S2.C5. D DAY - Beyond the Pitch: A Day of Challenge, Character, and Conversation
Ten + industry leaders. Three bold participants. One shared space where questions cut deeper than answers—this D-Day wasn’t about winning, but about thinking, growing, and transforming together.
PART 1: THE INTRODUCTION – WORDS OF INSPIRATION FROM THE PRACTITIONERS
The session began with energy, excitement, and a deep sense of global collaboration. The Zoom room was alive—more than ten seasoned leaders joined from across France, Germany, Singapore, the Philippines, and Vietnam. The industries they represented—electronic technology, electric vehicles (EV), logistics, retail, and education—each brought a distinctive lens to the conversations.
MIHF, a 17 year old from Singapore Poly took the lead in welcoming the participants, briefly outlining the format and reminding everyone that this was more than a presentation—it was a critical thinking and character-building exercise.
The room buzzed with anticipation, but as expected in every live setting, a few hiccups arose. Cloudy was a student from Vietnam National University and when her connection froze, MIHF swiftly stepped in, showing calm composure and leadership in action. Blue , A student from SUTD (Singapore University of Technologuy and Design), arrived a little late but seamlessly integrated into the session.
Then came words of wisdom from several key leaders:
Eric (Singapore) , Director at one of the top 5 largest Global Logistics companies, set the tone with humility and encouragement. He emphasized the value of two-way learning: "It's not just you learning from us—we're learning from you as well." He praised the critical thinking emerging from the youth and celebrated the community: "This is a nice platform. I'm incredibly excited to see what ideas you can come up with. Cheers to your creativity."
Rajesh Achanta (Singapore), one of the leaders building supply chain for one the largest organisations in the Fast-Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) Industry, brought in a thoughtful and observational tone: “I’m here today to observe and to learn. I know you’ve spent several weeks understanding how business works. It’s an interesting time to hack a business because things are changing. Hopefully, you’ve picked up some things that are working well and some that need adjustment. Where I can help, I’ll be happy to.”
Though the details on the conversation were not very clear, the team managed to decipher notes from T one of the strong leaders in the Global German Community…
T (Singapore) offered a reflective reminder: “What you always have to bear in mind is that this is a journey. This is not about having the answers or solutions—it's about the exchange itself.” His comment grounded the session in the process of learning, not just outcomes.
Vinodh Menon (Singapore) a thought leader from the Education Industry who was working on training programs in Singapore and Malaysia for the work force of the future returned to the program after a long hiatus and echoed the sentiments of his peers: “I’m both curious and here to learn—just like Eric and Rajesh mentioned.” He highlighted how younger minds are more adaptable to new technologies and environments, humbly stating, “I think I have more to learn from you than you have from me.”
Xuan Bach (Vietnam), another thought leader from the Edu Tech space, shared a personal reflection on staying focused and committed to goals: “For me, inspiration means concentrating on your main goal. Whether it’s studying or learning a new language, if I set a goal, I keep revising and stay committed until I succeed.” His message reminded everyone that progress begins with focused intention.
These words weren’t just encouragements—they were mandates for self-growth.
PART 2: THE PRESENTATIONS – STUDENTS IN ACTION, FEEDBACK IN REAL TIME
Three teams presented their business analysis reports on major companies. Two teams were unable to present—one due to technical issues, another due to a no-show. However, the three teams that did present seized the moment with clarity and conviction. Each tackled real-world business dilemmas, ranging from global supply chain ethics to market positioning and brand sustainability. The presentations served as case studies in applied critical thinking, and the format challenged students to not just showcase data but to argue insights, defend assumptions, and respond to high-pressure questioning from seasoned leaders.
Team 1: Johnson Controls
Presenter: Quỳnh Anh Nguyễn
Highlights:
A deep dive into Johnson Controls' cross-border battery recycling operations between the U.S. and Mexico.
Explored environmental, legal, and ethical implications of outsourcing hazardous waste processing to lower-cost regions.
Identified three key challenges: regulatory discrepancies, health risks to workers and communities, and operational complexity in logistics.
Connected these issues to specific SDGs (3, 8, 9, and 13), showing both contributions and contradictions.
Feedback from the Panel:
Vinodh Menon challenged the team’s factual accuracy and depth:
“Did they not sell their battery unit?”
He encouraged the presenter to keep the research current and emphasized the importance of integrating localized legal frameworks and recycling regulations into the analysis.
“Adding localized laws and their recycling mandates would elevate your work. Don’t stop here—go deeper. Keep it updated.”
Eric offered a strategic critique on focus:
“You focused too much on environmental impact—look also into operations and supply chain hurdles. That’s where real sustainability lies.”
He urged the team to go beyond environmental themes and explore the systemic and operational mechanics that drive ethical and effective recycling.
Team 2: VinFast (Electric Vehicles)
Presenter : Mai Hằng (An)
Highlights:
Provided an overview of VinFast as Vietnam’s pioneering electric vehicle (EV) manufacturer with global ambitions, especially targeting the U.S., Europe, and domestic markets.
Identified four core challenges:
High production costs
Limited global brand recognition
Weak charging infrastructure
Financial losses and sustainability concerns
Applied the VUCA framework, focusing on volatility and complexity to explain technological disruption and supply chain challenges.
Connected the company’s problems to SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation) and SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption).
Concluded that VinFast’s long-term success hinges on its ability to adapt rapidly, optimize operations, and align its expansion strategies with sustainable practices.
Feedback from the Panel:
LukeJ (Singapore) recognized the overall clarity of the analysis but tested the speaker’s critical thinking by posing a layered question:
“Solid effort. Think long-term. How does this affect industry transformation?”
He then engaged further with a scenario-based question about cost-cutting—asking which department should be fired if needed—pushing the speaker to consider organizational decision-making and resource prioritization.
When the speaker identified infrastructure (later clarified as manufacturing) as the most costly, LukeJ challenged that assumption:
“Manufacturing is the lifeline of your products. If you retrench them, how will you scale?”
He introduced the idea of contract manufacturing (CEM) - like outsourcing, as a viable strategic pivot, subtly teaching about capex-light models in new markets.
Rajesh Achanta followed up with two strategic questions:
Who exactly are VinFast’s target customers in each market—demographics, income level, psychographics?
Who are VinFast’s competitors in those same segments across Vietnam, the U.S., and Europe?
These questions nudged the speaker to clarify market positioning, segmentation, and competitive analysis—areas not deeply explored in the initial presentation - to face the market reality.
Despite being met with tough and unfiltered questions, An navigated the session with notable composure and poise. The questions weren’t meant to extract perfect answers, but to reveal how An responded under pressure—how he thought, prioritized, and adapted in the face of uncertainty.
Team 3: Vespa (Mobility & Brand Legacy)
Presenter: Phương Anh Nguyễn Thị
Highlights:
Introduced Vespa’s origins in 1946 under the Piaggio Group in Italy, explaining the brand name ("Vespa" meaning "wasp").
Highlighted Vespa’s core values: innovation, sustainability, design excellence, freedom, and lifestyle.
Discussed brand challenges such as evolving market expectations, maintaining heritage while innovating, and competitive positioning.
Emphasized Vespa’s mission to expand globally as a stylish and sustainable open mobility brand.
Concluded with the importance of balancing legacy with future-oriented mobility solutions.
Feedback:
Eric (Singapore) offered a pointed and strategic critique, urging the presenter to move beyond brand storytelling and dive into operational realities.
“Bring in supply chain challenges—how do traditional brands compete in modern logistics?”
His comment emphasized that legacy and design alone aren’t enough for market resilience. Eric pushed for an exploration into how Vespa is navigating modern logistics complexities, including issues like global sourcing, post-pandemic disruptions, distribution networks, and the rise of last-mile delivery ecosystems.
His feedback essentially challenged the team to bridge the gap between heritage branding and supply chain innovation—a crucial tension for legacy mobility brands in an evolving world.
LukeJ (Singapore) extended the conversation by introducing a cultural lens, referencing traditional Italian family-run businesses.
He highlighted that many legacy companies like Vespa are deeply rooted in family ownership and values, which can create both strengths and limitations.
“In Italian companies, especially family-owned ones, decision-making often reflects legacy thinking—sometimes resistant to change.”
He challenged the team to explore how such cultural dynamics might influence Vespa’s innovation cycle, leadership transitions, and global competitiveness.
His remarks opened up a broader discussion on the intersection between culture, governance, and innovation—an often overlooked dimension in business analysis.
Throughout these sessions, participants were asked to submit peer reviews via Google Forms, with 2 minutes allocated post-presentation. The Host MIHF also emphasized critical metrics: Business Ethics, Problem Identification, Decision Making, Customer Focus, and Teamwork.
PART 3: THE VOICE OF THE AUDIENCE
The audience, composed of mentors, past participants, and new observers, offered reflections that were insightful and supportive.
Gen M: “The knowledge shared here is not only valuable to students but refreshing to us professionals. These young minds are reshaping how we think.”
Eric: “Catch up, don’t just follow. Every comment you make should build momentum, not stall it. Don't be afraid to confront operations—business isn’t always clean. “Get off the script,” he advised. “Real communication is energy—it’s not about reading. Ask real questions.” He added humbly, “I’m also here to learn from you. The perspectives you bring are different—and needed.”
Vinodh Menon: “Learning never ends. You’ve taught me today. Now go read deeper, research local policies, and be the expert in the room.”
Quỳnh Anh Nguyễn (Participant): “I was nervous but presenting made me realize how powerful feedback is. The judges pushed me, and I appreciate that.”
LukeJ (Singapore) an expert in the EV space, reminded students of the long game: “You may not understand the importance now, but someday you’ll be in management, and what you’ve learned here will come back. Mindset is key.”
DAV79 (Singapore) echoed the message: “You’ve done well by stepping forward. Now, go bolder. Be curious. Push harder. This is your bare minimum—build from here. Would love to see you as Ambassadors. For the Ambassadors - Blue, Cloudy and MIHF - great job - simply loved it. Let’s focus on the next month.”
meanwhile on the other side, unknown to the rest of the world, on the side chat…
Doo Nady ( FRANCE) : I’m still amazed… this feels like something professionals would do.
Mentor: That’s the point. They’re around 17 maybe 16 even, but we treat them like equals - we challenge them with questions.
Doo Nady ( FRANCE) : It’s impressive, but isn’t it hard? More like a university capstone?
Mentor: Pressure builds strength and structured reinforcment of that gives them resilience. We’re not here to keep them comfortable.
The mentor closed with reassurance: “Have faith.”
These weren’t throwaway comments—they were powerful testimonies that turned the session from a pitch into a conversation - and ofcourse that challenges the minds for questions they would face in the near future.
PART 4: THE BACKSTAGE REVIEW – CLOSING NOTES & FUTURE CALLINGS
As the formal session wrapped, MIHF led the backstage review—an intimate debrief between ambassadors, team members, and mentors.
Main Points Discussed:
Participants will receive personalized reports evaluating their presentation, mindset, engagement, and skillset development.
Season 3 of Hack A Business begins soon, with orientation scheduled on Good Friday.
MIHF encouraged participants to:
Challenge peers on the Padlet board.
Complete the Johari Space Form A & B to gain deeper insight into self and purpose.
Reflect through the 360 Eval, answering what they’d do differently.
Ambassador Program Invitation:
Participants were invited to become ambassadors—individuals who, like Cloudy and Blue, push the program beyond its design. They contribute to Project Infinity, mentor others, and build systems for the future.
Upon completing the Hack A Business program, participants will be eligible for invitation into the Ambassador group.
Final Messages:
MIHF: “This is just the beginning. Reflect, evaluate, and grow. Bring your friends in for the next event starting April . Let’s build the future workforce.”
Cloudy (Ambassador) , gave practical and mindset-focused advice to the participants:
“If you don’t understand the question, clarify or ask for comparisons.”
“Don’t be afraid to answer even if it’s not perfect.”
Blue (Ambassador) shared a personal reflection on the session:
“It was cool to learn about companies I’d only heard of before.”
Conclusion: A Convergence of Mindsets, Not Just Projects
Hack A Business Season 2’s D-Day was more than a pitch session. It was an ecosystem of global thought, ethical friction, industrial realism, and personal development. What began as presentations evolved into professional growth accelerators.
The speakers showed vulnerability. The facilitators pushed with precision. And the audience engaged like stakeholders.
As the call ended, the silence wasn’t emptiness—it was the quiet after a shared moment of transformation. On the Q board, the keys were typing in furiously with the comments from “how do you feel”
Xuan bach
I feel very excited about this lesson and this lesson help me know more about other businesses
I felt very nervous when I started my presentation. I was really surprised by the questions the audience asked me, they helped me break my traditional way of thinking. And I very happy to receive encourageman and support from everyone, it meant a lot to me.
i learnt a lot from everyone today. I was anxious during the presentation but at the end i felt relieved. The attendees of the meeting was supportive and gave such valuable feedback as well, i appreciated to be exchanging opinions with people.
It was inspiring to hear so many perspectives during the meeting. I truly appreciated the supportive environment and the chance to exchange ideas.
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And as MIHF said: “We have 10 students - from both Vietnam and Singapore. Let’s bring in more. See you all for Season 3.”
sau buổi học tôi cảm thấy rất hay và ý nghĩa nó đem lại cho tui những kiến thức về kinh doanh và cách vận hành 1 doanh nghiệp ra sao như thế nào , nó cũng phục vụ 1 phần kiến thức cho các môn của tui ở trên giảng đường đại học ,đây có lẽ những trải nghiệm vô cùng đáng quý với tui
This session was very meaningful to me. My ability to react and adapt to unexpected situations improved a lot thanks to the questions I received during the session. I realized that thinking differently and not following the established pattern is very important.