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Brainstorming

brainstorming questions

Most recent answer on Oct 31, 2023

Anonymous gave the best answer on Oct 10, 2018

Hi, a couple tips: Always ask if you can take ~30 seconds to structure your thoughts. Just because it's a brainstorm, doesn't mean it shouldn't be nicely structured. Worst case, they say you shouldn't take a break, ... (read entire answer)

5
Answers

2.8 k
Views

6
Total Upvotes

on Oct 31, 2023 on Oct 31, 2023
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Asking questions under brainstorming questions

brainstorming questions

Most recent answer on Oct 31, 2023

Cristian

Expert

#1 rated MBB & McKinsey Coach

Cristian

Expert

gave the best answer on Oct 31, 2023

#1 rated MBB & McKinsey Coach

Absolutely. Anything that you do that makes the interview feel more like a conversation is a good thing to do. Basically the interview is meant to simulate the conversation you would have with a client. Here's also an ... (read entire answer)

3
Answers

2.3 k
Views

7
Total Upvotes

on Oct 31, 2023 on Oct 31, 2023
Last Activity

Brainstorming: being structured vs. being realistic

brainstorming questions

Most recent answer on Oct 31, 2023

Anonymous gave the best answer on May 06, 2020

There is no conflict here actually. A good structure doesn't need to be rigid - it doesn't have to follow the internal/external, financial/non-financial, or other typical ways. What matters is you capture the key aspe ... (read entire answer)

13
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1.9 k
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53
Total Upvotes

on Oct 31, 2023 on Oct 31, 2023
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Looking for exciting discussions from the community?

Not structured enough in brainstorming session..always ask for time to think?

brainstorming questions

Most recent answer on Oct 31, 2023

Cristian

Expert

#1 rated MBB & McKinsey Coach

Cristian

Expert

gave the best answer on Oct 31, 2023

#1 rated MBB & McKinsey Coach

Yes to both questions - take time to think and provide a ‘structured’ answer. Taking time helps you get depth to your thinking and then also figure out what is the best way to communicate your ideas in a structured man ... (read entire answer)

5
Answers

1.5 k
Views

12
Total Upvotes

on Oct 31, 2023 on Oct 31, 2023
Last Activity

Brainstorming practice resources

brainstorming questions

Most recent answer on Oct 31, 2023

Florian

Expert

Highest-rated McKinsey coach (ratings, offers, sessions) | 500+ offers | Author of The 1% & Consulting Career Secrets

Florian

Expert

gave the best answer on Sep 09, 2021

Highest-rated McKinsey coach (ratings, offers, sessions) | 500+ offers | Author of The 1% & Consulting Career Secrets

Hey there, Reach out and I'll send you some case collections you can use to break out the structuring and brainstorming questions for practice drills. Alternatively, you can also use the PrepLounge case database to prac ... (read entire answer)

5
Answers

1.4 k
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18
Total Upvotes

on Oct 31, 2023 on Oct 31, 2023
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Brainstorming - number of buckets needed

brainstorming

Most recent answer on Oct 31, 2023

Mariam

Expert

Ex-Bain | ~5 years of consulting experience in the Middle East (UAE) | 4 years of candidate coaching with Bain

Mariam

Expert

gave the best answer on Sep 06, 2021

Ex-Bain | ~5 years of consulting experience in the Middle East (UAE) | 4 years of candidate coaching with Bain

Hello, In general, there is no “right” number of buckets. It is better to have 2 great buckets rather than have a 3rd weak/ far fetched one for the sake of adding an additional bucket.. However, the more relevant aspect ... (read entire answer)

11
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1.1 k
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95
Total Upvotes

on Oct 31, 2023 on Oct 31, 2023
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How much time should I take when it comes to a brainstorming question?

brainstorming

Most recent answer on Oct 31, 2023

Francesco

Expert

#1 Coach for Sessions (4.500+) | 1.500+ 5-Star Reviews | Proven Success (➡ interviewoffers.com) | Ex BCG | 10Y+ Coaching

Francesco

Expert

gave the best answer on Jan 30, 2022

#1 Coach for Sessions (4.500+) | 1.500+ 5-Star Reviews | Proven Success (➡ interviewoffers.com) | Ex BCG | 10Y+ Coaching

Hi there, It depends on the question, but in general I would keep the following as a benchmark to write down a structure / brainstorm: Initial structure: 1-2 minutes Brainstorming during the case: 30 seconds - 1 minute ... (read entire answer)

9
Answers

809
Views

67
Total Upvotes

on Oct 31, 2023 on Oct 31, 2023
Last Activity

Brainstorming McK - how can you optimize store format?

brainstorming

Most recent answer on Oct 31, 2023

Mariam

Expert

Ex-Bain | ~5 years of consulting experience in the Middle East (UAE) | 4 years of candidate coaching with Bain

Mariam

Expert

gave the best answer on Oct 17, 2021

Ex-Bain | ~5 years of consulting experience in the Middle East (UAE) | 4 years of candidate coaching with Bain

I would break it down into 2 1) what is meant by store format and its components:→ store size (i.e. hypermarket vs supermarket vs small mart vs booth)-→ store look and feel (store inside design, lighting, how modern it ... (read entire answer)

6
Answers

795
Views

26
Total Upvotes

on Oct 31, 2023 on Oct 31, 2023
Last Activity

Brainstorming structure McK vs Bain/BCG

brainstorming

Most recent answer on Oct 31, 2023

Florian

Expert

Highest-rated McKinsey coach (ratings, offers, sessions) | 500+ offers | Author of The 1% & Consulting Career Secrets

Florian

Expert

gave the best answer on Jul 26, 2021

Highest-rated McKinsey coach (ratings, offers, sessions) | 500+ offers | Author of The 1% & Consulting Career Secrets

Hey there, At the core, McKinsey wants to see creative ideas communicated in a structured manner, the more exhaustive the better. Your goal should be to come up with a tailored and creative answer that fits t ... (read entire answer)

5
Answers

793
Views

33
Total Upvotes

on Oct 31, 2023 on Oct 31, 2023
Last Activity

Brainstorming practice areas

brainstorming questions

Most recent answer on Oct 31, 2023

Antonello

Expert

McKinsey | NASA | top 10 FT MBA professor for consulting interviews | 6+ years of coaching

Antonello

Expert

gave the best answer on Oct 16, 2021

McKinsey | NASA | top 10 FT MBA professor for consulting interviews | 6+ years of coaching

Hi! Reduce time to market Increase product awareness Improve productivity Etc. Hope this helps. Best, Anto

7
Answers

773
Views

21
Total Upvotes

on Oct 31, 2023 on Oct 31, 2023
Last Activity

Clarifying question during brainstorming

brainstorming

Most recent answer on Oct 31, 2023

Florian

Expert

Highest-rated McKinsey coach (ratings, offers, sessions) | 500+ offers | Author of The 1% & Consulting Career Secrets

Florian

Expert

gave the best answer on Jul 26, 2021

Highest-rated McKinsey coach (ratings, offers, sessions) | 500+ offers | Author of The 1% & Consulting Career Secrets

Hey there, There is a simple rule: Always ask questions whenever you feel it would improve the quality of your outcome / answers. So, yes - go ahead! :-) Cheers, Florian

7
Answers

655
Views

27
Total Upvotes

on Oct 31, 2023 on Oct 31, 2023
Last Activity

Brainstorming new market

brainstorming

Most recent answer on Jul 15, 2021

gave the best answer on Jul 15, 2021

Hi there, It really depends on the case and how it's worded. If the case says "We're entering Germany and need to increase profits there", I wouldn't go outside of that directive (i.e. don't "panic" and ignore the que ... (read entire answer)

3
Answers

606
Views

46
Total Upvotes

on Jul 15, 2021 on Jul 15, 2021
Last Activity

Do you have a question for our consulting experts, too?

Resources/approaches to practice brainstorming (with reference answer)

brainstorming questions

Most recent answer on Aug 30, 2023

Hani

Expert

Associate and All-star Interviewer at OW | Ex-S& | 5+ years in the Middle East |300+ Interviews | INSEAD MBA

Hani

Expert

gave the best answer on Aug 15, 2023

Associate and All-star Interviewer at OW | Ex-S& | 5+ years in the Middle East |300+ Interviews | INSEAD MBA

Hello there,It is helpful to set a timer when you are practicing brainstorming. This will help you to stay focused and to generate more ideas in a shorter amount of time.I would suggest 3 methods to get better consisten ... (read entire answer)

6
Answers

415
Views

29
Total Upvotes

on Aug 30, 2023 on Aug 30, 2023
Last Activity

Brainstorming vs Frameworks

brainstorming questions

Most recent answer on Feb 28, 2024

Sascha

Expert

Accenture | Digital Strategist | Empathic Case & Career Coach | Personalized sessions & training

Sascha

Expert

gave the best answer on Feb 22, 2024

Accenture | Digital Strategist | Empathic Case & Career Coach | Personalized sessions & training

Hey there 👋, Brainstorming and using Frameworks are not mutually exclusive. When you utilize a framework, sometimes it is necessary to brainstorm some ideas within different stages of the framework. For example if you u ... (read entire answer)

9
Answers

330
Views

117
Total Upvotes

on Feb 28, 2024 on Feb 28, 2024
Last Activity

Can you tell me about some good frameworks for brainstorming that can apply to different types of cases?

brainstorming brainstorming questions Interviewer-led mckinsey style

Most recent answer on Oct 31, 2023

Dorothea

Expert

Ex-Oliver Wyman with 100% interview success rate - specialized in female career coaching

Dorothea

Expert

gave the best answer on Aug 10, 2018

Ex-Oliver Wyman with 100% interview success rate - specialized in female career coaching

Hi Kay, hope this finds you well. There is indeed no one size fits all approach, but certain frameworks may be good as a first starting point: Internal / external = used for market entry (internal - capabi ... (read entire answer)

3
Answers

3.3 k
Views

9
Total Upvotes

on Oct 31, 2023 on Oct 31, 2023
Last Activity

Take time (Chart Interpretation, Brainstorming Q and recommendation)

Bain BCG BCG McKinsey and Bain MBB Mck

Most recent answer on Oct 31, 2023

Ken

Expert

Ex-McKinsey final round interviewer | Executive Coach

Ken

Expert

gave the best answer on Mar 26, 2021

Ex-McKinsey final round interviewer | Executive Coach

1. It's always appropriate to ask for time if it benefits you. The case interview is not an assessement of how quickly you can finish the case 2. At the start, taking 2-5 mins is completely ok but as you progress thro ... (read entire answer)

8
Answers

2.4 k
Views

110
Total Upvotes

on Oct 31, 2023 on Oct 31, 2023
Last Activity

Brainstorming vs Brainsteering

brainstorming McKinsey

Most recent answer on Oct 31, 2023

Clara

Expert

McKinsey | Awarded professor at Master in Management @ IE | MBA at MIT |+180 students coached | Integrated FIT Guide aut

Clara

Expert

gave the best answer on Jan 06, 2020

McKinsey | Awarded professor at Master in Management @ IE | MBA at MIT |+180 students coached | Integrated FIT Guide aut

Hello! Indeed both of them are used, just at different stages/seniorities during the engagements. When you do LOPs (letter of proposal, so the docs you do to sell an engagement to a client) and present it, it´s whe ... (read entire answer)

5
Answers

2.2 k
Views

27
Total Upvotes

on Oct 31, 2023 on Oct 31, 2023
Last Activity

Is it okay to ask for a minute during the middle of the interview when the interviewer asks a brainstorming question?

brainstorming questions

Most recent answer on Oct 31, 2023

Cristian

Expert

#1 rated MBB & McKinsey Coach

Cristian

Expert

gave the best answer on Oct 31, 2023

#1 rated MBB & McKinsey Coach

Absolutely. Always ask for time. The idea that you should always be answering on the spot was propagated by candidates through peer practice, not interviewers. Interviewers don't expect you to answer on the spot. Her ... (read entire answer)

3
Answers

1.9 k
Views

5
Total Upvotes

on Oct 31, 2023 on Oct 31, 2023
Last Activity

How to proceed "brainstorming solution" and what questions to ask?

solution

Most recent answer on Oct 31, 2023

Anonymous gave the best answer on May 07, 2020

Hi, I have already answered a similar question. Let me copy my approach: There are typically 3 stages of brainstorming potential solutions to a problem during McK interviewer led cases: 1) Prepare a long list of p ... (read entire answer)

5
Answers

1.6 k
Views

40
Total Upvotes

on Oct 31, 2023 on Oct 31, 2023
Last Activity

Brainstorming - prioritisation vs creativity

brainstorming brainstorming questions Case Interview

Most recent answer on Oct 31, 2023

Anonymous gave the best answer on Feb 10, 2021

Hi, I would recommend following a step-by-step approach to impress the interviewer without knowing their intention to ask this brainstorming question. Sometimes the interviewers want to evaluate your creativity, somet ... (read entire answer)

10
Answers

1.5 k
Views

110
Total Upvotes

on Oct 31, 2023 on Oct 31, 2023
Last Activity

1 - 20 of 545 results

Consulting Q&A – Ask Questions about Your Career

In this overview, you will find all the questions asked so far by the PrepLounge community. Anyone can ask questions and write answers. Our coaches are also happy to share their expertise. If you like an answer, give it an upvote so that it rises to the top. Here you can also find our guidelines and FAQs for the Consulting Q&A.