Wake Forest MBA Students Learn Teamwork from NASCAR Pit Crew Techniques

Business Wire, August 16, 2004

CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- New MBA students at Wake Forest University's Babcock Graduate School of Management are learning teambuilding skills on the fast track--literally.

Incoming full-time MBA students at the Babcock School will participate in the Richard Petty Ultimate Racing Experience at Lowe's Motor Speedway in Concord, N.C., on Friday, Aug. 20, 2004. This is the first time the university has used NASCAR pit crew techniques to instill the value of teamwork. The Babcock School is the first MBA school to offer this experience as a team-building event.

As with other winning enterprises, NASCAR drivers and crews rely on solid teamwork to succeed. It also is a crucial element to the Wake Forest MBA experience. Taking a cue from current management practice, Babcock places heavy emphasis on teamwork, assigning all incoming full-time students to work in teams throughout the first year of study. Historically, the Babcock School has conducted more traditional team-building exercises during orientation to help the teams perform proficiently.

Here's how the exercise will work: Each team member will be assigned a series of responsibilities. For example, one team member will be responsible for leading the race car toward the pit stop while another takes a turn riding in the car with a professional driver. Students will not be driving. The cars race around the track for a series of eight to 10 laps. Then team members' roles are switched. Every student will have the opportunity to perform each of the various assigned tasks. Team members failing to complete the assignment correctly must start over, setting the team back. The winning team will be recognized at the end of the evening.

In addition to building team skills, the MBA students will gain exposure to a booming business enterprise that has become one of the nation's fastest-growing sports. Meanwhile, as the students pursue an MBA, their careers also will be on the fast track for success.

For more information about the Richard Petty Ultimate Racing Experience, visit the Richard Petty Web site at www.1800bepetty.com.