A team from Wharf T&T Limited, code-named "We Can", emerged as the Champion of the Hong Kong Management Game last Saturday (3 August) by outperforming four other finalist teams.

The Management Game is a simulation exercise making use of the computer program SIMBUSI to simulate a competitive business environment.

In the Hong Kong Final, each of the five teams managed a company selling mineral water. Their business objective was to outperform all other competitors and return the highest profit.

Apart from the typical decisions like pricing, marketing and production, teams have to make strategic decisions like reacting to market calls on product safety, handling dis-satisfaction of contract staff. At the beginning of the competition, all teams suffered a loss because of low profit margin. "This was really a shock to us," said Ms Carol Pau, team leader of "We Can", as the business environment was a far cry from the plain sailing situation they experienced in the elimination round before. After the initial shock, the team managed to continue with their planned strategy, climbed to the top position and stayed there through to the conclusion of the contest.

At the end of the six periods, Pau`s two member team reaped a total of $4.2 million profit and won the honour of Hong Kong champion. Pau told the reporter that the third member was on a business trip and thus could not be with the team. A team from Jardine Matheson led by Mr Robert Wills became the first runner-up, and another team from Wharf T&T led by Ms Fanny Lee came third.

The champion team was awarded four airtickets to Singapore, a cash prize of HK$5,000 and the SCMP Morning Post Perpetual Trophy.

The first runner-up team received a cash prize of HK$3,000. The second runner-up was awarded a cash prize of HK$2,500.

The Prize Presentation Ceremony was held immediately after the competition. It was officiated by Mr Rex Aguado, Chief Editor of Recruitment Services, South China Morning Post Publishers Limited; and Dr Albert Ma, Council and Executive Committee Member, The Hong Kong Management Association.