Coffee chat with Mck Lead (2)

Question

Hi,

I raised a question yesterday about the coffee chat with the head of Mck. I appreciate all of your answers, great feedbacks.

When i go thru the material on web, what i see is that, he raises in his interviews all about digital transformation & the next ways of doing business, next opportunities coming with digital transformation within the industries.

Which is a big topic obviously. I need your advice how I can make myself more relevant in this context?

I'm not a person in specifically in digital, so what can you suggest?

Thank you!

Answer 1

Hi there,

If you're not an expert, don't pretend to be one!

The only thing you can really do is be genuinely interested/engaged and ask insightful questions. If you can show him that, while you don't know much, you learn/think quickly and are ready to be mentored, that's worth as much as anything!

All that said, at least become well enough versed in the topic that you understand key topics! Read BCG insights (https://www.bcg.com/featured-insights/thought-leadership-ideas) and McKinsey insights (https://www.mckinsey.com/featured-insights) on Digitization topics.

Also, very importantly: If you're reading + talking about Digitization and don't genuinely find it interesting, STOP! It's not worth it to continue on that path. If you don't genuinely like it/find it interesting you won't be able to sustain your performance on the job...you'll be doing everyone (them and yourself) a disservice. Be honest about that, and maybe there will be a role in another topic that you genuinely find interesting...pivot and tell him what you're truly interested in.

Good luck, and hope you enjoy the topic :)

Answer 2

Hi Anonymous

Be yourself. Don't try to come across as an expert in a topic that you do not feel comfortable in. Snr Partner will most likely see through any pretense. You are better off refining your own story

In addition if there are specific points that you find interesting in this topic - discuss them but do avoid being overly generic

Best of luck!

Answer 3

Dear A,

In addition to my provious answer, digital transformation is a really very vast topics and it has specifics in different industries. I would strogly recommend you to read the service and studies published by this person and also by the McKinsey Digital Practice in order to get better content overview over the topics McKinsey dealing with, so that you would be in a nice conversation.

I'm sure you will find many studies from McKinsey and other consulting companies on the Digital Transformation and even of this particular person. This would help you to establish both the personal and the professional tire with your conterpart and make a good impression so that you can pass through.

Best,

André

Answer 4

Hello!

Top add on top of what has been shared: try to be like you would if you met your partners parents.

Not only trying to impress them, but also being nice and enjoyable.

Hope it helps!

Best,

Clara