Will My New Personal Business Conflict with My Upcoming Consulting Job?

Question

Hello! I am joining a top consulting firm in the Middle East on January 25. I was originally supposed to start in September 2024, but my start date was delayed due to "market conditions."

I have a question: I’m starting a new personal project/business related to fitness, with the primary target market being high-pressure professionals, specifically management consultants and investment bankers. I plan to run social media ads and hopefully sell my product/service successfully to people in these industries.

Is there any risk that this could affect my future role? Could I encounter any problems? The question might sound stupid, but I genuinely have no idea.

Answer 1

Hi there and congrats on your McKinsey offer!

Very outside-in answer is: I don't think you should worry too much, at least not for now. Main reason for this being that your current personal project does not interfere so far with your consulting job (+ you are not using your consulting position to gain personal financial gain).

However, I would still think you should play this very safe and avoid any doubt / further questioning. Therefore, I think you should, for now, reach out to HR and simply ask if they see any issue with this. Be ready to share a bit of details about the business; I except they will also ask if you plan to continue this after your official employment starts.

Once your official employment starts, I am expecting McKinsey to have very clear rules and processes about these kind of activities. I don't think it's a clear "you are not allowed to do this", but rather a compliance process you need to follow to be in the clear.

To share some personal examples (different MBB / different office, so use as illustrative):
(1) I had my own business that I started during an educational break from BCG. Even if my contract was officially paused, I asked for the OK of the office director, which I have gotten. I continued a bit my business during my time at BCG, then eventually closed it.

(2) I was in the board (non-exec) of a company while in another BCG office and went through the official compliance process and got the OK from BCG to pursue that activity (I had to estimate how much time it would take me and explain why I don't think that would interfere with my day to day consulting job).

I hope this gives you a sense of the implications, at least how I see it. Please do check with the official relevant sources - no harm in doing that.

Best,

Ariadna

Answer 2

I don't think you should worry about the risk for now. I don't see any conflict of interest or anything of the sort.

You should just let them know you're going to engage in an entrepreneurship project until your start date. If any, this experience would make you an even more well-rounded consultant who understands how to build a business and team, not just how to apply frameworks.

All the best in your endeavors.

Answer 3

Hi there,

Q: Is there any risk that this could affect my future role? Could I encounter any problems?

Unless there is something in your contract preventing a similar work experience before you start, I cannot see any issue.

The only possible concern is that you will not have much time once you start, thus most likely you will not be able to continue the activity in parallel after January.

Additionally, if you would like to continue working on your project after you start, I would recommend disclosing it at that stage to HR.

Good luck!

Francesco

Answer 4

Hi there,

I don't see any issue with this. It's a great initiative that does not conflict with your future work.

However, it's likely that you would need to shut it down once you start as the contract usually forbids you from doing any other work. Clarify with HR. :-)

Cheers,

Florian