Boardroom Booklet

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Contents

1. The New Normal 3

2. The Business Challenges 4

3. Deadlines 5

4. Prizes 5

5. General Guidelines 5

6. Contest Rules 8

7. Cognizant Contact 10


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The New Normal1.

We are living in exciting times where newer business models, newer technology paradigms,a new generation of workers, and newer ways of working are redening the typical dayat work.

Three major trends newer business models driven by globalization and virtualization;newer generation of consumers and workers often referred to as the Millennials; andnewer technologies driven by cloud, social computing, and mobility - come togetherat this important shift point to redene the future. We, at Cognizant, refer tothis phenomenon as the Future of Work and we believe we are uniquely positioned tocapitalize on this trend.

In this new normal of doing business and the redened context, welcome to CognizantsBoardroom - Smart Business Plan Contest, 2011!

1.1 Boardroom 2011

Every good business thrives on two factors: Innovative ideas and a Robust BusinessModel. At Cognizant, we believe that the spirit of Innovation and Entrepreneurship hasbeen a crucial contributor to our rapid growth.

Promoting this spirit among the students of B-schools is the objective of Boardroom the Smart Business Plan Contest.

The contest, founded in 2007, provides a unique opportunity for budding managementgraduates to share their business ideas with experienced industry veterans who will helprene them further. The winners also get an exciting opportunity to put their businessplans to action with the help of Cognizant.

The participants will be mentored by Cognizant Business Consulting Managersduring the process and will have several opportunities to network with Cognizantssenior leadership.

This year, in its fth edition, Boardroom comprises three phases to help teams developtheir plans in collaborative as well as competitive environments. The phases are:

Phase I - Registration and Executive Summary: To compete in the Smart Business PlanContest, the teams have to register and submit a short Executive Summary of theirbusiness proposal for Cognizant.

Phase II Semifnals: The Top 10 teams in Phase I, as short listed by Cognizant, willadvance to the seminals. Each team will be mentored by a Cognizant Business ConsultingManager and need to submit an updated Executive Summary of the business plan forevaluation by the judges.

Phase III Boardroom Finals 2011: The top 4 teams short listed at the end of Phase IIwill advance to the Boardroom Finals 2011, where they will present their idea tothe Senior Leadership of Cognizant and get an opportunity to take a shot

at the big prize!


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The Business Challenges2.

Boardroom 2011 encourages students to wear their creative hats and start challenging oldbusiness assumptions; explore the forces that are reshaping the way organizations competeand innovate; propose new business avenues for Cognizant and draw up comprehensive plansto succeed keeping in mind the Future of Work.

Students are requested to choose from one of the topics given below:

2.1 Scripting the Future of Work strategy

2.1.1 Creating a millennial-friendly work environment - A concept documentthat clearly details and describes the various elements of the workenvironment after examining from work style, process, systems and orgbehaviour perspectives.

2.1.2 How much virtualization is virtuous? Examine the trend of virtualization -of people, process & systems - in the IT services industry and the limits

to which this virtualization can be extended without causing disruption tocustomer and employee satisfaction. Perform a cost benet analysis and makerecommendations on virtualization on all 3 parameters.

2.1.3 The Future of Technology - Pick a process from an industry of yourchoice and analyze how new technologies (social computing, cloud, mobilecomputing, collaborative platforms) can transform the way businessprocesses happen in future. Explore the process from the angle of servicedelivery (outsourcing, in-sourcing, near-shore, offshore) and from the angleof improved customer experience.

2.2 Shaping the Future of Consulting to make our customers businesses stronger

2.2.1 How can we create a co-innovation network that can bring clients and partnerson the same platform that benets all ?

2.2.2 How do we build and leverage innovations in mobility/mobile computing intomeaningful business tools for customers ?

2.2.3 What is a prudent go-to-market strategy for emerging markets such asAPAC/India/EMEA?

2.2.4 Industries navigating through secular/structural pressures, are grappling with

questions around how to return to growth and sustain it in a turbulent anduncertain macro-economic environment or how to diversify into emergingmarkets in a big way to capture opportunities in newer markets. In thisbackdrop, how can companies transform their business models or re-tweakcontracts into outcome based models to win in this new marketplace?

2.2.5 How can businesses leverage cloud based business models, architectureand buying patterns, even as the evolution/adoption of cloud looks hard topredict?

2.2.6 Is an integrated IT-BPO the business model of the future relative

to the standalone elements?


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Deadlines3.

Key activities and target completion dates will be as follows. Cognizant reserves theright to change these dates as per its discretion and convenience without any liability.

Event DateLaunch of contest August 15-20, 2011

Phase I Registration andExecutive SummarySubmission

September 05, 2011 (Monday)

Phase I Executive Summary Shortlist Declaration September 19, 2011 (Monday)

Phase II Seminals Submission Deadline October 07, 2011 (Friday)

Phase II Seminals Shortlist Declaration October 19, 2011 (Wednesday)

Phase III Finals Submission Deadline October 26,2011 (Wednesday)Business Plan Contest Finals November 11, 2011 (Friday)

Prizes4.

First Prize: INR 200000/-

Second Prize: INR 150000/-

Third Prize: INR 100000/-

Cash Prizes indicated above are pre-tax amounts and will be subjected to applicable

and appropriate tax deductions before payout. The decision of the judges will befinal and binding.

General Guidelines5.

5.1 Team Guidelines

Each team participating in this contest should consist of Final year MBA students only;not less than 2 members and not more than 3 members.

5.2 Business Plan

5.2.1 The proposed business plan must not violate any intellectual property rights.

5.2.2 The participants must not contact judges at any phase and judges must notcontact any participant during the course of the contest.

5.2.3 All soft-copy documents must be submitted in MS Word, MS Excel les andMS PowerPoint formats.

5.2.4 No application materials or copies of materials will be returned to

the applicant.


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5.2.5 Margins must not be smaller than 1 inch on any side.

5.2.6 The text must be in font Arial (size 10 and single spacing).

5.2.7 Each team must meet all the stipulated requirements at every stage. Teamsthat submit incomplete packages will be disqualied.

5.3 Phase I - Registration and Executive Summary

The package must include:

5.3.1 One executive summary, not exceeding 2 pages in length that describesthe business concept, market opportunity, competitive advantage and theresources and nances required to execute the idea.

5.3.2 Two additional pages for exhibits and appendices, if any.

5.3.3 The le naming convention for this phase will be: TeamName_Phase1.doc;TeamName_Phase1.xls (e.g. SPARK_Phase1.doc).

5.3.4 The subject line for this e-mail must be: TeamName_Phase1.

5.3.5 Each submission will be reviewed and judged according to:

5.3.5.1 The degree of creativity and innovation in the basic opportunitydenition and business concept.

5.3.5.2 Appropriateness of the strategy for exploiting the opportunity.

5.3.6 No more than 10 teams will be invited by e-mail to compete in Phase II(Seminals). The teams will receive an e-mail notication on the selection bythe said date.

5.4 Phase II - Semifnals

A mentor will be assigned to each team that qualies for this phase.

5.4.1 The Business Plan must:

5.4.1.1 Represent an expansion of concepts outlined in the executivesummary, highlighting the market opportunity and the businessconcept, and providing a detailed competitive analysis.

5.4.1.2 Outline relevant nancial projections, including expected cash ow

and budget analysis.5.4.1.3 Describe relevant working models or prototypes.

5.4.2 The package must include:

5.4.2.1 A revised executive summary not exceeding 3 pages in length.

5.4.2.2 A business plan not exceeding 20 pages, inclusive of appendices andattachments.

5.4.2.3 The le naming convention for this phase will be: TeamName_Phase2.doc; TeamName_Phase2.xls (e.g. SPARK_

Phase2.doc).


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5.4.2.4 The subject line for this e-mail drop will be: TeamName_Phase2.

5.4.2.5 Each submission will be reviewed and judged based on the followingcriteria:

Is the business viable?

Quality of product(s), service(s) and/or solution(s) Market opportunities and competition

Extent of primary research conducted

Overall attractiveness of the venture

5.4.2.6 No more than 4 teams will be invited by e-mail to compete inPhase III. Communication will be sent out via e-mail to each of theshort listed teams by the said date.

5.5 Phase III - Finals

The package should include:

5.5.1 One copy of the teams MS PowerPoint presentation (for nal phase ofjudging).

5.5.2 One team-resume booklet (with each individuals resume not exceeding2 pages).

5.5.3 The le naming convention for this phase will be: TeamName_Phase3.doc;TeamName_Phase3.xls; TeamName_Phase3.ppt; (e.g. SPARK_Phase3.doc).

5.5.4 The subject line for this e-mail must be: TeamName_Phase3.

5.5.5 Each team that qualies for the nal phase will be required to present theirBusiness Plan to a panel of judges consisting primarily of senior managementof Cognizant. Each presentation will last 20 minutes and will be followed by a10-minute Q&A round from the judges.

5.5.6 Each submission will be reviewed and judged based on:

5.5.6.1 The potential for future nancial success

5.5.6.2 The quality of product(s), service(s) and/or solution(s)

5.5.6.3 Market opportunities and competition

5.5.6.4 The teams ability to actually implement the plan

5.5.6.5 Presentation skills

5.5.6.6 Overall attractiveness of the venture


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5.6 Financials to include

Your nance section must indicate particular costs as well as gains in percentage terms.It must indicate the specic areas of investment, and the timelines involved. It mustinclude any planned investments, savings, and necessary expenditures. It must address asimple projection of sales and revenues. Charts and graphs must support and defend all

information presented in the Business Plan. The Business Plan must be concise and easyto follow.

5.7 Content to include

The Business Plan must be concise and interesting, while addressing specic strategies,goals, prospective markets and investors, and the actions needed to accomplish them.It will be a detailed expansion of the Executive Summary, and will contain no redundantinformation. It must include market research and growth projections for the next veyears. The necessary function of a business plan is to:

5.7.1 Present the organizational structure of the business, including procedure fornecessary restructuring due to growth, merger, and so on.

5.7.2 Present the resources needed to accomplish day-to-day business.

5.7.3 Explain the market for the goods or services presented. This must includea detailed result of a profound market research. The market research mayinclude market size, anticipated growth, key changes, driving forces of themarket, detailed research on the contest, unique capabilities of the company,market penetration, and so on.

5.7.4 Present the ndings of thorough research (if applicable).

5.7.5 Determine and prepare for the risks and benets of the operating business.

5.7.6 Present a positive reason for investors to take interest.

5.8 Team Mix

An effective and well-rounded team is essential for success in a Business Plan Contest.A winning team has a strong combination of technology, marketing, nance, and businessskills. The team should include those who possess knowledge of the specic sectionsof a business plan and have the ability to implement that knowledge in the creation ofa business.

Contest Rules6.

By submitting a Business Plan to Cognizant in connection with this Boardroom SmartBusiness Plan Contest, each contestant specically agrees to be bound by and to complywith the terms and conditions set forth in this contest overview, including but not limitedto, the following terms and conditions.


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6.1 General Limitations

The issuance of this contest document in no way constitutes an agreement betweenCognizant and any participant. The information contained in any documentation madeavailable to a participant is provided in strict condence and shall be used only forpurposes of participating in this contest.

Cognizant reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to modify or change the scope orterms of this contest and contest materials at any time during the contest process,including during judging of the submissions. Neither the invitation to participate in thecontest, nor the contest itself, is or shall be considered an agreement to award anyprizes or any other consideration to any participant. Cognizant reserves the right tocancel this contest with respect to one or more participants at any time without anyliability or obligation to Cognizant, if in its sole determination Cognizants best interestswould be served.

Cognizant may use any judging criteria and evaluation process it deems appropriate inits sole discretion to evaluate business plans and other information received. Cognizantreserves the right to make any award, group of awards, or no award of prizes as itdetermines, in its sole discretion, to be in the best interests of Cognizant. In the interestsof furthering competition, Cognizant reserves the right to waive minor informalities orprocedural requirements during the contest process.

Contestants will prepare and submit business plans in accordance with the requirementsset forth in the contest materials provided by Cognizant. Cognizant may reject anysubmission, without permitting the participant to make revisions, if that submission failsto conform to the stated requirements.

6.2 Ownership / ConfdentialityOnce submitted, business plans and other materials submitted in response to this contestby contestants, including but not limited to, all ideas, concepts, and other intellectualproperty therein, will become the property of Cognizant and will not be returned to theparticipants. Accordingly, business plans and other materials submitted may be freelydisclosed to third-parties and used in any manner deemed appropriate in Cognizants solediscretion without any limitation or restriction of any nature.

The contestants condentiality obligations with regard to this contest are set forth inthe Non-Disclosure Agreement attached herewith as Attachment 2. Each member of

a participating team must sign this agreement and return it to Cognizant by the dateset forth in the Deadlines section. Each team member listed in the Conrmation ofIntent to Participate (Attachment 1) must sign and return a copy of the Non-DisclosureAgreement in order to participate. No other persons may participate in the contestwithout Cognizants prior written consent.

Contestants will acquire no right to use, and will not use, without Cognizants priorwritten consent, the terms or existence of this contest, the names, characters, artwork,designs, trade names, copyrighted materials, trademarks or service marks of Cognizant,its related or subsidiary companies, parents, employees, directors, shareholders,assignees, successors or licensees in any manner whatsoever.


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6.3 Cost of Participating

Each contestant will be responsible for all expenses such person may incur in developingand submitting responses to this contest. Cognizant is not responsible in any way for anyexpenses incurred by any participant in the preparation or submission or presentation ofa business plan in response to this contest or for the costs incurred during the evaluation

and award process.

6.4 Originality of Plan

Each participant represents and warrants to Cognizant that s/he has the right to provideCognizant with ideas, concepts and content that s/he has the right to provide any ideas,concepts, content, documentation, data, information, instruction, design, technicalspecication or other materials provided by or on behalf of the participant in connectionwith the contest, that such materials are the original work of the contestants, and thatCognizants possession, use or modication of any such materials will not infringe or

otherwise violate the intellectual property rights of any third-party.6.5 Compliance with the Eligibility Guidelines of the Contest

Each contestant has reviewed the Entry Eligibility Guidelines and by his or her executionof the following Conrmation of Intent to Participate certies that this entry and theteam or individual s/he represents complies with the guidelines and agrees to abide bythe guidelines.

6.6 Waivers and Releases

Each contestant understands that each of the judges, mentors, organizers, and

Cognizants directors, ofcers, partners, employees and consultants are volunteers andare under no obligation to render any advice or service to any contestant. The viewsexpressed by the judges and the organizers are their own and not those of Cognizant orany other person or entity.

In consideration of the time, expertise and other resources provided by the organizers,each contestant hereby voluntarily releases each organizer from any and all liabilities,responsibilities, and accountabilities relating to or arising out of such organizersparticipation in the contest.

Cognizant Contact7.To ensure that the same information is consistently disseminated to contestants, allcorrespondence regarding this contest must be directed to: [email protected]

Initial registrations and Phase I submissions should be done only throughwww.facebook.com/CognizantBoardroom


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www.facebook.com/CognizantBoardroom

Documents

Boardroom Booklet