Bangladesh wins RB Global Challenge 2019
RB Global Challenge is an entrepreneurial challenge organised by the Reckitt Benckiser (RB) Group that requires participants to come up with innovative and purposeful ideas related to the existing brands of RB. The competition included an online stimulation round, formation of business models and 360° marketing planning. This year, 19,000 students participated in the challenge and 9 teams from 13 nations were selected to pitch their ideas to esteemed corporate leaders in the Global Finale held in London.
Team Who Dis? comprising of Mohammad Tahsin Nawaz, Syed Towhid Bashar and Mahdi Mohammad Mehrab from North South University were this year's global winners. "I'm blessed to have this wonderful opportunity of representing Bangladesh. During this journey I also realised how talented and skilled we are as a nation" shared Towhid.
The team addressed the lack of hygiene practices and facilities in Bangladeshi schools. Based on statistics, 42.2 million school children are open to risks of water-borne diseases, while 56% schools lack basic hygiene facilities. The primary problem lies in the fact that hygiene is still perceived as an option in the society where all campaigns emphasise on generating awareness, the team explained. Their solution involved using a product which ensures hygiene for school children.
They formulated 'Dettol Mate', a biodegradable tiffin box made of bamboo fibres that has a sanitiser dispenser. To open the tiffin box, one needs to pull a switch placed underneath. Upon pulling, sanitiser is immediately dispensed into the hands, unlocking the automated tiffin box.
The Dettol sanitisers are placed inside a separate compartment in the form of refills, which last for around 15 days. Whenever the sanitiser refills are running low, their incorporated technology sends a notification to the parent's smartphone through the 'Dettol Mate' app, thereby allowing them to order refills from the e-commerce sites. They also have a 'Dettol Mate' mascot which will be used to engage with the children.
This idea was well received by the global executives of RB as they are willing to create a prototype and potentially commercialise it. "The valuable knowledge, experience and corporate exposure has broadened my vision" added Mehrab. The idea will undergo massive research and development before being launched in the South-Asian market.
The journey of representing Bangladesh has been an amazing one for the team as they connected with bright minds from around the world. "With effective mentoring from RB Bangladesh, we were successful. The advice, feedback, and criticism that we received really took our project up a notch, as we were one of the best prepared teams in London," shared Nawaz.