I have been offered Expert Project lead postion in BCG India office. I don't come from MBB background but have experience in project management with other consulting firms. I wanted to check on what are ways to succeed in this role considering my non MBB background as I have heard that first year PL for lateral hire is extremely tough. I still have 2 months before I join the role.

Hi Aka,

Congrats on the offer! Consider using your signing bonus/salary to get coaching to ensure you succeed.

MOST IMPORTANTLY: Know that no-one can perfectly prepare for the job and that's the point: You will mess up, you will learn, you will be trained and supported. That's OK!

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First: Read the 25 tips in my consulting handbook

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Second: In terms of things you can learn/do to prepare beforehand:

1) Daily Reading

• The Economist, The Financial Times, BCG/Mskinsey Insights

2) Industry deep-dives

• Learn, in-depth, how the industries/companies your office advises, work. (PM me for an industry overview template)

3) Analytics tools

• Alteryx, Tableau, etc.

4) Excel

5) Powerpoint

• Best practices/standards
• Different layouts
• Quickly editing/updating slides
• Thinking in PowerPoint

6) Presentation skills / sharp communication

• There are some online/virtual classes for this

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Third: In terms of doing well in your role when you're there:

1) Understand the context/prompt (what role are you in, what company, who's watching, etc.)

2) Understand the objective (what, specifically, is expected from you...both day to day, and in your overall career progression)

3) Quickly process information, and focus on what's important - Take a lot of information and the unknown, find the most logical path, and focus on that.

4) Be comfortable with the unknown, and learn to brainstorm - think/speak like an expert without being one

In summary, there will always be a flood of information, expectations, competition etc. and not enough time. Find out which ones matter when. (i.e. be visibile and focus efforts on the things that people care about)

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Fourth: Here are some great prior Q&As for you!

https://www.preplounge.com/en/consulting-forum/what-makes-a-good-consultant-how-to-get-a-good-review-6790

https://www.preplounge.com/en/consulting-forum/how-hard-is-it-to-excel-in-top-consulting-firms-6762

https://www.preplounge.com/en/consulting-forum/how-to-become-an-engagement-manager-and-partner-quickly-6722

https://www.preplounge.com/en/consulting-forum/need-to-learn-skills-in-the-ample-free-time-before-starting-at-an-mbb-what-should-i-do-6774

Hi Aka!

Congrats!

And it's nice to see how keen you are on having a great start. 

Needless to say, you'll get lots of help in the beginning through the network at the firm, but I'll share with you two resources that are based on my own learnings from 5y at McK. They focus especially on what is important to do right at the beginning to get things right:

• Expert Guide: How to Become A Distinctive Consultant
• Expert Guide: How to Manage for Lifestyle in Consulting

Good luck!
Cristian

Hi Aka, 

congrats! Big achievement. I recommend not to spread too thin in your prep (e.g., daily readings with very marginal value). Let's have a quick free coffee chat and I tell you a bit more how I prep my coachees for day 1. Warm regards, Freddy