Get Active in Our Amazing Community of Over 452,000 Peers!

Schedule mock interviews on the Meeting Board, join the latest community discussions in our Consulting Q&A and find like-minded Case Partners to connect and practice with!

Considering macro trends during hypothesis

hypothesis MBB
Edited on Sep 05, 2021
3 Answers
2.1 k Views
Anonymous A asked on Sep 01, 2019

Hi,

Shall we consider current real macro trends and apply them during hypothesizing? (like increasing e-commerce, healthy living, pet owning, start-ups etc...)

Or we should stay in the limits of given case information and shouldn't raise the point that e-commerce can be growing unless it's given in the case.

Thanks!

Overview of answers

Upvotes
  • Upvotes
  • Date ascending
  • Date descending
Best answer
Marco-Alexander
Expert
Content Creator
updated an answer on Sep 05, 2021
Former BCG | Case author for efellows book | Experience in 6 consultancies (Stern Stewart, Capgemini, KPMG, VW Con., Hor

(edited)

Was this answer helpful?
Francesco
Expert
Content Creator
replied on Sep 02, 2019
#1 Coach for Sessions (4.500+) | 1.500+ 5-Star Reviews | Proven Success (➡ interviewoffers.com) | Ex BCG | 10Y+ Coaching

Hi Anonymous,

after you presented your structure, you can make a hypothesis on which area is responsible for the problem/possible solution. However, you should always verify the hypothesis with data from the interviewer. You should never use information you may have about a sector and make assumptions without data.

Bad example

“Since I know e-commerce is booming, I would assume our client should look at growth there. Do we have any information on its capabilities in this area?”

Good example

“As we saw in the previous structure, one of the ways to grow the demand for our product is related to new distribution channels. My hypothesis is that we could grow via an online presence, since you told me our client doesn’t have an e-commerce shop. To verify this hypothesis, I would like to verify first if the e-commerce segment is attractive for the product of the client in terms of size and growth. Do we have any information on that?”

Best,

Francesco

Was this answer helpful?
Vlad
Expert
replied on Sep 01, 2019
McKinsey / Accenture Alum / Got all BIG3 offers / Harvard Business School
Was this answer helpful?
Marco-Alexander gave the best answer

Marco-Alexander

Premium + Coaching Expert
Content Creator
Former BCG | Case author for efellows book | Experience in 6 consultancies (Stern Stewart, Capgemini, KPMG, VW Con., Hor
240
Meetings
353
Q&A Upvotes
25
Awards
5.0
90 Reviews