Non traditional frameworks

Question

Rather than the basic M&A and profitability cases, does anyone have recommendations on casebooks or websites where I can find nontraditional cases. For example, “This company has just merged and has doubled its locations; what should they do with these locations” or “This company is deciding between 2 models; which one should they choose”. These are some of the more nontraditional cases I have seen and would love to find more to practice on the spot framework creation rather than the basic buckets I already know (Market, profitability,etc.).

Answer 1

Hi,

Actually if you think about it - the world around you has all the examples/source material of nontraditional problems. Open up any reputable news publication and there would be plenty of headlines that suggest a nontraditional problem/situation.

The challenge is actually knowing whether your structure / framework for a problem you've come up with yourself actually makes sense and is MECE/logical, and for this you would need quality feedback.

All the best!

Answer 2

Hi there,

Yes, you can try some of the cases I wrote on PrepLounge.

They are based on real MBB interviews conducted in the past months - so it's a fresh glimpse into what you can realistically expect.

Here are a few:

https://www.preplounge.com/en/management-consulting-cases/candidate-led-usual-style/advanced/mbb-second-round-codewave-employee-turnover-challenge-304

https://www.preplounge.com/en/management-consulting-cases/candidate-led-usual-style/advanced/mbb-first-round-soy-technologies-303

https://www.preplounge.com/en/management-consulting-cases/interviewer-led-mckinsey-style/intermediate/element-mobile-expands-into-refurbished-phones-mbb-2nd-round-302

Best,
Cristian

Answer 3

Hi,

in general I would advise you in the later stage of your preparation to work on creating your own framework from scratches to answer such questions and especially to structure brainstorm-oriented question that can corner you into giving “laundry list” answer that do not score points for you.

We can chat by DM but this is entirely doable with a coach and some specific resources

hope this helps

Answer 4

Hi there,

Here are my recommendations:

Most MBA casebooks (Stern, Darden, etc.)
Your peers (ask them to give you unconventional cases)
BCG Insights
McK Insights
Robinhood Snacks
My course
Most of my cases…some examples here:

https://www.preplounge.com/en/management-consulting-cases/candidate-led-usual-style/intermediate/mbb-climate-change-operations-285

https://www.preplounge.com/en/management-consulting-cases/candidate-led-usual-style/intermediate/bainbcg-hunger-warriors-270

https://www.preplounge.com/en/management-consulting-cases/candidate-led-usual-style/intermediate/bcg-yodaphone-195

Answer 5

One thing you can try is to actually approach what you call “traditional cases” without those “basic buckets”, as no one is supposed to solve cases using the basic buckets.

Moreover, most “traditional cases” will have what we usually call “brainstorming questions”. While half of the “brainstorming questions” may be about creating a list of options, in many other cases they are exactly what you are looking for: an opportunity to think about a framework from scratch.

Answer 6

Hi there,

feel free to reach out via DM - can share some relevant resources.

Regards, Andi