Innovate.
Thorpe and Heggie were innova ve in several areas of the JDC West compe on: communica on, mock case compe ons, alumni support and sponsorship. “One thing that worked really well was having individual mee ngs with coaches before the selec on process,” says Thorpe. “We talked to them about what worked well last year, what they wanted to see this year, and what to expect of us. That established trust and opened a line of communica on.” Communica on was also improved among team members through weekly team mee ngs. “Being able to see the team every week was a really big thing,” Thorpe says. In November 2012, the co-captains organized a mock case
The JDC
compe on, giving students their first glimpse of what JDC West entails. “You simulate the compe on as closely as possible,” says Thorpe. “We held it at the Edwards School’s downtown campus, the K. W. Nasser Centre, to get the students in a less familiar environment and we woke people up earlier this year.” He and Heggie also decided to increase the mock compe ons, holding a second event in January. “I think one of the great things we accomplished was having both case compe ons at the Nasser Centre, ge ng the team away from the main university campus. It really worked out well.” Heggie explains how they formed a network of JDC West alumni to offer their knowledge and experience. “We sent an email telling alumni how we really wanted them to come and help with our academic teams,” she says. Eight to 10 alumni a ended prac ces when they were able. “That was such an addi onal benefit. And it’s an alumni network that will only con nue to increase in size, which is awesome.”
West Red Carpet
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