Strategy Simplified

Send us Fan Mail In today’s Market Outsiders , Namaan and Jenny Rae explore two seemingly unrelated stories - NVIDIA’s blockbuster earnings and a surprising twist in the avocado market - and uncover a common business thread. They break down: Why NVIDIA’s continued dominance reveals both strength and potential vulnerability How California avocado growers are benefiting from more competition, not le...

Send us Fan Mail You may have seen the headlines: “McKinsey lays off 10% of its staff.” But is that really what happened?  In this episode, we unpack the viral Financial Times story and cut through the hype to uncover what’s actually going on inside McKinsey. We explore: Why the 10% figure is misleading How voluntary attrition, tighter performance standards, and AI-driven efficiencies are reshapin...

Send us Fan Mail **Update: BCG has released application deadlines - see here . Apply when ready! --------------- Rumors are swirling as Boston Consulting Group remains unusually quiet about its 2026 summer recruiting plans.  Unlike McKinsey and Bain, who announced their deadlines months ago, BCG has yet to name recruiting leads or open applications for undergrad and Master’s roles.  In this episod...

Send us Fan Mail In the fourth installment of our 10-part “Intro to Casing” series, we dive into a profitability case from L.E.K. Consulting that centers on Best Boots, a billion-dollar American footwear company.  With aggressive competition from Cuffee Shoes in the work boot segment, Best Boots must decide: defend their position or shift focus to casual boots? Join Ed as he analyzes market data,...

Send us Fan Mail Booz Allen Hamilton just dropped a bombshell - cutting 2,500 jobs in one of the largest workforce reductions in its history. What’s behind this sudden move? In this episode, MC COO Namaan Mian unpacks the sharp slowdown in federal civilian contracts, the government’s tightening grip on consulting spend, and what it all means for Booz Allen’s future. Join Namaan as he breaks down t...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Strategy Simplified, we chat with Brad Kuntz, Senior Managing Director at Stax, to get a real look at what makes the firm tick.  Brad shares how Stax’s private equity focus, small-team model, and fast-paced culture set it apart - and what that means for consultants at every level. We dive into his career path, a surprising case in the industrial sector, and what...

Send us Fan Mail In this extended Market Outsiders live episode, Namaan and Jenny Rae cut through the noise on tariffs, premium pricing, and why Nike’s betting on affluent consumers. The duo break down a weak 20-year Treasury auction and rising U.S. bond yields - signaling investor concerns over fiscal health and global competition.  Plus, they dive into Nike’s surprising return to Amazon after a...

Send us Fan Mail Thinking about transitioning from law to consulting? You’re not alone. In this episode of Strategy Simplified , we break down exactly how to move from law school to consulting - or from legal practice into a top-tier consulting role.  We answer the most common questions from aspiring consultants with JD backgrounds: Are consulting firms actually interested in lawyers? Where do you...

Send us Fan Mail In this Tuesday Market Outsiders episode, Jenny Rae and Namaan break down Home Depot’s claim of holding prices steady despite new tariffs - while Walmart hikes prices. They dig into Home Depot’s first earnings miss since 2020, stagnant basket sizes, and whether strong employment and rising home values are really sustaining consumer spending.  From supplier pressure to diversificat...

Send us Fan Mail In the 3rd installment of our Intro to Casing series, we tackle a profitability case from Kearney focused on boosting tourism revenue for a West African country's Ministry of Tourism. This case will sharpen your ability to break down profitability problems - a core skill in consulting. Follow along as Ed applies structured thinking, analyzes data, and explores strategies to i...

Send us Fan Mail In this Monday Market Outsiders , Namaan and Jenny Rae break down why U.S. Treasury yields hitting 5% could shake up markets - from stocks to real estate - as investors chase risk-free returns. They also analyze Moody’s downgrade of U.S. debt from AAA, driven by ballooning deficits and Washington’s failure to rein in $36 trillion in national debt. Instead of panic, the duo calls f...

Send us Fan Mail Case interview math doesn't have to be scary - if you know the formulas.  In this episode, we break down the 7 essential math formulas every candidate must master to succeed in consulting interviews. Tune in to learn: The difference between gross profit, EBIT, and EBITDA How to calculate market size and share Why ROI is a must-know for M&A and investment cases & more...

Send us Fan Mail In this Thursday Market Outsiders , Namaan and Jenny Rae analyze Walmart’s price hikes amid looming tariffs, noting an increase in U.S. sales and an e-commerce surge as signs of consumer strength.  Jenny Rae then draws business acumen lessons from a rodeo, spotlighting Quanta Services, a $25B electrical contractor behind utility power lines, discovered via a sponsor flag.  They ex...

Send us Fan Mail Former BCG consultant Jason Riddell leads a live case interview focused on a struggling deli department at a national supermarket chain. With stagnant profits, the deli business needs a turnaround strategy - and it’s up to the candidate to crack the case. Follow along as the candidate tackles structuring, analysis, mental math, and data interpretation under pressure, just like in...

Send us Fan Mail In this Tuesday episode of Market Outsiders , Namaan and Jenny Rae dissect the April CPI data, showing a lower-than-expected core inflation rate, signaling stability despite tariff uncertainties.  Jenny Rae then shares a jarring McDonald's visit, with empty dining areas and sluggish service, pointing to operational hiccups rather than inflation-driven consumer retreat. Compar...

Send us Fan Mail The price of our flagship case coaching program, Black Belt, goes up by $200 on Wednesday May 14. Purchase now to join the program at the lowest price it will ever be in the future. Don't need all of the services now? Don't worry - unused services never expire! Connect With Management Consulted Create a free MC account or download the MC app ( Apple , Android ) to start...

Send us Fan Mail U.S. / China trade tensions thaw as the economic powers drop reciprocal tariffs and agree to further talks. How are business leaders responding? What does it mean for investors? What do we expect to happen next? Tune in! Join Market Outsiders live every weekday at 9:15AM ET on LinkedIn and YouTube - and now, episodes are also available on Strategy Simplified every Monday, Tuesday,...

Send us Fan Mail Continue the Intro to Casing mini-series with a BCG profitability case. Join Ed and Jenny Rae as they walk through a full case example in real time - showing you how to structure, calculate, and communicate under pressure. Whether you’re new to casing or brushing up before interviews, this 10-part series will help you build the habits of top performers. Additional Resources Black...

Send us Fan Mail What does it really take to land a post-MBA consulting offer at a top-tier firm? In this episode, we pull back the curtain with a panel of successful candidates who scored offers at firms like Bain, McKinsey, BCG, Deloitte, and A&M. You’ll hear firsthand how they navigated a tough job market, prepped for case interviews, evaluated offers, and ultimately stood out in a competit...

Send us Fan Mail In this solo episode of Market Outsiders , Jenny Rae dives into the market’s reaction to the Federal Reserve’s decision to hold interest rates steady, signaling caution amid tariff-driven uncertainty.  She also shares a personal story about her boutique winery in Northern California, breaking down the surprising costs of wine production - particularly how tariffs on imported bottl...

Send us Fan Mail What do a South Korean tech giant and an iconic American candy maker have in common? More than you might think.  In this edition of Business Breakdowns , Jenny Rae Le Roux and Namaan Mian explore the business models behind Samsung and The Hershey Company - two very different brands navigating a rapidly evolving global landscape. You'll discover: How each company actually make...

Send us Fan Mail In this segment of Market Outsiders , Namaan and Jenny Rae discuss the upcoming Federal Reserve meeting and the potential implications of interest rate decisions on the economy.  They explore differing opinions on whether rates should be cut or raised, the impact of these decisions on everyday life, particularly regarding auto loans and housing markets, and the broader economic ou...

Send us Fan Mail Kick off our Intro to Casing mini-series with a classic market sizing case, just like you’d get at Accenture or other consulting firms. Join Ed and Jenny Rae as they walk through a full case example in real time - showing you how to structure, calculate, and communicate under pressure. Whether you’re new to casing or brushing up before interviews, this 10-part series will help you...

Send us Fan Mail If you're an incoming MBA student targeting consulting, this episode is a must-listen.  We break down what pre-MBA programs are, which firms offer them, who they’re designed for, and - most importantly - when the deadlines hit.  The first one is just two days away on May 4, so don’t miss your shot to get a head start on recruiting. Additional Resources Pre-MBA program deadlin...

Send us Fan Mail If you want to present like a top consultant, mastering just 4 slide types can dramatically elevate your communication and impact.  In this episode, we break down the 4 essential slides every consultant, strategist, and business leader should know: SCQ (Situation-Complication-Question): The storytelling framework that sets up your narrative Executive Summary: The slide that tells...