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When I give recommendation, should I recap first?

final recommendation
New answer on Dec 16, 2020
6 Answers
960 Views
Anonymous A asked on Oct 01, 2020

When I give recommendation, should I recap first? For example, mention something like "the task is .... based on the analysis, we discover that.... " before I actually say "I recommend that the client"

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Allen
Expert
replied on Oct 02, 2020
Ex-McK Experienced Hire and EM - I show you how to perform at your best

Yes.

However, three important points.

1) Do repeat the question, as in "Regarding the question of how to respond to X..."

2) After you give the recommendation, repeat the main points that are driving your recommendation. (Top-down communication starts with the main point, then the supporting arguments)

3) Don't repeat every step of the conversation thus far. There's no point in that and part of the test is to see if you can focus only on what matters

Helps?

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Robert
Expert
Content Creator
replied on Oct 02, 2020
McKinsey offers w/o final round interviews - 100% risk-free - 10+ years MBB coaching experience - Multiple book author

Hi Anonymous,

Instead of recap I am rather inclinded to say introduction to what follows (your recommendation) - which must be kept as short and to the point as possible and often takes less than 10 seconds.

Why? Because the CEO to whom you are pitching this recommendation might have 10 strategic projects he is concerned about, and it's alsways good to set the stage and give appropriate framing/context to what follows next (your recommendation), so that everyone at the table knows exactly what you are talking about.

Hope that helps - if so, please be so kind to give it a thumbs-up with the green upvote button below!

Robert

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Gaurav
Expert
Content Creator
replied on Dec 16, 2020
Ex-Mckinsey|Certified Career Coach |Placed 500+ candidates at MBB & other consultancies

Hi there,

no need to go very deep and recap all that's been said.

  • justify your recommendation
  • be on point
  • answer the question
  • summarize

Hope it was helpful!

GB

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Ian
Expert
Content Creator
replied on Oct 03, 2020
#1 BCG coach | MBB | Tier 2 | Digital, Tech, Platinion | 100% personal success rate (8/8) | 95% candidate success rate

Hi there,

Yes and no. Your example is far too long! Cut all the words that don't matter (in everything you say). "The task is...based on our analysis, we discover that"....not a single word there adds value!

Rather say "When evaluating x decision, we recommend y"

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Clara
Expert
Content Creator
replied on Oct 03, 2020
McKinsey | Awarded professor at Master in Management @ IE | MBA at MIT |+180 students coached | Integrated FIT Guide aut

Hello!

In my personal opinion, less is more in the final recommendation.

Try to keep it as short as possible, so it´s punchy.

If the words you are adding don´t add much to the message -those in the example don´t-, then spare them.

Hope it helps!

Cheers,

Clara

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Henning
Expert
replied on Oct 02, 2020
Bain | passed >15 MBB interviews as a candidate

In your summary, focus on the results, not the process. Your structure could look like:

  • State the problem statement - in one sentence only
  • Then give your overall recommendation, also only in one sentence
  • After that, support your recommendation with your key findings
  • Close with an outlook on next steps, i.e. what you would analyze if you had one more week for this to further detail out the recommendation and assess potential risks

Make sure to not add any new content in the recommendation that you haven't discussed/analyzed during the case.

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