Typically teams can participate in many case competitions during the year and the number of competitions is increasing. But what makes the teams good and what preparations lie behind it? It is coaching. Coaching consists of choosing students and putting them together in teams with the purpose of training them in international business strategy analysis, presentation skills, reasoning, the trick of being able to think on your feet when questioned, taking them out of the role of student in a classroom and put them in the very different role of a business consultant in the boardroom, and last but not least, how to communicate effectively.

Here you can learn a bit about what the coaching of a case team is all about

Responsibilities:

As a Coach for the CaseKey 2026 Business Case Competition, your primary role will be working closely with the Case Solving Teams, as an advisor throughout the case-solving process. Your responsibilities will include: 

1. Regular Guidance and Advisory:

   • Provide consistent guidance and support to Case Solving Teams as they navigate and solve business cases.

   • Act as a resource for teams, offering insights, strategies, and industry knowledge.

2. Skill Development:

   • Train and mentor teams in the areas of Strategy, Finance, Marketing, and Presentation skills.

   • Work collectively with the entire team and individually with team members to enhance their capabilities in each key discipline.

3. Feedback Mechanism:

   • Provide constructive and timely feedback on case solutions, presentations, and overall team performance.

   • Assist teams in identifying areas for improvement and guide them on refining their approaches.

4. Professional Experience:

   • Leverage your own business and/or consulting experience to enrich the learning process for the teams.

   • Share real-world insights and practical knowledge to bridge the gap between theoretical concepts and practical applications.

5. Time Commitment:

   • Dedicate approximately 20 hours monthly, starting in May and continuing through November 2026.

   • The time commitment is crucial for the success of the teams and the competition.

   • Be available for regular check-ins, virtual meetings, and on-demand support as the teams need.

Qualifications:

• Substantial work experience in business and/or consulting.

• Demonstrated ability to work with and mentor young individuals.

• Strong expertise in Strategy, Finance, Marketing, and Presentation skills.

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.

Selection Process:

• Shortlisted applicants will undergo an interview process.

• Successful candidates will be matched with students to form teams of 8-10 people.

• All coaches will participate in a Training of Trainers (ToT) session to discuss best practices for effective case-solving.

Key Dates:

• February 17: Call for applications opens

• March 31: Deadline for submitting applications

• April 2: Mini-Case Phase

• April 10: Review and notification of the applications

• April 21-28: Interviews conducted

• April 30: Acceptance notification to successful applicants

• May 10: Program Introduction during non-official kick-off

• May 15: Team formation process completes

• End of May: Opening ceremony

• May 17 to Mid-November: The CaseKey 2026 takes place

We seek dedicated professionals passionate about nurturing the next generation of business leaders. If you possess the necessary qualifications and commitment, we invite you to apply for this rewarding coaching opportunity. Together, let's shape the future of business leaders at CaseKey 2026!

CaseKey Rules and Regulations

The Application and Selection Process