Strategy Simplified

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, we interview Hernan Saenz, Global Head of Bain's Performance Improvement practice. Hernan - with 25 years of experience at Bain - shares what businesses need to do to succeed in turbulent economic waters. He also shares why he has stayed with Bain for 2+ decades, about the Latinx at Bain affinity group, how Bain's PI practice works with clients, and so m...

Send us Fan Mail Continuing our mini-series on fit/behavioral interview prep brings us this discussion on Predictable Questions. Neglecting to prepare for these questions could be detrimental to your hopes for an offer. Additional Links Book a 1-hour session with an MBB coach to prepare for fit interviews: 1 HOUR Comprehensive interview prep (case/fit) program: BLACK BELT This episode is brought t...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, we're bringing you a fast-paced conversation with Michael Valocchi, SVP & Head of Cognizant Consulting and Americas Strategy. In it, we take a deep-dive into all things Cognizant Consulting, including: Type of work the firm performs Industry and practice focuses  How Cognizant Consulting works with clients What sets the firm apart in the industry Who the...

Send us Fan Mail This episode kicks off a 4-part series on preparing for fit/behavioral interviews. Today, Stephanie (ex-McKinsey) shares how to structure your answer to the classic "Walk Me Through Your Resume" question. Additional Links Book a 1-hour session with an MBB coach to prepare for fit interviews: 1 HOUR Comprehensive interview prep (case/fit) program: BLACK BELT This episode...

Send us Fan Mail Want to see how Bain & Company conducts case interviews? Today is your lucky day. In this session, you’ll see how a former Bain consultant (Pranav) runs a case interview and how a top candidate (Taylor) who recently accepted a BCG offer: Builds and communicates a framework Works through mental math Answers brainstorming questions Drives to a strong final recommendation This is...

Send us Fan Mail In this conversation, we speak with Maher, who leveraged his background as an entrepreneur from Lebanon and a Kenan-Flagler MBA into a role with top boutique consultancy ZS Associates. He shares how he prepped for his case interviews, the value of an MBA, what he's looking forward to at ZS, and more. Dig in! Additional Links Explore 250+ consulting firms: FIRM DIRECTORY Ace y...

Send us Fan Mail We've been hearing a lot about the work and culture at M&A advisory firm Palm Tree. Today, we're taking a step back to learn about the "secret sauce" that has made the firm so successful. Joining us are Co-founder/MD Dave Wolinsky and Chief of Staff Dieema Wheaton to share Palm Tree's core values and how they shape culture, recruiting, life, and more a...

Send us Fan Mail Looking for a practical, step-by-step case interview practice plan? Look no further. Today, Namaan shares MC's 5-part plan for becoming familiar with cases and developing proficiency. After 15 years experience helping thousands of candidates ace their case interviews, we are very confident in this plan. For tailored case prep advice, reach out to our team today. Additional Li...

Send us Fan Mail OC&C Strategy Consultants is the fast-growing pure-play strategy house everyone is talking about. In this episode, we're talking with a former intern/current consultant (Lexa) and a current intern (Justin) to hear the inside scoop on life, work, and play at OC&C. What other firm flies its entire staff to Puerto Rico for a weekend of fun or to Portugal for a week of tr...

Send us Fan Mail "Should I get an MBA?  "Is an MBA right for me?"  "When is the right time to get my MBA?" Today, we're answering all your questions about the wisdom of an MBA. Specifically, Duke Fuqua alum and former McKinsey Engagement Manager Stephanie Knight shares her decision-making process for why she got her MBA and why she got it when she did. In addition, St...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, two PhDs - Ish and Sydney - jump on to share how they navigated the leap from academia to strategy consulting at BCG and L.E.K. Ish and Sydney are friends and colleagues, having both attended the University of Michigan. After sharing their stories, including case prep hacks and resources, they share about the upcoming Midwest Healthcare Case Competition (MHCC). Re...

Send us Fan Mail Show me the money, baby! McKinsey, Bain, and BCG are upping base salaries by up to $12K at the pre-MBA level and $17K for post-MBA hires. What does this mean for the industry, recruiting, and you? Listen to find out. Additional Links Received a 2023 offer letter? Anonymously share your offer data to contribute to the 2023 Consulting  Salary Report: SUBMIT Learn more about the sala...

Send us Fan Mail Consulting is all about profit and loss - "how does XYZ impact profitability?" In this episode, we're sharing what you need to know about profit and formulas to calculate it. You'll walk away knowing: How businesses think about profit How to calculate profit Key business basics for case interviews Join the Case Formulas Intensive - Sept. 7, 6-9PM ET - for a 3-h...

Send us Fan Mail We are thrilled to share a special edition of our case interview demonstrations series, this one led by OC&C Strategy Consultants Partner Stephen Carolin.  This session features a few behavioral/background-related questions in addition to a case study. You'll get an inside look at how OC&C runs case interviews and provides feedback for candidates. Make sure to grab a...

Send us Fan Mail What does a day in the life of an M&A advisory consultant look like? You're about to find out. in this episode, we chat with Garrett Adame, a Senior Associate at Palm Tree. Garrett shares a candid behind the scenes look at his work and life at the firm. He also breaks down the firm's intense interview process, how promotions work, what the firm's working model i...

Send us Fan Mail We're excited to bring you this diversity-centered conversation with the folks over at L.E.K. Consulting.  We got to sit down (virtually) with Justin Craigwell-Graham and Jen Wu, Managing Directors at L.E.K., to dig into how the firm creates an environment that promotes diversity. We explored: What diversity actually means The affinity groups L.E.K. has available Avenues for...

Send us Fan Mail EY - one of the Big 4 firms and a giant in the world of professional services - is the envy of thousands of new grads and experienced veterans each year. If you're looking to break into EY, this episode is for you. We answer numerous questions including: How can you ace the EY interview process and break in?  What salary can I expect at EY?  Will I have work-life balance work...

Send us Fan Mail Enjoy this bonus episode brought to you by the folks at L.E.K. Consulting. You'll hear from two senior leaders at the firm share about work, life, culture, and opportunities at L.E.K. Interested?  Learn about open roles and apply here . Watch the video presentation from this session and join our email list to be the first to be notified about future live events like this one....

Send us Fan Mail Last week, we shared 8 tips and tricks for case interview math. Today, we're going a little deeper with a short clip from last year's Case Math Intensive. Enjoy! Join this year's Math Intensive on August 16, 6-9PM ET: JOIN Additional Links Get 1:1 case math practice with an ex-MBB consultant in Black Belt, our consulting prep program: BLACK BELT Join our free case p...

Send us Fan Mail Palm Tree is back! We're excited to share this conversation with Rouzheen Myrick, SVP, with you. She shares about the M&A advisory firm's practice areas, what type of candidate the firm is looking for, what it means to "stay frosty," and so much more. If you're looking for a challenging consulting role serving the M&A industry, Palm Tree may be the...

Send us Fan Mail Mental math is a major hurdle to case interview mastery for many candidates, but it's a critical skill to master because of the quant-focused nature of consulting. In this episode, Jenny Rae - former Bain consultant - shares 8 tips and tricks to help you become a case math pro. Need mental math help? Join the Case Math Intensive on August 16; it's a 3-hour live training...

Send us Fan Mail Gigi Wong joined L.E.K. Consulting as a summer intern in 2013, crushed the experience, then stuck around to become a Managing Director/Partner. In this episode, you'll hear about her internship experience, why she stayed, and much more: What a summer internship at L.E.K. is like How the firm structures engagements Ways L.E.K. supports intern and full-time employees Current in...

Send us Fan Mail The STAR Method is an effective way to structure your answers in behavioral interviews. We also quickly talk about CAR, the STAR Method's simplified cousin. In this episode, we're covering: What does STAR stand for? (2:13) Why is the STAR Method important? (3:17) When to use the STAR Method (4:05) STAR Method interview questions and answers (7:54) Additional Links Break...

Send us Fan Mail Welcome to another case interview walkthrough. This episode features Adeniyi, a PhD candidate transitioning from academia to strategy consulting. The interviewer is Maxime Betas, ex-McKinsey consultant. The case involves an investment fund considering investing in a grocery delivery app. Go or no-go? Listen now to hear the recommendation Adeniyi gives. Additional Links View the ex...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, Stephanie - in real time - tackles a BCG-style chatbot case. Can she solve it? Listen as she breaks down what chatbot cases are (3:35), runs through the case (16:54), and finally, breaks down her performance (35:56). The link for the video screenshare of the walkthrough is below. Additional Links Watch Stephanie walk through the case on video: VIDEO Solve the chat...