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
Feb 20, 2026 • 16min
S22E16: Top Consulting Firms 2026 – New Ranking & Industry Trends
A new 2026 ranking of the top 40 consulting firms and how it was built. A breakdown of five evaluation metrics used to judge firm performance. The rise of sector specialists versus generalists and why specialization is winning. Fast-growth areas to watch like PE, AI-driven transformation, healthcare, and energy transition. Practical tips for building a 5–8 firm target list based on career goals.
Feb 18, 2026 • 7min
S22E15: Consulting Unpacked | The Worst Mistake In My First Month at Bain
Jenny Rae, a management consulting professional and mentor, tells a candid early-career story from her first month at Bain. She discusses why being unstaffed is a hidden opportunity. She explains how early visibility, office presence, and small proactive actions shape staffing and promotion. Practical first-week behaviors to avoid falling behind are highlighted.
Feb 16, 2026 • 38min
S22E14: Build-A-Bear Should Be Dead. So Why Is It Thriving?
They unpack why a mall-based stuffed-animal chain is thriving in an AI world. Conversation covers customization as the real product and how add-ons drive pricing power. They examine the surprising financials and which growth levers matter. Discussion explores moves beyond malls into parks, partnerships, and digital experiences.
Feb 13, 2026 • 58min
S22E13: Waymo Growth Strategy Showdown – World Cup Finals 2026
Team 81 lead presenter — proposed a Sunbelt rideshare focus plus healthcare mobility to hit a 2030 revenue target. Team 69 lead presenter — pitched an uptime-first city expansion prioritizing utilization over coverage and defended pricing and profitability choices. They debate city selection, utilization versus coverage, healthcare pilots, and phased rollouts in high-pressure live Q&A.
Feb 11, 2026 • 9min
S22E12: Consulting Unpacked | The Interview Question That Kills Offers
A deep dive into why asking about work–life balance can tank your candidacy and what that question actually signals. Discussion of the three traits of better end‑of‑interview questions: positive, specific, and personal. Breakdown of what firms care about instead of balance, plus the reality of year one in consulting and how to rephrase your closing questions.
Feb 9, 2026 • 34min
S22E11: Jennifer Garner’s IPO Bet on Once Upon a Farm
A deep dive into why a single-brand baby food company pursued an IPO instead of a sale. A look at refrigerated organic product economics, supply-chain and retail constraints. Exploration of distribution strategies, capital choices, and whether celebrity branding can drive long-term scale. Scenarios for growth, acquisition prospects, and what comes next for the business.
Feb 6, 2026 • 48min
S22E10: McKinsey Case Interview Example – College Football Expansion
Ritten, an MBA candidate with prior government experience, tackles a McKinsey-style college football expansion case. He structures costs, revenues, and risks in short clear steps. He runs the math on student fees, tickets, and stadium scenarios. He weighs a 25,000-seat build against financial and strategic tradeoffs.
Feb 4, 2026 • 21min
S22E9: Recruiting Reality Check | PhD Phil + The “Reading = Readiness” Illusion
They unpack why skimming case books creates fake confidence and stalls progress. They outline the three core building blocks of effective case prep: theory, applied practice, and real-time feedback. They stress drills for math, structure, market sizing, and building business acumen. They warn about starting late and explain how targeted coaching and mock tools expose blind spots quickly.
4 snips
Jan 30, 2026 • 1h 2min
S22E8: Flat Base Pay, Rising Stakes – What 2026 Salary Data Signals for Consulting Recruiting
Discussion of why starting base pay is flat and what structural shifts drive that trend. Exploration of how firms move compensation into bonuses, benefits, and faster skill development. Analysis of AI, smaller teams, and new delivery models reshaping performance expectations. Breakdown of differences across firm types, geographies, and what candidates and universities should focus on.
Jan 28, 2026 • 40min
S22E7: Boeing Didn’t Win the Race – It Just Survived It
A deep dive into how Boeing’s rebound reflects survival inside an Airbus duopoly. They unpack long delivery timelines and how orders versus deliveries warp financials. The conversation highlights cash flow hurdles, what it would take to quintuple free cash flow, and manufacturing, supply chain, and contract levers that could reshape the company’s future.
