Categories
Frameworks

Systems Thinking: Don’t Just Collect Info, Build a System

In an era of constant connectivity and digital overload, knowledge is no longer scarce, it’s overwhelming. With every screen swipe, notification alert, or trending topic, we’re surrounded by a relentless flood of information. What used to be a quiet process of deliberate learning has now become a firehose of fragmented content. In this environment, developing […]

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Consulting Industry

Invisible Value: Why Companies Spend Millions on Consulting

When I first learned about the consulting industry, I encountered a question that continues to resonate deeply: What exactly is the value of consulting? At first glance, the idea seems paradoxical. Business founders have built companies from scratch, and surely no one knows a business better than a seasoned executive. So, why would these people […]

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Career Advice

Consulting Edge: What Top Firms Actually Want

Management consulting is often perceived as a career path reserved for top-tier graduates from elite business schools, equipped with perfect résumés and polished interview skills. In reality, while credentials matter, they are only one part of a much broader equation. What truly distinguishes a strong candidate in consulting is not just academic excellence, but structured […]

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Career Advice

Career Launchpad: Success in Your First 90 Days

Receiving a full‑time offer marks a pivotal moment in the MBA journey, yet it is merely the beginning of a strategic process. Careful evaluation of multiple opportunities, thoughtful negotiation, and deliberate planning for the first months on the job distinguish candidates who merely accept an offer from those who accelerate their trajectory from day one. […]

Categories
Internships

Beyond the Internship: How to Secure Your Full-time Offer

Securing a coveted summer internship is just the beginning of the journey. The real milestone lies in parlaying that experience into a full‑time offer. This article outlines how MBA candidates can set clear objectives, stand out from the crowd, demonstrate impact, evaluate offers, and maintain momentum beyond the internship to ensure a seamless transition into […]

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Career Advice

Consulting Success: How to go from Application to Job Offer

Moving from a well-crafted resume and robust network to an actual job offer requires a sharpened focus on application materials and interview readiness. The key lies in developing a cover letter that commands attention, assembling an interview toolkit that builds your confidence, and engaging in realistic practice sessions to refine your delivery. By treating each […]

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Career Advice

Career Exploration: How to Achieve Job Search Success

Beginning the MBA job search can feel like stepping onto a vast ocean without a compass. You know you want to find a fulfilling role, but where should you focus your energy first? Rather than diving straight into applications, take a moment to pause and reflect. By clarifying what truly energizes you, identifying your core […]

Categories
Networking

Networking: How to Build Connections for Career Success

In the competitive landscape of B-school and MBA recruiting, success depends not only on a polished resume or a well-practiced case interview but equally on the depth and quality of your professional relationships. Strategic networking and employer engagement can transform passive job searches into active career-building endeavors. By conducting disciplined research, approaching events with purpose, […]

Categories
Consulting

Breaking into Consulting from a Humanities Background

The world of consulting can feel daunting, especially to those from a non-STEM background. It’s often impenetrable flurries of business jargon and mysterious systems of highly competitive spring weeks, internships, and grad schemes can be confusing, if not alienating to humanities students. However, firms such as McKinsey, Bain, BCG and the Big Four all actively […]

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Career Advice

Consulting Bucket List: 3 Paths to Try Before You Settle

You’ve done your time in consulting: built models, led client calls, mastered the slide deck, and maybe even picked up a travel pillow that lives in your carry-on. But what comes next? What are you most passionate about? After solving everyone’s problems, what really drives you? If you’re at a career crossroads, you’re not alone. […]

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Career Advice

Beyond Profit: The Role of Consultants in Social Impact

Being a management consultant isn’t all about sizing the market and increasing profitability for a mattress, meatpacking, or home care company. It’s about structured problem-solving to ensure that all types of clients can operate effectively. In this article, we will define social impact consulting, how it differs from traditional aspects of management consulting, how you […]

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Career Advice

College Athletes: Trained for the Game, Built for Business

When I think of my favorite colleagues throughout my career, it stands out that they are disproportionately former college athletes. I have seen the advantages of athletics really translate into the professional business setting – grit, teamwork, time management, and more. It is also no secret that super competitive roles (e.g. investment banking or consulting) […]

Categories
Interviews

Behavioural Interviews: Shaping the Narrative to Pivot Roles

Behavioral interviews are a mainstay of the hiring process. They’re designed to dig into how you think and operate – not in theory, but in real-world situations. Behavioural interview questions often start with: “Tell me about a time when…” or “Give an example of…” and are based on a simple premise: past behavior is one […]

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Career Advice

Debunking Six Consulting Recruitment Myths

The journey to break into the competitive world of consulting can feel like navigating a maze of myths and misconceptions. From GPA requirements, the need for strong business acumen, and the challenge of acing the case interview, aspiring consultants can become discouraged. This article debunks six common myths about consulting recruitment to help candidates from […]

Categories
Frameworks

Superfans: Building Loyalty with Effective Marketing

In today’s fast-evolving digital marketplace, success is no longer about how many people you reach — it’s about reaching the right audience with precision and impact. The days of mass communication are behind us. Instead, brands are focusing on personalized, customer-centric strategies that build long-term loyalty through relevance and resonance. At the heart of this […]

Categories
Skills, Tips, and Tactics

Mastering Client Expectations in Management Consulting

Mastering client expectations is one of the most crucial skills in management consulting. Well-managed client relationships lead to better results, long-term trust, and increased retention. When expectations are misaligned, projects can quickly become derailed, leading to frustration, missed deadlines, and even scope creep, continuous or uncontrolled growth in a project’s scope. It’s important to strike […]

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Career Advice

Breaking Into the World of Consulting: A Guide for Students

Consulting is a career many students don’t discover until university, yet it’s one of the most popular paths after graduation. What exactly do consultants do, and how can you prepare yourself to succeed as a student? What do consultants do? One of the key roles of consultants is to help businesses solve their most complex […]

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Career Advice

From Student to Standout: Navigating Your First Career Steps

Graduating from college is a significant milestone, often filled with excitement, relief, and anticipation for the future. However, as the initial thrill fades, many new graduates find themselves facing the daunting task of transitioning from the familiar academic environment to the uncharted waters of the corporate world. This shift can be challenging, but with the […]

Categories
Frameworks

Value Net: A New Framework for Competitive Strategy

Companies are often fixated on one goal: beating the competition. The traditional view of strategy frames business as a zero-sum game — if you win, your competitors must lose. But as industries evolve and disruption becomes the norm, this adversarial mindset is becoming outdated. The most successful companies aren’t just focused on defeating their rivals. Instead, […]

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Career Advice

Leadership Edge: Your Soft Skills Set You Apart

In my career, I’ve often seen technical expertise — what we call “hard skills” — acclaimed as the cornerstone of professional success. While this is true to a degree, I’ve learned that it’s not enough. The ability to navigate complex challenges, influence stakeholders, and inspire teams requires something more: soft skills. Skills like effective communication, […]

Categories
Frameworks

The Priority Matrix: Staying on track with tasks

One of the biggest mistakes project managers and founders make is chasing every feature customers suggest. Customer understanding is key to good product design. We often rush out to gather feedback, returning with endless lists of “must-have” features. However, these features aren’t always what customers need — they’re just what they think they want. Acting […]

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Career Advice

From STEM to Consulting: Crafting Your Personal Brand

For STEM-oriented PhDs looking to break into consulting, the pathway might seem shrouded in mystery. The good news? You already possess the analytical skills, problem-solving mindset, and discipline that the industry demands. A previous article outlined a still relevant framework for making the transition. In this article, we will expand on those ideas to focus […]

Categories
Frameworks Startups

The Map of Life: How to tell your product story

One of the hardest challenges I have faced is communicating a product vision to others. Without a common vision, you can never truly lead a team. I overcame this challenge by leaning on a framework introduced to me by a mentor—a tool that has unlocked numerous hackathon finals. There’s no better way to spend your […]

Categories
B-School / Consulting Clubs

Art of the Ask: How to Get a Standout MBA Recommendation

In a previous article, I discussed how MBA recommendation letters are a crucial component of the overall application. This process can often feel daunting, particularly when you’re asking someone to support you while you’re preparing to leave their company. What is required of MBA recommendation letters Typically, recommenders will need to respond to several questions […]

Categories
B-School / Consulting Clubs

GMAT Prep: Why Shortcuts Fall Short and Dedication Delivers

As mentioned in a previous article, most business schools require either a GMAT or GRE score for their MBA programs. These test scores typically account for about 20% of the overall application. Many students have shared stories of peers who studied for just two weeks and achieved high scores. However, based on my own experience […]

Categories
B-School / Consulting Clubs

Consultants – A dime a dozen for MBA Applications

Standing out in an MBA application involves a strategic approach to showcasing your unique qualities and experiences. With thousands of management consultants applying to top MBA programs each year, consulting is one of the most overrepresented candidate pools, alongside finance. Entering class statistics at US M7 schools (2025) US M7 school Total class size (2025) […]

Categories
Interviews

Case Interviews: How to Stand Out in the Crowd

Consulting case interviews are a critical part of the hiring process for many top consulting firms. They are designed to assess a candidate’s problem-solving abilities, analytical skills, and ability to think on their feet. Preparing for these interviews can be daunting, but with the right strategies and mindset, you can overcome this challenging hurdle. In […]

Categories
Consulting Industry

Career Launchpad: The value of joining an MBB Firm

During my undergraduate education, I was always mesmerized by the sessions run by the MBB consulting firms: McKinsey, BCG, and Bain. Having worked at a boutique consulting firm and a Big 4 firm, I always sensed that the MBB experience was distinct. My friends at MBB firms have unique opportunities, such as travelling the world […]

Categories
B-School / Consulting Clubs

Navigating Business School: A Guide for Incoming Students

Starting university as a business student is an exciting and transformative experience. You’re about to embark on a journey that will shape your future career, and the opportunities available to you are vast. From academics to extracurriculars, internships, and even your own entrepreneurial ventures, the possibilities seem endless. However, with so much on your plate, […]

Categories
B-School / Consulting Clubs

MBA Sweet Spot: How to Dream Big and Apply Smart

The MBA journey is a deeply reflective process, centered around understanding your goals and aspirations. Being honest with yourself about your strengths and weaknesses is crucial in determining how you measure up and which schools are the best fit for you. While targeting M7 schools is an admirable goal, it’s important to diversify your application […]

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B-School / Consulting Clubs

MBA Countdown: Timing for Your MBA Application Package

After years of planning for your MBA, you will eventually reach the stage that involves completing the MBA application package. This includes compiling your background information, reflecting on your goals and aspirations, writing essays, and securing recommenders. Below I’ve outlined key tasks to consider starting 12 months before application deadlines. 9-12 months before application deadline […]

Categories
B-School / Consulting Clubs

The MBA Journey: Forging a Path That Sets You Apart

I was always inspired by students who graduated from top MBA programs. Through several internships and networking opportunities, I met many individuals from these programs who thoroughly enjoyed their experiences. As a result, I knew that I wanted to pursue an MBA after completing my undergraduate business degree in 2018. Over the past few months, […]

Categories
Career Advice

Beyond the Numbers: The Strategic Value of Data Scientists

In today’s data-driven world, the role of a data scientist has become increasingly crucial across various industries. From technology and finance to healthcare and marketing, data scientists are at the forefront of extracting meaningful insights from vast amounts of data. This article explores what data scientists do, the impact they have, and how you can […]

Categories
Career Advice

Flip the Script: Six Steps to Reinvent Your Career

Embarking on a career switch can be both exhilarating and daunting. Whether you’re seeking new challenges, pursuing a long-held passion, or responding to changes in your industry, transitioning to a new career path requires strategic decision-making. In this short article, we’ll explore the six (6) essential steps that you can follow to help you navigate […]

Categories
Consulting Industry

In the Fast Lane: A day in the life of an MBB consultant

Business students and prospective consulting candidates often ask me what life is like as an MBB consultant. The answer can vary significantly depending on the client, project, and team. However, I wanted to provide a glimpse into a typical day during a longer-term client project to give you a better understanding of what your daily […]

Categories
Consulting Industry

Incentives vs Integrity: The BCG Bribery Scandal

Between 2011 and 2017, Boston Consulting Group (BCG), which is one of the world’s leading management consulting firms, engaged in high level bribery in Angola. BCG has admitted to paying millions in bribes to secure contracts with the Angolan Ministry of Economy and the National Bank of Angola. The misconduct orchestrated by employees in BCG’s Lisbon […]

Categories
B-School / Consulting Clubs

From MBB to MBA: Why an MBA Still Matters

I have often heard from leaders at MBB firms that management consulting is a close substitute for an MBA program. From my experience at one of the MBB firms and now as an MBA candidate, I want to share the similarities that I have found between being an MBB consultant and doing an MBA, whether […]

Categories
B-School / Consulting Clubs

MBA Admissions Consultants – A must have?

In my last series of publications, I shared my opinions on the MBA and the key elements of an MBA application package. However, when it comes to actually applying to schools, it can often be a daunting task. I found that reading articles and watching YouTube videos only provided high-level, general advice, not something specific […]

Categories
B-School / Consulting Clubs

Global MBA Rankings – What do they really mean?

MBA rankings are a significant factor for many prospective students when choosing a business school. However, understanding the methodology behind these rankings, their significance, and how to interpret them is crucial for making an informed decision. In this article, we will delve into global MBA rankings and provide guidance on how to use or not […]

Categories
Career Advice

Dare to Ask: The Art of Negotiating a Job Offer

Negotiating a job offer can be a daunting task, but it is a crucial skill to master in today’s competitive job market. Whether you’re entering the workforce for the first time or looking to advance your career, negotiating effectively can make a significant difference to your salary, benefits, and overall job satisfaction. In this article, […]

Categories
B-School / Consulting Clubs

8 Key Elements of Your MBA Application Package

In the previous article, I provided a high-level overview of the MBA landscape. Now, I will delve deeper into each component of the MBA application package. The key application components, along with their estimated importance weights, include: Standardized tests (GMAT or GRE) – 20% Academic transcripts – 18% Resume – 15% Letters of recommendation – […]

Categories
B-School / Consulting Clubs

The MBA: Navigating Your Professional Education

If you are a business student or working professional, terms such as “MBA”, “M7” and “GMAT” may be familiar. For me, I never seriously considered pursuing an MBA until my final year of undergraduate studies. Now as an experienced professional, I want to share the potential significance of pursuing an MBA and offer guidance on […]

Categories
Career Advice Startups

Startup Experience: A Must for Every Young Professional

In my journey from university to the professional world, I, like many of my peers, initially gravitated towards the allure of prestigious roles in consulting or finance. These fields promise versatility, growth opportunities, and the potential for exciting career transitions. However, what my undergraduate business program failed to emphasize was the often-overlooked world of startups—particularly small businesses that operate outside […]

Categories
Consulting Industry

David and Goliath: How Boutique Firms Triumph

In recent years, the consulting industry has witnessed a significant shift, with boutique consulting firms emerging as competition against their larger counterparts. This trend towards specialization and personal service is reshaping the landscape, offering clients a unique blend of niche expertise, agility, competitive pricing, and strong relationships that big-name consultancies struggle to match. In this […]

Categories
B-School / Consulting Clubs

Unlocking the GRE: Your Gateway to Graduate Success

The Graduate Record Examination (GRE) is a standardized test widely used for admissions into various graduate and business programs across the globe. Understanding what the GRE is, how it aids in unlocking master’s programs, particularly MBAs, and effective preparation strategies is crucial for prospective graduate students. In this article, we’ll delve into the key aspects […]

Categories
Skills, Tips, and Tactics

Beyond Bullet Points: A Guide to Structured Consulting Decks

In the fast-paced world of management consulting, effective communication is key. As consultants strive to convey complex ideas, strategies, and recommendations, a well-crafted slide deck is an invaluable tool. In this article, we will explore a simple structure that you could follow to break down the layout of a consulting slide deck. 1. The Problem […]

Categories
Interviews

The Consulting Interview: Skills That’ll Set You Apart

Securing a consulting position involves passing through a rigorous process that goes far beyond a mere evaluation of your technical expertise. Consulting firms are keen to identify candidates who not only possess the required knowledge, but also exhibit specific skills that are crucial for success in the industry. In this article, we’ll delve into the […]

Categories
B-School / Consulting Clubs

GMAT: A Strategic Guide to Effective Preparation

The GMAT is a necessary hurdle that individuals who aspire to pursue an MBA or a graduate degree in finance need to overcome in order to gain admission to a top school. The GMAT assesses a wide range of skills, from analytical writing to quantitative and verbal reasoning. Success on the GMAT requires a well-thought-out […]

Categories
Skills, Tips, and Tactics

Managing Meetings: How to Drive Productivity and Success

Meetings can either be a powerful catalyst for collaboration and decision-making or a drain on time and productivity. Whether you are in consulting, strategy, operations, or product management, the ability to manage meetings effectively is a crucial skill that can significantly impact the success of your endeavors. In this short article, we will explore strategies […]

Categories
Consulting Industry

5 Strategies for Success in Product Management

In the competitive, fast-paced, and ever-evolving landscape of technology and business, the role of a product manager is pivotal. A great product manager is not just a project coordinator, they are visionaries, strategists, and leaders. In this short article, we will delve into five key strategies that can help you become a great product manager. […]