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Strategy Simplified is here to demystify the consulting industry and help you land your dream job in management consulting. Hosted by the expert team at Management Consulted - the world's largest resource for consulting news and interview prep - each episode covers topics related to the consulting world, from interview preparation and case study techniques to networking strategies and industry trends. Whether you're just starting your career or looking to make a transition, Strategy Simplified is the go-to resource for anyone looking to break into the consulting industry. With actionable advice, insider tips, and real-life success stories, this podcast is the ultimate guide to simplifying your career strategy and landing your dream consulting job.
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Send a text If you're a non-MBA advanced degree (PhD, MD, JD, PharmD, etc.), this is your roadmap into consulting. Bridge Programs are one of the fastest – and most misunderstood – paths into firms like McKinsey, BCG, Bain, L.E.K., ClearView, Oliver Wyman, and more. With 2026 deadlines upon us, timing matters. In this episode, we break down exactly how advanced degree candidates can win. You’ll walk away with: A clear understanding of how bridge programs work – and how they fast-track you t...
Send a text The 2026 Top Consulting Firms Ranking is officially live. After months of research, surveys, and industry analysis, we’ve narrowed the global consulting landscape down to the top 40 firms based on prestige, market positioning, growth prospects, candidate outcomes, and standing within the broader consulting market landscape. See the full 2026 ranking. In this episode, we break down: How we evaluate firms – and why this ranking is differentThe biggest 2026 consulting industry trends...
Send a text I went to the beach (literally) during my first month at Bain. Technically, I was allowed to. Strategically, it quietly hurt my early trajectory. In this episode of Consulting Unpacked, Jenny Rae breaks down the biggest mistake she made in her first month – and what she wishes she had done instead. You'll learn: Why “unstaffed” is a career opportunity – not time offHow early visibility and eagerness shape who gets the best projectsWhat to do in your first weeks to position yoursel...
Send a text In this episode of Market Outsiders, Jenny Rae and Namaan unpack one of retail’s most unexpected survivors: Build-A-Bear. Build-A-Bear is a mall-based stuffed animal retailer in an AI-driven world – and yet it’s a profitable public company with rising stock performance. We cover: What the company really sells – and how customization drives pricing powerWhat the financials reveal about profitability and scaleThe next move: U.S. focus, international expansion, or partnershipsA sharp...
Send a text Watch the top undergraduate and master’s teams in the 2026 Case Competition World Cup Finals go head-to-head in a live, high-pressure strategy showdown. 5 finalist teams take on The Waymo Challenge, presented by Grant Thornton Stax: build a 3–5 year growth strategy to scale Waymo’s autonomous ride-hailing business – without sacrificing safety, strong unit economics, or public trust. You’ll see: 5-minute pitches from undergrad/MS competitorsLive Q&A and evaluation from Celebrit...
Send a text Work–life balance is one of the most common concerns candidates have about consulting. It’s also one of the fastest ways to quietly take yourself out of the running. In this episode of Consulting Unpacked, Jenny Rae explains why asking about work–life balance in an interview sends the wrong signal – and what firms are actually optimizing for instead. Inside this episode: What firms really manage to (hint: it’s not balance)What interviewers hear when you ask about workloadHow to fr...
Send a text Once Upon a Farm went public, and the stock jumped. But this isn’t the standard path for a consumer brand. In this episode of Market Outsiders, Jenny Rae and Namaan examine why a single-brand baby food company chose an IPO instead of selling to a large CPG player - and what role Jennifer Garner’s involvement really plays in that decision. We break down the business fundamentals behind the headlines, from refrigerated supply chains to retailer economics, and question how much of th...
Send a text In this Strategy Simplified episode, you’ll hear a McKinsey case interview example built around a real-world investment decision. The client is a public university considering whether to add an inter-collegiate football program. Led by former McKinsey Senior Associate Jali Packer, this case challenges a candidate to assess costs, revenues, and strategic tradeoffs for a football program at a 10,000-student university in the Southern U.S. If you want to practice structuring an...
Send a text In this episode of Recruiting Reality Check, Katie Neff and Japheth Mast break down the real story of “PhD Phil” – a brilliant advanced degree candidate targeting consulting bridge programs who’s fallen into a common trap: confusing reading with readiness. In this episode, you’ll learn: Why reading case books creates false confidenceThe 3 pieces of the case prep puzzle (theory, practice, feedback)Why smart candidates still struggle without real applicationWhat effective case prep...
Send a text Flat base pay isn’t a blip – it’s a signal. In this episode, Namaan breaks down what new 2026 consulting salary data really means for recruiting, performance expectations, and how firms are reshaping compensation. You’ll learn: Why starting base pay is staying flat (and why it’s not about weak demand)How firms are shifting upside into bonuses, benefits, and faster skill-buildingWhat this means for candidates, university career centers, and consulting firms heading into 2026–...
Send a text Boeing’s rebound isn’t about brilliance. It’s about not losing in a brutal duopoly. In this episode of Market Outsiders, Jenny Rae and Namaan break down what Boeing’s post-crisis recovery really signals — and why its future depends less on innovation and more on execution over time. We cover: Why Boeing’s biggest advantage is the Airbus duopoly, not outperformanceHow long delivery timelines distort cash flow, pricing, and leverageWhat it would actually take for Boeing to reach $10...
Send a text If I had to break into consulting again today — starting from a clean slate — this is exactly how I’d do it. In this episode of Consulting Unpacked, Jenny Rae walks through the step-by-step strategy she would use to maximize her odds. You’ll learn: What to focus on first — and what most candidates waste time onHow to build real confidence for interviews (not just “prep”)The mindset shift that separates 80% outcomes from real offersThis is the playbook for candidates who don’t want...
Send a text Brex was once valued at $12.3B. Capital One just bought it for $5.15B. In today’s episode of Market Outsiders, Jenny Rae and Namaan break down why Capital One was willing to buy Brex at a $7B discount – and what the deal actually tells us about fintech valuations, banking strategy, and the future of credit cards. We unpack: Why the 50% cash / 50% stock structure reveals who really had leverageWhat Capital One is actually buyingWhether this is a smart buy vs. build move or a risky ...
Send a text In this short episode, Japheth Mast shares what’s new in the data – and what it means if you’re recruiting for consulting this year. You’ll hear 3 key takeaways from the report, including why starting salaries stayed flat, where compensation growth is happening, and how utilization trends are shaping hiring. 👉 Download the full 2026 Consulting Salary Report (free). Additional Resources: Get full prep support with Black BeltPartner Links: Learn more about NordStellar's Threat Expo...
Send a text What does it actually take to succeed in consulting — beyond frameworks and technical skills? In this episode of Consulting Unpacked, Jenny Rae Le Roux breaks down the five core skills consultants rely on every day — the same ones firms test for in case interviews and reward once you’re on the job. You’ll learn: Why structured thinking isn’t just about frameworksHow prioritization and communication separate top performers from everyone elseThe mindset that helps great consultants ...
Send a text College football isn’t just a game anymore, it’s a business. On this episode of Market Outsiders, Jenny Rae Le Roux and Namaan Mian break down how wins on the field translate into dollars off it, sparked by Indiana University’s surprising national championship run. From media deals and ticket sales to donations and NIL money, Namaan lays out the six revenue engines powering modern college football - and why performance is everything. Finally, Namaan and Jenny Rae explo...
Send a text Saks Fifth Avenue has filed for bankruptcy. After years of warning signs – including its Neiman Marcus acquisition and Amazon’s investment – the iconic luxury retailer is officially on life support. In this Market Outsiders episode, Namaan and Jenny break down what actually went wrong behind the headlines. They cover: Why the Neiman Marcus deal failed to deliver real synergiesHow junk-bond financing and cash-flow missteps pushed Saks into bankruptcyWhat happens next – and whether ...
Send a text What’s the real difference between an analyst, a manager, and a partner in consulting? In this episode of Consulting Unpacked, Jenny Rae Le Roux breaks down how consulting roles actually work — what changes as you move up, what each level is responsible for, and what firms value most at every stage. You’ll learn: What analysts, managers, and partners really do day to dayWhy being great at analytics isn’t enough as you move upHow expectations shift from execution to leadership to v...
Send a text What is consulting, really — and why do companies pay so much for it? In this first episode of Consulting Unpacked, Jenny Rae Le Roux (former Bain consultant and CEO of Management Consulted) breaks down consulting in 5 minutes, including: The difference between professional consulting and “single-shingle” consultingThe 4 core reasons companies hire consultantsThe 3 main types of consulting: strategy, tech, and operationsWhat it actually takes to succeed as a professional consultan...
Send a text The average new car now costs over $50,000, with monthly payments nearing $760. So how did Ford post its best U.S. sales year since 2019? In this episode of Market Outsiders, Namaan and Jenny Rae break down how Ford defied expectations in 2025 – despite tariffs, high rates, and weakening EV demand. They cover: Why 2025 may have been the first “normal” auto year since COVIDHow financing, hybrids, and product mix drove Ford’s outperformanceWhat Ford must change in 2026 as margins sh...
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