Strategy Simplified

<p>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.</p>

S21E23: TMT Consulting in 2025: The AI Reality Check + What Firms Want in Candidates

Send us a text AI is everywhere in TMT — but in late 2025, the hype is fading and the real question is simple: what’s the ROI? Rick Wilmot (ex-McKinsey) sits down with leaders from Bain (Ron Kermisch), Capgemini Invent (Karl Bjurstrom), Strategy& (Dan Hays), and Altman Solon (Gregor Eichler) to unpack what TMT clients want now — and what it takes to win offers in this space. You’ll hear what’s changing across tech and telecom: the post-hype AI reality check, shifting talent strategy, telc...

12-17
56:45

S21E22: 1,600+ MBB Exits Analyzed: The 5 Trends Shaping Consulting-to-Industry Moves

Send us a text Where do McKinsey, Bain, and BCG consultants go after they leave? We analyzed 1,600+ MBB exits to build a live map of where opportunity is compounding — and which skills the market is paying a premium for. In this episode, Namaan breaks down the 2025 MBB Exit Opportunity Analysis and the 5 trends shaping where consultants go next. You’ll learn: The top industries hiring ex-MBB in 2025Why most exits go private (not public)Which roles accelerate the move into operating leadership...

12-12
11:46

S21E21: Did Thrive Market Just Ditch Its Profit Engine?

Send us a text Thrive Market just became the first major online grocer to drop alcohol completely, and the internet is cheering… but the business case isn’t what it seems. In this episode, we break down the real reasons behind the move, what the data actually says about drinking trends, and why households, not individuals, tell the true story. We cover: Why “54% of adults drink alcohol” is the wrong metric for retailersThe hidden logistics + regulatory friction behind alcohol shippingHo...

12-10
27:15

S21E20: Bain Manager’s 2-Month Guide to MBB Prep (and What Candidates Miss)

Send us a text What does it really take to break into MBB — especially if you’re starting late? In this conversation, ex-Bain manager and case coach Abi Chen breaks down the exact 2-month strategy that helped her go from “I just learned what consulting is” to landing a Bain offer. She shares the principles that top candidates consistently get right — and the myths that hold everyone else back. You’ll learn: How to diagnose your readiness (and what most candidates overlook)Why drills mat...

12-10
40:15

S21E19: Netflix’s $72B Warner Bros Gamble

Send us a text Netflix just shocked Hollywood with a $72B bid for Warner Bros, the biggest media deal of the decade. But behind the headlines is a fight over market share, regulation, and the future of streaming. In this episode, we break down: Why Netflix is suddenly willing to buy instead of buildHow HBO, Warner Bros, and gaming change Netflix’s strategyThe regulatory risk (and why Trump and Paramount matter)Whether this deal can ever pay for itselfWhat this means for the future of streamin...

12-08
32:28

S21E18: Adobe Certification: Skills That Open Doors in Tech & Consulting

Send us a text Unlock the skills that set candidates apart in tech, strategy, and consulting. In this live conversation, Namaan talks with Adobe leaders Shawn Loutensock and Nick Hilton about how Adobe DX (Digital Experience) certifications help career seekers build practical, job-ready skills. If you're exploring tech, strategy, consulting, or a mid-career pivot, this episode breaks down why digital experience skills matter — and how certification can give you a real edge. You’ll lea...

12-05
01:04:47

S21E17: BCG Candidate-Led Case: Should This Airline Go Credit Card Only?

Send us a text In this BCG case interview, ex-BCG Principal and case coach Tauseef Charanya leads a live, candidate-led walkthrough of an airline profitability case: should the client switch to credit-card-only in-flight payments? Follow along as Bao works through clarifying questions, a customized profitability framework, structured math, and a clear final recommendation — plus hear Tauseef’s expert coaching on what “good” looks like at BCG. Learn how to: Build a tailored framework under p...

12-03
42:19

S21E16: Landing a Consulting Job in China (2025 Edition)

Send us a text Want to land a consulting role in China? This episode breaks down what makes the 2025 recruiting process one of the most competitive and unique in the world. We cover: How applications, assessments, and interviews differ in mainland China vs. Hong KongWhy bilingual skills, academic strength, and international exposure matter more here than almost anywhere elseWhat to expect from digital assessments, group cases, and market-specific interview themes2025 salary benchmarks across ...

11-28
06:01

S21E15: Why Best Buy Is Winning When Everyone Expected It to Die

Send us a text Best Buy was supposed to be dead. Instead, it just raised its full-year sales and earnings outlook. In this episode, Jenny Rae and Namaan dig into why Best Buy is outperforming in a “K-shaped” economy, even as everyone keeps blaming the consumer and inflation. They break down: How Best Buy is still winning on laptops, gaming, and smartphonesWhy AI-enabled laptops and new consoles are quietly driving an upgrade cycleThe role of predictable sale moments (Prime Day, back-to-school...

11-26
28:37

S21E14: Sophomore Consulting Recruiting Roadmap: Access, Ability, & Acceleration

Send us a text Sophomore year feels early to think about consulting — but it’s actually the perfect time to get ahead. In this episode, MC coach Kabreya Ghaderi breaks down a simple roadmap using the 3A framework: Access, Ability, and Acceleration. You’ll learn how to: Choose the right firms and officesBuild a focused networking planAvoid the “spray and pray” approach most candidates fall intoKabreya also shares how to strengthen your resume, find meaningful sophomore-year experiences, and st...

11-26
58:12

S21E13: 2025 Europe Consulting Recruitment Guide – Language, Pay, and Prestige

Send us a text Want to land a consulting role in Europe? This episode breaks down the 2025 recruiting landscape across a region where language, prestige, and pay vary widely. We cover: How language requirements differ across marketsWhy school pedigree still matters in EuropeCompensation ranges across major cities and firmsKey timelines, assessments, and cultural expectationsFor the full playbook, download Management Consulted’s 2025 Europe Consulting Recruitment Roadmap – free. It incl...

11-21
06:04

S21E12: Why Bath and Body Works Lost Its Scent With Shoppers

Send us a text Bath and Body Works used to own the mall fragrance space. Now traffic is shrinking, margins are squeezed and a new CEO is blaming the old playbook. In this episode, we break down what went wrong and whether the turnaround plan has a real shot. We cover: How chasing “adjacent” categories like shampoo and laundry backfiredWhy discounting destroys price integrity in a brand-led businessThe missed opportunity in e-commerce and Amazon resellersWhat Bath and Body Works can learn from...

11-20
33:11

S21E11: What You’re Not Hearing About Education Consulting (Panel)

Send us a text What’s really happening behind the scenes in education consulting right now? In this panel, Ish (ex-BCG) sits down with Mark Finlan (Huron), Laura Brookhiser (L.E.K.), and Miriam El-Baz (Grant Thornton Stax) for a fast, unfiltered look at how top firms are navigating a rapidly shifting education landscape. You’ll hear how these firms are responding to enrollment pressure, the return of standardized testing, AI’s influence on academic integrity, and the growing role of pri...

11-19
51:32

S21E10: Can Panera’s Turnaround Plan Actually Work?

Send us a text Panera used to dominate fast casual. Now traffic is falling and leadership is scrambling to turn it around. In this episode, we unpack: How cost cutting changed salads, sides, and the in-store experienceWhy menu complexity and pricing confuse customersThe barbell strategy Panera is betting on for its comebackWhat we’d do differently on pricing, testing, and customer researchA practical breakdown of what happens when spreadsheets win over the customer experience. Partner Links: ...

11-18
39:45

S21E9: What Ending the Penny Mint Means for Prices

Send us a text The U.S. stops minting new pennies. Cost savings help, but do second-order effects matter more? We dig into: Why it cost ~4¢ to make 1¢$56M savings vs real economic impactRounding rules, cash users, and pricing behaviorCard mix, tipping culture, and “two-way door” policyA quick, practical look at what this means for consumers and businesses. Partner Links: Learn more about NordStellar's Threat Exposure Management Program; unlock 20% off with code BLACKFRIDAY20 until Dec. 10, 20...

11-14
21:28

S21E8: How Giovanni Navigated Visas and Networking to Earn His BCG Miami Offer

Send us a text What does it take for an international, non-target student to land a full-time offer at MBB? Giovanni Coeli joins us to share the exact playbook he used to overcome visa hurdles, stand out as a non-target candidate, and earn his offer at BCG Miami. In this episode, Giovanni breaks down: His intentional networking systemHow he identified the right offices (and why Miami won)The diplomatic approach he used to build internal supportHis case prep strategy and go-to drillsThe bigges...

11-14
36:26

S21E7: The MBA1 Playbook to Land an MBB Consulting Internship

Send us a text Getting into consulting as an MBA1 isn’t luck – it’s strategy. In this episode, Katie Neff – Management Consulted’s Black Belt Advisor – walks through the exact roadmap to land an MBB consulting internship. With McKinsey, Bain, and BCG internship applications due November 13, now is the moment to take action. From crafting a standout consulting resume to building a smart networking plan and mastering case prep, Katie breaks down what separates successful candidates from t...

11-12
53:36

S21E6: Inside the Company Powering the AI Boom

Send us a text CoreWeave isn’t OpenAI or Nvidia, but it’s powering both. We unpack how this lesser-known company became essential to the AI ecosystem, including: What CoreWeave actually does and why it mattersHow $55B in backlog signals explosive demandWhy data centers, not apps, may define the next AI waveWhat an “AI capex bubble” could look likeA fast, insightful breakdown of the infrastructure race behind AI’s biggest players. Partner Links: Learn more about NordStellar's Threat Expo...

11-11
29:37

S21E5: Why Holiday Hiring Is Down But Sales Aren’t

Send us a text Retailers plan the lightest holiday hiring since the Great Recession, but spending is still projected to top $1T. We dig into: Why demand smoothing and e-comm shift cut seasonal rolesHow “slower” in-store flow can increase basket sizeWhat segmentation and channels mean for labor needsWhy tariff headlines often overstate price impactActionable takeaways for leaders on staffing, ops, and margin protection. Partner Links: Learn more about NordStellar's Threat Exposure Management P...

11-07
20:39

S21E4: Consulting’s Big Shift: October 2025 Market Breakdown

Send us a text The consulting market just flipped. Bonuses are tightening, hiring is shifting toward AI-savvy talent, and clients now demand proof of impact. In this episode, Andrew breaks down the key findings from Management Consulted’s October 2025 Consulting Industry Report — including bonus changes, firm acquisitions, private equity trends, and where firms are hiring now. Download the full report here. Are you currently working in management consulting? Take this quarter's Sentime...

11-07
07:35

Recommend Channels