Case Interview Preparation & Management Consulting | Strategy | Critical Thinking

Being a young business analyst or associate on the receiving end of blunt and harsh feedback from a partner is a very jarring experience. However, it is also somewhat of a compliment. I never understand this very, very important point until my mentor, a senior partner, pointed this out to me when the managing partner gave me a very time about an initiative I was running. In hindsight, this was one of the most profound lessons I had in my consulting career, and the managing partner became a huge ally when I was up for partnership.   Here are some free gifts for you: Overall Approach Used in Well-Managed Strategy Studies free download: www.firmsconsulting.com/OverallApproach   McKinsey & BCG winning resume free download: www.firmsconsulting.com/resumepdf   Enjoying this episode? Get access to sample advanced training episodes here: www.firmsconsulting.com/promo

Storytelling is a very powerful technique to ensure someone remembers you after an interview. In fact, even when we screen people at Firmsconsulting today, we use this technique I applied as a partner. The rule is simple: if I can remember your key messages from the interview the next day, I would make you an offer. That, of course, assumes you had passed all the other hurdles well enough. One way to be remembered is to be your answers around compelling stories using the New York Times rule of facts, facts and facts with a beginning and end.   Here are some free gifts for you: Overall Approach Used in Well-Managed Strategy Studies free download: www.firmsconsulting.com/OverallApproach   McKinsey & BCG winning resume free download: www.firmsconsulting.com/resumepdf   Enjoying this episode? Get access to sample advanced training episodes here: www.firmsconsulting.com/promo

Communication and image in a case interview is governed by both what you say and how you say. It is true that how you say something tends to carry more weight. However, in some case, certain phrases should definitely be avoided because they cause much damage it is very hard to recover from them. We discuss them in this podcast.   Here are some free gifts for you: Overall Approach Used in Well-Managed Strategy Studies free download: www.firmsconsulting.com/OverallApproach   McKinsey & BCG winning resume free download: www.firmsconsulting.com/resumepdf   Enjoying this episode? Get access to sample advanced training episodes here: www.firmsconsulting.com/promo

Networking with a partner is counter-intuitive. It is much easier to network with a McKinsey / BCG partner for at least four reasons. First, partners always return emails. Second, partners are generally willing to take a call just to explore your profile. Third, partners are less hung up on things like degrees etc. since they look deeper at a profile. Fourth, partners are accessible with easy to find details. That said, the trick to networking with partners is to treat them as a peer. As soon as you place them on a pedestal, you will kill your networking chances.   Here are some free gifts for you:   Overall Approach Used in Well-Managed Strategy Studies free download: www.firmsconsulting.com/OverallApproach   McKinsey & BCG winning resume free download: www.firmsconsulting.com/resumepdf   Enjoying this episode? Get access to sample advanced training episodes here: www.firmsconsulting.com/promo

99% of clients misunderstand learning and practicing. At its essence, you cannot practice McKinsey cases until you learn McKinsey cases. Most candidates start of their case interview preparation by reaching out to colleagues and consultants to practice cases, not having gone through the learning steps. Without a good strategy of separating learning from practicing you will simply absorb what you hear in the practice sessions and none of that is designed to teach you how to do cases. You must separate the learning from the practicing.   Here are some free gifts for you: Overall Approach Used in Well-Managed Strategy Studies free download: www.firmsconsulting.com/OverallApproach   McKinsey & BCG winning resume free download: www.firmsconsulting.com/resumepdf   Enjoying this episode? Get access to sample advanced training episodes here: www.firmsconsulting.com/promo

Networking calls/coffee chats are tricky. You should not be following the advice found for general recruitment. We insist our clients network with partners so most of the advice we provide is for networking with McKinsey and BCG partners. The reality is that partners are best equipped, and most influential, to assess a unique profile and make a judgement call on the spot. The danger is that if you do not impress the partner, you are very unlikely to go anywhere with further networking. The more atypical your profile, though, the greater the need to network with a partner, and the benefits far outweigh the risks.   Here are some free gifts for you: Overall Approach Used in Well-Managed Strategy Studies free download: www.firmsconsulting.com/OverallApproach   McKinsey & BCG winning resume free download: www.firmsconsulting.com/resumepdf   Enjoying this episode? Get access to sample advanced training episodes here: www.firmsconsulting.com/promo

Welcome to an interview with John Rossman who was an early Amazon executive and senior innovation advisor at T-Mobile & the Gates Foundation. He is the co-author of Big Bet Leadership and a keynote speaker and advisor.    In this episode, John Rossman discusses the insights from his recent book, Big Bet Leadership, on how companies can manage major strategic initiatives ("big bets") that involve significant risks. He explains why organizations need to test ideas before making big commitments and stay focused on key priorities. John describes how companies can adapt to increasing digitalization through careful planning and controlled experiments.   John Rossman is an author, executive advisor and keynote speaker on digital transformation, leadership, and business reinvention. With a career spanning consulting roles at renowned brands like Novartis, Gates Foundation, Microsoft, Walmart, and T-Mobile, he brings extensive expertise in solving complex business challenges and driving customer-centric solutions.

Welcome to an interview with Ed Fidoe, the founder and CEO of the London Interdisciplinary School (LIS), the first institution in decades to be granted degree-awarding powers from inception in the UK and offers an innovative, interdisciplinary curriculum focused on tackling complex global issues such as inequality, sustainability, ethics, and AI. In this episode, Ed shares his journey from child actor to McKinsey consultant to educational innovator. Throughout the conversation, Ed emphasizes the importance of broad intellectual curiosity, the growing impact of AI on education, and the need for future leaders to develop skills beyond traditional academics. His story illustrates how combining consulting expertise with educational vision can drive meaningful change in learning institutions.   Before LIS, Ed co-founded School 21, an acclaimed school designed to nurture children from diverse backgrounds, achieving Outstanding Ofsted within two years. He also founded Voice 21, a leading oracy education charity. E

Welcome to an interview with the innovative CEO of Motiv, David G. Ewing where we speak about entrepreneurial resilience and customer experience innovation.    In this episode, David shares his journey from early struggles during the 2000 tech recession to building a successful Oracle partnership that transformed his business. He candidly discusses overcoming self-doubt through meditation and mindfulness, while offering practical insights on testing business concepts and managing multiple ventures. The conversation explores how Motiv creates "moments of wonder" in customer experience, the value of the Entrepreneurs Organization community, and practical strategies for work-life integration.    David G. Ewing has revolutionized the realm of customer experience since 1998. With a keen understanding that altering customer attitudes drives ideal behaviors, David has transformed this insight into substantial revenue growth for over 500 clients. A Harvard cum laude graduate in Engineering, his leadership acumen has

Welcome to an interview with an entrepreneur and global thought leader in high-performing teams and Chairman of Ferrazzi Greenlight and its Research Institute, Keith Ferrazzi.   In this episode, Keith takes us through his inspiring journey from a challenging childhood in a poor immigrant family to becoming a global leader in relationship-building and team performance.   Keith introduces us to the concept of teamship, a profound shift from today’s hierarchical model to sharing the load among a team that elevates one another and the organization to achieve exponential results. He shared the 10 critical shifts to teamship and how to adopt these transformative practices to build high-performing teams.   Keith Ferrazzi, a #1 New York Times Bestselling Author of Never Eat Alone, Leading Without Authority, Competing in the New World of Work, and his newest book, Never Lead Alone: 10 Shifts from Leadership to Teamship. Keith is an acclaimed global executive team coach, who stands at the forefront of transformative le

Welcome to an interview with the author of Strategy and Leadership as Service, Sara Daw. Her new book provides businesses with access to the complete range of functional, emotional, and collective intelligence at the C-suite level by moving their positions from the “pay-roll” to an “access-role.”   In this episode, Sara discussed strategies for advancing a career to the C-suite, including joining the right organization with clear career paths and development opportunities, and how to find a mentor and a sponsor within the organization to help open doors and realize career ambitions.   Sarah took us on her journey to becoming a fractional CFO and finding her first few clients, a motivational story of persistence and not giving up. Additionally, Sara shares her advice on marketing strategies, time management, and maintaining a balance between work and personal life.   Sara Daw is an entrepreneur, researcher, writer, speaker and future of work expert. Listed in the 2024 E2E Female 100, Sara is passionate about d

Welcome to an interview with the coauthor of Triple Fit Strategy: How to Build Lasting Customer Relationships and Boost Growth, Christoph Senn.    In this episode, Christoph introduces us to the concept of the "Triple Fit Strategy," a groundbreaking approach to strategy and sales with the power to transform businesses. It replaces the traditional single product-market fit with a three-fold alignment: planning, execution, and resource fit.   Christoph Senn is an adjunct professor of marketing at INSEAD, one of the world's leading and largest graduate business schools. He is also Codirector of the INSEAD Marketing & Sales Excellence Initiative (MSEI). He frequently works with leading companies, including BASF, Coca-Cola, General Electric, Hoffmann-LaRoche, Konica Minolta, Maersk, Microsoft, Otis, Pfizer, Schindler, Sonos, Vodafone, and many more. He is also Chairman of boutique consultancy AMC and the founder and CEO of Valuecreator, a software startup advancing the practice of value co-creation.   Get Chri

Welcome to an interview with the author of 12 Questions for Love: A Guide to Intimate Conversations and Deeper Relationships, Topaz Adizes.  Topaz After a decade of exploring human connections through 1,200+ conversations in his Emmy Award-winning experience design studio, Topaz Adizes founder of The Skin Deep, popular on TikTok (1.2M) and Youtube (905k), is bringing his knowledge of the power of questions to the workplace.   In this episode, Topaz shares his filmmaking journey leading to creating "The And," a project focused on deep, human conversations. He emphasizes that in order to have meaningful conversations, we need to consider giving well-constructed questions, avoiding binary ones, and fostering a safe space for dialogue. Topaz also touched on creating impactful conversations by setting intentions, using connective questions, and ensuring participants feel safe and heard. He also highlights the significance of deep listening, which involves engaging the whole body and feeling, and how these types

Welcome to an interview with healthcare visionary, Eugene Litvak. In this episode, Eugene discussed the challenges in global hospital management, highlighting overcrowded emergency departments, nursing shortages, rising healthcare costs, and mismanaged surgery schedules leading to delays and increased mortality. Eugene discussed ways to improve the current healthcare system to save millions of dollars for each hospital while improving patient satisfaction and outcomes, nurse retention, hospital efficiency, and addressing healthcare disparities and inequities.   Eugene Litvak, PhD is President and CEO of the nonprofit Institute for Healthcare Optimization. He is also an Adjunct Professor in Operations Management in the Department of Health Policy & Management at the Harvard School of Public Health (HSPH). He was a co-founder and director of the Program for the Management of Variability in Health Care Delivery at the Boston University (BU) Health Policy Institute. Since 1995, he has led the development and

Welcome to an interview with the author of Mindshift: Transform Leadership, Drive Innovation, and Reshape the Future, Brian Solis. In this episode, Brian discusses the concept of 'Mindshift'—moving beyond industrial-era, business-as-usual mindsets to become a visionary for a future that has yet to emerge. He also explores the importance of a beginner's mind, emphasizing the need for curiosity and awareness in leadership, which opens the door to new possibilities and fosters innovation.   Brian Solis is a world-renowned futurist, keynote speaker, and author of over 60 industry-leading research publications and 8 best-selling books exploring disruptive trends, corporate innovation, business transformation, and consumer behavior.   Forbes has called him “one of the more creative and brilliant business minds of our time” and The Conference Board described Brian as "the futurist we all need now."   Brian serves as the Head of Global Innovation at ServiceNow where he leads vision, strategy, and program innovation f

Welcome to an interview with the coauthor of the book Personalized: Customer Strategy in the Age of AI, Mark Abraham.    In this episode, we explore the rise of personalization through digital tools and AI, and how companies and organizations are leveraging it to build connections and engage with their customers. We discuss companies that excel in this area, such as Starbucks with its personalization engine, and Spotify with its tailored music recommendations. Personalization is not just about data; it's also about responding effectively to customer insights, enhancing customer experiences, and driving growth.   Mark Abraham is a senior partner at BCG and the founder of the firm's Personalization business, which he has built into a global team of more than 1,000 agile marketers, data scientists, engineers, and martech experts. He and his team have accelerated the personalization efforts of more than a hundred iconic brands (including Starbucks, The Home Depot, and Google) and built some of BCG's largest ventu

Welcome to an interview with the co-author of the book Personalized: Customer Strategy in the Age of AI, David C. Edelman. This book is a playbook for delivering true personalization at scale that will help executives learn how to put personalization at the center of their strategy and accelerate growth. BCG's Mark Abraham and HBS's David C. Edelman describe five promises of personalization: Empower Me, Know Me, Reach Me, Show Me, Delight Me.   David C. Edelman is a senior lecturer at Harvard Business School, an executive adviser and board member to brands and technology providers, and an adviser to BCG. Previously, David was chief marketing officer at Aetna and has worked with dozens of companies on personalization, AI, and agile marketing at BCG and Digitas. Forbes has repeatedly named him one of the Top 20 Most Influential Voices in Marketing, and Ad Age has named him a Top 20 Chief Marketing and Technology Officer.   Get David’s book here: https://shorturl.at/Qj6Ys Personalized: Customer Strategy in the A

Welcome to an interview with the author Directional Living: A Transformational Guide to Fulfillment in Work and Life, Megan Hellerer.    In this episode, Megan shares her experience as an executive at Google and how she realized the misalignment in her career path, which led to physical and mental health issues. She also discusses how she navigated through it by listening to her inner voice and experimenting with new paths. Additionally, Megan explains how she built her coaching practice, how to find clients that are a good fit for you, the common issues clients face, and how to help them solve those issues.   Megan Hellerer is a career coach and the founder of Coaching for Underfulfilled Overachievers. She has led hundreds of women, including Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, to transform their lives by transforming their careers. After checking all the traditional boxes of success—graduating at the top of her class from Stanford University and spending eight years as a Google executive—and still deep

Welcome to an interview with the author of Likeable Badass: How Women Get the Success They Deserve, Alison Fragale. In her book, Alison addresses the recurring questions from high powered and early career women alike: How do women thread the needle of kindness and competence in the workplace? How can women earn credit for their accomplishments, negotiate better, and navigate complex office politics without losing the goodwill of their peers?   Alison Fragale is the Mary Farley Ames Lee Distinguished Scholar of Organizational Behavior at the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill Kenan-Flagler Business School. As a research psychologist, award-winning professor, international keynote speaker, and author, she is on a mission to help others — especially women — use behavioral science to work and live better. Her scholarship has been published in the most prestigious academic journals in her field and featured in prominent media outlets such as The Wall Street Journal, The Washington Post, Financial Times, Bost

Welcome to an interview with Mitch Warner, a bestselling author and Arbinger managing partner.    In this episode, we dive deep into the critical topic of self-deception and its profound impact on leadership and personal effectiveness. Mitch shares powerful insights on how self-deception can undermine our relationships and professional success, often without us even realizing it. He explains the concept of self-betrayal and how it leads to a distorted view of ourselves and others, creating unnecessary conflicts and reducing our influence as leaders. Mitch shares a valuable advice on how to rebuild trust in relationships damaged by self-deception and how to not let it happen again.   Mitch is the co-author of Arbinger’s latest bestseller, The Outward Mindset. He writes frequently on the practical effects of mindset at the individual and organizational levels as well as the role of leadership in transforming organizational culture and results. He is an expert on mindset and culture change, leadership, strategy,