Bots Consulting Group: Challenged by Robots, Strengthened by Teamwork
By Isumi Narasinghe, Jonathan Utomo, Nathan Doan and Shelina Fernando
The 2024 BCom Case Competition challenged students to address Australian hospitality and retail labour shortages through robotics. Over a few intensive weeks, teams applied their consulting skills to develop and present strategies for the case partner, SoftBank Robotics.
Building the Team and Setting Goals
When Nathan and Shelina brought Jonathan and Isumi into the team, it marked the beginning of the most unreal experience for us. Nathan and Jonathan met at Uni, Nathan and Shelina worked together in a student consulting club, and Shelina and Isumi had been friends since primary school. Our existing bonds made it easy to gel as a team.
The BCom Case Competition held different meanings for us. Jonathan and Nathan were excited about the challenge and testing our learnings from university and industry. Isumi wanted to make her final months as a Bachelor of Commerce student memorable. For Shelina, it was a chance to push her limits and share the journey with a lifelong friend.
From the start, we quickly realised that winning required sharp focus, adaptability, and pace. The competition was intense, with rapid feedback and decision-making. We worked late into the night, especially in the final days before the preliminary round, diving into research, analysis, and collaboration.
Our Preparation and Strategy
Our strategy involved breaking down the problem, sharing personal experiences, and maintaining open communication. Jonathan’s experience with robotics added a real-world dimension to our discussion. This openness fostered creativity and ensured we captured the essence of the challenge.
While the problem seemed straightforward, the ‘5 Whys’ technique helped us identify major pain points faced by stakeholders and drill down from broad questions to underlying issues. This approach enabled us to link our strategy to the root causes identified, ensuring a targeted, coherent solution. Australia’s slow adoption of new technology revealed untapped opportunities, particularly in hospitality. With its labour-intensive nature and potential for automation, we determined that hospitality was the perfect entry point for SoftBank Robotics.
One of the most valuable aspects of the experience was the insight and feedback we received from SoftBank Robotics and industry professionals throughout our journey. They challenged us to refine our solution and align it with SoftBank Robotics’ goals: boosting sales revenue and improving customer acceptance of robotics in Australia.
The Final Round
When we advanced to the final round, the pressure was immense. We began seeing grey areas in our presentation that needed clarification, but with just two days remaining, time was not on our side. We focused on changes that would have the most significant impact on our presentation’s clarity and feasibility. This approach required the entire team’s active participation. Working under pressure taught us to stay composed, maintain morale, and prioritise effectively - valuable skills we’ll carry into the future.
Our final presentation wrapped up just as the timer rang, we sighed in relief - it couldn’t have gone better. As we awaited the results, our nerves were high, and we barely touched the refreshments provided. The judges provided feedback to each team before announcing the results. When the judges highlighted the components we had worked hardest on, such as Isumi’s financial model for the ROI dashboard, it felt surreal. With every mention of our efforts, we couldn’t help but pat each other on the back and exchange fist bumps, celebrating the recognition of our hard work.
All the sleepless nights and hard work culminated in one moment of triumph when we were named the winning team. Not only did we grow as individuals from this journey, but as a team, we’re proud of the strategy we created - a plan we believe could make a difference in Australia’s adoption of robotics.
ACCA was a first-time Silver Sponsor to the BCom Case Competition in 2024 and has continued their support in 2025, “ACCA was honoured to be a proud sponsor of the BCom Case Competition. The talent and innovation participants demonstrated were exceptional. Congratulations to Bots Consulting Group for their well-deserved victory, where their outstanding strategies and stellar pitch led them to take home the top prize!”
Reflection
This competition was a transformative experience not just in our careers, but also in how we view ourselves and our capabilities. It’s easy to think our confidence stems from winning, but the real turning point was choosing to step up and give ourselves the chance to compete. Success is never guaranteed, but by taking a leap, you open doors to opportunities that can shape your perspective and growth.
We are deeply grateful for opportunities like these offered by the Faculty of Business and Economics and to everyone who worked to make this experience memorable and supportive for participants. Such chances are rare, so seize them when you can.
Whether it’s in a competition or any challenge in life, don’t let fear hold you back. Giving yourself the chance to try is the first step toward discovering what you’re capable of. Win or lose, the experience itself can be rewarding, offering insights, lessons, and growth that extend far beyond the immediate outcome.
For us, the competition didn’t just enhance our problem-solving skills—it reshaped how we approach challenges. It gave us the confidence to tackle future case competitions and complex problems in life. And for that, we are incredibly thankful. So, our advice is simple: take the leap. You never know where it might lead.
If you’re a BCom student interested in doing the 2025 BCom Case Competition, the competition will run in Semester 1.