Strategy Simplified
Management Consulted
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.
Episodes
Mentioned books
Aug 11, 2026 • 34min
S24E7: MBA Case Prep in 2–4 Weeks: An Ex-Bain Interviewer's Plan
Mitali Jalan, former Bain interviewer and LBS MBA who prepped for interviews in under four weeks. She explains why more cases alone fail, outlines a four-step fast prep sequence, and pinpoints the blind spots peer practice misses. Expect practical tips on compressing timelines, must-do drills, and when to seek expert feedback.
Aug 7, 2026 • 10min
S24E6: McKinsey Solve Game 2026: What It Is and How to Prepare
A breakdown of McKinsey Solve, the gamified screening that tests critical thinking, trade-offs, systems thinking, and decision speed. Practical logistics on invitations, timing, and scenario formats. Clear prep tips on time management, reading instructions, focusing on relevant data, making decisions with incomplete information, and optimizing your test environment.
22 snips
Aug 6, 2026 • 47min
S24E5: McKinsey Case Interview Example: Electric Truck Market Entry
George Cary, former McKinsey engagement manager who now coaches live cases. He walks through a market-entry study for an electric truck launch. They build a consultant-style framework, run full total-cost-of-ownership math, and debate pricing and go-to-market choices. Real-time coaching highlights how to turn good structure into standout recommendations.
Aug 5, 2026 • 18min
S24E4: She Bombed MBB Her First Try – Then Landed 2 Offers the Next Time
Katie Neff, MC Black Belt advisor and former BCG VP of Consumer Experience, coaches candidates on case prep and recruiting strategy. She recounts Sharon’s turnaround from failing first-round interviews to landing McKinsey and Bain. Conversation covers why peer-only practice can fail, the power of structured skill rebuilding, a three-pronged training plan, and when to bring in expert coaching.
Jul 31, 2026 • 9min
S24E3: 3 Questions That Kill Your Case Interview Opening
A deep dive into the first two minutes of a case interview and why the opening is scored. Tips on note taking and how to restate the problem concisely. Mistakes that expand scope and weaken your position. How to ask clarifying, hypothesis-driven questions to keep the case focused.
Jul 29, 2026 • 8min
S24E2: How Consulting Firms Really Score Case Interviews
A breakdown of how consulting firms actually score interviews, comparing component-by-component rubrics to three-bucket systems. A clear list of what gets graded: openings, structure, math, brainstorming, closing, or structure, problem solving, communication. Advice on why repeating cases can widen gaps and how targeted drills fix weak spots.
Jul 24, 2026 • 6min
S24E1: The Hottest Consulting Sectors to Target in 2026
Hiring surges in energy and utilities driven by infrastructure upgrades, AI asset optimization, and regulatory change. Private equity is shifting toward hands-on value creation and execution roles. Healthcare needs experts for digital modernization and regulatory work. Consumer and retail are focused on AI-led monetization and value-chain optimization. Firms are paying premiums for sector specialists with implementation and AI fluency.
Jul 22, 2026 • 29min
S23E30: Why Retail Consulting Firms Are Losing Market Share
A breakdown of why consumer and retail consulting splintered into four specialist lanes. Discussion of how fragmented data, tech, and customer demands forced firms to specialize. Exploration of tying AI to concrete outcomes like pricing and margins. Look at private equity’s role in reshaping demand and career advice for aligning with specific lanes.
Jul 17, 2026 • 24min
S23E29: How to Build Business Acumen for Consulting
Tauseef Charanya, a former BCG consultant who ran 300+ case interviews and coached hundreds, breaks down how to build business judgment for consulting. He highlights why work experience alone fails, contrasts surface case skills with deeper hypothesis-driven thinking, and outlines a four-layer model plus what to juggle when performing under pressure.
Jul 15, 2026 • 13min
S23E28: How to Use AI in Case Prep (And How Not To)
AI in case prep can become a trap when used as a shortcut. The conversation covers firms piloting AI interviews and what they will evaluate. Common mistakes are highlighted: skipping hypothesis-driven thinking, trusting AI outputs blindly, and failing to produce a single supported recommendation. Practical tactics include directing AI like a junior analyst, structuring prompts, training skepticism, and using AI to fill targeted gaps.
