Strategy Simplified

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...

Send us Fan Mail Step inside a live McKinsey-style case interview. In this episode, former McKinsey consultant and expert coach Mark Di Giorgio leads a candidate through a market entry case set in the nutrition and healthcare industry . Watch how the case unfolds, including: Structuring a US market entry problem Sizing the diabetes supplement market Evaluating retail vs. direct sales channels Asse...

Send us Fan Mail Get the insider’s view on consulting recruitment in the United Kingdom for 2025. In this episode, we cover market trends, 3 recruiting power moves, and a salary preview for top firms like McKinsey, Bain, and OC&C. You’ll learn: Why where you study matters more than what you study The true recruiting timeline for UK firms (hint: it starts earlier than you think) What entry-leve...

Send us Fan Mail Chili’s just posted five straight quarters of growth and a 39% sales jump, bucking the trend in a struggling casual dining sector. On today’s Market Outsiders , Jenny Rae and Namaan unpack what’s behind Chili’s surge and why its real competition may be McDonald’s and Chick-fil-A, not Outback or Applebee’s. They also explore how Chili’s is threading the needle on pricing strategy,...

Send us Fan Mail Mental math is one of the most misunderstood (and feared) parts of the case interview. In this live Case Math Masterclass, we show you how to turn it into a strength. You’ll learn the 3 types of case math you’ll encounter, the 4-step process to master each one, and how firms actually evaluate your quantitative skills. Plus, watch a live demonstration to see what excellent case mat...

Send us Fan Mail Too many candidates spend their prep time chasing rare case interview curveballs. The truth is, most interviews follow a predictable pattern. Over 95% of cases include the same five question types. In this episode, we break down exactly what they are and how to handle each one - from your opening structure to your final close. Skip the fluff, focus your practice, and give yourself...

Send us Fan Mail Stock buybacks are hitting all-time highs in 2025, led by big banks and tech giants like Apple and Alphabet.  In this episode, Namaan and Jenny Rae unpack what a buyback is, why companies do it, and what this surge signals about corporate balance sheets, sector trends, and the strength of the U.S. economy. Links: Investopedia : What is a Buyback? Wall Street Journal : American Com...

Send us Fan Mail Get the latest recruiting scoop you can’t afford to miss. In this Recruiting Intel Drop, we break down McKinsey interview timing, Bain’s creative case format rollout, and key application deadlines for MBB and top boutique firms. Whether you’re an undergrad, non-MBA master’s student, or advanced degree candidate, you’ll hear exactly what’s happening right now — and what to expect i...

Send us Fan Mail Interview coming up fast? Don’t panic. This episode breaks down exactly how to prepare for a case interview when you’ve got 7 days or less.  Learn the 4-step plan our most successful candidates use to prep under pressure, plus what not to waste time on. Whether you're just getting started or need a reset, this is your last-minute roadmap to case success. Need help fast? Our e...

Send us Fan Mail Yum! Brands beat expectations in some areas - but it wasn’t enough.  Today, Jenny Rae and Namaan break down why positive same-store sales at Taco Bell still set off alarms, how KFC and Pizza Hut are dragging the portfolio, and what investors and operators often miss when they celebrate “growth.” They explore: The real meaning behind Yum’s earnings miss Why brand-level performance...

Send us Fan Mail The first five minutes of your case interview matter most. In this live-recorded masterclass, learn how to structure your case like a pro and impress from the start. In this episode: What MBB firms look for in a 2025-ready case structure How to build and deliver a tailored 4x3 structure under pressure A live demo with real-time scoring and expert feedback Download the free prep pl...

Send us Fan Mail Starbucks is ditching its pickup-only and drive-thru-only stores. CEO Brian Niccol says they “lack warmth” — but is that really the reason?  In today’s Thursday Market Outsiders , Namaan and Jenny Rae break down the surprising move and whether it’s a smart brand strategy or a costly operational mistake.  Listen in to learn what this shift signals for loyalty, in-store experience,...

Send us Fan Mail Watch as a former BCG consultant - Raghav - leads a candidate through a real-time case interview focused on cost reduction for a defense contractor. This live case tests structuring, market sizing, math under pressure, and strategy formulation. You’ll learn how to: Break down a cost-focused BCG-style case Handle unfamiliar industry contexts like defense manufacturing Structure a w...

Send us Fan Mail A slow-moving popcorn line sparked today’s conversation, but what it uncovered was a masterclass in business strategy. Jenny Rae and Namaan dig into Garrett Popcorn’s iconic brand, operational bottlenecks, and surprising pricing tactics. They also explore what Garrett’s isn’t doing - and what it could - plus how SkinnyPop’s explosive growth started with the same insight: there’s r...

Send us Fan Mail Katie Neff’s path to consulting was anything but typical. After 8 years in the Marine Corps, she pivoted through a dual degree at Columbia and went on to land a role with BCG in the Middle East. In this conversation, Katie unpacks how she: Built a strong consulting resume Navigated hidden BCG networking opportunities Mastered case interview prep with the Black Belt program Nailed...

Send us Fan Mail Tesla has opened a diner in Los Angeles - and it’s not just about burgers and fries. In today’s episode, Namaan and Jenny Rae explore the business strategy behind this bold move and why the diner could be more than a gimmick. They break down how Tesla might use this concept to test robotics, integrate charging infrastructure, and experiment with a new kind of customer experience -...

Send us Fan Mail Are you an engineer or in another technical field wondering if consulting could be your next move?  In this episode, Jenny Rae breaks down exactly how engineers can successfully transition into consulting. She explains why firms value your analytical skills, what makes engineers both great and challenging hires, and the extra experiences that set you apart.  Additional resources t...