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Is it correctly understood that BCG is the leading strategy consultancy in France, and thus outperforming McKinsey?

Africa BCG France McKinsey
New answer on Jan 27, 2021
6 Answers
1.7 k Views
Anonymous A asked on Jan 24, 2021

And does this mean that BCG has a stronger presence in French speaking African countries as well? Thanks!

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Ken
Expert
updated an answer on Jan 27, 2021
Ex-McKinsey final round interviewer | Executive Coach

Having worked frequently in McKinsey France, I have also heard that BCG historically was the stronger performing consultancy compared to McKinsey until 4-5 years ago. My undrestanding is that they are now comparable where McKinsey Paris is performing very well and the office has also cotinued to grow. The nuances will be that either firm will be stronger in particular sectors/CAC40 clients/etc. but that is true in any location and easily changes over time.

For the second part of your question. The correlation was somewhat true 5+ years ago where although McKinsey opened Casablanca in the early 2000s the local office was much smaller and Francaphone Africa was still being served by consultants from the Paris office. Today, McKinsey Casablanca, in terms of consultant size, is double the size of BCG Casablanca (i.e., 80 vs. 40 consultants) and has also built a digital hub there for the region.

(edited)

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Ken on Jan 25, 2021

https://www.bcg.com/ja-jp/offices/casablanca/working-in

Ken on Jan 25, 2021

https://www.mckinsey.com/ma/overview

Anonymous A on Jan 25, 2021

Thanks a lot Ken, very useful answer!

Clara
Expert
Content Creator
replied on Jan 24, 2021
McKinsey | Awarded professor at Master in Management @ IE | MBA at MIT |+180 students coached | Integrated FIT Guide aut

Hello!

Could the cite the source plz, or explain based on what?

I leave it to my french collagues to leave a more accurate response, but in Europe McK is actually bigger.

Hope it helps!

Cheers,

Clara

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Adi
Expert
Content Creator
replied on Jan 24, 2021
Accenture, Deloitte | Precision Case Prep | Experienced Interviewer & Career Coach | 15 years professional experience

Hey, where did you get that from? Whats the source? Drawing such broad conclusions about French speaking countries will be wrong in my view...

As a general rule, please remember that rankings vary by country and industry and no single strategy consulting firm or BIG4 or Accenture is the undisputed leader throughout. Whats important is that you do your homework to understand which is a better fit for you and more in line with your career aspirations, values and risk apetitie.

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Ian
Expert
Content Creator
replied on Jan 25, 2021
#1 BCG coach | MBB | Tier 2 | Digital, Tech, Platinion | 100% personal success rate (8/8) | 95% candidate success rate

Hi there,

This is interesting logic but wouldn't hold quite true - what really matters is who got a foothold when. One or two clever Partners could tips scales either way in these smaller offices/markets.

This would certaintly be on a country-per-country basis. That said, as you know, McKinsey generally has the strongest reputation across the world.

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Gaurav
Expert
Content Creator
replied on Jan 25, 2021
#1 MBB Coach(Placed 750+ in MBBs & 1250+ in Tier2)| The Only 360 coach(Ex-McKinsey + Certified Coach + Active recruiter)

Hi there,

Interesting question, I'm curious about the source!

Having worked at McKinsey in Germany though I can say that its presense in Europe is bigger.

Cheers,

GB

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Antonello
Expert
Content Creator
replied on Jan 27, 2021
McKinsey | NASA | top 10 FT MBA professor for consulting interviews | 6+ years of coaching

Hi,

Interesting. I've heard mixed opinions on that.

Which company interests you the most?

Best,

Antonello

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Anonymous A on Jan 27, 2021

BCG I think

Ken gave the best answer

Ken

Ex-McKinsey final round interviewer | Executive Coach
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