Case Interview Preparation & Management Consulting | Strategy

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601: Winning in the age of digital and AI (with McKinsey senior partner, Kate Smaje) Aug 09, 2023

Show notes

Welcome to an interview with the author of REWIRED: The McKinsey Guide to Outcompeting in the Age of Digital and AI, Kate Smaje. The book REWIRED delivers a road-tested, how-to manual that Mckinsey consultants use to help companies build the capabilities to outcompete in the age of digital and AI. It reveals the learnings from large companies around the globe for succeeding at the six core elements of a digital transformation—strategy, talent, operating model, technology, data, and adoption and scaling capabilities.

Kate Smaje is a senior partner in McKinsey's London office. She co-leads the McKinsey Digital practice globally and is a member of McKinsey's Shareholders Council, the firm's board of directors. She works with senior executives to deploy the power of data, digital culture and capabilities, and modernized core technology. She also has firsthand experience as a chief technology officer across core technology, digital product management and innovation, and cybersecurity work. In addition to her work with McKinsey, Kate is a trustee of Tommy's, the children's charity.

Get Kate's book here: https://rb.gy/cs72z

REWIRED: The McKinsey Guide to Outcompeting in the Age of Digital and AI. Eric Lamarre, Kate Smaje, Rodney Zemmel.

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600: Watching cases vs. listening to cases (Case Interview & Management Consulting classics) Aug 07, 2023

Show notes

For this episode, let's revisit a Case Interview & Management Consulting classic where we speak about learning cases through listening and watching. When learning cases, it is far more effective to watch a person on Skype or in person. The problem with merely practicing over the phone or another verbal format is that you cannot observe crucial mannerisms or allow your practice partner to observe you. The only time practicing verbally makes sense is when you have a very experienced person working with you and they can infer things about your performance based on their experience. We advice most clients to practice in person should the opportunity present itself.

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599: Neat calculation sheets are important (Case Interview & Management Consulting classics) Aug 02, 2023

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For this episode, let's revisit a Case Interview & Management Consulting classic where we explain why neatness and writing style is so important. It is really surprising how little care candidates take in writing in an appealing way, considering that is all the interviewer can see for the 30-45 minute case. Neat writing will not get you an offer, but it can be an annoying distraction both to you and the interviewer.

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598: Mathematical precision hurts (Case Interview & Management Consulting classics) Jul 31, 2023

Show notes

For this episode, let's revisit a Case Interview & Management Consulting classic where we speak about mathematical precision.

As counter-intuitive as this sounds, mathematical precision in cases hurts most candidates. Many candidates focus heavily on being mathematically correct because it is far easier to see if your answer of $230MM is the same as the prescribed answer of $250MM. It is human nature to focus on what can be easily measured versus focusing on what should be measured. Candidates tend to confuse mathematical precision with being analytic. They are not the same and candidates should focus on being analytic, as explained in this podcast.

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597: Speaking advice for cases (Case Interview & Management Consulting classics) Jul 26, 2023

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For this episode, let's revisit a Case Interview & Management Consulting classic where we speak about communication skills. If you read forums worldwide everyone is obsessed with cracking the case. Yet, most people cannot communicate like a consultant. We hope by reading this post, candidates spend an equal, if not more, time focusing on their communication skills as well. If you cannot speak like a consultant, you cannot be a consultant.

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596: Failing to Provide Sufficient Case Detail (Case Interview & Management Consulting classics) Jul 24, 2023

Show notes

For this episode, let's revisit a Case Interview & Management Consulting classic where we speak about case details. Candidates are typically surprised to hear they have been declined for not providing sufficient details in a case interview. It usually surprises them since they believe they have provided more than enough case information detail. The difference comes down to how consulting firms define "detail". They are looking for facts and the relationships between issues, while candidates tend to speak in broader terms and are not very good at identifying and explaining the linkages between issues.

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595: So-what rule for FIT and writing (Case Interview & Management Consulting classics) Jul 19, 2023

Show notes

For this episode, let's revisit a Case Interview & Management Consulting classic where we speak about the so-what rule for FIT and writing. When thinking through a possible FIT / PEI or cover letter response, most candidates settle on the first idea that comes to mind. Future edits of this idea do not alter the idea, but merely rearrange the wording. That is a bad idea. We use the so-what rule when testing candidates. For their responses we constantly ask "so-what" until the candidate arrives at the core reason for their decision / answer. That core reason is what we want candidates to use.

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594: Offering case solutions too early hurts you (Case Interview & Management Consulting classics) Jul 17, 2023

Show notes

For this episode, let's revisit a Case Interview & Management Consulting classic where we speak about case solutions. Candidates sometimes prefer to be cautious and offer a solution earlier rather than waiting to fully flesh out the drivers and key issues in a case. The problem with this approach is that if you offer a solution before identifying the problem, it raises concerns to the interviewer about your thinking processes - how can you offer a solution before identifying the problem? This podcast describes this issue in much more detail.

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Enjoying this episode? Get access to sample advanced training episodes here: www.firmsconsulting.com/promo

593: The future of AI (with Former Microsoft executive & CEO of Snowflake, Bob Muglia) Jul 12, 2023

Show notes

Welcome to an interview with the author of The Datapreneurs: The Promise of AI and the Creators Building Our Future, Bob Muglia. In this book, Bob helps us understand how innovation in data and information technology has led us to AI—and how this technology must shape our future.

Bob Muglia is a data technology investor and business executive, former CEO of Snowflake, and past president of Microsoft's Server and Tools Division. As a leader, Bob focuses on how innovation and ethical values can merge to shape the data economy's future in the era of AI. He serves as a board director for emerging companies which seek to maximize the power of data to help solve some of the world's most challenging problems.

The Datapreneurs: The Promise of AI and the Creators Building Our Future. Bob Muglia and Steve Hamm. https://www.amazon.com/Datapreneurs-Promise-Creators-Building-Future/dp/1510778411 Connect with Bob Muglia: Website: https://www.thedatapreneurs.com/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/bob_muglia?lang=en LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bob-muglia-714ba592/

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Enjoying this episode? Get access to sample advanced training episodes here: www.firmsconsulting.com/promo

592: How to transform anxiety into power (with Harvard's Dr. Luana Marques) Jul 10, 2023

Show notes

Welcome to an interview with the author of Bold Move: A 3-Step Plan to Transform Anxiety into Power. Bold Move is Dr. Luana Marques' unique, tried and tested method to get you out of your rut and give you the courage to create a more confident and meaningful life. Dr. Luana pinpoints the anxiety at the root of avoidance and shows you how to overcome it and achieve your goals.

Dr. Luana Marques is an Associate Professor of Psychiatry at Harvard Medical School (HMS) and the Director of Community Psychiatry Program for Research in Implementation & Dissemination of Evidence-Based Treatments at Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH). Dr. Marques is a national and international expert in Cognitive Behavioral Therapies (CBTs) and a leader in increasing access to scientifically rigorous mental health practices. Her decades of clinical and research experience implementing evidence-based practices encompass all types of roles and settings, from front-line staff to CEOs, diverse communities to organizations, both in the US and globally. Dr. Marques is the Former President of the Anxiety and Depression Association of America (ADAA). Connect with her online at drluana.com or follow her on Twitter at @DrLuanaMarques

Get Luana's book here: Bold Move: A 3-Step Plan to Transform Anxiety into Power. Dr. Luana Marques: https://www.amazon.com/Bold-Move-3-Step-Transform-Anxiety-ebook/dp/B0BFX423SN?ref_=ast_author_dp

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