Back to overview

Business Sense

Business sense refers to the ability to quickly grasp economic dynamics and make decisions that are both strategically and commercially sound. In consulting, it’s not enough to repeat theories from your business degree. What matters is a deep understanding of how companies operate, what drives markets, and what different stakeholders are aiming to achieve.

Consultants with strong business acumen can quickly adapt to new industries, understand client needs, and set priorities that make economic sense. They don’t just ask, “What is analytically correct?” – they also ask, “What truly benefits the company?” This mindset often makes the difference in a case interview.

Table of contents

Why Your Business Sense Matters in Consulting

How Business Sense Shows Up in Case Interviews

1. Define a clear objective.

2. Develop sound hypotheses.

3. Evaluate actions realistically.

4. Interpret numbers in the right context.

5. Make a well-founded recommendation.

How to Train Your Business Sense

Key Takeaways

Why Your Business Sense Matters in Consulting

As a consultant, you’re expected not only to analyze complex problems but also to think in a solution-oriented and entrepreneurial way. A strong business mindset helps you put analyses into context, assess actions realistically, and focus on generating maximum client value.

In day-to-day consulting, you're working under pressure, collaborating with decision-makers, and constantly weighing trade-offs. Those who think commercially and can strategically prioritize have a clear edge.

In a case interview, showing that you understand markets and business models is key – it sets you apart and proves your readiness for the job.

👉 In our Case Library, you can prepare effectively with curated practice cases and put your business sense to the test.

Company case provided by Company case by

FTI-Andersch AG

FTI-Andersch AG Case: Turnaround – Global Plastics AG

Sie wurden vom Vorstand der Global Plastics AG beauftragt, die wirtschaftliche Performance der Unternehmens-Gruppe im Rahmen eines Independent Business Review (IBR) zu analysieren und das Management zu beraten. Das Unternehmen ist seit dem 1. Januar 2019 durch eine Kontokorrentlinie i.H.v. € 150,0 Mio. finanziert. Darüber hinaus gibt es keine weiteren Verbindlichkeiten gegenüber Kreditinstituten. Das finanzierende Bankenkonsortium hat aufgrund schlechter Quartalszahlen und einer angespannten Marktlage eine Validierung der Mittelfristplanung angefordert. Die Global Plastics AG produziert weltweit in 5 Werken Kunststoffbauteile für Fahrzeuginnenräume in den Anwendungsbereichen PKW (PT-Segment), LKW (CT-Segment) sowie Land- (AG-Segment) und Baumaschinen (CON-Segment). Global Plastics beliefert primär deutsche Premium-OEMs und gilt als Qualitätsführer im Interior-Markt. Das Unternehmen nutzt dabei patentierte Technologien in den Bereichen Spritzguss, Kunststoffgalvanik sowie Heißprägung. Der Interior-Markt ist zunehmend von einem Preisdruck durch asiatische Wettbewerber geprägt, die den Qualitätsansprüchen europäischer Kunden immer besser entsprechen. Die Global Plastics AG hat Ihnen zur Analyse ihre GuV und Bilanz zur Verfügung gestellt. Dort sind die Ergebnisse der Geschäftsjahre 2019 bis 2021 sowie der Forecast des Geschäftsjahres 2022 enthalten. Bitte lösen Sie die unten aufgeführten Aufgaben.

4.6

4.0k times solved

Difficulty: Beginner

Candidate-led

Restructuring

Open case

Company case provided by Company case by

E.ON Inhouse Consulting

E.ON Inhouse Consulting Case: E-Mobility

Climate change has become one of the biggest challenges in the 21st century, and with roughly 75% of all CO₂ emissions coming from energy, this sector plays a key role in the transition to a reduced carbon footprint. E.ON has taken up on the challenge to promote more sustainable and efficient energy solutions throughout its whole customer spectrum. Correspondingly, a shift towards more sustainable energy consumption is noticed across the globe with many cities having set themselves ambitious climate targets, among those are: - Copenhagen -100% CO₂ emissions by 2025 - Amsterdam -60% CO₂ emission by 2030 - New York -40% CO₂ emissions by 2030 With E.ON focusing entirely on the “new” energy world, we have become the partner of choice for solutions propelling the energy transitions. Mr. Jensen, the mayor of Essen has come to E.ON requesting our help to accelerate the transition for his city. Essen is a city with about 600,000 inhabitants and prides itself as a forward-thinking one with lots of ambitions to become green itself. The economy is well and with his freshly won election the mayor looks forward to put its promised big initiatives into real projects.

3.6

15.9k times solved

Difficulty: Intermediate

Interviewer-led

Market analysis

Market entry

Market sizing

Profitability analysis

Open case

Company case provided by Company case by

SET Management Consulting

SET Case: Your own Management Consultancy

As one of three management consultants with many years of experience, you have SET yourself the goal of founding your own management consultancy. The topics, contents and solution offering with which you can advise and support potential customers are clear. The legal company is already founded and registered in the commercial register. Now you must pitch your business plan to the banks to get the necessary start-up financing! Especially the banks are interested in the underlying rationale of the SET Management Consulting business model. Your goal is to think of relevant financial KPIs and be prepared to explain the underlying revenue and cost streams in more detail.

4.4

21.0k times solved

Difficulty: Intermediate

Interviewer-led

Market entry

Profitability analysis

Open case

Company case provided by Company case by

Volkswagen Group Consulting

Volkswagen Group Consulting Case: Wo soll produziert werden?

Ihr Kunde ist in einem globalen Automobilkonzern dafür verantwortlich ein neues Produkt mit einem Volumen von 140.000 Fahrzeugen über den gesamten Produktionszeitraum auf den Markt zu bringen. Bedingt durch finanzielle Anspannung liegt ein besonderer Fokus auf den Kosten.

4.3

15.3k times solved

Difficulty: Intermediate

Interviewer-led

Market entry

New product

Pricing

Open case

Company case provided by Company case by

Bain & Company

Bain Case: Old Winery

You have inherited the “Old Winery” from your grandfather, a winery that has been family-owned for five generations and can be dated back to the 16th century. Half of the eleven hectares are used to grow white grapes, the other half to grow red grapes. They are grown in a conventional way, i.e. they are not organically farmed and certified. The vine stocks are in a good condition regarding age and care. Overall, the only ¼ of the harvest is made into wine by the winery itself; the rest is sold. Your grandfather never wanted to change the image of the winery and left the managerial and administrative task to a young and energetic wine-maker. Due to the not so well-known brand, the demand for the “Old Winery” wine is currently rather low. You do not intent to run the winery operatively, given your limited knowledge of winemaking, but find the idea of owning a winery exciting.

4.3

151.8k times solved

Difficulty: Intermediate

Candidate-led

Growth strategy

Market analysis

Market sizing

Mergers & Acquisition

Open case

Case by

PrepLounge

Deep Water Rescue

Deep water is a European manufacturer of small yachts and premium boats for private customers. The company operates in Europe and the Middle East and is based in Northern European country, where its manufacturing site, as well as HQ, are located. Deep Water has a strong and recognizable brand as a manufacturer of luxury boats and (recently) also small yachts. Deep water has been experiencing significant financial difficulties related to its profitability during the several past years. Currently, Deep Water has about 200 M€ of sales p.a. The company wants to improve its profitability, maintaining at least the current level of sales.

3.2

2.5k times solved

Difficulty: Advanced

Candidate-led

Market analysis

Profitability analysis

Open case

Case by

PrepLounge

Supermarket turnaround

Our client is a supermarket chain in Britain called Sparx. They have been the market leader for more than 30 years. However 5 years ago they have seen growth stall and 2 years later revenues started shrinking, keeping so until today. The profitability of the chain has followed the revenue downturn trend, but dropped in percentage much more than the revenues. They now hold only 25% market share, with the second player getting dangerously closer with 23%. What’s wrong and how can you help them turn this situation around?

4.5

20.9k times solved

Difficulty: Advanced

Candidate-led

Market analysis

Profitability analysis

Open case

Company case provided by Company case by

BCG Platinion

BCG Platinion Case: Digital transformation of an entire corporation

The CIO of a major insurance company needs your support to renew the company's IT landscape as a starting point for their digital transformation. The IT landscape of the client is highly fragmented and integrated. Most IT applications are "legacy" monolithic custom developments (running on Mainframe) and are hosted on-premise. There are issues with stability and scalability of applications plus IT costs are ever increasing "Time-to-market" to release new functionalities is too high, due to constraints of current architecture. You are asked to quickly assess the status quo, identify main areas of intervention and measures to address the pain points and renew the IT landscape. Note: This case is interviewer-led. The cases in our interviews are more candidate-led. In this case, you take the lead and manage the entire case from start to finish. So be prepared for this when you apply to us.

3.9

27.6k times solved

Difficulty: Advanced

Interviewer-led

Digital transformation

Market analysis

Operations strategy

Open case

Expert case by

Ian

MBB - Climate Change Operations - Part 2

Note: If you have not already done so, first work through the 1st part of this case: https://www.preplounge.com/en/management-consulting-cases/candidate-led-usual-style/intermediate/mbb-climate-change-operations-285 This case is designed to show you how a case can evolve/change based on new information. The first half of this case is the same, but diverges once data and $s are provided. Prompt A mid-sized manufacturing company is concerned about the potential impacts of climate change on its operations. The company has a number of factories located in coastal regions that are vulnerable to flooding and other weather-related events, and it is concerned about the potential financial and reputational risks associated with these events. The company's leadership team has asked your consulting firm to help them understand the risks they face and develop a plan to mitigate those risks. Clarifying Information - Our client’s objective is to maintain long-term profitability - Our client’s factories are located throughout the US

5.0

1.7k times solved

Difficulty: Intermediate

Candidate-led

Capacity change

Market analysis

Operations strategy

Restructuring

Sustainability

Open case

Case by

PrepLounge

Disguise distribution

Your client is a German manufacturer of disguises for events and parties called KostümCo. They segment their products in two lines: round-the-year and seasonal products. Round-the-year products serve customers that celebrate birthdays and common parties during the whole year. Seasonal products aim at special occasions like the carnival or the beer festival in Munich and are only sold for some time before these events. KostümCo makes the design, manufacturing and resells the disguises to retailers in 5 different German cities. Recently, though, the largest retail customer complained that KostümCo’s prices are too high. After some internal analyses, the client found this to be due mainly to distribution costs. You have been asked to figure out how we can reduce distribution costs.

4.4

38.6k times solved

Difficulty: Beginner

Candidate-led

Market analysis

Operations strategy

Profitability analysis

Open case

Expert case by

Cristian

Russell University - Fresh Attacker on the Online Education Market (McKinsey 1st round)

Russell University, located in the United Kingdom, is one of the oldest and most prestigious universities in the world. They have been educating students for more than two centuries and provide a variety of undergraduate and graduate STEM-focused courses. In an effort to increase revenues and expand their reach, the university has recently begun offering three online postgraduate qualifications. Despite the quality of teaching and effort spent in developing these courses, the response from students in terms of sign-up rates has been modest. Russel University executives believe they are acting too slowly since other prestigious universities, particularly in the US, have successfully leveraged their brand to offer short and affordable online courses to a variety of people. Russell University has hired us to determine whether they should acquire Eduline, a well-established platform that offers STEM-related short courses to its subscribers. The university intends to use Eduline to offer courses on a subscription basis and will then issue online certificates to individuals who successfully complete its courses.

5.0

5.3k times solved

Difficulty: Beginner

Interviewer-led

Competitive response

Growth strategy

Market entry

Mergers & Acquisition

Public sector

Restructuring

Valuation

Open case

Company case provided by Company case by

Mercedes-Benz Management Consulting

MBMC Case: AMG | Turning the most affluent prospects into loyal clients

Mercedes‑AMG stands for uncompromising performance, engineering excellence, and emotional driving experiences. Yet recently, AMG’s top management has become concerned that while the product itself continues to exceed customer expectations, the moment of purchase no longer does. The trigger for this case was a concrete incident: a highly affluent customer configured an AMG top‑end vehicle in detail, was technically convinced, but ultimately decided against the purchase, stating: “It’s a fantastic car – but it didn’t feel special.” For the CEO of Mercedes‑AMG, this statement raises a critical question. In the luxury and performance segment, emotional differentiation at the point of decision is as important as horsepower or technology. Against this backdrop, AMG is exploring new ways to elevate the buying experience for its most valuable customers. One idea under discussion is the introduction of AMG Individualization Hubs – exclusive physical spaces where customers would finalize their vehicle together with AMG experts in a highly personalized and immersive setting. The management now asks you and your Consulting Team to assess this idea holistically: How can AMG strengthen emotional differentiation during the purchase decision, and do Individualization Hubs represent a strategically sound and economically viable solution? The objective is to develop a clear recommendation that balances brand impact, customer experience, and profitability.

4.8

17.4k times solved

Difficulty: Intermediate

Interviewer-led

Growth strategy

New product

Profitability analysis

Open case

Case by

PrepLounge

General Holding

Our client is a French holding company with annual revenues of about €1 billion. Their portfolio consists of different companies that are mostly in manufacturing industries such as the oil & gas industry and the automotive industry.They do not have a specific investment focus. They prefer to buy the best companies available that are also related to their existing businesses. They are thinking about acquiring an auto parts dealer, OTOpart, and want to know whether you think it is a good idea.

4.3

48.2k times solved

Difficulty: Intermediate

Candidate-led

Mergers & Acquisition

Open case

Company case provided by Company case by

Forvis Mazars

Forvis Mazars Case: Prüfung der Carvermietungen GmbH

Sie sind Abschlussprüfer der CarVermietungen GmbH, einem deutschen Unternehmen, das geleaste Fahrzeuge europaweit an Privat- und Geschäftskunden weitervermietet. Im Rahmen der Prüfung führen Sie Interviews mit dem Management des Unternehmens durch. Dabei wecken insbesondere die langfristigen ökologischen und digitalen Herausforderungen der Firma Ihr Interesse. Sie erfahren unter anderem, dass die Hauptunterschiede zum üblichen Geschäft in einem Transformationsplan liegen und lassen sich vom CFO den Plan vorstellen. Die Finanzdirektorin teilt Ihnen stolz mit, dass die CarVermietungen GmbH in die Elektrifizierung der Fahrzeugflotte investiert. Die Anzahl der Elektroautos wird im Lagebericht veröffentlicht. Die CarVermietungen GmbH bietet ihren Kunden seit dem vierten Quartal eine Erweiterung zum bestehenden Bonusprogramm an. Die Kunden können ihre gesammelten Bonuspunkte am Jahresende auf ein Umweltprogramm übertragen, das vorwiegend in den Anbau von Bäumen und Wasseralgen investiert, um die klimafreundliche CO2-Bindung zu fördern. In diesem Zusammenhang hat das Unternehmen auch eine weitere Zielgruppe definiert und eine entsprechende Kundenliste erstellt. Darüber hinaus wurden im laufenden Geschäftsjahr durch den Zukauf von Daten über ein soziales Netzwerk zusätzlich neue Kunden hinzugewonnen. Die CarVermietungen GmbH hat im letzten Quartal außerdem in P2P-Carsharing investiert, da sich dieses neue Geschäftsmodell im Ausland bereits als vielversprechend erwiesen hat. Private Autobesitzer haben die Möglichkeit, ihr Fahrzeug über die Carsharing-Plattform anzubieten und die Vermietung gänzlich über eine App abzuwickeln. Die Mietwagengebühren betragen ein Drittel des Mietwertes und die CarVermietungen GmbH zahlt eine Versicherung, die jeden Kunden abdeckt. Die Versicherungsprämien für das Folgejahr wurden bereits ausgezahlt.

4.0

9.1k times solved

Difficulty: Intermediate

Interviewer-led

Audit

Valuation

Open case

Company case provided by Company case by

Stern Stewart & Co.

Stern Stewart Case: TexGroup – Breaking the crisis of a traditional textile company

TexGroup is a family-owned German heritage company, now in its third generation of leadership. Specializing in high-quality, Made-in-Germany textiles, the company operates across four distinct product segments: TexCasual, TexPremium, TexSport, and TexProfessional. TexGroup supplies its products to a diverse portfolio of fashion brands, with a strong focus on the European market. In recent years, TexGroup has faced increasing financial pressure, with steadily declining profit margins. The recently concluded 2024 fiscal year closed with a historically low EBIT margin of just 0.6%, raising serious concerns among management about a continued downward spiral that could push the company into financial losses. To stop this negative trend and secure long-term success, TexGroup is seeking an external consulting team to setup and implement a structured turnaround program. The primary target is to achieve 10% sustainable EBIT margin within two years. Note: During our assessment day, candidates could receive a laptop and an Excel file to analyze data and perform calculations. While this case can be solved without the Excel file, downloading it allows for a more pragmatic experience. Download the file here.

4.9

10.6k times solved

Difficulty: Advanced

Candidate-led

Restructuring

Open case

Case by

PrepLounge

Cost of Capital Interview Questions Set

This set of questions is designed to help you master the core concepts behind a company’s Cost of Capital. The progression takes you from the mechanics of calculating the Weighted Average Cost of Capital (WACC) to how risk factors like Beta and Size Premiums are incorporated, and finally to the implications for company valuation. In total, working through this set in an interview would take around 30 minutes. It is well-suited for interviews in corporate finance, investment banking, or private equity. Below, you’ll find model answers for each question, along with interviewer notes on what to look for in candidate responses.

5.0

100+ times solved

Difficulty: Intermediate

Interviewer-led

Valuation

Open case

Expert case by

Dennis

Commercial Feasibility of Natural Gas Pipeline

A large natural gas field is unexpectedly discovered on the Mediterranean island of Corsica. The gas can be accessed and produced relatively easily and is of good quality. Europe, and especially Germany as the largest gas consumer in the EU, is looking for alternative gas suppliers to reduce its one-sided dependence on Russia. An initial market study has shown that stable demand in Western Europe would allow for around 10 billion cubic meters (bcm) of natural gas per year from the new gas field to be sold on the European market for the next 25 years. To achieve this, however, the gas must be transported to the important Western European gas hub Baumgarten in Austria. Several large oil and gas companies sense a business opportunity here and are now asking themselves whether it is economically feasible to build a corresponding gas pipeline from Corsica to Austria. One of these companies has approached you as a consultant to provide your assessment.

2.3

1.3k times solved

Difficulty: Beginner

Candidate-led

Market entry

Market sizing

Profitability analysis

Open case

Expert case by

Moritz

Zero Carbon Mine (McKinsey)

CLIENT OBJECTIVE Our client, Global Mining Corp (GMC), wants to know whether it should pursue producing and selling "green copper" from its Chilean and Australian mines over the coming decade. BACKGROUND INFORMATION Green copper is the same product as conventional copper, but certified as produced with net-zero carbon emissions at the mine. GMC operates open-pit copper mines, mostly in remote areas of Chile and Australia. The ore is blasted with explosives, pushed into piles by bulldozers and loaded by power shovels onto haul trucks, which carry it some distance to the processing site. This mobile equipment runs on diesel and includes some of the heaviest vehicles in the world. At the processing site, the rock is crushed further and then leached with acid, and the copper is recovered as cathodes using large amounts of electricity. The cathodes travel by truck and rail to the nearest port and are shipped to customers around the world. The CEO has asked McKinsey to assess the prospects of reaching net zero at the mines and whether green copper is worth pursuing.

4.0

5.1k times solved

Difficulty: Advanced

Interviewer-led

Operations strategy

Open case

Expert case by

Benjamin

MBB Unconventional Case: Coral Reefs

Your client is the Government of Indonesia, specifically a joint committee formed between a few key ministries including the Ministry of Marine Affairs & Fisheries, Ministry of Tourism and Ministry of Environment & Forestry. Indonesia is one of the largest developing countries in the world, with a population of about 285M people and an average monthly income of only USD 500. Located in Southeast Asia, Indonesia is actually a vast archipelago comprised of 17,000 islands, giving it one of the longest and most complex coastlines in the world. It is also part of the Coral Triangle, an area demarcated by scientists as the global epicenter of marine diversity. Your client tells you that Indonesia's once pristine coral reefs have seen a rapid decline over the past decade. They have come to you for help and want to figure out what is causing the problem.

5.0

1.3k times solved

Difficulty: Advanced

Candidate-led

Non-conventional

Public sector

Open case

Company case provided by Company case by

OC&C

CleanWave – When the Suds Settle

CleanWave is a leading branded manufacturer of dishwashing products in Germany, primarily selling dishwashing tabs and liquids. During the Covid period (2020–2021), the company experienced unusually strong growth in revenues and profits. Since 2022, however, CleanWave’s revenues and profitability have declined significantly. Management believes this is mainly driven by weaker consumer demand and increased price pressure. You are asked to: - Estimate the size of the German dishwashing market - Analyse the drivers of CleanWave’s declining revenues and profits - Understand the impact of Covid and post-Covid market dynamics - Develop strategic recommendations for CleanWave going forward

4.6

1.5k times solved

Difficulty: Intermediate

Interviewer-led

Growth strategy

Market analysis

Market sizing

New product

Open case

How Business Sense Shows Up in Case Interviews

Your business sense won’t be tested directly – but it shows up in your thinking, your assumptions, and your recommendations. Here are five moments when it really counts:

5 tips on how to show business sense in case interviews

1. Define a clear objective.

Clarify what the company wants to achieve in the case. Is it short-term profit, long-term growth, or a stronger market position? A well-defined goal aligns your analysis and recommendations – and shows you understand the business context.

2. Develop sound hypotheses.

Top candidates derive economically plausible hypotheses. If revenue is dropping, explore potential causes like demand, pricing, or competitive pressure.

3. Evaluate actions realistically.

Go beyond theory. Consider real-world feasibility, conflicting objectives, and strategic risks. Instead of simply saying “raise prices,” consider price elasticity, customer segments, and likely competitor reactions.

4. Interpret numbers in the right context.

Numbers only make sense when interpreted correctly. High margins might signal a premium position – or upcoming competitive threats. Business sense means understanding what the numbers imply in context.

5. Make a well-founded recommendation.

Your final recommendation should be logical and economically viable. Acknowledge risks or gaps, and show that your solution could succeed in the real world.

How to Train Your Business Sense

Business sense isn’t innate – it’s a skill you can develop. The key is to build a solid understanding of economic principles and learn how real-world decisions are made.

Start by regularly reading business news. Outlets like New York Times, the Wall Street Journal or the Financial Times will help you get a feel for markets, business models, and strategic thinking. Go beyond the facts – try to understand the economic rationale behind each story.

When practicing case interviews, stay sharp and reflective. Ask yourself: Is my reasoning not only logical but also economically sound?

Mock interviews with peers are especially helpful. You’ll improve your communication skills and receive valuable feedback.

👉 Use our Meeting Board to find peers and practice together.

All meeting slots

Chidimma

Nov 2

5:00 AM – 6:30 AM

Novice

67% Reliability

English

Novice, Advanced, Pro

Accept invitation Accept

Aditya

Nov 2

10:00 AM – 11:30 AM

Novice

100% Reliability

English

Novice, Advanced, Pro

Accept invitation Accept

Jan

Nov 2

1:00 PM – 2:30 PM

Novice

Reliability: N/A

English

Novice, Advanced, Pro

Accept invitation Accept

Zeina

Nov 3

6:00 AM – 7:30 AM

Pro

98% Reliability

English

Advanced, Pro

Accept invitation Accept

Amy

Nov 3

8:00 AM – 9:30 AM

Pro

96% Reliability

English

Advanced, Pro

Accept invitation Accept

Satvik

Nov 3

12:00 PM – 1:30 PM

Novice

80% Reliability

English

Novice, Advanced, Pro

Accept invitation Accept

George

Nov 3

3:00 PM – 4:30 PM

Advanced

89% Reliability

English, German

Novice, Advanced, Pro

Accept invitation Accept

Zeina

Nov 4

6:00 AM – 7:30 AM

Pro

98% Reliability

English

Advanced, Pro

Accept invitation Accept

Satvik

Nov 4

12:00 PM – 1:30 PM

Novice

80% Reliability

English

Novice, Advanced, Pro

Accept invitation Accept

Giulia

Nov 5

1:00 AM – 2:30 AM

Advanced

100% Reliability

English, Italian

Novice, Advanced, Pro

Accept invitation Accept

You did not find the right meeting?

Find more meeting invitations on our meeting board and post your own suggestion.

View Meeting Board

👉 Want to take it a step further? Connect with our experienced coaches.

Giulia

USD 189 / h

5.0

91 Coachings

McKinsey | 6+ years in Consulting + Health Tech |Certified High Performance + Systemic Coach | Women Empowerment

View Coach

Irene

USD 149 / h

5.0

9 Coachings

BCG consultant & MIT MBA | Supported 20+ students for MBBs or MBA

View Coach

Moritz

USD 249 / h

5.0

264 Coachings

Ex-McKinsey interviewer, genuinely invested in you | 100% McKinsey case & PEI prep turning nerves into real confidence

View Coach

Zoe

USD 149 / h

0.0

0 Coachings

Former BCG Associate | 50% off first case interview prep diagnostic call

View Coach

Gaurav

USD 309 / h

5.0

220 Coachings

Middle East Expert| Free Diagnostic| Ex-McKinsey | 1,000+ MBB Offers (55+ Offices)

View Coach

Ian

USD 399 / h

5.0

1,180 Coachings

View Coach

Annika

USD 179 / h

5.0

69 Coachings

View Coach

Maxim

USD 279 / h

5.0

13 Coachings

Ex-Bain Senior Manager in Dubai | Interviewed 150+ candidates | 5 promotions

View Coach

Pedro

USD 199 / h

5.0

209 Coachings

BAIN | EY-Parthenon | Roland Berger | Former Principal | FIT & PEI Expert

View Coach

Riccardo

USD 189 / h

5.0

432 Coachings

FREE 15min call | #1 Bain Coach |12y+ experience helping candidates securing MBB offers| Tailored prep | 5 stars reviews

View Coach

Also, think like an entrepreneur in daily life. Observe companies, analyze new strategies, and reflect on what drives success or failure. The more often you go through this process, the sharper your business intuition becomes – and that’s what sets you apart in interviews.

Key Takeaways

Business sense is one of the most important success factors in both consulting and case interviews. It reflects your ability to quickly recognize economic patterns, form sound assumptions, and make realistic, client-oriented decisions. In interviews, what sets top candidates apart isn’t memorized theory but the ability to see the bigger picture: understanding what really matters to a business, prioritizing strategically, and proposing solutions that are both practical and value-driven.

To demonstrate your business sense, it’s crucial to clearly define the objective of the case, develop plausible hypotheses, assess potential actions not only analytically but also from a business standpoint, and interpret numbers within the correct context. Your final recommendation should be not just logical, but economically viable and well thought through.

The good news is that business sense can be learned. By regularly reading business news, reflecting on strategic decisions, working through case interviews critically, and actively seeking feedback, you’ll build a strong foundation in economic thinking. Over time, this mindset will not only boost your interview performance but also set you up for long-term success in consulting.

Let's Move On With the Next Articles:

Presentation and Communication

Consulting Skills & Preparation

The majority and the most obvious part of preparation is, of course, the substantive preparation for your case interview. However, you also need to present what you have learned in a way that gives your interviewer an impression of your personality and character. This means that you must appear confidentand communicate clearly and precisely. The best preparation is useless if you come across as closed-off and insecure. As a consultant, you must always appear trustworthy and confident when interacting with clients to be taken seriously and to enable you and your team to work in a solution-oriented manner. This is already tested in the case interview – albeit indirectly ;)

To the article

General Knowledge

Consulting Skills & Preparation

In case interviews, having solid general knowledge can make a big difference, especially in market sizing questions. Knowing basic facts about regions, population sizes, and economic indicators helps you build stronger arguments. It’s not just about the analysis itself but also about showing interviewers that you understand global trends and can quickly process key information — an important skill in consulting. In a case interview, quick and accurate estimates are essential. For example, if you're asked to evaluate the potential market for a product in a specific country, having solid data — like the population size — is crucial. Without this information, it can be challenging to make a meaningful calculation. In addition to national market data, it's important to know about key global markets. Being familiar with major economic regions like the U.S., China, and the EU is valuable because large consulting firms such as McKinsey and BCG operate extensively in these areas. A solid understanding of these regions shows that you can think about global factors and helps you stand out from other candidates. What Your Knowledge of Population, Economy & Geography Says About You Having strong general knowledge in specific areas not only shows that you are well-prepared, but also that you can quickly understand economic relationships—a crucial skill in consulting. When you have information like population sizes or a country's Gross Domestic Product (GDP) at your fingertips, you can quickly verify assumptions and make informed decisions, which is exactly what case interviews expect. Additionally, your knowledge of these topics demonstrates a genuine interest in world affairs and your ability to recognize and understand global trends. This insight is vital for evaluating how political, economic, and social changes affect businesses. It also highlights your capability to absorb and use complex data effectively. Population Country/Region Population (approx.) Worldwide 8.05 billion China 1.426 billion India 1.419 billion Europe (EU states) 450 million USA 335 million Indonesia 277 million Brazil 203 million Russia 143 million Japan 124 million Germany 83 million UK 68 million GDP Forecast in USD for 2024 Country/Region GDP 2024 (approx. in trillions USD) Worldwide 105 trillion USD USA 25 trillion USD China 18 trillion USD Japan 4.3 trillion USD Germany 4.5 trillion USD France 3.0 trillion USD UK 3.1 trillion USD India 3.9 trillion USD Italy 2.2 trillion USD Brazil 2.1 trillion USD Canada 2.2 trillion USD Key Data to Know for Your Case Interview In case interviews, making quick and accurate estimates is key. A good grasp of units, along with basic fraction and percentage calculations, is essential for working efficiently. Additionally, being comfortable with time units is important for making rough estimates and calculations. The table of larger and smaller time units below provides a handy overview of commonly needed values. These fundamental skills help you tackle tasks confidently and quickly. Overview of Time Conversions: Days, Weeks and Hours Larger Units Smaller Units Days/Year 365 days (In leap years: 366 days) Days/3 Years 1,095 days Days/4 Years 1,461 days (including 1 leap year) Weeks/Year 52 weeks Hours/Week 168 hours Seconds/Hour 3,600 seconds Conversion of Fractions to Percentages and Decimal Values Fraction Percentage Decimal 1/5 20% 0.20 1/6 16.67% 0.1667 1/7 14.29% 0.1429 1/8 12.5% 0.125 1/9 11.11% 0.1111 1/10 10% 0.10 1/11 9.09% 0.0909 1/12 8.33% 0.0833 1/13 7.69% 0.0769 1/14 7.14% 0.0714 1/15 6.67% 0.0667 1/16 6.25% 0.0625 1/17 5.88% 0.0588 1/18 5.56% 0.0556 1/19 5.26% 0.0526 1/20 5% 0.05 Remember, it’s not enough to just memorize these numbers—you also need to be able to calculate with them effectively! Use our Mental Math Tool to specifically train your math skills and prepare for your next interview.

To the article

Preparation Plan

Consulting Skills & Preparation

Preparing for a case interview can feel overwhelming, but having a structured plan will help you stay focused and make steady progress. A well-organized approach ensures you build a strong foundation, practice effectively, and refine your skills before the big day. In this guide, we will walk you through the key components of an effective practice plan, including self-study, peer practice, and working with a coach. Let’s go!

To the article