Bloomberg Intelligence McKinsey Plots Thousands of Job Cuts in Slowdown for Consulting Industry
Dec 15, 2025
Shridhar Natarajan, Bloomberg's chief Wall Street correspondent, delves into McKinsey's revenue stagnation and massive job cuts amid a slowing consulting market. Jennifer Rie explores Netflix's regulatory hurdles in its bid for Warner Bros. Discovery, examining legal risks and antitrust concerns. Zeke Faux investigates the meme coin phenomenon tied to Trump, revealing a murky trading network. Meanwhile, Drew Reading provides insights on homebuilding forecasts for 2026, shedding light on challenges in the housing market.
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McKinsey's Growth Plateau And Lean Shift
- McKinsey's revenue has essentially flatlined around $15–16 billion over recent years despite being a dominant firm.
- Shridhar Natarajan says the firm recognizes internal bloat and plans to get leaner heading into its centennial period.
Use Client Retention As A Value Signal
- Expect repeat clients and blue-chip relationships to justify consulting value beyond obvious prescriptions.
- Use client retention as a signal that McKinsey provides substantive, not merely rote, advice according to Shridhar Natarajan.
Geopolitical Shifts Hurt Consulting Demand
- China and Saudi Arabia present divergent challenges for Western consultancies.
- Shridhar Natarajan notes China pushes homegrown firms while Saudi cutbacks and controversies reduce growth opportunities.