Rider business students place 3rd in national J&J competition

Six students from Rider's Norm Brodsky College of Business earned third place in the Johnson & Johnson National Business Case Competition. 

The team prepared a financial analysis and marketing strategy for a consumer product in Johnson & Johnson's skincare category, presenting both to a panel of the company's executives. Rider competed against 12 other colleges — Rutgers New Brunswick (first place), Penn State (second place), Lehigh (tied for third), Cornell, Villanova, Hampton, Ohio State, Rutgers Newark, St. Joseph’s, The College of New Jersey, Temple and the University of Southern California. 

"The case represented real-world opportunities encountered by J&J and provided a unique way for students to better understand the financial decision-making process used by one of the world’s most successful and admired pharmaceutical companies," says Dr. Larry Newman, associate professor of marketing. Newman and Professor William Totaro, adjunct instructor of accounting, served as the team's advisers.

Brandon Smith, sophomore global supply chain and finance double major; Kaitlyn Kurfuss, sophomore marketing major; Hamna Ilyas, junior health care management and business analytics double major; Matthew Swinehart, sophomore accounting major;  Nikayla Harrill, junior accounting major; and Kevin Mendoza, senior finance major, made up the Rider team. 

"We are incredibly proud of all the students involved," Totaro says. "They have been working tirelessly throughout the semester and continuously impressed the executives at Johnson & Johnson with their work." 

Rider's national team is derived from Newman's and Totaro's "Case Analysis and Presentation" course. Students are divided into teams and analyze real-world business opportunities or problems. They then develop and present a set of recommendations to company decision makers. Rider faculty members and administrators provide feedback to the groups in preparation for their presentations to an initial panel of Johnson & Johnson executives. 

The course is closely aligned with the goals of Rider's Engaged Learning Program, which require students to complete at least two high-impact engaged learning experiences, such as leadership and mentoring or guided research, to satisfy their graduation requirements. Students who previously competed in the competition assist as mentors to the class. The course prepares students to communicate effectively written and orally, work with others in diverse groups, and analyze real-world business problems, while applying business and management theories. 

"This experience is an excellent opportunity for students to hone the most invaluable skills employers desire from business school graduates these days," Newman says.