|
 That would be an accomplishment for any student, but
it’s even more impressive to know that Hermosillo achieved her top
place finish while working full time for Del Monte Foods in Mendota
and raising her three daughters, Valerie, Anna and Fernanda Valdes.
Hermosillo had a strategy from the start, explaining, “I knew from
the beginning that I wanted to be different and big. I put that into
action by growing my company and increasing the quality of my shoes
in the early stages of the game. This gave me the competitive
advantage I needed to take the lead. This has been a wonderful
experience and really complements the Strategic Management class.”
The competition is part of the Strategic Management capstone course
for business students in the Lincoln College ABE (Accelerated Bridge
to Education) program. The students create fictional shoe companies
that compete against one another on pricing, quality, advertising,
return on investment, stock value, social responsibility and other
real-world measures of business success.
Hermosillo’s company “Comfort Zone” tied for first with 18 other
student-run firms from the U.S., England and Spain, including such
major universities as the University of Texas, California State
University, Arizona State University and the University of Nebraska.
The competition runs for 10 weeks and each week simulates a year in
the life of the company.
Hermosillo is completing her bachelor’s degree in the Lincoln
College ABE program on the Illinois Valley Community College campus
at Oglesby and the Normal campus.
Her instructor, Aaron Hurley, said it’s been great to watch as
Hermosillo climbed through the ranks during the competition.
“Our students not only compete online against their
fellow students' companies, but their performance is ranked amongst
thousands of other students worldwide.” Hurley explained. “This
online simulation adds to the learning experience because students
develop business strategies, share ideas, and are motivated to
outperform one another in the free market. The BSG incorporates the
major facets of running a global business and students must put
their knowledge of Business Strategy, Operations Management, Supply
Chain Management, Corporate Finance, Management, and Marketing to
the test to successfully run their firm each year.
"The bar is continually raised each year during the
simulation as each business improves their products and operations.
We have a great group of students dedicated to strategy, so the
competition within the Business Strategy Game was intense. It was so
much fun to see this industry evolve and grow with each decision the
students made in managing their firms. I couldn't be prouder!”
[to top of second column] |
Hermosillo is hoping to put her classroom experience to work at
Del Monte, “My goal is to advance into the management team within Del Monte. I
am very happy here and I plan on staying here. They have been very supportive
with my educational goals. This coming year I want to begin working on a
Master’s Degree.”
Hermosillo graduated from Mendota High School in 2003 and earned an Associate
degree from Illinois Valley Community College in 2016.
“While I was in pursuit of an Associate degree, a co-worker of mine and an ABE
graduate herself, told me about the ABE program at Lincoln College. I had been
going to school on and off as time allowed while raising a family and working
full time. The ABE program allowed me do just that and fulfill my dream of a
college education,” Hermosillo said. “The program is just amazing.”
The Accelerated Bridge to Education program offers students the opportunity to
quickly earn college credits in concentrated short-term segments at campuses in
Oglesby, Normal and Peoria. Classes last for five weeks on the Oglesby and
Peoria campuses, while the Normal campus offers both five- and eight-week
programs.
Each session meets one night a week, supplemented by online learning, and is
equivalent to a 16-week course at traditional colleges. The accelerated format
allows students to concentrate on one or two subjects each session and quickly
accumulate college credits. Because class sessions start every five to eight
weeks, students have the flexibility to take a session off in order to balance
work and family demands.
Degrees are offered in Business Management, Liberal Arts, Criminal Justice,
Organizational Leadership, Entrepreneurship, Health Services Administration and
Supply Chain and Logistics Management. More information is available at
ABE.lincolncollege. edu/IVCC.
The list of the Business Strategy Game global top 100 performers can be found at
http://www.bsg-online.com/stats/ top20.html?id=1722.
[Mark Gordon
Public Relations and Media Manager
Lincoln College] |
