Strategy Simplified

Send us Fan Mail Flat base pay isn’t a blip – it’s a signal. In this episode, Namaan breaks down what new 2026 consulting salary data really means for recruiting, performance expectations, and how firms are reshaping compensation.  You’ll learn: Why starting base pay is staying flat (and why it’s not about weak demand) How firms are shifting upside into bonuses, benefits, and faster skill-building...

Send us Fan Mail Boeing’s rebound isn’t about brilliance. It’s about not losing in a brutal duopoly. In this episode of Market Outsiders , Jenny Rae and Namaan break down what Boeing’s post-crisis recovery really signals — and why its future depends less on innovation and more on execution over time. We cover: Why Boeing’s biggest advantage is the Airbus duopoly, not outperformance How long delive...

Send us Fan Mail If I had to break into consulting again today — starting from a clean slate — this is exactly how I’d do it. In this episode of Consulting Unpacked , Jenny Rae walks through the step-by-step strategy she would use to maximize her odds. You’ll learn: What to focus on first — and what most candidates waste time on How to build real confidence for interviews (not just “prep”) The min...

Send us Fan Mail Brex was once valued at $12.3B. Capital One just bought it for $5.15B. In today’s episode of Market Outsiders , Jenny Rae and Namaan break down why Capital One was willing to buy Brex at a $7B discount – and what the deal actually tells us about fintech valuations, banking strategy, and the future of credit cards. We unpack: Why the 50% cash / 50% stock structure reveals who reall...

Send us Fan Mail In this short episode, Japheth Mast shares what’s new in the data – and what it means if you’re recruiting for consulting this year. You’ll hear 3 key takeaways from the report, including why starting salaries stayed flat, where compensation growth is happening, and how utilization trends are shaping hiring. 👉 Download the full 2026 Consulting Salary Report (free). Additional Res...

Send us Fan Mail What does it actually take to succeed in consulting — beyond frameworks and technical skills? In this episode of Consulting Unpacked , Jenny Rae Le Roux breaks down the five core skills consultants rely on every day — the same ones firms test for in case interviews and reward once you’re on the job. You’ll learn: Why structured thinking isn’t just about frameworks How prioritizati...

Send us Fan Mail College football isn’t just a game anymore, it’s a business. On this episode of Market Outsiders , Jenny Rae Le Roux and Namaan Mian break down how wins on the field translate into dollars off it, sparked by Indiana University’s surprising national championship run.  From media deals and ticket sales to donations and NIL money, Namaan lays out the six revenue engines powering mode...

Send us Fan Mail Saks Fifth Avenue has filed for bankruptcy. After years of warning signs – including its Neiman Marcus acquisition and Amazon’s investment – the iconic luxury retailer is officially on life support. In this Market Outsiders episode, Namaan and Jenny break down what actually went wrong behind the headlines. They cover: Why the Neiman Marcus deal failed to deliver real synergies How...

Send us Fan Mail What’s the real difference between an analyst, a manager, and a partner in consulting? In this episode of Consulting Unpacked , Jenny Rae Le Roux breaks down how consulting roles actually work — what changes as you move up, what each level is responsible for, and what firms value most at every stage. You’ll learn: What analysts, managers, and partners really do day to day Why bein...

Send us Fan Mail What is consulting, really — and why do companies pay so much for it? In this first episode of Consulting Unpacked , Jenny Rae Le Roux (former Bain consultant and CEO of Management Consulted) breaks down consulting in 5 minutes, including: The difference between professional consulting and “single-shingle” consulting The 4 core reasons companies hire consultants The 3 main types o...

Send us Fan Mail The average new car now costs over $50,000, with monthly payments nearing $760. So how did Ford post its best U.S. sales year since 2019 ? In this episode of Market Outsiders , Namaan and Jenny Rae break down how Ford defied expectations in 2025 – despite tariffs, high rates, and weakening EV demand. They cover: Why 2025 may have been the first “normal” auto year since COVID How f...

Send us Fan Mail In the debut episode of Recruiting Reality Check , Katie Neff and Japheth Mast break down the real story of “Sophomore Sally” – a strong candidate at a fringe target school who’s panicking about junior-year recruiting and ready to apply everywhere ( the “spaghetti at the wall” trap ). In this episode, you’ll learn: Why applying to everything hurts your chances How to build a focus...

Send us Fan Mail The 2026 Consulting Salary Report is coming later this month — and this episode is your first look at what to expect. Japheth shares why this year’s report matters more than ever, how it’s built using real offer data from 100+ firms, and what candidates need to understand about consulting compensation heading into 2026. Join the waitlist to get early access to the report and regis...

Send us Fan Mail This is our most-listened-to episode of 2025 — and for good reason. In this replay, you’ll hear a live McKinsey-style M&A case interview where a candidate evaluates whether a global bubble tea chain should acquire a fast-growing coffee brand. Led by former McKinsey consultant and Management Consulted case coach Divya , the case walks through how to structure an acquisition dec...

Send us Fan Mail Watch the top MBA teams in the 2025 MBA Case Competition World Cup Finals go head-to-head in a live, high-pressure strategy showdown. Five finalist teams take on The Cava Challenge: build a 3–5 year growth strategy to scale Cava nationally — without sacrificing the flavor, quality, and culture that made the brand. You’ll see: 5-minute executive-style presentations Live Q&A / d...

Send us Fan Mail Cannabis just moved from Schedule I to Schedule III — and the biggest implications have nothing to do with lifestyle or politics. In this episode of Market Outsiders , Jenny Rae and Namaan break down what reclassification means for the market: who benefits, who loses, and why cannabis stocks dropped on “good” news. They unpack the real unlocks behind the headlines — Medicare and M...

Send us Fan Mail AI is everywhere in TMT — but in 2026, the hype is fading and the real question is simple: what’s the ROI? Rick Wilmot (ex-McKinsey) sits down with leaders from Bain (Ron Kermisch), Capgemini Invent (Karl Bjurstrom), Strategy& (Dan Hays), and Altman Solon (Gregor Eichler) to unpack what TMT clients want now — and what it takes to win offers in this space. You’ll hear what’s ch...

Send us Fan Mail Where do McKinsey, Bain, and BCG consultants go after they leave? We analyzed 1,600+ MBB exits to build a live map of where opportunity is compounding — and which skills the market is paying a premium for. In this episode, Namaan breaks down the 2025 MBB Exit Opportunity Analysis and the 5 trends shaping where consultants go next. You’ll learn: The top industries hiring ex-MBB in...

Send us Fan Mail Thrive Market just became the first major online grocer to drop alcohol completely , and the internet is cheering… but the business case isn’t what it seems.  In this episode, we break down the real reasons behind the move, what the data actually says about drinking trends, and why households, not individuals, tell the true story. We cover: Why “54% of adults drink alcohol” is the...

Send us Fan Mail What does it really take to break into MBB — especially if you’re starting late? In this conversation, ex-Bain manager and case coach Abi Chen breaks down the exact 2-month strategy that helped her go from “I just learned what consulting is” to landing a Bain offer.  She shares the principles that top candidates consistently get right — and the myths that hold everyone else back....

Send us Fan Mail Netflix just shocked Hollywood with a $72B bid for Warner Bros, the biggest media deal of the decade. But behind the headlines is a fight over market share, regulation, and the future of streaming. In this episode, we break down: Why Netflix is suddenly willing to buy instead of build How HBO, Warner Bros, and gaming change Netflix’s strategy The regulatory risk (and why Trump and...

Send us Fan Mail Unlock the skills that set candidates apart in tech, strategy, and consulting.  In this live conversation, Namaan talks with Adobe leaders Shawn Loutensock and Nick Hilton about how Adobe DX (Digital Experience) certifications help career seekers build practical, job-ready skills . If you're exploring tech, strategy, consulting, or a mid-career pivot, this episode breaks down...

Send us Fan Mail In this BCG case interview, ex-BCG Principal and case coach Tauseef Charanya leads a live, candidate-led walkthrough of an airline profitability case : should the client switch to credit-card-only in-flight payments? Follow along as Bao works through clarifying questions, a customized profitability framework, structured math, and a clear final recommendation — plus hear Tauseef’s...

Send us Fan Mail Want to land a consulting role in China? This episode breaks down what makes the 2025 recruiting process one of the most competitive and unique in the world. We cover: How applications, assessments, and interviews differ in mainland China vs. Hong Kong Why bilingual skills, academic strength, and international exposure matter more here than almost anywhere else What to expect from...

Send us Fan Mail Best Buy was supposed to be dead. Instead, it just raised its full-year sales and earnings outlook. In this episode, Jenny Rae and Namaan dig into why Best Buy is outperforming in a “K-shaped” economy, even as everyone keeps blaming the consumer and inflation. They break down: How Best Buy is still winning on laptops, gaming, and smartphones Why AI-enabled laptops and new consoles...