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What are some effective tricks or phrases to solve candidate-led cases quickly? Essentially, how to be sharp?

For example, instead of saying revenue is broken down into price times volume, can I just say 'breakdown of revenue drivers across a time period'? Or 'contribution margin' etc. Any other useful quick phrases to elicit phrases quickly? Thanks!

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Top answer
on Nov 11, 2019
McKinsey | NASA | top 10 FT MBA professor for consulting interviews | 6+ years of coaching

Hi,
I usually recommend to not use generic business jargon/entire phrases but focus on case-specific terms, going deep on the main industry trends, showing the confidence in talking about it.

Best,
Antonello

Deniz
Coach
on Nov 12, 2019
5+ Years at BCG & Kearney Dubai & Istanbul | 600+ Trainees | 1.3M YouTube Views

Hi,

It is hard to elaborate in a few sentences here, but my short answer would be that you should customize your phrases as much as possible. If you know our client's revenue streams already (say it is a can manufacturer selling 330ml and 500ml cans), you can say something like:

  • We know that our client has two main revenue streams
  • For each of the revenue streams i.e. 330ml and 500ml product groups, I will look into trends in revenues
  • In specific, I would like to look into the trend in the total volumes sold and the price level per unit

This customized phrasing will approve when you practice more cases, just be actively aware to not sound too generic! 

Best,

Deniz

Vlad
Coach
on Nov 12, 2019
McKinsey / Accenture Alum / Got all BIG3 offers / Harvard Business School

Hi,

Both candidate-led and interviewee-led cases should be approached in the same way. Thus your question does not make sense. You should have a decent structure answering the major objective of the case

Best

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