MBB offices for future growth

Question

Hi all, there is a lot of discussion around exit opportunities after MBB. But I want some advice about sticking with the firm long term. For such a person to reach MBB's C suite, does it make sense to work for the most powerful office? You must have heard "Out of sight, out of mind". So, for example, if you work for BCG Boston for 15-20 yrs, you would be visible to top leadership in Boston office. Would you have a much higher chance of becoming the firm's CEO compared to the situation where you work for some office in Texas or Shaghai? I know that there would be ten other factors, but is this hypothesis generally true?

And if this indeed true, which are those most powerful offices - are they NY for Mckinsey, Boston for both BCG, Bain?

Answer 1

Hey anonymous,

Are you really aiming to be the global manager partner in one of the MBBs? If that's the case, select whichever office you want and network like crazy since day 1 (and, btw, you need to be best in class in a group of highly distinctive people, the odds are not definitely in your favor)

Best

Bruno

Answer 2

I am a little bit surprised by this question...why would someone want to become a consultancy’s CEO vs. Just being the most successful partner commercially (and thus make more)? Prestige? Then much better to become CEO of a fortune 100 or similar.

That said, if you look at MBB CEOs history you will notice that they are not always coming from same office. So, no, not necessary to be in head office, can find your path there by being really successful in another big office or by funding a new office and bringing it to sustainable size.

Andrea

Answer 3

Hi,

I believe to become a CEO you need to lead some region first. Leading a region means traveling across multiple countries a lot. You may lead US region and sit in the US, but competition here is higher as well. So maybe it’s better to be in a less competitive region?:)