Now that the interviewee realizes that the failing product lines are failing due to the transit of goods across the Pacific ocean, they must brainstorm some methods to fix this.
Some possible answers are:
- Moving operations to the US
- Building a warehouse in the US to store goods in anticipation of orders
- Flying products over
Ultimately, the interviewee needs to realize that all of those options are both more expensive and take time + capital to implement, dramatically affecting margins. They should also realize that it is not an option to price compete, as this will also reduce margins.
The ideal solution for our client is to stop selling the product lines that are currently selling poorly in the US: Wheels, Airbags, and Seatbelts.
Additionally:
- They could look to increase the prices we charge on carburetors and A/C Units, or promote them more aggressively in the US
- They could also look to continue to leverage their presumed strengths regarding time to delivery in Japan and Korea for Wheels, Airbags, and Seatbelts
- They could look to identify parts with characteristics similar to carburetors and A/C units that we can be sold in the US market to replace lost profits and create new revenue streams
This is a candidate-led case, the style of which could be seen across a range of consultancies, but particularly BCG and Bain. The case is split into 3 main parts:
In addition to the above, this case tests a candidate's understanding of profitability, the automotive industry, globalisation, and, of course, chart reading.
The following can be verbally provided to interviewee if asked:
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Scoring Criteria: Use the following grading system for each skill area:
a. Structured Thinking (Frameworking):
1 = Lacked a coherent structure
5 = Pinpointed the appropriate issue, segmented it into a complete set of non-overlapping components (e.g., MECE), presented a plan to tackle the case, and offered valuable insights.
b. Numeracy/Math:
1 = Committed numerous errors and required assistance in setting up equations
5 = Performed calculations accurately and with confidence, identified implications, designed a clear and efficient approach, and demonstrated exceptional speed.
c. Judgement and Insights (Charts & Exhibits): 1 = Missed basic insights 5 = Connected findings to develop practical recommendations, made reasonable hypotheses, shared impressive insights, and flagged far-reaching implications.
1 = Overlooked fundamental insights
5 = Linked observations to devise actionable recommendations, formulated plausible hypotheses, conveyed strong, objective-driven insights, and highlighted impact.
d. Case Leadership (unless interviewer-led):
1 = Frequently disoriented and dependent on guidance
5 = Advanced autonomously and maintained focus on the question and the client's objective.
e. Creativity:
1 = Had difficulty generating original ideas
5 = Offered a variety of strong and diverse ideas, tailored to the industry and business context.
f. Presence:
1 = Not client-ready
5 = Exhibited professionalism, charisma, enthusiasm, and self-assurance.
g. Communication:
1 = Unclear and disorganized
5 = Demonstrated active listening, spoke precisely, and communicated concisely.
h. Synthesis (Final Recommendation):
1 = Failed to provide a coherent and well-founded recommendation
5 = Justified recommendation with key considerations, potential risks, and subsequent steps to address those risks.
During the Interview: As the candidate progresses through the case, take notes on their performance in each skill area. Be prepared to provide feedback at the end of the interview.
Post-Interview: After the interview, grade the candidate's performance in each skill area based on your notes and the scoring criteria. Share the scores and any specific feedback with the candidate to help them understand their level of readiness for the actual interview.
Improvement: Encourage the candidate to focus on areas where their performance was weak and provide guidance on how they can improve in those areas.