Strategy Simplified

Send us Fan Mail Sophomore year feels early to think about consulting — but it’s actually the perfect time to get ahead. In this episode, MC coach Kabreya Ghaderi breaks down a simple roadmap using the 3A framework: Access, Ability, and Acceleration. You’ll learn how to: Choose the right firms and offices Build a focused networking plan Avoid the “spray and pray” approach most candidates fall into...

Send us Fan Mail Want to land a consulting role in Europe? This episode breaks down the 2025 recruiting landscape across a region where language, prestige, and pay vary widely. We cover: How language requirements differ across markets Why school pedigree still matters in Europe Compensation ranges across major cities and firms Key timelines, assessments, and cultural expectations For the full play...

Send us Fan Mail Bath and Body Works used to own the mall fragrance space. Now traffic is shrinking, margins are squeezed and a new CEO is blaming the old playbook. In this episode, we break down what went wrong and whether the turnaround plan has a real shot. We cover: How chasing “adjacent” categories like shampoo and laundry backfired Why discounting destroys price integrity in a brand-led busi...

Send us Fan Mail What’s really happening behind the scenes in education consulting right now?  In this panel, Ish (ex-BCG) sits down with Mark Finlan ( Huron ), Laura Brookhiser ( L.E.K. ), and Miriam El-Baz ( Grant Thornton Stax ) for a fast, unfiltered look at how top firms are navigating a rapidly shifting education landscape. You’ll hear how these firms are responding to enrollment pressure, t...

Send us Fan Mail Panera used to dominate fast casual. Now traffic is falling and leadership is scrambling to turn it around. In this episode, we unpack: How cost cutting changed salads, sides, and the in-store experience Why menu complexity and pricing confuse customers The barbell strategy Panera is betting on for its comeback What we’d do differently on pricing, testing, and customer research A...

Send us Fan Mail The once-a-year All Access Pass flash sale is officially live — and it ends Monday, Nov. 17 at 11:59PM PT . For one weekend only, get 50% off the All Access Pass ™ ($350 vs. $700), our complete DIY case-prep system used by candidates breaking into McKinsey, Bain, BCG, and top-tier firms. This year’s sale is bigger than ever: a full McKinsey Solve practice test is included exclusiv...

Send us Fan Mail The U.S. stops minting new pennies. Cost savings help, but do second-order effects matter more? We dig into: Why it cost ~4¢ to make 1¢ $56M savings vs real economic impact Rounding rules, cash users, and pricing behavior Card mix, tipping culture, and “two-way door” policy A quick, practical look at what this means for consumers and businesses. Partner Links: Learn more about Nor...

Send us Fan Mail What does it take for an international, non-target student to land a full-time offer at MBB? Giovanni Coeli joins us to share the exact playbook he used to overcome visa hurdles, stand out as a non-target candidate, and earn his offer at BCG Miami. In this episode, Giovanni breaks down: His intentional networking system How he identified the right offices (and why Miami won) The d...

Send us Fan Mail Getting into consulting as an MBA1 isn’t luck – it’s strategy. In this episode, Katie Neff – Management Consulted’s Black Belt Advisor – walks through the exact roadmap to land an MBB consulting internship. With McKinsey, Bain, and BCG internship applications due November 13 , now is the moment to take action.  From crafting a standout consulting resume to building a smart network...

Send us Fan Mail CoreWeave isn’t OpenAI or Nvidia, but it’s powering both. We unpack how this lesser-known company became essential to the AI ecosystem, including: What CoreWeave actually does and why it matters How $55B in backlog signals explosive demand Why data centers, not apps, may define the next AI wave What an “AI capex bubble” could look like A fast, insightful breakdown of the infrastru...

Send us Fan Mail Retailers plan the lightest holiday hiring since the Great Recession, but spending is still projected to top $1T. We dig into: Why demand smoothing and e-comm shift cut seasonal roles How “slower” in-store flow can increase basket size What segmentation and channels mean for labor needs Why tariff headlines often overstate price impact Actionable takeaways for leaders on staffing,...

Send us Fan Mail The consulting market just flipped. Bonuses are tightening, hiring is shifting toward AI-savvy talent, and clients now demand proof of impact.  In this episode, Andrew breaks down the key findings from Management Consulted’s October 2025 Consulting Industry Report — including bonus changes, firm acquisitions, private equity trends, and where firms are hiring now. Download the full...

Send us Fan Mail The FAA just announced flight cuts at 40 U.S. airports, all tied to the government shutdown. In this bonus episode: Why air traffic control staffing is reaching a breaking point How airlines like Delta and United will decide what to cancel What smart leaders do when government policy hits business operations A quick 15-minute breakdown on policy, pressure, and decision-making when...

Send us Fan Mail Pinterest just had one of its worst trading days ever, and blamed tariffs. We dig into what’s really behind the drop: Why ad revenue might be a Pinterest problem, not a tariff problem How user behavior has shifted away from “mood board” culture What it would take for Pinterest to stay relevant in an AI-driven shopping world Plus, Namaan and Jenny Rae debate whether Pinterest’s nex...

Send us Fan Mail What separates candidates who crush their case interviews from those who fall short? Former Bain consultant Jenny Rae Le Roux reveals the #1 habit that top performers share – and it’s not about frameworks or math.  If you’re preparing for McKinsey, BCG, Bain, or any consulting interview, this is the mindset shift that changes everything. Additional Resources: Work 1:1 with an MBB...

Send us Fan Mail In this Bain case interview, ex-Bain consultant and coach Juliane Hoss walks through a profitability case on franchising small gyms.  Listen as she guides a candidate through structuring, quant, and communication – and hear expert coaching along the way on how to think (and sound) like a Bain consultant . Learn how to: Clarify objectives and criteria of success early Prioritize pr...

Send us Fan Mail Namaan and Jenny Rae break down PayPal’s new integration with ChatGPT and what it means for e commerce. They cover how checkout could live inside AI, who wins and loses across retailers and suppliers, and why PayPal’s first dividend signals a new chapter. They also map OpenAI’s business model today. Subscriptions. Enterprise licensing. Future transaction fees. Possible ads. What s...

Send us Fan Mail Jenny Rae was told she had the *worst case interview ever.* Her McKinsey mock interview was a total disaster. The feedback from her friend at McKinsey? Cancel the real interview or prepare harder than ever. In this episode, Jenny Rae shares how she went from bombing that mock to becoming Bain’s #1 recruit on the East Coast.  You’ll hear the exact prep strategy she used, the case i...

Send us Fan Mail UPS posted a surprise beat and a bold turnaround. Jenny Rae and Namaan break down where the 34,000+ cuts land, why Amazon volume fell 21 percent, and how route consolidation, asset light moves, and small business focus could reshape holiday shipping.  We also cover tariffs and the de minimis change, plus why supply chain consulting is set to boom. Chapters 02:58 Understanding UPS&...

Send us Fan Mail Interviews coming up? This episode is your shortcut to consulting interview success. 3 Management Consulted case coaches – Ish Mawla (BCG), Mark Di Giorgio (McKinsey), and Tobe Ofili (Bain) – join forces to share their best insider advice on how to fix common case interview mistakes and avoid sabotaging your prep . They reveal how to: Build structures that flex beyond memorized fr...

Send us Fan Mail Step inside the 2025 Consulting Change Maker Awards , where we spotlight the consultants redefining impact in today’s industry.  This high-energy ceremony features leaders from Portage Point Partners, Clarkston Consulting, FTI Consulting, and more – trailblazers transforming teams, clients, and firm cultures. Whether you’re leading a team, mentoring others, or mapping your next ca...

Send us Fan Mail Pokémon and Taylor Swift trading cards are making a billion-dollar comeback, and Target and Walmart are cashing in.  Jenny Rae and Namaan break down what this craze says about retail strategy, consumer behavior, and the strength of the U.S. shopper heading into the holidays. Links Mentioned Pokémon, sports trading card boom boosts Target, Walmart ahead of holiday season (CNBC) Lab...

Send us Fan Mail Nestlé just announced 16,000 job cuts, one of the largest in modern CPG history. Jenny Rae and Namaan break down what this massive restructuring says about the company’s new strategy, how it mirrors the playbooks of Kraft Heinz and Hershey, and what it reveals about the future of global consumer brands. They unpack how Nestlé defines “winning,” why the market rewarded layoffs, and...

Send us Fan Mail Tauseef spent a decade at BCG, rising to Principal and leading AI transformation and go-to-market strategy projects across the globe. In this convo, he breaks down exactly how to stand out in today’s competitive recruiting landscape. You’ll learn: How Tauseef secured offers from BCG, McKinsey, and more What separates candidates who land offers from those who don’t The X factor tha...

Send us Fan Mail Walmart is making a push on U.S. manufacturing, and says it’s good business. Today, Jenny Rae and Namaan break down what’s signal versus spin, where onshoring can actually cut costs, and why category-by-category moves matter more than headline percentages. We get into supplier power, inventory timing, vertical integration in beef, and pharma basics like bringing amoxicillin back o...