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 3, 2025 34 mins

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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...
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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...

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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...

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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...

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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 ...
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September 26, 2025 46 mins

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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...

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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...

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    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 ...

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    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 ...
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    September 17, 2025 13 mins

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    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...
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    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...
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    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...

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    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...

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    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...

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    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...

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    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...
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    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...

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    Kraft Heinz is splitting after a decade, and we unpack what that says about the end of “scale at all costs” in Big Food. Jenny Rae and Namaan dive into why focus beats brute scale, how zero-based budgeting collided with challenger brands, and why owning the shelf no longer locks in customers.

    From ketchup loyalty to cream cheese on the “taste elevation” roster, we map the split: condiments vs packaged meals, the margin...

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    Brainstorming questions are one of the trickiest and most under-practiced parts of the case interview. They can make or break your chances.

    In this Case Creative Masterclass, presented by Bates White - a leading economic consulting firm - you’ll learn how to spot brainstorming questions, build a structured response on the fly, and avoid the “rambling” trap that sinks many candidates. 

    We cover the two main types of crea...

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    Getting invited to a second round consulting interview is a huge achievement, but it’s not the finish line. The final round is where the offer is won or lost. 

    In this episode, Jenny Rae shares exactly how to prepare for 2nd-round consulting interviews, including advanced case interview strategies and fit interview best practices. 

    Whether you’re interviewing with McKinsey, Bain, BCG, or another top consulting firm, thi...

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