AU student teams excel in online business simulation
ASHLAND, Ohio – Three groups of Ashland University students rose to the top in their respective mock industries while participating against other colleges and universities in a GLO-BUS simulation during the 2024 spring semester. The competition included approximately 3,500 teams from 150 colleges and universities.
GLO-BUS is a popular online business strategy simulation in which teams of students run companies that compete for global market position.
AU teams annually compete in GLO-BUS as part of a business capstone course taught by Rebecca Schmeller, Ph.D. This year, the three-to-four-person teams ran publicly traded camera companies over a nine-year fiscal period, managing decisions about detailed budgets for product design, marketing, compensation, facilities, sustainability and finance.
The simulated companies were competing in a global market, selling to buyers in four geographic regions – Asia-Pacific, Europe-Africa, Latin America and North America. They allocated cash to different areas within the company in an effort to increase revenue and reduce costs, with the ultimate goal of surpassing simulated investor expectations for earnings per share, return on equity and stock price.
AU’s leading teams this year were “Free Radicals,” consisting of Anthony McFee, Alex Scott and Katie Thompson; “Damn Good Company,” managed by Zach Granger, Shiloh Jones, Ethan Sauder and Mason Sutandar; and “Aperture,” consisting of Taelyn King, Olivia Ortiz and Jonathan Young.
“Free Radicals” placed among the top 1% within the competition’s best earnings per share category. Specifically, they were 13th overall in that category, putting them at .005% of all teams.
“Damn Good Company” and “Aperture” led the way in the overall game-to-date score, compared to the other 11 AU mock companies. The score represented a combination of common financial ratios by which publicly traded companies are measured.
“These students used complicated business analytics with financial statistics, market intelligence and financial statements. They demonstrated skills in business processes, data-based decision making and teamwork. I’m very proud of what they learned and accomplished,” said Schmeller, an associate professor of management, strategic planning and policy and organizational development. “The future of business is in good hands with these students.”
Ashland University is a mid-sized, private university conveniently located a short distance from Akron, Cleveland and Columbus, Ohio. Ashland University (www.ashland.edu) values the individual student and offers a unique educational experience that combines the challenge of strong applied academic programs with a faculty and staff who build nurturing relationships with their students.