Did you build a company on your first day of school? Acton students kicked off the school year with a business simulation. (Photos below)

Every year, after Pre-Mat and before the fall semester starts, Acton students participate in a Boot Camp. It’s a rigorous, one-week program where students meet their classmates and prepare for the first semester. It includes demonstrations of the case method, team-building exercises, quantitative sessions, and Life of Meaning discussions.

This year, before heading off to Lost Pines for team building and fun, the students participated in a fast-paced business simulation.

They became owners of a greeting card company, Liberty Greetings. They split into teams and tried to turn the floundering company into a profitable business. They were in charge of all aspects of the enterprise — research and development, administration, sales, and product production. They got their hands dirty and made actual greeting cards, interviewed prospective customers (Acton staff), and raced against the clock. Each business cycle was compressed into twenty minutes. Between each of the four cycles, the teams met and discussed strategy. As a result, they got to apply what they’d learned in Pre-Mat and became better acquainted with their classmates before the grueling 100-hour work weeks start.

While hurried, it looked like everyone had a good time. Check out the photos from the event and get to know the Acton MBA Class of 2011!

But wait – there’s more! We have some great video footage on the way, too. So check back!

Tags: Boot Camp, Class of 2011, Experiential Learning, Premat

Posted in Students