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Producer Food Source Sunlight affected by Cloud cover?

Imbellus McKinsey problem solving game
Edited on Apr 10, 2024
6 Answers
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Anonymous A asked on Mar 24, 2024

Hey there,
I had a question regarding the Forest Ecosystem within the problem solving game. 
There are producers (so no calories needed, only provide calories), that are either having Food Source = Waste, or Food Source = Sunlight.
I was wondering whether the Producers having their Food Source from Sunlight are affected by the “Cloud cover” metric, that on can check on the monitors? Therefore covered cloud might reduce the calories the Producers can actually produce and then I have to take that percentage into account??
But I guess I'm thinking way too complicated about this and Imbellus actually does not care about real biology at all…

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Ian
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replied on Mar 25, 2024
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Hi there,

Love the thinking!

From what I've seen historically, this should not have an impact. As in, just calories matter.

However, remember that McKinsey has an incentive to change things up and TEST your ability to THINK.

If I were McKinsey, I would change the game without telling anyone.

The more cheating (using online simulations, etc.) there is, the more frequently I would change.

They've already done this before multiple times (changing the games, bringing in RedRock, etc.)

So, if the game has a RULE written regarding ANYTHING that you haven't seen before….then….THINK. Use your brain not what you've memorized :)

If you have a choice between a cloudy spot and not cloudy, I'd put it in a not cloudy  spot :)

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Hagen
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updated an answer on Apr 10, 2024
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Hi there,

First of all, congratulations on the (assumed) invitation from McKinsey!

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

  • First of all, your intuition regarding the impact of "cloud cover" on producers using sunlight as a food source is quite astute. In the context of the McKinsey Solve pre-interview assessment, it is reasonable to assume that environmental factors such as cloud cover affect producers.
  • Moreover, however, in this case, this is just an (admittedly ambivalent) way of saying "plants have no food source".

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

Best,

Hagen

 

You can find the DACH consulting salaries report 2024 here!

(edited)

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Francesco
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replied on Mar 25, 2024
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Hi there,

Q: I was wondering whether the Producers having their Food Source from Sunlight are affected by the “Cloud cover” metric, that one can check on the monitors?

The food source indicated for producers is irrelevant in terms of the strategy to follow during the game (there is no rule of the game related to that). Whether it is waste or sunlight it doesn’t matter, therefore you can ignore that variable for the sake of building the chain.

Good luck!

Francesco

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Florian
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replied on Mar 25, 2024
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Hi there,

Don't give them ideas to make it more difficult than it already is. ;D

In short, no it does not affect anything.

Cheers,

Florian

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Cristian
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replied on Mar 25, 2024
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Based on the latest version of the game, this does not have a contribution. 

It might have in the future. But for now I wouldn't worry about it. 

Best,
Cristian

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Pedro
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replied on Mar 25, 2024
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No, right now it doesn't have an impact! :)
Well thought, though!

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Hagen gave the best answer

Hagen

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