I would identify and take advantage of the major weaknesses of the NYC taxi market (see Q&A above). In particular, I would look to lower costs by implementing car sharing/switching (currently, every taxi driver owns their own car), and looking to make drivers cheaper (replacing with automous technology, or changing the pay structure). In terms of revenues, I would look to sell additional items (food, chargers, tv viewing, etc.) in the car as well as use driver idle time (i.e. when they're looking for riders) in other productive ways (delivering packages, food, etc.). Finally, I would improve customer service by having the ability to schedule and hail cars online and/or via an app as well as provide training + incentives for drivers to offer friendlier customer service (i.e. via ratings or bonuses).
Scoring Criteria: Use the following grading system for each skill area:
a. Structured Thinking (Frameworking):
1 = Lacked a coherent structure
5 = Pinpointed the appropriate issue, segmented it into a complete set of non-overlapping components (e.g., MECE), presented a plan to tackle the case, and offered valuable insights.
b. Numeracy/Math:
1 = Committed numerous errors and required assistance in setting up equations
5 = Performed calculations accurately and with confidence, identified implications, designed a clear and efficient approach, and demonstrated exceptional speed.
c. Judgement and Insights (Charts & Exhibits): 1 = Missed basic insights 5 = Connected findings to develop practical recommendations, made reasonable hypotheses, shared impressive insights, and flagged far-reaching implications.
1 = Overlooked fundamental insights
5 = Linked observations to devise actionable recommendations, formulated plausible hypotheses, conveyed strong, objective-driven insights, and highlighted impact.
d. Case Leadership (unless interviewer-led):
1 = Frequently disoriented and dependent on guidance
5 = Advanced autonomously and maintained focus on the question and the client's objective.
e. Creativity:
1 = Had difficulty generating original ideas
5 = Offered a variety of strong and diverse ideas, tailored to the industry and business context.
f. Presence:
1 = Not client-ready
5 = Exhibited professionalism, charisma, enthusiasm, and self-assurance.
g. Communication:
1 = Unclear and disorganized
5 = Demonstrated active listening, spoke precisely, and communicated concisely.
h. Synthesis (Final Recommendation):
1 = Failed to provide a coherent and well-founded recommendation
5 = Justified recommendation with key considerations, potential risks, and subsequent steps to address those risks.
During the Interview: As the candidate progresses through the case, take notes on their performance in each skill area. Be prepared to provide feedback at the end of the interview.
Post-Interview: After the interview, grade the candidate's performance in each skill area based on your notes and the scoring criteria. Share the scores and any specific feedback with the candidate to help them understand their level of readiness for the actual interview.
Improvement: Encourage the candidate to focus on areas where their performance was weak and provide guidance on how they can improve in those areas.