The Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) launched a first of its kind Inter University Challenge that sought to provide a platform that would mould future business leaders. The theme was anchored on the ACCA’s flagship strategic professional-level paper, Strategic Business Leadership (SBL).

In groups of four, participants from various high level learning institutions across the country had the opportunity to take part in this challenge and develop technical, ethical, and professional skills as well as grasp the key competencies in business leadership.

Shaniqua Mwangi, Fredrick Mtula, Jeremiah Bamulumbye and Noella Amella as Team Titans and Akshay Nagariya, Maria Martin Kamikazi Martha and Cynthia Kamondo as Team Generation Z, hoped on to this opportunity, made it to the top 11, and remarkably represented the University.

What was the challenge about?

Noella: Using Strengths, Weakness, Opportunity and Threats (SWOT) analysis and Sustainable Feasibility and Acceptability Test (SFA), we were assigned to work to evaluate a fictional company’s strategic position.

What was the experience like?

Noella: To begin with, participating in this challenge was not in any of our plans. In fact, we applied for it at the last minute! Thanks to Jeremiah, our team leader, who pushed us to take up this opportunity.

Shaniqua: T for Tough but it was a learning experience.

Fredrick: We had no idea of what we were getting ourselves into but we put our best foot forward. The first round felt like going through a dark tunnel but we made it out strong; and winners too. We scooped 56/60, which was quite impressive! Congratulations team! The second round was, however, more technical and tougher. Without teamwork, this would not have been possible.

Henry Ford once said that “coming together is just the beginning, staying together is progress and working together is success…” and true to that, we are progressing to greatness.

Teamwork makes work easier

Jeremiah: Two heads, well, four heads are better than one. This challenge brought us together and we had to work together to succeed. As a team, we were like a table, if one leg breaks then everything on top of it topples over.

In those moments when one of us was unable to do their tasks, we stepped in to assist.

Any challenges experienced?

Fredrick: As mentioned earlier, we had not planned to participate in this challenge, but look where we are at now… “sitting in the hall of fame!” However, at the beginning, the instructions were quite vague, which posed a bit of confusion.

 

Noella: Time management. I think that’s one of the greatest lessons learnt throughout the challenge.

Juggling between school, our personal lives and participating in this challenge was strenuous and we experienced a great challenge in striking a balance. Also, with the exams coming up, we had to sit down and strategize how we were going to balance everything while at the same time ensuring we live our lives to the fullest.

Shaniqua: For the third round, we were required to present the work done and submitted in the first and second rounds. Standing in front of people is not a natural activity that I have ever been able to do. Staring at the panel whose eyes were fixed on you while jotting down notes was nerve wrecking. My mind kept on wondering what could they be possibly writing? Oh wait… did I make a mistake?

Besides that, I was shaking in my boots while presenting, it challenged me to voice out the work we had done. Will I do this again? No, I doubt it… maybe?

Parting shot?

Noella: Do it. Just do it. Do not wait for the “opportune moment” to do something. While you wait, that opportunity may not come up again. Pursue it even if you do not know what to do. You will get the hang of it. Sometimes you just need to throw yourself into the deep end.

Shaniqua: Don’t ignore or archive emails from the communications office sent out. You never know, your future may lie in one of those emails. Apply and register to all of them.

 

Congratulations to Team Titans! Well deserved.

 

This article was written by Jemmy Kamau.

 

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