Past Years

This case revolved around Aligned Capital Partners Inc. (ACPI), who are looking are seeking a recommendation to help address the widening advice gap faced by many Canadians—especially “Starter Investors” with a net worth of approximately $25,000 to $50,000—when it comes to accessing financial investment guidance. Teams were to develop a solution to bridge this gap, complete with a detailed implementation strategy that considers the implications for ACPI, its expanding network of financial advisors, and their clients, as well as an analysis of the financial impact.

In the wake of shifting consumer behaviours and rapid e-commerce growth accelerated by COVID-19, Nestlé Canada faced a critical challenge: how to boost online sales of impulse-driven and temperature-sensitive products like chocolate and ice cream. With in-store visibility waning and logistics hurdles for frozen goods, Nestlé’s eBusiness team, led by Director Lizbeth James, sought innovative, sustainable, and partner-friendly strategies to capture digital market share. This case explores their journey to modernize operations, adapt to evolving consumer expectations, and meet ambitious growth targets in Canada’s competitive CPG landscape.

Even before the COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the shift to digital, Pearson Education had already begun evolving from a traditional print publisher into a digital-first company. Over the years, it launched a suite of learning apps aimed at supporting various student needs, which have shown early signs of success and contributed to Pearson’s broader learning ecosystem. The company is now focused on identifying the best avenues for future investment.

Pearson’s two primary goals are to clearly demonstrate value to learners and attract them into the Pearson ecosystem, and to build lifelong relationships with learners that span across different stages of their education and careers.

The company is seeking strategic recommendations specifically for its AIDA, Prep, and Writer apps in three key areas. These were how to develop sustainable monetization strategies for these educational tools, how to effectively communicate their value to Gen Z students and position Pearson as a go-to educational support beyond just course-specific needs, and how to raise awareness and drive app downloads among Gen Z learners.

Faced with a rapidly evolving digital landscape and rising competition from fintechs and tech giants like Apple and Google, TD Bank set out to redefine its role in the future of banking. In 2018, the TD Innovation Council tasked its Innovation Centre of Excellence with identifying high-priority areas of vulnerability and opportunity in retail and wealth management. Their mission: develop practical, forward-looking digital strategies that would keep TD competitive, secure, and deeply connected to customer needs. This case explores how TD sought to leverage its scale, reputation, and innovation partnerships to lead — not follow — in an increasingly tech-driven financial world.