Strategy Simplified

Send us a textPanera 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:Learn more about NordStellar's Threat Exposure Management Program; unlock 20% off with code BLACKFRIDAY20 until Dec. 10, 2025Episode LinksPanera lost diners by cutting portions and staff. It’s reversing course to win them back (CNBC)Jewelry business that implemented updated pricing strategy Chapters 03:16 Personal Experiences with Panera06:11 Panera's Business Challenges08:50 Consumer Trends and Market Forces11:46 Menu Complexity and Customer Experience14:48 Cost-Cutting Measures and Their Impact18:38 The Role of Younger Consumers21:28 Panera's Turnaround Strategy24:05 Operational Challenges and Brand Management27:00 Pricing Strategies and Customer Perception29:56 Lessons from Other Brands32:52 Thoughts on Panera's Future37:13 The Barbell Pricing Strategy37:55 Consumer Sentiment and Market PositioningMaking Good: Small Business Marketing PodcastMaking Good helps you do better marketing so you can make a bigger impact. If you’re...Listen on: Apple Podcasts   SpotifyConnect With Management Consulted Schedule free 15min consultation with the MC Team. Watch the video version of the podcast on YouTube! Follow us on LinkedIn, Instagram, and TikTok for the latest updates and industry insights! Join an upcoming live event - case interviews demos, expert panels, and more. Email us (team@managementconsulted.com) with questions or feedback.

Exciting news: a flash sale is happening, offering 50% off the All Access Pass! This includes a crucial McKinsey Solve practice test, available for a limited time. The All Access Pass is packed with resources like digital assessments, 600+ cases, and nine video courses. Learn why the McKinsey assessment is a game-changer for candidates. Plus, get access to drills, chatbot cases, and expert videos. Don't miss the chance to enhance your preparation at a fraction of the cost before the sale ends!

The U.S. has halted minting new pennies, sparking a lively discussion on cost savings and broader economic impacts. Hosts explore how production costs and rounding rules could affect prices and inflation. Cash users, nostalgia for the penny, and regulatory challenges are also examined. The cultural significance of the penny raises questions about its future in a digital age. Ultimately, they reflect on decision-making lessons and the implications for businesses and consumers alike.

Giovanni Coeli, an incoming associate at BCG Miami, shares his inspiring journey as a non-target international candidate. He discusses his intentional networking system, emphasizing the importance of early outreach and building connections. Giovanni details how he selected the Miami office based on its culture and mentorship opportunities. He provides invaluable visa advice for international candidates and outlines his structured case prep strategy. Plus, he debunks myths about needing a target-school background to secure offers at top firms.

Send us a textGetting 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 the rest.Additional Resources:Prep smarter with our Black Belt program — includes digital assessment practice tests for MBBBuild a standout, MBB-ready resume using our free Consulting Resume TemplateSharpen your skills with our 600+ Case Library and master the 10–40 case rule Katie covers in this episodePartner Links:Learn more about NordStellar's Threat Exposure Management Program; unlock 20% off with code BLACKFRIDAY20 until Dec. 10, 2025Making Good: Small Business Marketing PodcastMaking Good helps you do better marketing so you can make a bigger impact. If you’re...Listen on: Apple Podcasts   SpotifyConnect With Management Consulted Schedule free 15min consultation with the MC Team. Watch the video version of the podcast on YouTube! Follow us on LinkedIn, Instagram, and TikTok for the latest updates and industry insights! Join an upcoming live event - case interviews demos, expert panels, and more. Email us (team@managementconsulted.com) with questions or feedback.

Send us a textCoreWeave 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 Exposure Management Program; unlock 20% off with code BLACKFRIDAY20 until Dec. 10, 2025Chapters 02:57 CoreWeave's Financial Performance and Market Position05:52 Understanding CoreWeave's Role in AI Architecture08:34 Customer Relationships and Demand for AI Infrastructure11:33 Competitive Landscape and Capital Requirements14:10 The Bubble Discussion: AI Market Dynamics17:03 National Security and Data Center Infrastructure20:36 CoreWeave's Business Strategy and Future OutlookMaking Good: Small Business Marketing PodcastMaking Good helps you do better marketing so you can make a bigger impact. If you’re...Listen on: Apple Podcasts   SpotifyConnect With Management Consulted Schedule free 15min consultation with the MC Team. Watch the video version of the podcast on YouTube! Follow us on LinkedIn, Instagram, and TikTok for the latest updates and industry insights! Join an upcoming live event - case interviews demos, expert panels, and more. Email us (team@managementconsulted.com) with questions or feedback.

Send us a textRetailers 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 Program; unlock 20% off with code BLACKFRIDAY20 until Dec. 10, 2025Chapters00:30 Holiday Season Retail Trends06:12 E-commerce Impact on Retail Hiring11:51 Customer Experience and Retail Staffing18:42 Understanding Consumer Spending DynamicsConnect With Management Consulted Schedule free 15min consultation with the MC Team. Watch the video version of the podcast on YouTube! Follow us on LinkedIn, Instagram, and TikTok for the latest updates and industry insights! Join an upcoming live event - case interviews demos, expert panels, and more. Email us (team@managementconsulted.com) with questions or feedback.

Send us a textThe 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 Sentiment Survey.Additional Resources:Listen daily on Market Outsiders for fast consulting market updatesWant to stand out in this competitive market? Get personalized coaching through our Black Belt programPartner Links:Learn more about NordStellar's Threat Exposure Management Program; unlock 20% off with code BLACKFRIDAY20 until Dec. 10, 2025Connect With Management Consulted Schedule free 15min consultation with the MC Team. Watch the video version of the podcast on YouTube! Follow us on LinkedIn, Instagram, and TikTok for the latest updates and industry insights! Join an upcoming live event - case interviews demos, expert panels, and more. Email us (team@managementconsulted.com) with questions or feedback.

Send us a textThe 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.Partner Links:Learn more about NordStellar's Threat Exposure Management Program; unlock 20% off with code BLACKFRIDAY20 until Dec. 10, 2025Chapters00:40 Understanding the Government Shutdown03:26 Impact on Airlines and Air Travel06:02 Business Leadership During Crisis07:06 Operational Strategies for Airlines11:35 Customer Relations and CommunicationConnect With Management Consulted Schedule free 15min consultation with the MC Team. Watch the video version of the podcast on YouTube! Follow us on LinkedIn, Instagram, and TikTok for the latest updates and industry insights! Join an upcoming live event - case interviews demos, expert panels, and more. Email us (team@managementconsulted.com) with questions or feedback.

Send us a textPinterest 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. Partner Links:Learn more about NordStellar's Threat Exposure Management Program; unlock 20% off with code BLACKFRIDAY20 until Dec. 10, 2025Chapters03:12 Pinterest's Earnings Report and Ad Revenue Concerns06:25 The Impact of Tariffs on Pinterest's Business Model08:57 Competition from Chatbots and AI in User Engagement11:53 The Future of Pinterest: AI-Powered Shopping Assistant14:54 Challenges of Being an Intermediary in the Age of AI17:47 Potential for Pinterest to Become a TastemakerMaking Good: Small Business Marketing PodcastMaking Good helps you do better marketing so you can make a bigger impact. If you’re...Listen on: Apple Podcasts   SpotifyConnect With Management Consulted Schedule free 15min consultation with the MC Team. Watch the video version of the podcast on YouTube! Follow us on LinkedIn, Instagram, and TikTok for the latest updates and industry insights! Join an upcoming live event - case interviews demos, expert panels, and more. Email us (team@managementconsulted.com) with questions or feedback.