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. Chapters 00:30 Holiday Season Retail Trends06:12 E-commerce Impact on Reta...
Send us a text The FAA just announced flight cuts at 40 U.S. airports, all tied to the government shutdown. In this bonus episode: Why air traffic control staffing is reaching a breaking pointHow airlines like Delta and United will decide what to cancelWhat smart leaders do when government policy hits business operationsA quick 15-minute breakdown on policy, pressure, and decision-making when the skies (and D.C.) shut down. Chapters 00:40 Understanding the Government Shutdown03:26 Impact on...
Send us a text Pinterest just had one of its worst trading days ever, and blamed tariffs. We dig into what’s really behind the drop: Why ad revenue might be a Pinterest problem, not a tariff problemHow user behavior has shifted away from “mood board” cultureWhat it would take for Pinterest to stay relevant in an AI-driven shopping worldPlus, Namaan and Jenny Rae debate whether Pinterest’s next move is reinvention or acquisition. Chapters 03:12 Pinterest's Earnings Report and Ad Revenue...
Send us a text What separates candidates who crush their case interviews from those who fall short? Former Bain consultant Jenny Rae Le Roux reveals the #1 habit that top performers share – and it’s not about frameworks or math. If you’re preparing for McKinsey, BCG, Bain, or any consulting interview, this is the mindset shift that changes everything. Additional Resources: Work 1:1 with an MBB coach through our Black Belt program for personalized prep that gets you from practice to offe...
Send us a text In this Bain case interview, ex-Bain consultant and coach Juliane Hoss walks through a profitability case on franchising small gyms. Listen as she guides a candidate through structuring, quant, and communication – and hear expert coaching along the way on how to think (and sound) like a Bain consultant. Learn how to: Clarify objectives and criteria of success earlyPrioritize profit levers with confidenceCommunicate like a top-tier consultantWhether you’re gearing up for f...
Send us a text Namaan and Jenny Rae break down PayPal’s new integration with ChatGPT and what it means for e commerce. They cover how checkout could live inside AI, who wins and loses across retailers and suppliers, and why PayPal’s first dividend signals a new chapter. They also map OpenAI’s business model today. Subscriptions. Enterprise licensing. Future transaction fees. Possible ads. What shifts when 800 million people use ChatGPT weekly. Chapters 03:24 The E-commerce Landscape and...
Send us a text Jenny Rae was told she had the *worst case interview ever.* Her McKinsey mock interview was a total disaster. The feedback from her friend at McKinsey? Cancel the real interview or prepare harder than ever. In this episode, Jenny Rae shares how she went from bombing that mock to becoming Bain’s #1 recruit on the East Coast. You’ll hear the exact prep strategy she used, the case interview mistakes that almost cost her everything, and how she turned it all around. Additiona...
Send us a text UPS posted a surprise beat and a bold turnaround. Jenny Rae and Namaan break down where the 34,000+ cuts land, why Amazon volume fell 21 percent, and how route consolidation, asset light moves, and small business focus could reshape holiday shipping. We also cover tariffs and the de minimis change, plus why supply chain consulting is set to boom. Chapters 02:58 Understanding UPS's Business Model and Challenges05:57 UPS's Turnaround Strategy and Job Cuts09:01 Financial Per...
Send us a text Interviews coming up? This episode is your shortcut to consulting interview success. 3 Management Consulted case coaches – Ish Mawla (BCG), Mark Di Giorgio (McKinsey), and Tobe Ofili (Bain) – join forces to share their best insider advice on how to fix common case interview mistakes and avoid sabotaging your prep. They reveal how to: Build structures that flex beyond memorized frameworksImprove fast, accurate mental mathBalance behavioral and case prep effectivelyHandle nerve...
Send us a text Step inside the 2025 Consulting Change Maker Awards, where we spotlight the consultants redefining impact in today’s industry. This high-energy ceremony features leaders from Portage Point Partners, Clarkston Consulting, FTI Consulting, and more – trailblazers transforming teams, clients, and firm cultures. Whether you’re leading a team, mentoring others, or mapping your next career move, this episode will inspire you to think bigger about what’s possible. Additional Reso...
Send us a text Pokémon and Taylor Swift trading cards are making a billion-dollar comeback, and Target and Walmart are cashing in. Jenny Rae and Namaan break down what this craze says about retail strategy, consumer behavior, and the strength of the U.S. shopper heading into the holidays. Links Mentioned Pokémon, sports trading card boom boosts Target, Walmart ahead of holiday season (CNBC)Labubu Dolls and the Business of Scarcity (previous episode)GM stock soars 15% as automaker raises...
Send us a text Nestlé just announced 16,000 job cuts, one of the largest in modern CPG history. Jenny Rae and Namaan break down what this massive restructuring says about the company’s new strategy, how it mirrors the playbooks of Kraft Heinz and Hershey, and what it reveals about the future of global consumer brands. They unpack how Nestlé defines “winning,” why the market rewarded layoffs, and what every business leader can learn about growth, portfolio management, and decision-making under...
Send us a text Tauseef spent a decade at BCG, rising to Principal and leading AI transformation and go-to-market strategy projects across the globe. In this convo, he breaks down exactly how to stand out in today’s competitive recruiting landscape. You’ll learn: How Tauseef secured offers from BCG, McKinsey, and moreWhat separates candidates who land offers from those who don’tThe X factor that will make you unforgettable in interviewsHow to design your consulting experience once you’re in th...
Send us a text Walmart is making a push on U.S. manufacturing, and says it’s good business. Today, Jenny Rae and Namaan break down what’s signal versus spin, where onshoring can actually cut costs, and why category-by-category moves matter more than headline percentages. We get into supplier power, inventory timing, vertical integration in beef, and pharma basics like bringing amoxicillin back onshore. Plus, a personal investing lesson from Jenny Rae’s grandmother: buy what you never plan to ...
Send us a text In this case example, former McKinsey consultant Ravi Chandra leads a profitability case in Greece’s cheese industry – with a real candidate tackling it live before an audience. Listen as Ravi tests structuring, math, and communication under pressure, while offering real-time coaching and feedback. You’ll learn how to: Build clear, MECE frameworksTackle profitability casesTurn math into actionable insightsAvoid common pitfallsWhether you’re prepping for McKinsey, BCG, or ...
Send us a text Delta just posted blockbuster earnings, and it’s not because more people are flying. Jenny Rae and Namaan unpack how Delta’s $8B profit engine runs on premium seats, credit card partnerships, and a bet on wealthy travellers. They dive into what makes Delta’s “premium economy” the most profitable cabin in the sky, why Buffett once got airlines wrong, and how rivals like United and Southwest are scrambling to catch up. Links mentioned in the episode: Fortune magazine articleDelta...
Send us a text In this special 2025 panel, 4 top supply chain consulting firms – Chartwell, Clarkston Consulting, Kearney, and The Kormac Group – join Management Consulted to explore how AI, automation, and shifting global demand are changing the industry. Hear directly from firm leaders on: How AI is being used in practice to improve efficiency and decision-makingWhat skills firms are hiring for right nowHow to break into supply chain consulting in 2025The biggest misconceptions about consul...
Send us a text In this episode, the tables are turned! Instead of asking the questions, MC COO Namaan Mian is in the hot seat - interviewed by Emily Watkins, Senior Marketing Manager at Integreon. We dive into the future of storytelling in a world obsessed with AI and efficiency, and why human connection is still the ultimate competitive advantage. From avoiding “death by PowerPoint” to bringing analog warmth into our digital-first relationships, we explore what it really takes to...
Send us a text What if you didn’t go to a target school? What if you’re an international student who needs sponsorship? Does that mean MBB is out of reach? Michael Liu is living proof that the answer is no. In this episode, Japheth sits down with Michael, an undergraduate student from Taiwan who defied the odds to land a BCG internship. Michael shares the exact steps he took to break in, including: How he built a powerful networking strategyOvercame the sponsorship hurdlePrepared for both cas...
Send us a text Warren Buffett is still making big moves at 95 years old. His latest play? A $10 billion bet on OxyChem, the petrochemical arm of Occidental. In this episode of Market Outsiders, Namaan and Jenny Rae unpack what makes this deal stand out. They break down the financial engineering behind it, why debt reduction matters in today’s macro climate, and how it fits into the broader Buffett Playbook. From shareholder buybacks to Buffett’s trademark “handshake” style, this is a m...