Last one standing

UQ Business School-sponsored competition Business Icon last night reached its peak with Belinda Young the last one standing after an intensive week of competition.

Young made it through three elimination rounds to take the title of Queensland Business Icon 2007.

The competition kicked off with Task One beginning on Wednesday 18 July at UQ Business School St Lucia.

Sponsor representative Cathy Stacey said four teams of ten were given 48 hours to put together a fundraiser for the Oaktree Foundation with a mission to build awareness and raise funds for the charity.

She said, “Remarkably, the four teams between them raised nearly $12,000.”

UQ student Karen Li (Gold Coast) – who was eliminated in the first round – said the competition had been both intense and rewarding.

She said, “The competition makes you focus on the essentials and shows what can be achieved when you really commit.”

Task Two asked competitors to develop a marketing strategy for a new beverage from Lion Nathan Breweries.

With most competitors representing the target market – 18-25 year olds – judges were impressed with their proposed communication strategies.

Only 12 participants were still in the game when Task Three was announced. Charged with developing recommendations for the strategic development of the Tourism Queensland website, competitors were also asked to deliver a concept plan for an online marketing campaign to support their recommendations.

Organisers upped the challenge factor by forbidding the use of mobile phones and e-mail, forcing participants to rely entirely on their own resources.

After Task Three, the field was reduced to just four finalists who had to present their plans for a fictitious new drug. Taking the part of the CEO, they also endured hostile questions from judges (taking the part of the media) – all in front of a crowd of 150 at the Business Icon gala dinner.

The four finalists were awarded trophies to mark their success in making it through to the final stage of the gruelling competition. Additional prizes were also awarded to those who demonstrated skills in particular areas with UQ student Kate Richardson (Caloundra) taking out the Leadership Award.

For more information contact Cathy Stacey on (07) 3365 6179 or 0434 074 372