A New Standard in Global Strategy
In late September, a quartet of students from four distinct national backgrounds assembled on the Gellért Data Lab’s desks, driven by a mission that stretched far beyond the campus walls. Their goal: to produce a full‑fledged growth strategy for a real‑world enterprise in less than two months. The competition was the think‑cell Global Case Competition – a contest that draws more than 1,000 participants from 150 universities in 36 countries. Winning the Graduate Track in this arena is a rare indicator of strategic sharpness, analytical depth, and cross‑cultural teamwork.
Meet the ATG Consulting Team
The team’s name, ATG Consulting, reflects the four pillars that shaped its performance: analytical rigor, teamwork, global perspective, and execution. Each member brought a unique discipline: a political‑economic lens from North Macedonia, an entrepreneurial mindset from South Africa, a communication strategy from Jordan, and a quantitative modeler from the same Balkan country. Their combined experience covered policy analysis, startup scaling, media relations, and data science – a blend rarely seen in a single student group.
Jakov Velkovski – Socio‑political Analysis
With a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy, Politics, and Economics, Jakov connected market dynamics with broader political structures, allowing the team to anticipate regulatory shifts and socio‑economic trends that could impact strategic options.
Daniela Toth – Applied Entrepreneurship
Daniela’s MBA background in South Africa was instrumental in structuring the team’s work package. She introduced lean startup principles, ensuring that each recommendation was not only theoretically sound but also actionable within limited resource budgets.
Tala Salman – Strategic Communication
Tala’s expertise in public relations and international relations guided the narrative of the final PowerPoint deck. She shaped a compelling story that translated complex data into a concise, persuasive message for senior stakeholders.
Nikola Meshkovski – Data‑Driven Modeling
Armed with a BSc in Applied Economics, Nikola performed the quantitative rigor required for feasibility analysis. His models fed directly into the cost‑benefit framework and risk assessments presented to the judges.
From Coffee Cups to Winning Arguments
Success did not emerge from polished group meetings; it grew from nightly sprints in the Gellért Data Lab. The space, surrounded by empty coffee cups and computer screens glowing into the early hours, became a crucible for rigorous debate. The team rehearsed scenarios until the 2 a.m. hour felt like routine. Think‑cell was learned on the fly, and slide decks were iterated five times or more before a single version— the only 12 slides required— was approved.
Key Tactical Elements
- Early stakeholder mapping to identify critical decision makers and their priorities.
- Scenario modeling that accounted for regulatory, competitive, and macro‑economic variables.
- Clear, execution‑ready recommendations tied directly to KPIs and a risk‑adjusted implementation plan.
- Polished visual storytelling— each slide served a purpose and communicated a single point.
Lessons Every Aspiring Strategist Should Embrace
1. Cross‑disciplinary collaboration is essential. Strategy sits at the intersection of data, people, and environments. A team that spans disciplines can anticipate blind spots.
2. Execution frameworks matter as much as ideas. A brilliant concept demands a realistic path to implementation; without it, the proposal loses credibility.
3. Data literacy and storytelling go hand in hand. Advanced tools like think‑cell convert raw numbers into visual narratives that captivate decision makers.
4. Practice under constraint simulates real world pressure. The competition’s 12‑slide limit and time crunch mirrored boardroom realities; preparing for such constraints builds composure.
Implications for Corvinus University and Students
Corvinus University has long positioned itself as a hub for business thought leaders in Central Europe, backed by associations such as AACSB, EFMD, and CEMS. This victory underscores the university’s capacity to train consulting‑ready talent that can perform at an international standard. For prospective students, it signals that the MBA and undergraduate programs foster the analytical rigor, teamwork ethos, and global mindset required for high‑level strategy roles.
Supporting Structures
- Gellért Data Lab. Provides access to advanced analytics software and a collaborative environment that mirrors professional consulting offices.
- Think‑cell partnership. Grants students hands‑on experience with industry‑standard presentation tools.
- Industry‑connected faculty. Professors bring active consulting projects into the classroom, offering students exposure to real client challenges.
Building Your Own Strategic Edge
Marketers, entrepreneurs, and corporate leaders wishing to sharpen their strategic capabilities can take actionable steps right now:
- Enroll in a Corvinus MBA or a related bachelor’s curriculum that emphasizes data analytics, operations, and strategic management.
- Participate in case competitions— either as a student or corporate partner— to practice rapid problem solving.
- Join the university’s extension programs or executive workshops focused on strategy and innovation.
- Leverage the Gellért Data Lab to experiment with analytics tools and develop datasets for your own projects.
- Network with alumni working in top consulting firms and strategy departments; their learnings can guide your own approach.
Advance Your Career Today
Whether you are a student considering a career in strategy or a professional looking to move into a consulting role, the Corvinus University environment offers a proven path. The recent triumph of the ATG Consulting team illustrates that the combination of rigorous coursework, access to practical resources, and a collaborative culture yields results that stand up on the world stage.
Take the Next Step
Ready to join a community that consistently exceeds global expectations?
- Apply for the Corvinus MBA program today and start building the foundation for a strategy‑focused career.
- Explore our MBA curriculum and learn how it aligns with industry needs.
- Contact the admissions team at [email protected] for personalized guidance on course selection and application timelines.
By following these steps, you can replicate the disciplined, cross‑functional approach that propelled Corvinus’ team to the top of the think‑cell Global Case Competition.
