All the 25 participants looked business-like in their best formal attire. And every one of them had a single ambition – to be Ace of Spades.
I had no clue about what was happening around me. Nothing about the number of rounds, what was expected, etc registered in my brain. Still, I was there and that was important, I thought.
Round 1: Through my confusion, I found clarity. Round 1 was on finance. We were given 5 companies and had to decide the best to invest in. We had 3 hours and a desktop computer with Internet connections to check out 5 fictitious companies. The outcome would depend on what we would do in a situation like this. Phew! I made it.
Round 2: Based on IT, this was a business analyst task. My work experience helped me finish this activity qualitatively and quickly. The task required designing a flow diagram for certain modules which would normally take a business analyst in more than 100 man hours to develop. Still I cracked it.
Round 3: Treasure hunt time. Fun in a different way. This one tested our general knowledge. We had to perform time bound tasks like match 32 company logos with their names and punch lines, solve a business crossword, answer business questions, find the cheapest prices only on a list of 15 items, etc. Working against the clock was cool.
Round 4: Started after dinner at 10 pm. Contestants played Capitalist II online. A triumphant smile creased my face when I scored an easy but strategically planned victory. My initial confusion settled into comfortable familiarity, till the surprise elimination came.
Round 5: The top 8 contestants were moved to the next round. I was 3rd and still in the running.
It was already 1 am. We were asked to report in the amphitheatre for Round 5. “What??? No sleep??” My body grumbled. “Well, this is IMT,” my brain replied, yawning. “And now, buddy, wake up if you want to win. It’s time for Round 5.”
The Joker Card appeared. Any contestant could predict their score. If right, their score would get doubled and if not, halved.
A supply chain management test meant we had to estimate the demand for beer based on certain facts and figures. The aim was to have a minimum inventory cost. I made it. The time was 3 am.
Round 6: In the basketball court was another management and decision making game. It ended at 7:00 in the morning. My brain was decidedly foggy by now.
We were asked to refresh and report back within 30 minutes.
Round 7: Everybody was stressed. No sleep in the last 24 hours. We moved from one contest to the next. Our numbers dwindled.
Here’s what happened in Round 7 and after:
1. Each surviving member made presentations on marketing strategy for the Congress party for the next election. Difficult to positively project Congress because of all the scams and Jan Lokpal issues over the last year. Somehow, using marketing jargon, I made it.
2. HR Round – we were so tired that reading the 15 page case study was tough. I Played my Joker Card.
3. We didn’t know we had to present the case study we had prepared that morning. The Judges grilled us, asking tons of questions.
4. Next we developed an idea for an innovative product. Brilliant ideas came forth. I planned a Flying Car ( used a picture of Santro and attached a fan on its roof)
5. Eliminations again. Only 3 of us remained.
6. The final Stress Interview round was in 10 minutes. I actually enjoyed it.
The results were announced. “And the winner of Ace of Spades this year is Davinder Singh!” As soon as I heard my name, a great feeling gushed through me. I still can’t believe I AM Ace of Spades and have won Rs. 51000!
My friends played a huge role in my victory. They encouraged and trusted me, telling me I was the Ace of Spades and would definitely win it.
It is a fabulous feeling when people come up to you and congratulate you for being the best.
Thank you Team Passion and IMT Ghaziabad for giving me this platform.
– Davinder Singh