Strategy Simplified

Send us Fan Mail In this case example, former McKinsey consultant Ravi Chandra leads a profitability case in Greece’s cheese industry – with a real candidate tackling it live before an audience.  Listen as Ravi tests structuring, math, and communication under pressure, while offering real-time coaching and feedback. You’ll learn how to: Build clear, MECE frameworks Tackle profitability cases Turn...

Send us Fan Mail Delta just posted blockbuster earnings, and it’s not because more people are flying. Jenny Rae and Namaan unpack how Delta’s $8B profit engine runs on premium seats, credit card partnerships, and a bet on wealthy travellers. They dive into what makes Delta’s “premium economy” the most profitable cabin in the sky, why Buffett once got airlines wrong, and how rivals like United and...

Send us Fan Mail In this special 2025 panel, 4 top supply chain consulting firms – Chartwell , Clarkston Consulting , Kearney , and The Kormac Group – join Management Consulted to explore how AI, automation, and shifting global demand are changing the industry. Hear directly from firm leaders on: How AI is being used in practice to improve efficiency and decision-making What skills firms are hirin...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, the tables are turned! Instead of asking the questions, MC COO Namaan Mian is in the hot seat - interviewed by Emily Watkins, Senior Marketing Manager at Integreon.  We dive into the future of storytelling in a world obsessed with AI and efficiency, and why human connection is still the ultimate competitive advantage .  From avoiding “death by PowerPoint” to bring...

Send us Fan Mail What if you didn’t go to a target school? What if you’re an international student who needs sponsorship? Does that mean MBB is out of reach? Michael Liu is living proof that the answer is no. In this episode, Japheth sits down with Michael, an undergraduate student from Taiwan who defied the odds to land a BCG internship. Michael shares the exact steps he took to break in, includi...

Send us Fan Mail Warren Buffett is still making big moves at 95 years old. His latest play? A $10 billion bet on OxyChem, the petrochemical arm of Occidental. In this episode of Market Outsiders , Namaan and Jenny Rae unpack what makes this deal stand out. They break down the financial engineering behind it, why debt reduction matters in today’s macro climate, and how it fits into the broader Buff...

Send us Fan Mail Want to land a consulting role in the Middle East? This episode breaks down the 2025 recruiting landscape and what it takes to succeed in this unique region. We cover: How the Middle East consulting market is shaped by nationalization, expat hiring, and cultural dynamics 3 recruiting power moves you can use right now Top schools, firms, and timing to keep on your radar For the ful...

Send us Fan Mail Claire’s is back in the headlines after its latest bankruptcy and acquisition by Ames Watson, the firm behind Lids. Can a nostalgic mall brand really be turned around in today’s retail environment? In this episode, we unpack Claire’s challenges, the role of experience in modern retail, and what this deal signals for the future of malls. Timestamps: [07:15] What Made Claire’s a Rit...

Send us Fan Mail The NFL isn’t just America’s favorite pastime. It’s also a business giant that generates two-thirds of its revenue from one source: media rights . In this episode of Market Outsiders , Namaan and Jenny Rae unpack: Why the league is considering renegotiating billion-dollar contracts years ahead of schedule How streaming platforms like Amazon, Netflix, and YouTube TV are reshaping t...

Send us Fan Mail Consulting recruiting has changed, and digital assessments are now the new gatekeeper. In this episode, we break down what McKinsey, Bain, and BCG’s digital tests look like in 2025, what skills they’re really testing, and how you can prepare with confidence. Whether you’re facing McKinsey Solve, Bain’s Gorilla test, or BCG’s CCA, this conversation gives you the latest insights and...

Send us Fan Mail Labubu dolls are the latest global craze... but what makes them so irresistible? In this episode of Market Outsiders , Jenny Rae and Namaan break down the business model behind Labubu’s rise, from blind box marketing to luxury brand tie-ins. They explore: How scarcity fuels demand Why repeat purchases matter more than volume How the resale market reinforces value It’s a case study...

Send us Fan Mail Who decides what a song is worth? In this episode, Jenny Rae speaks with Prerna Rakheja – Managing Economist at Bates White – about the landmark Phonorecords IV case that set new streaming royalty rates. For aspiring consultants, this conversation is a rare look inside economic consulting: how teams structure complex problems, build models that influence billion-dollar industries,...

Send us Fan Mail Amex just raised the annual fee on its Platinum card from $695 to $895 — a nearly 30 percent jump.  In this episode of Market Outsiders , Jenny Rae and Namaan break down what’s behind the increase, why Amex believes customers won’t walk away, and how the move fits into a broader strategy to protect its premium brand. We dig into questions like:  Who really cares about the fee hike...

Send us Fan Mail Consulting hiring is up 22% year over year — the biggest surge since before the pandemic. But there’s a catch. In this episode of Strategy Simplified , Japheth breaks down 3 major shifts reshaping the consulting industry right now : The 22% hiring surge (and why entry-level roles are shrinking) How AI is transforming both client work and firm operations Why global performance is u...

Send us Fan Mail Ram will cancel its all-electric pickup, raising questions about the EV market, the rise of hybrids, and what truck buyers really want. Was the plan ever realistic, or just peak EV hype? Jenny Rae and Namaan break down the strategy shift at Stellantis — the parent company of Ram, Jeep, Chrysler, and Dodge — and why it matters. They also highlight: The risks of chasing trends The l...

Send us Fan Mail Bain is doubling down on Canada. In this episode of Strategy Simplified , we sit down with Jed Fallis, Bain’s Managing Partner in Canada, to talk about the firm’s brand-new Montreal office. Jed shares why Bain chose Montreal, which industries the office will focus on, and what kind of candidates the firm is looking for as it grows.  Importantly, Bain is actively recruiting to staf...

Send us Fan Mail Jolie isn’t just selling showerheads — it’s turning your bathroom into a subscription business. In today’s episode, we break down how a simple product innovation paired with sharp marketing and a recurring revenue model is disrupting an overlooked category.  From personalized water tests to DTC funnels that bypass big-box retail, Jolie shows how challenger brands are rewriting the...

Send us Fan Mail Want to land a consulting role in Canada? This episode walks you through everything you need to know about breaking into consulting in 2025. We cover: The current Canadian consulting market and how it differs from the U.S. and U.K. 3 recruiting power moves you can apply immediately Key target schools, top firms, and the hiring timeline 2025 salary preview across McKinsey, Bain, BC...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Market Outsiders, Namaan and Jenny Rae unpack the booming business of sports betting.  From DraftKings to FanDuel, they examine how sportsbooks use aggressive advertising to acquire customers, the economics behind their business models, and the role of state regulations.  The conversation also highlights the challenges of user retention and the untapped B2B oppo...

Send us Fan Mail Building a strong case framework is the foundation of consulting interview success. But most candidates sabotage themselves with simple, avoidable mistakes.  In this episode of Strategy Simplified , Jenny Rae breaks down the 4 most common framework errors and shows you exactly how to fix them. You’ll learn how to: Avoid copy-pasting generic frameworks Take the right amount of time...

Send us Fan Mail Grant Thornton has announced it will acquire Stax, a leading strategy consulting firm serving private equity clients worldwide. What does this deal mean for the consulting industry and the future of PE-focused advisory? In this episode, Jenny Rae sits down with Paul Edwards, Global Practice Lead at Stax, to unpack the acquisition.  They discuss Stax’s growth journey, cultural DNA,...

Send us Fan Mail Kraft Heinz is splitting after a decade, and we unpack what that says about the end of “scale at all costs” in Big Food. Jenny Rae and Namaan dive into why focus beats brute scale, how zero-based budgeting collided with challenger brands, and why owning the shelf no longer locks in customers. From ketchup loyalty to cream cheese on the “taste elevation” roster, we map the split: c...

Send us Fan Mail Brainstorming questions are one of the trickiest and most under-practiced parts of the case interview. They can make or break your chances. In this Case Creative Masterclass, presented by Bates White - a leading economic consulting firm - you’ll learn how to spot brainstorming questions, build a structured response on the fly, and avoid the “rambling” trap that sinks many candidat...

Send us Fan Mail Getting invited to a second round consulting interview is a huge achievement, but it’s not the finish line. The final round is where the offer is won or lost.  In this episode, Jenny Rae shares exactly how to prepare for 2nd-round consulting interviews, including advanced case interview strategies and fit interview best practices.  Whether you’re interviewing with McKinsey, Bain,...

Send us Fan Mail Dr. Pepper is making an $18 billion play in the global coffee market, acquiring Dutch giant JDE Peet’s and splitting into two standalone companies. The deal creates a new coffee contender set to rival Nestlé. Jenny Rae and Namaan break down why Dr. Pepper is betting big, what the move says about synergies and strategy, and why investors sent KDP’s stock down. They also explore wha...