Students in the Distributive Education Clubs of America (DECA) at Carlmont High School dive into a virtual business challenge (VBC) to test their strategic thinking and innovation skills.
The VBC is a challenge where participants perform market research and choose from business ideas to create themselves. They learn to build teams, set prices, fund, and market their business. This event allows students to experience real-world business scenarios in a virtual environment.
In the VBC, students dive into essential aspects of creating a successful business. However, the challenge includes lessons that go beyond only business skills.
“The main skills I learned from this challenge were perseverance and learning the importance of market research,” said Ben Kim, a Carlmont junior.
According to Kim, students who participated in last year’s VBC ran a football stadium where they managed football games or concerts. They were required to strategize on pricing, create efficient parking, and engage the fans, all of which mirror real-world challenges.
Experimentation also plays a significant role in helping students understand the market dynamics.
“I would also use trial and error and play around with the different market sectors when creating ads for the games and concerts in the simulation,” said Jayden Lee, a Carlmont junior.
Although most competitions involve face-to-face interactions, this digital style introduces students to the importance of remote collaboration, digital communication tools, and applicable skills in today’s job market.
In the current and evolving job landscape, digital technology and web-based components are more relevant than ever.
“I enjoy participating in the VBC because it has also taught me strong teamwork and made me think in unique ways,” said Veronica Libov, a Carlmont sophomore.
Not only will the VBC include possible awards, but it will also help build foundational skills that can shape their future careers in business.
“This virtual business challenge is complex, but that’s what makes it exciting,” Libov said.
