Clarifying question during brainstorming

Question

Is it ok to ask a clarifying question after you start brainstorming? For eg if you are brainstorming ways to increase revenues and want to suggest they explore new markets/locations and you hadn't asked where they currently operate in your clarifying Qs (before structuring the case), is it okay to ask this once you think of it during brainstorming?

Answer 1

Hey there,

There is a simple rule: Always ask questions whenever you feel it would improve the quality of your outcome / answers.

So, yes - go ahead! :-)

Cheers,

Florian

Answer 2

Hi there,

Absolutely! You should always look to treat a case as more of a conversation than anything. If asking a question will help you get more focused, answer the question better, etc., you should absolutely ask!

Answer 3

Of course.

If you have a question that would better position you to answer the interviewer's question or to clarify its scope, then you should definitely ask it.

In general, anything that makes the interview feel more like a conversation is a move in the right direction.

Best,
Cristian

Answer 4

Yes!

Just like in real life, if you're not sure about the question, you need to ask before you try to answer. Throughout the case, you can always ask. (There is a proper way to ask, but that's a separate question.

And you can always take time before you answer, which is a related question.

Hope that helps!

Allen

Answer 5

Hi there,

Yes, better late than never ;)

Clarifying the revenue model is a good question to ask at the beginning, but you can definitely ask it later if you forget.

A possible way to phrase this is the following: “Before going deeper with area XYZ, I believe it would be interesting to know ABC, so that I can identify more easily relevant options for it. Do we have any information on that?"

Best,

Francesco

Answer 6

Absolutely yes!