The SME Business Case Dilemma Debate 2025, organized by the Business Management Club (SBS), concluded with a series of compelling arguments and thoughtful rebuttals from students in the Business Management program.
The competition tackled a pressing, real-world issue that many businesses face today:
“Should small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) continue to maximize profits or shift toward sustainable development?”
Given the fast-changing economic landscape, participants had to step into the role of decision-makers. If they were running an SME, which path would they choose? And how would they convince stakeholders, employees, and customers to follow that strategy?
Let’s look back at some of the most memorable moments from the competition.
Two Debate Rounds – Putting Skills to the Test
Round 1 – Topic: “In today’s context, should SMEs unlearn the mindset of maximizing profit at all costs and relearn a business strategy focused on sustainable development?”
- Proposition Team: SMEs need to change their mindset to ensure long-term survival and reduce risks.
- Opposition Team: Profit remains the top priority. Without adequate resources, sustainable development remains out of reach.
Round 2 – Topic: “Unlearn to survive, Relearn to thrive: Should SMEs change their traditional business mindset to adapt to global sustainability trends?”
- Proposition Team: Without transformation, businesses risk being left behind. Modern consumers demand higher standards.
- Opposition Team: Not all SMEs can afford to change overnight. Traditional thinking still has value—the key is choosing the right time.
Each round reflected solid preparation—from foundational knowledge and real-world examples to strategic thinking and presentation skills. This was not just a contest; it was a rigorous training ground for students aspiring to become effective decision-makers in business.
Congratulations to the winning team, “The Logic Architects,” for their clear presentation, well-structured strategy, and persuasive delivery that impressed the judging panel:
- Ms. Nguyễn Thị Thanh Tâm – Head of Business Management
- Ms. Nguyễn Thuỵ Tình Ca – Lecturer in Business, Strategic Consultant
- Mr. Neil John Dale Birch – Director, Global Citizen Program
- Mr. Đỗ Bách Khoa – Lecturer in Business, Identifying Entrepreneurial Opportunities
The Logic Architects team received certificates from the esteemed faculty members
Learning Through Real Cases – Building Practical Mindsets
This competition marks a meaningful starting point for the ongoing growth of academic clubs at Saigon Business School. Specifically, business-themed debate formats offer SBS students the opportunity to:
- Develop critical and strategic thinking: Learn how to ask the right questions, analyze from multiple perspectives, and form sound arguments—key traits of leadership and management.
- Handle ambiguity in decision-making: Practice making choices in situations where there is no single “right” answer—where logic, belief, and strategy must all be weighed.
- Strengthen communication and persuasion skills: Not just speaking clearly, but knowing how to stay on point, engage the right audience, and adapt to context—vital abilities for business professionals.
- Learn teamwork and collaboration: Success comes from collective effort, not solo performance. Effective teams assign roles, complement each other’s strengths, and work toward a shared goal.
- Foster a culture of respectful debate: Disagreeing to understand, rebutting to clarify—not to win arguments, but to deepen reasoning. This is how responsible leadership thinking is shaped.
Looking ahead, SBS aims to expand its academic activities beyond individual disciplines, focusing more on real-world business and social issues with practical relevance. The ultimate goal is to cultivate a flexible learning environment that encourages initiative, creativity, and applied thinking—true to SBS’s commitment to practice-based learning.
