RB when compared to MBB?

Question

Hi everyone,

How does RB compare with MBB? I understand RB is doing strategy consulting and is serving to the same clients as MBB. I am just trying to understand how they are different?

For instance
McK follows a top-down strategy with a very formal working culture
BCG is mostly doing bottom-up strategy with slight informal working culture

RB too is doing bottom-up strategy and has similar working culture compared to BCG.

So is there a way to differentiate RB amongst others?

Answer 1

Hi Anonymous,

Not sure exactly what you mean with top-down vs. bottom-up strategy - both McKinsey and BCG follow a rigidly structured problem-solving approach (the only way you can survive in this industry - if your approach is not rigidly logically structured, there are too many holes which will be questioned and challenged, which you can't defend).

On a super-high-level view I can partially agree to the slightly more formal vs. slightly more informal working culture. In reality though the continuum is much higher between 2 different project managers within the firm than the average between the firms.

Other differences for RB: It's a tiny player compared to McKinsey - didn't check the numbers but in terms of employees it was previously close to factor 10. Culture in RB also might be a bit different - looks to me less homogenous due to much more outside hires in non-entry level positions.

Hope that helps - if so, please be so kind to give it a thumbs-up with the green upvote button below!

Robert

Answer 2

Dear A!

Roland Berger is one of the top collaborative firms, and I have spent several years at RB in Central, Western, Eastern Europe as well as the Middle East so I have seen it from different angles.

I would say that RB has a pretty similar exposure as MBB, however, it is particularly strong in restructuring cases and performance of improvement of the firms, which is now during the crisis becoming increasingly important for the client. It's engaged both in the top-down projects as well as a bottom-up approach. I would say that the culture may indeed be more similar to the one at BCG, and if you need any further specific insights into offices, practices, and locations, just drop me a line.

Happy to share my experience with you!

Best,

André

Answer 3

I would say that RB has a pretty similar strategy as MBB. It's engaged both in the top-down projects as well as a bottom-up approach.

But, Roland Berger is specifically strong in restructuring and improvement cases of the firms.

As for the culture, it might be similar among the region, but quite different in another geography

Does it make sense to you?

GB