CONSULTING CLUB

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Agenda

 Structure
 Structure
 Structure
 And More Structure

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Team

 Paul Bednarczyk
 Russ Needham
 Nitin Malik
 Chad Plumb
 Nathan Windom

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 Case interviewing – Basic Steps

A GOOD APPROACH TO CASE INTERVIEWS INVOLVES FOUR STEPS

 Clarify  Structure  Analyze  Conclude

Ensure complete Develop a plan to solve the Request information and Synthesis findings
understanding of the problem test hypothesis
 Summarize the discussion
question/problem
 Describe your overall approach  Walk the interviewer through  Develop overall
 Listen closely to problem your thinking recommendations
 Break the problem into discrete
definition pieces/issues  Prioritize issues  Discuss trade-offs
 Ask questions to improve  State crisp hypotheses  State your hypothesis
understanding  Relate back to problem
 Use framework only if  Ask for a few relevant facts statement
 Paraphrase to confirm problem
appropriate  Suggest next steps
statement  State findings for your analysis
 Some information may be less  Refine your hypothesis
important
 Probe further if necessary

Source: McKinsey

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Case interviewing – Structure

Unstructured thoughts are difficult to communicate and remember

 List of grocery items I need to buy

 Apples
 Milk
 Bananas
 Spinach
 Carrots
 Grapes
 Butter
 Okra
 Eggs

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Case interviewing – Structure

On the other hand structuring seemingly random thoughts help you communicate better

Things I need to buy

for grocery shopping

Dairy Fruits Vegetables

Milk Butter Eggs Apples Bananas Grapes Spinach Carrots Okra

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Case interviewing - The Pyramid Structure

The Pyramid Structure helps to effectively structure communications

Governing Thought:
States the answer to
the question raised in
the readers mind
(hypothesis)

Key Line:
Major points
which, taken
together prove
the answer

Support:
Data and facts
which support
the key line

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Case interviewing – Sample Problem

Sample problem – How can we improve the rankings of Carlson School?

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Case interviewing – Sample Solution

Sample Structure of a problem we all can relate to

How can Carlson

School Improve its
rankings

How

By improving the
By improving the student By improving the quality of communication with the media
quality professors Conducting the rankings

How

Improve the quality Improving the quality of Hiring better Retain the good Proving accurate Provide data
of the intake experience at school profs profs data on time

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Case interviewing – THE MECE

Always Remember MECE – One phrase you cannot escape from in consulting….

Mutually Do any of the points overlap?

Exclusive

MECE

Collectively Have all possibilities been

Exhaustive covered?

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Case interviewing – New Market Entry (Sample Structure)

Key Question: Should we enter the market?

Should Budweiser
enter cigarette
market?

Can Budweiser make money What are the risks to the

How attractive is the industry?
in this market? existing business?

Customer Sales force Investment

Market size Growth Product
No. of players Segmentation/ stretched too thin too big
Differentiation
overlap

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 Case interviewing – (Market Sizing)

Size of the cigarette market in US

# cigarettes per # of cigarettes per

# of people # of smokers Total
AGE % that smoke week year
(in millions) ( in millions) (in billions)
( 50 weeks)

0-20 75 0

21-40 75 40% 30 30 1500 45

41-60 75 30% 22.5 20 1000 22.5

61-80 75 20% 15 10 500 7.5

Totals 300 75

Assumptions:
1. The population of USA is 300 million
2. The life expectancy is 80 years
3. The population is evenly distributed

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Case interviewing – New Market Entry (Sample Structure)

Key Question: How should we enter the market?

How should Cargill

enter seed business?

Do it alone – Start from scratch Acquire a company Set up a JV

Time consuming
But, full control Risky – Upfront premium and
& But, quick Less Expensive But, less control
And no baggage Integration costs
expensive

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Case interviewing – Profitability (Sample Structure)

EXAMPLE- STRUCTURING A “PROFIT” QUESTION

Etc.
Price
Revenues
Volume

Profits

Fixed
Costs
Variable

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 Case interviewing – M&A (Sample Structure)

The beaten down structure of profitability can be use in many situations

Should TATA Steel

buy Chorus?

What are the synergies? What are the risks of the

acquisition?

Revenue Cost Acquisition

Prior experience Costs

Assumptions:
1. Goal is incremental profits – This would be the case in 99% of cases

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Case interviewing – Profitability (Increase Revenues)

How can Target store increase sales/revenues?

Increase Prices
Increase Sell more per visit
Sales/Customer
Sell more stuff to the
customers
Increase the no. of visits
Increase Sales

New Markets
Increase no. of
customers More segments in the existing
market

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 Case interviewing – Profitability (Decrease Costs)

How can a manufacturing company reduce direct labor costs for widget production

Use cheap labor

Decrease Cost/Hour
Minimize overtime

Decrease direct
labor
costs/widget

Reduce no. of people per

machine
Decrease no. of
hours/ widget Increase machine efficiency

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Sample Case

 A large fast food chain has hired consulting club team at carlson school to improve the company’s
profitability.

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Sample Case Interviews – Company Specific

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 Position – Business Results Consultant (Internal Consulting), Field Distribution
 Interview Process
 Internship (1 Round) – Behavior Based
o Round 1 (On Campus) – Maybe a Business Case in combination with Behavioral Interview [2 interviewers]

 Full Time (3 Rounds)

o Round 1 (On Campus) – Behavioral and Resume Interview [ 2 interviewers]
o Round 2 (Thrivent) – Q & A, Four Rounds with a Business Case & Behavioral Interviews [several interviewers]
o Round 3 (Thrivent) – Psychological Evaluation (Leadership) [1 evaluator]

 Special Comments
 Values and community are important
 Really need to answer the question: Why Thrivent?

 Sample Cases
 Business Case – “You are a company that has an opportunity to purchase a chemical that makes cranberries redder and
sweeter. Do you purchase it?” Other cases have been very open-ended similar to this question.

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 Company: McKinsey & Co.
 Position: Associate
 Interview Process
 Full Time ( 2 Rounds)
o Round 1 (On Campus) – 2 Case Studies & 2 Behavioral Interviews [ 2 interviewers]
o Round 2 (Mckinsey Office) –3 Case Studies & 4 Behavioral Interviews [4 interviewers]

 Special Comments
 Prepare for the case interviews – Practice, practice, practice!!!
o Focus on quality of cases rather than quantity
o Practicing cases with the same person is not a good preparation

 Don’t just dedicate all your effort preparing for the case interview. You also need to spend time preparing for the behavioral
interviews
 Sample Cases
 Business Case – Sample cases can be found at www.mckinsey.com/careers

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 Position – Internal Consulting, Strategic Business Development
 Interview Process
 Internship ( 2 Rounds) – Behavioral / Case Based
o Round 1 (On-Campus) – Behavioral and Business Case (2) Interview [1 interviewer]
o Round 2 (On-Campus) – Behavioral and Fit Interview [2 interviewers]

 Full Time ( 2 Rounds)

o Round 1 (On-Campus) – Behavioral and Business Case Interview [1 interviewer]
o Round 2 (3M Campus) – “Blitz Day” – Behavioral, Presentation, and Business Case Interview [3 interviewers]

 Special Comments
 Business cases primarily focus on new market analysis, new product development, segmentation, “entitlement”,
sustainability
 Justify why 3M SBD vs. External consulting
 Sample Cases
 Business Case – 3M develops a film that enhances the visibility of stop signs on major highways. Estimate the total
market potential, identify the competitive landscape, and select key segments.
 Business Case – 3M wants to enter a very competitive segment within the pet food industry in which the company has
no experience. What challenges exist for 3M, how should they enter this market, and will it be sustainable in the long-
term?

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 Position – Internal Consulting, Global Strategy
 Interview Process
 Internship ( 2 Rounds) – Behavioral / Case Based
o Round 1 (On-Campus) – Behavioral Interview [1 interviewer]
o Round 2 (Thomson Campus) – Behavioral (2) and Short Business Case (3) [1 interviewer]

 Full Time ( 2 Rounds)

o Round 1 (On-Campus) – Behavioral and Business Case (2) Interview [ 2 interviewers]
o Round 2 (Thomson Campus) – Behavioral and Short Business Case (2) [5 interviewers]

 Special Comments
 Need to convince them that you would be capable of presenting in front of executives, some quantitative analysis work
experience, a little understanding of law field, sense of humor (need to show some personality and show that you are good
fit with group)
 Sample Cases
 Business Case – How would you segment the law market?
 Business Case – Where would you locate a gas station?
 Business Case – How would you launch a new line of Thomson legal services?

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 Position – Internal Consulting, Strategy and Business Development
 Interview Process
 Internship ( 2 Rounds) – Case Based
o Round 1 (On Campus) – Ethics Case, Business Case in combination with Behavioral Interview [2 interviewers]
o Round 2 (On Campus) – Business Case in combination with Behavioral Interview [1 interviewer]
 Full Time ( 3 Rounds)
o Round 1 (On Campus) – Ethics Case, Business Case & Behavioral Interview [ 2 interviewers]
o Round 2 (On Campus) – Business Case & Behavioral Interview [1 interviewer]
o Round 3 (Cargill Campus) – Fit Interviews with senior leaders [3-5 interviewers]
 Special Comments
 Ethics is a big focus area for Cargill and one needs to ace the ethics case
 Justify why Cargill SBD vs External consulting

 Sample Cases
 Ethics Case – A competitor is building a new plant and your boss is pressurizing you to “trespass” the construction area
and gather competitive information. What would you do?

 Business Case – McDonalds is asking Cargill to buy a poultry farm in Russia? Cargill has identified a Russian company
with good finances? Should Cargill acquire the Russian firm?

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 Position – External Consulting, Strategy & Operations
 Interview Process
 Internship ( 2 Rounds) – Behavioral / Case Based
o Round 1 (On-Campus) – Behavioral Interview [1 interviewer], Fit Interview [2 interviewers], Business Case [1 interviewer]
o Round 2 (On-Campus) – Behavioral & Fit [1 interviewer]

 Full Time ( 2 Rounds)

o Round 1 (On-Campus) –Behavioral Interview [1 interviewer], Fit Interview [2 interviewers], Business Case [1 interviewer]
o Round 2 (On Campus) – Behavioral and Fit (2) [1 interviewer]

 Special Comments
 Need to convince them that you are a good fit for their culture and that you can handle the lifestyle.
 Need to convince them that if you found yourself in an elevator with the client CEO you could present yourself and Deloitte
in a professional manner.
 Sample Cases
 Business Case – How would you restore a foundering hospital to profitability?
 Business Case – How would you control costs at a call center?

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