Industry value-chain

Question

What are some of the resources to get knowledge about value-chains of different industries?

Please do not refer me to a Google search.

Answer 1

Hi there,

I must say I appreciate your last line :P

You have two options:

Do it yourself
Pay for it

Do it yourself

I prefer this because you learn it better. Create an industry deep-dive outline (or use might). Then research and fill in the info. (Part google, but also your university's online library, etc.)

Pay for it

I really like Primerli but there are plenty of others out there (onliny courses in Udemy, Youtube, etc.)

Answer 2

Haha, I love how you ended the question.

Ok - no Google searches (though they help, you know ;) )

I would suggest you go to the websites of the big consulting firms (e.g., McKinsey) and check for their publications within their specific industry/function that you are interested in.

Each of these digests starts with an overview that would be useful to anyone regardless of their current knowledge.

If you read a couple of these then you also have the most up-to-date info in the industry.

Best of luck!
Cristian

Answer 3

Hi there,

1) mbb and tier 2 consulting publications, as suggested by others have value chain recaps

2) Wharton casebooks used to have a industry overview sections which was pretty ok also in terms of value chain

3) reading annual reports helps a ton especially 10-k in the management comments section (but bit time consuming)

4) chat gbt and the other ai powered similar tools do a first level good job with the right prompts

I would create your own quick sheet integrating the sources above, so that you can digest tbe content and make it stick.

hope this helps

regards

Answer 4

Hi there,

I would be happy to share my thoughts on your question:

First of all, while knowing value chains can be useful, please keep in mind that interviewers are assessing your business judgment, not your business knowledge. That said, gaining a broad understanding of key industries could potentially enhance your overall business acumen.
Moreover, business school textbooks and case studies could provide you with a wealth of knowledge. Many times, these resources have detailed discussions and illustrations of different industry value chains.
Lastly, I would advise you to have a look at industry reports from consulting firms like McKinsey, BCG, and Bain. They may not always provide a complete value chain, but they usually discuss the main parts of it.

If you would like a more detailed discussion on how to best prepare for your upcoming interviews, please don't hesitate to contact me directly.

Best,

Hagen