POTSDAM -- Three local students were among 31 students to take home a trophy in SUNY Potsdam's Department of Business Administration's 54th Business Plan and Product Prototype Competition

The competition challenges students to develop an entrepreneurial business plan fulfilling the need of a specific group of consumers. In the Fall 2021 semester,

The local competitors were Sarah Campbell of Harrisville, Colin Michaud of Massena, and Sierra Ashley of Ogdensburg.

Thirty-one students spent the entire Fall 2021 semester developing a business plan, starting from scratch. They first had to identify a target market to sell a unique product which would ease and simplify the morning routine of consumers.

Seven teams in two sections of the capstone Strategic and Global Management class presented their business plans. One section's competition was held in person in a classroom, and the other section was via Zoom. Two sets of external judges, all volunteers, provided feedback to all teams and picked the best business plan team presentations.

The winning in-person team was led by team manager Morgan Brown (Spokane Valley, Wash.), with team members Sarah Campbell, Colin Michaud and Bethany Varriale (Northville.). The winning virtual team was led by Alexis Hayles (Brooklyn), with team members Sierra Ashley, Mackenzie Denny (Watertown), Robert Mulligan (Dexter) and Thomas Terranova (Middletown, N.J.).

The business plan competition was introduced in 1993 by Professor Dr. Edwin J. Portugal to give students the opportunity to work intensively and collaboratively in teams to create a real-life business plan. The teams apply concepts they learned in their business courses, such as accounting, finance, marketing, management, business operations, human resources, legal issues, and information systems.

"I sense the urgency and exhilaration of the students as the competition nears," said Dr. Portugal. "The competitive spirit is palpable on the day of the competition. It adds a layer of excitement and raises the level of excellence in the presentations to external judges."

SUNY Potsdam's Department of Business Administration offers flexible bachelor's and master's degrees in competitive fields, and provides students with an understanding of how for-profit and non-profit organizations function efficiently and effectively. The College offers its business administration programs both at the Potsdam campus and in Watertown, N.Y., at Jefferson Community College. For more information, visit http://www.potsdam.edu/academics/SOEPS/BusinessAdmin.