RULES & GUIDELINES FOR PARTICIPANTS

Welcome to the IRF RISING STAR CHALLENGE 2014! The challenge invites team
entries from top management institutes to submit detailed Business Plans (with
Executive Summaries). The 3 best teams selected by the jury will get the opportunity to
present their Business Plans in a 15 minutes presentation at the IRF stage on 17
th

September 2014 at the Renaissance Hotel in Powai, Mumbai.



1) THE CHALLENGE


TOMMY HILFIGER PRESENTS IRF RISING STAR CHALLENGE: INDIA'S TOP B
SCHOOLS PRESENT CREATING A RETAIL BUSINESS WHICH DELIVERS
POSITIVE SOCIAL IMPACT

Retail Entrepreneurship is not strictly about making money; it is about doing something
bigger than yourself, something that creates social impact. It is how one does well by
doing good.

The fourth edition of the IRF RISING STAR CHALLENGE, brings an opportunity to the
brightest young minds of today to put their best foot forward with a Business plan
entailing the creation of a retail business which delivers positive social impact. A socially
impactful retail business is a great way to establish a leadership position in the eyes of
customers and can help to achieve the differentiation of a retail brand in a crowded pool
of competitors. Long term, it can create a loyal following of consumers who benefit from
the product / service and from buyers that want to support socially conscious
establishments.

While a majority of socially responsible businesses operate in a service industry, it could
be through brick and mortar stores or an online format supported by physical retail
presence, your business plan should outline the criteria that will illustrate how you
plan to reach your social development and financial goals.

Clearly define what your product or service in the arena of the social development your
organization wants to make a difference into. Who will my product / service appeal
to? What is its value to the customer? What problem is it solving in the market? Explain
what sets your product of service apart from the competition. What is its market
opportunity for growth is the business scalable? What are the regulatory and tax laws
affecting your retail business? How will you raise capital? If you already have a
prototype, done beta testing and/or have hit any other milestones, make that clear in the
plan, too.


2) WHO CAN PARTICIPATE (ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA)


a) Participation is open to post-graduate students of all Management Institutes in
India.

b) Participation in teams is mandatory, with each team comprising of THREE
STUDENTS and a Faculty member from the institute as the teams Mentor.

c) Multiple entries from a single institution are acceptable, and encouraged.



3) WHY YOU SHOULD PARTICIPATE (BENEFITS)


a) To showcase your winning strategies and transformational ideas at a national
platform and make a mark on the biggest names in the retail industry.

b) Opportunity to rub shoulders with the whos who of the industry at the largest
and most exciting Retail Conference in this part of the world (three top teams will get
the opportunity to make their presentations at the India Retail Forum 2014 in
Mumbai).

c) Vie for the IRF RISING STAR CHALLENGE 2014 Trophy, Winners Certificates,
and a number of attractive prizes and gifts. Additional opportunity to get Press
Coverage as a large number of leading business journalists would be present.

d) Three Finalist Teams get an all-access invitation pass with unlimited access for
both days to the main Conference + Exhibition + Gala Awards Dinner (Institutions /
teams would have to bear the associated travel / accommodation costs).
4) UNDERSTANDING THE CHALLENGE


a) The Case study being selected should be pertaining to: A retail business having
a minimum annual gross turnover of Rs.100 crores in its last year of operation
and presently operating in India, which the participants identify as a socially
responsible organization, and build a case on its contribution in social
development within the next 1-3 years.

b) Participants need to select an imaginary brand name for their retail business
chain.

c) No actual case / real company name to be used. All data and company names to
be imagined on own, and put into effect on a hypothetical basis.

d) Only original business plans will be accepted. Any form or extent of plagiarism
will lead to immediate disqualification of the team.

e) Proposed business plans should be practically viable and comply with the
existing government policies.



5) HOW TO 0REGISTER


Participants desirous of entering the competition should email the completed
Registration form duly signed by the Faculty mentor and bearing the Institutes seal on
or before July 17, 2014 to:

- images.pradeep@gmail.com
- nakuljain@imagesgroup.in
- mohuaroy@imagesgroup.in


Download the Registration Form from:
http://www.indiaretailforum.in/irf.aspx?mpgid=2&pgidtrail=5






6) IMPORTANT DEADLINES


DATE SUBMISSION / EVENT
17
th
July 2014 Last Date for submitting Registration form
24
th
July 2014
Last Date for submission of 500 words outline
(executive summary) including Brand Name
13
th
August 2014 Last Date for submission of complete Business Plan
25
th
August 2014 Announcement of 3 Finalist teams
10
th
September 2014 Last Date for submission of 20 slides PPT
17
th
September 2014
Final presentation by the 3 teams at the India Retail
Forum


Please note: All the programme deadlines are fixed and non-negotiable.



7) GUIDELINES FOR THE BUSINESS PLAN


a) Word-count: Minimum 20,000 words, Maximum 30,000 words. Should be
submitted in MS Word with Font size: Arial 12 with 1.5 spacing. All pages must be
numbered after the cover page and must have a header or footer stating the name
of the business.

b) The Business plan must have the vision, objectives, business strategy for scaling
up and growing the business profitably to make it an Indian business giant which can
provide a positive social impact.


Please Note: Name of the institution should not appear anywhere except on the cover
page of the document.





8) JUDGING CRITERIA


1. As the most respected knowledge platform of the retail industry, every aspect of the
India Retail Forum is distinguished by high standards of professionalism and quality.
The IRF RISING STAR CHALLENGE 2014 will be judged by a panel of renowned
retail professionals and consultants. The name of the institution will not be revealed
to the jury to ensure impartiality.



9) SELECTION PROCESS FOR FINALIST TEAMS


1. Out of the several business plans received, a distinguished Jury will shortlist the 3
finalist teams whose names will be announced on the IRF website.

2. The feedback or suggestions received from the Jury panel will be sent to the finalist
teams, to incorporate in their final presentations.

3. Finalist teams will make a 15 minutes presentation (maximum 20 slides) on the
stage at the IRF Rising Star Challenge 2014 on 17
th
September 2014.


Visit http://www.indiaretailforum.in/irf.aspx?mpgid=2&pgidtrail=5 for more details