Strategy Simplified

Strategy Simplified

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

October 10, 2025 37 mins

Send us a text

Delta just posted blockbuster earnings, and it’s not because more people are flying. Jenny Rae and Namaan unpack how Delta’s $8B profit engine runs on premium seats, credit card partnerships, and a bet on wealthy travellers.

They dive into what makes Delta’s “premium economy” the most profitable cabin in the sky, why Buffett once got airlines wrong, and how rivals like United and Southwest are scrambling to catch up.

Li...

Mark as Played

Send us a text

In this special 2025 panel, 4 top supply chain consulting firms – Chartwell, Clarkston Consulting, Kearney, and The Kormac Group – join Management Consulted to explore how AI, automation, and shifting global demand are changing the industry.

Hear directly from firm leaders on:

  • How AI is being used in practice to improve efficiency and decision-making
  • What skills firms are hiring for right now
  • How to break into supply ...
Mark as Played

Send us a text

In this episode, the tables are turned! Instead of asking the questions, MC COO Namaan Mian is in the hot seat - interviewed by Emily Watkins, Senior Marketing Manager at Integreon. 

We dive into the future of storytelling in a world obsessed with AI and efficiency, and why human connection is still the ultimate competitive advantage

From avoiding “death by PowerPoint” to bringing analog warmth into our digital-first ...

Mark as Played

Send us a text

What if you didn’t go to a target school? What if you’re an international student who needs sponsorship? Does that mean MBB is out of reach?

Michael Liu is living proof that the answer is no. In this episode, Japheth sits down with Michael, an undergraduate student from Taiwan who defied the odds to land a BCG internship.

Michael shares the exact steps he took to break in, including:

  • How he built a powerful networkin...
Mark as Played

Send us a text

Warren Buffett is still making big moves at 95 years old. His latest play? A $10 billion bet on OxyChem, the petrochemical arm of Occidental.

In this episode of Market Outsiders, Namaan and Jenny Rae unpack what makes this deal stand out. They break down the financial engineering behind it, why debt reduction matters in today’s macro climate, and how it fits into the broader Buffett Playbook. 

From shareholder...

Mark as Played

Send us a text

Want to land a consulting role in the Middle East? This episode breaks down the 2025 recruiting landscape and what it takes to succeed in this unique region.

We cover:

  • How the Middle East consulting market is shaped by nationalization, expat hiring, and cultural dynamics
  • 3 recruiting power moves you can use right now
  • Top schools, firms, and timing to keep on your radar

For the full playbook, download Management Co...

Mark as Played

Send us a text

Claire’s is back in the headlines after its latest bankruptcy and acquisition by Ames Watson, the firm behind Lids. Can a nostalgic mall brand really be turned around in today’s retail environment?

In this episode, we unpack Claire’s challenges, the role of experience in modern retail, and what this deal signals for the future of malls.

Timestamps:

[07:15] What Made Claire’s a Rite of Passage
[10:22] Bankruptcy and t...

Mark as Played

Send us a text

The NFL isn’t just America’s favorite pastime. It’s also a business giant that generates two-thirds of its revenue from one source: media rights.

In this episode of Market Outsiders, Namaan and Jenny Rae unpack:

  • Why the league is considering renegotiating billion-dollar contracts years ahead of schedule
  • How streaming platforms like Amazon, Netflix, and YouTube TV are reshaping the game
  • Why the NFL holds more leverage ...
Mark as Played
September 26, 2025 46 mins

Send us a text

Consulting recruiting has changed, and digital assessments are now the new gatekeeper. In this episode, we break down what McKinsey, Bain, and BCG’s digital tests look like in 2025, what skills they’re really testing, and how you can prepare with confidence.

Whether you’re facing McKinsey Solve, Bain’s Gorilla test, or BCG’s CCA, this conversation gives you the latest insights and prep tips straight from candidates and...

Mark as Played

Send us a text

Labubu dolls are the latest global craze... but what makes them so irresistible?

In this episode of Market Outsiders, Jenny Rae and Namaan break down the business model behind Labubu’s rise, from blind box marketing to luxury brand tie-ins. They explore:

  • How scarcity fuels demand
  • Why repeat purchases matter more than volume
  • How the resale market reinforces value

It’s a case study in novelty vs. luxury, brand strat...

  • Mark as Played

    Send us a text

    Who decides what a song is worth? In this episode, Jenny Rae speaks with Prerna Rakheja – Managing Economist at Bates White – about the landmark Phonorecords IV case that set new streaming royalty rates.

    For aspiring consultants, this conversation is a rare look inside economic consulting: how teams structure complex problems, build models that influence billion-dollar industries, and communicate insights to ...

    Mark as Played

    Send us a text

    Amex just raised the annual fee on its Platinum card from $695 to $895 — a nearly 30 percent jump. 

    In this episode of Market Outsiders, Jenny Rae and Namaan break down what’s behind the increase, why Amex believes customers won’t walk away, and how the move fits into a broader strategy to protect its premium brand.

    We dig into questions like: 

    • Who really cares about the fee hike? 
    • Why didn’t Amex go even higher? 
    • And ...
    Mark as Played
    September 17, 2025 11 mins

    Send us a text

    Consulting hiring is up 22% year over year — the biggest surge since before the pandemic. But there’s a catch.

    In this episode of Strategy Simplified, Japheth breaks down 3 major shifts reshaping the consulting industry right now:

    • The 22% hiring surge (and why entry-level roles are shrinking)
    • How AI is transforming both client work and firm operations
    • Why global performance is uneven, with some regions booming and oth...
    Mark as Played

    Send us a text

    Ram will cancel its all-electric pickup, raising questions about the EV market, the rise of hybrids, and what truck buyers really want. Was the plan ever realistic, or just peak EV hype?

    Jenny Rae and Namaan break down the strategy shift at Stellantis — the parent company of Ram, Jeep, Chrysler, and Dodge — and why it matters. They also highlight:

    • The risks of chasing trends
    • The limits of EV infrastructure
    • Why hybrids...
    Mark as Played

    Send us a text

    Bain is doubling down on Canada. In this episode of Strategy Simplified, we sit down with Jed Fallis, Bain’s Managing Partner in Canada, to talk about the firm’s brand-new Montreal office.

    Jed shares why Bain chose Montreal, which industries the office will focus on, and what kind of candidates the firm is looking for as it grows. 

    Importantly, Bain is actively recruiting to staff the new Montreal office. If you’re cons...

    Mark as Played

    Send us a text

    Jolie isn’t just selling showerheads — it’s turning your bathroom into a subscription business. In today’s episode, we break down how a simple product innovation paired with sharp marketing and a recurring revenue model is disrupting an overlooked category. 

    From personalized water tests to DTC funnels that bypass big-box retail, Jolie shows how challenger brands are rewriting the rules of consumer products.

    Links menti...

    Mark as Played

    Send us a text

    Want to land a consulting role in Canada? This episode walks you through everything you need to know about breaking into consulting in 2025.

    We cover:

    • The current Canadian consulting market and how it differs from the U.S. and U.K.
    • 3 recruiting power moves you can apply immediately
    • Key target schools, top firms, and the hiring timeline
    • 2025 salary preview across McKinsey, Bain, BCG, and more

    For the complete playbo...

    Mark as Played

    Send us a text

    In this episode of Market Outsiders, Namaan and Jenny Rae unpack the booming business of sports betting. 

    From DraftKings to FanDuel, they examine how sportsbooks use aggressive advertising to acquire customers, the economics behind their business models, and the role of state regulations. 

    The conversation also highlights the challenges of user retention and the untapped B2B opportunities shaping the future of online g...

    Mark as Played

    Send us a text

    Building a strong case framework is the foundation of consulting interview success. But most candidates sabotage themselves with simple, avoidable mistakes. 

    In this episode of Strategy Simplified, Jenny Rae breaks down the 4 most common framework errors and shows you exactly how to fix them.

    You’ll learn how to:

    • Avoid copy-pasting generic frameworks
    • Take the right amount of time to build your structure
    • Add specific, d...
    Mark as Played

    Send us a text

    Grant Thornton has announced it will acquire Stax, a leading strategy consulting firm serving private equity clients worldwide. What does this deal mean for the consulting industry and the future of PE-focused advisory?

    In this episode, Jenny Rae sits down with Paul Edwards, Global Practice Lead at Stax, to unpack the acquisition. 

    They discuss Stax’s growth journey, cultural DNA, and how the partnership with Grant Thor...

    Mark as Played

    Popular Podcasts

      My Favorite Murder is a true crime comedy podcast hosted by Karen Kilgariff and Georgia Hardstark. Each week, Karen and Georgia share compelling true crimes and hometown stories from friends and listeners. Since MFM launched in January of 2016, Karen and Georgia have shared their lifelong interest in true crime and have covered stories of infamous serial killers like the Night Stalker, mysterious cold cases, captivating cults, incredible survivor stories and important events from history like the Tulsa race massacre of 1921. My Favorite Murder is part of the Exactly Right podcast network that provides a platform for bold, creative voices to bring to life provocative, entertaining and relatable stories for audiences everywhere. The Exactly Right roster of podcasts covers a variety of topics including historic true crime, comedic interviews and news, science, pop culture and more. Podcasts on the network include Buried Bones with Kate Winkler Dawson and Paul Holes, That's Messed Up: An SVU Podcast, This Podcast Will Kill You, Bananas and more.

      24/7 News: The Latest

      The latest news in 4 minutes updated every hour, every day.

      Dateline NBC

      Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com

      Stuff You Should Know

      If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.

      The Bobby Bones Show

      Listen to 'The Bobby Bones Show' by downloading the daily full replay.

    Advertise With Us
    Music, radio and podcasts, all free. Listen online or download the iHeart App.

    Connect

    © 2025 iHeartMedia, Inc.