5th traffic island in the passenger pick-up area. The bus ride typically takes about an hour and costs $11 each way. The route to Boulder is AB. Exit the bus at the Boulder Transit Center. From there, it is a quick walk down 13th street to the Hotel Boulderado. Please refer to the schedule to plan accordingly.

• Schedule

Car Rental

Most major car rental agencies are represented at the Denver airport.

Schedule

Friday

Saturday

Timeline & Costs

October 27-29, 2011

• Net Net Impact National Conference in Portland, OR – we will have a table at the Expo on the 28th, so please stop by. Discounted entry fees are available there! ($125 per team is the discounted price until November 7)

Monday, November 14

• $150 entry fee for first-round competition is due to administration office of Leeds School of Business by close of business day (5pm Mountain Time). Late payment may result in a reduced amount of time to complete the case. So please, get your money in sooner than later.

Wednesday, November 16

• Case Materials: The article, template Power Point slides for the deliverable, and instructions will be e-mailed to each team's contact person.

Wednesday, November 16—Wednesday, November 30

• Prep Time: Teams prepare analysis for article using the template Power Point slides, provided by Leeds, for final deliverable.

Wednesday, November 30, at 11:59pm Mountain Time

• Due Date: First-Round deliverable due back via email for judging. NO late entries will be accepted. Send the document ahead of time if you think there may be a problem.

Monday, December 5

• Results from the First-Round announced

Monday, December 19

• $850 entry fee due for the advancing teams
  (Please take note that this is a short turnaround from the time that we announce the advancing teams. Make arrangements in advance if your school has a long processing time.)

Friday-Sunday, February 18-19, 2012

• Competition Semi-Finals and Finals in Boulder, CO

Competition Rules

Multiple Team Submissions

1. There is no limit to the number of teams any school may enter for the first round
2. No overlapping: students may only compete on one team
3. A maximum of three teams from any one school will be able to move on to the final rounds in Boulder, CO
4. Cooperation between teams from the same university is not allowed; each team needs to work completely independently

Team Composition

1. Teams are to be composed of four graduate students from each participating institution
2. A minimum of three students must be enrolled in your respective school's MBA program
3. The other member may be a student in a different graduate program in your university
4. The team MUST consist of the same four students that will compete in the final competition in Boulder, should your team advance
5. In compelling cases, teams my substitute one member between the First-Round and final competition
6. If unavoidable, teams may participate in the final competition with three MBA students

External Input

1. NO human input (outside of the four-person team) is allowed. Failure to abide by this policy will be grounds for disqualification
2. This includes, but is not limited to conversations, emails, or other contact regarding the case, deliverable(s) or contact with the company involved in the case
3. Schools that submit multiple teams are not allowed to consult with other teams from their university or any other

Faculty, Coaches, Advisers, etc

1. Teams are not allowed to receive input from faculty, coaches, advisers, or third-party consultants to aid them in their analysis of deliverables, or to attend live rounds
2. The participation of faculty, coaches, advisers, etc. or their assistant(s) are grounds for disqualification

Case Material

1. Do not contact the company in the case, or anyone directly affiliated with the case
2. Please do not consult faculty members in your case research

Judging

1. Presentations will be judged based on your ability to analyze the information presented in the case, and clearly and effectively communicate a recommended course of action that is well-grounded in fundamental business principles. That is, finance, marketing and sustainability

First Round Submissions

1. Submissions for the first round are due back to us no later than Wednesday, November 30 at 11:59pm Mountain Time
2. Upon release of the first case your team will received detailed instructions on format and submission procedures