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Hi,
I have been in MBB for some time now and are struggling with the corporate world (non-business background).
It is mostly the amount of BS going on:
- Google, copy/paste (which can be OK sometimes)
- Reusing old strategies/previous work, copy/paste
- Looking busy just to look busy
- Use of BS-slang like "disruption", "agile", "bionic" (ugh)
- No science and/or data to back it up
However, we do amazing looking powerpoints (without execution, analysis, pressure-testing, etc.) The intention is not to slam anyone but we do know there is a lot of BS.
How do you get along?
Hi,
I have been in MBB for some time now and are struggling with the corporate world (non-business background).
It is mostly the amount of BS going on:
- Google, copy/paste (which can be OK sometimes)
- Reusing old strategies/previous work, copy/paste
- Looking busy just to look busy
- Use of BS-slang like "disruption", "agile", "bionic" (ugh)
- No science and/or data to back it up
However, we do amazing looking powerpoints (without execution, analysis, pressure-testing, etc.) The intention is not to slam anyone but we do know there is a lot of BS.
I actually felt very identified when I read your post, since I had to struggle with the same thing back in Mckinsey sometimes.
What helped me most was to get involved in operational projects (e.g., insted of Strategy 2030 blabla, doing Recovery and Transformation Services, implementations, post mergers, etc.) Believe, no BS there, pure hands on!
Hope it helps!
Cheers,
Clara
Hello!
I actually felt very identified when I read your post, since I had to struggle with the same thing back in Mckinsey sometimes.
What helped me most was to get involved in operational projects (e.g., insted of Strategy 2030 blabla, doing Recovery and Transformation Services, implementations, post mergers, etc.) Believe, no BS there, pure hands on!
Hope it helps!
Cheers,
Clara
Thanks for an honest answer. Can you please elaborate a bit on what these operational projects are? —
Anonymous A on Feb 17, 2020
Unfortunately, that's the part of your contract. You either accept this or look for the other job (that will be likely the same). 2 solutions here:
Start your own business
Look for non-bs people and work with them. It's hard and requires a good amount of insight
Best
Hi,
Unfortunately, that's the part of your contract. You either accept this or look for the other job (that will be likely the same). 2 solutions here:
Start your own business
Look for non-bs people and work with them. It's hard and requires a good amount of insight
Best
Thats interesting because I have been thinking about exactly those two options. Where do you find non-bs people? Is it in PIPE or GAMMA/Quantumblack, etc? —
Anonymous A on Feb 17, 2020
An alternative option to those provided is to change the narrative i.e. how you view this world.
I do understand your point, but remember something very critical here. This is ,where MBB adds value.
MBB are, first and foremost, storytellers. They take very complicated, obtuse, messy information, and bundle it into something that is digestible. One, this is digestible to senior leadership (so that they can react and respond and take appropriate action), but two this is disgestible to those to whom they disseminate this information (allowing organisations to shift together).
Once you realise that the true skill/art of strategy consulting is the ability to boil things down, to align differing views into one, to persuade others, to communicate direction clearly, then you might appreciate your work more :)
If this doesn't work, please don't be dissuaded...it's not hard to find good companies and good people to work for/with (you just need to define what good is for you). You have the brilliant position of being able to discover and get almost any job you want.
An alternative option to those provided is to change the narrative i.e. how you view this world.
I do understand your point, but remember something very critical here. This is ,where MBB adds value.
MBB are, first and foremost, storytellers. They take very complicated, obtuse, messy information, and bundle it into something that is digestible. One, this is digestible to senior leadership (so that they can react and respond and take appropriate action), but two this is disgestible to those to whom they disseminate this information (allowing organisations to shift together).
Once you realise that the true skill/art of strategy consulting is the ability to boil things down, to align differing views into one, to persuade others, to communicate direction clearly, then you might appreciate your work more :)
If this doesn't work, please don't be dissuaded...it's not hard to find good companies and good people to work for/with (you just need to define what good is for you). You have the brilliant position of being able to discover and get almost any job you want.
what is long-term goal? Many people use consulting as a first step in their career and so far that they understand what is their call, they switch to what is more fulfilling for them (for me was entrepreneurship). If you cannot find a true purpose in your current job I would:
Look for what really makes sense for you as fulfilling project/career
Leverage your MBB brand to get as close as possible to that career – it should not be difficult since MBB has a strong alumni network basically everywhere
Best,
Francesco
Hi Anonymous,
what is long-term goal? Many people use consulting as a first step in their career and so far that they understand what is their call, they switch to what is more fulfilling for them (for me was entrepreneurship). If you cannot find a true purpose in your current job I would:
Look for what really makes sense for you as fulfilling project/career
Leverage your MBB brand to get as close as possible to that career – it should not be difficult since MBB has a strong alumni network basically everywhere
I don't think you'll get the answer you are looking for here. If the job is making you unhappy, try searching for what it is that you are really missing out on and find ways to make your life more fulfiling.
I would recommend the book designing your life as a good place to start
All the best,
Udayan
I don't think you'll get the answer you are looking for here. If the job is making you unhappy, try searching for what it is that you are really missing out on and find ways to make your life more fulfiling.
I would recommend the book designing your life as a good place to start
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GOT - Got your Offer Training 
Integrated FIT Guide for MBB by Clara 
