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Saks Fifth Avenue has filed for bankruptcy.

After years of warning signs – including its Neiman Marcus acquisition and Amazon’s investment – the iconic luxury retailer is officially on life support.

In this Market Outsiders episode, Namaan and Jenny break down what actually went wrong behind the headlines. They cover:

• Why the Neiman Marcus deal failed to deliver real synergies
• How junk-bond financing and cash-flow missteps pushed Saks into bankruptcy
• What happens next – and whether Saks can realistically be rebuilt

This isn’t just a retail story. It’s a case study in leverage, dealmaking, and what happens when strategy can’t outrun structural change.

Episode Links:

• Amazon says its Saks investment is now worthless (CNBC)
• How the Neiman Marcus acquisition pushed Saks into bankruptcy (CNBC)

Previous episode:

• Saks on Amazon Signals Luxury in Crisis – Our original breakdown of Amazon’s stake and why the strategy looked fragile from the start

Partner Links:

• Learn more about NordStellar's Threat Exposure Management Program; unlock 10% off with code SIMPLIFIED-10

Chapters:

• 00:00 Introduction to Saks Fifth Avenue's Bankruptcy
• 02:31 Understanding the Acquisition of Neiman Marcus
• 05:47 Revenue and Cost Synergies Explained
• 09:33 The Role of Cash Flow in Business
• 13:24 Amazon's Investment and Its Implications
• 16:47 Potential Paths for Saks's Revival
• 21:36 The Future of Luxury Retail

Connect With Management Consulted

• Schedule free 15min consultation with the MC Team.
• Watch the video version of the podcast on YouTube!
• Follow us on LinkedIn, Instagram, and TikTok for the latest updates and industry insights!
• Join an upcoming live event - case interviews demos, expert panels, and more.
• Email us ([email protected]) with questions or feedback.

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What’s the real difference between an analyst, a manager, and a partner in consulting?

In this episode of Consulting Unpacked, Jenny Rae Le Roux breaks down how consulting roles actually work — what changes as you move up, what each level is responsible for, and what firms value most at every stage.

You’ll learn:

• What analysts, managers, and partners really do day to day
• Why being great at analytics isn’t enough as you move up
• How expectations shift from execution to leadership to vision

If you’re considering consulting or trying to understand how the career path actually works in practice, this episode gives you the insider view.

Additional Resources:

• Create a free profile + access the Job Board (1K+ jobs)
• Take the Consulting Fit Quiz (free self-assessment)
• Get full prep support with Black Belt

Partner Links:

• Learn more about NordStellar's Threat Exposure Management Program; unlock 10% off with code SIMPLIFIED-10

Connect With Management Consulted

• Schedule free 15min consultation with the MC Team.
• Watch the video version of the podcast on YouTube!
• Follow us on LinkedIn, Instagram, and TikTok for the latest updates and industry insights!
• Join an upcoming live event - case interviews demos, expert panels, and more.
• Email us ([email protected]) with questions or feedback.

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What is consulting, really — and why do companies pay so much for it?

In this first episode of Consulting Unpacked, Jenny Rae Le Roux (former Bain consultant and CEO of Management Consulted) breaks down consulting in 5 minutes, including:

• The difference between professional consulting and “single-shingle” consulting
• The 4 core reasons companies hire consultants
• The 3 main types of consulting: strategy, tech, and operations
• What it actually takes to succeed as a professional consultant

If you’re considering consulting — or trying to figure out whether it’s the right career path — this is the simplest and clearest place to start.

Additional Resources:

• Create a free profile + access the Job Board (1K+ jobs)
• Take the Consulting Fit Quiz (free self-assessment)
• Get full prep support with Black Belt

Partner Links:

• Learn more about NordStellar's Threat Exposure Management Program; unlock 10% off with code SIMPLIFIED-10

Connect With Management Consulted

• Schedule free 15min consultation with the MC Team.
• Watch the video version of the podcast on YouTube!
• Follow us on LinkedIn, Instagram, and TikTok for the latest updates and industry insights!
• Join an upcoming live event - case interviews demos, expert panels, and more.
• Email us ([email protected]) with questions or feedback.

Send us a text

The average new car now costs over $50,000, with monthly payments nearing $760.

So how did Ford post its best U.S. sales year since 2019?

In this episode of Market Outsiders, Namaan and Jenny Rae break down how Ford defied expectations in 2025 – despite tariffs, high rates, and weakening EV demand.

They cover:

• Why 2025 may have been the first “normal” auto year since COVID
• How financing, hybrids, and product mix drove Ford’s outperformance
• What Ford must change in 2026 as margins shift beyond unit sales

This is a forward-looking strategy conversation on how automakers adapt when cars start behaving more like platforms than products.

Partner Links:

• Learn more about NordStellar's Threat Exposure Management Program; unlock 10% off with code SIMPLIFIED-10

Chapters:

03:05 — 2025 Auto Industry Overview
06:33 — Ford's Unexpected Success
08:56 — Consumer Behavior and Car Buying Trends
13:53 — Analyzing the Automotive Market Trends
16:40 — Consumer Behavior and Financing Strategies
19:51 — The Shift Towards Hybrid and Electric Vehicles
22:46 — Sales Performance and Market Share Insights
25:38 — Future Strategies for Automotive Companies
28:30 — Monetizing Customer Relationships Post-Purchase

Connect With Management Consulted

• Schedule free 15min consultation with the MC Team.
• Watch the video version of the podcast on YouTube!
• Follow us on LinkedIn, Instagram, and TikTok for the latest updates and industry insights!
• Join an upcoming live event - case interviews demos, expert panels, and more.
• Email us ([email protected]) with questions or feedback.

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In the debut episode of Recruiting Reality Check, Katie Neff and Japheth Mast break down the real story of “Sophomore Sally” – a strong candidate at a fringe target school who’s panicking about junior-year recruiting and ready to apply everywhere (the “spaghetti at the wall” trap).

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• Why applying to everything hurts your chances
• How to build a focused 6–8 firm target list (with clear criteria)
• How to network in a way that earns real advocates + referrals
• What “commitment” actually looks like (and why recruiting started yesterday)

Want help like Sally is getting?

The January Black Belt cohort closes Tuesday, January 13 (limited spots). Learn more and join.

Additional Resources:

• Join January Black Belt
• Book a free 15-minute call with Katie to map out your best path
• Use the Firm Directory to create your target firms list

Partner Links:

• Learn more about NordStellar's Threat Exposure Management Program; unlock 10% off with code SIMPLIFIED-10

Connect With Management Consulted

• Schedule free 15min consultation with the MC Team.
• Watch the video version of the podcast on YouTube!
• Follow us on LinkedIn, Instagram, and TikTok for the latest updates and industry insights!
• Join an upcoming live event - case interviews demos, expert panels, and more.
• Email us ([email protected]) with questions or feedback.

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The 2026 Consulting Salary Report is coming later this month — and this episode is your first look at what to expect.

Japheth shares why this year’s report matters more than ever, how it’s built using real offer data from 100+ firms, and what candidates need to understand about consulting compensation heading into 2026.

Join the waitlist to get early access to the report and register for a seat at the live January 23 walkthrough.

Partner Links:

• Learn more about NordStellar's Threat Exposure Management Program; unlock 10% off with code SIMPLIFIED-10

Connect With Management Consulted

• Schedule free 15min consultation with the MC Team.
• Watch the video version of the podcast on YouTube!
• Follow us on LinkedIn, Instagram, and TikTok for the latest updates and industry insights!
• Join an upcoming live event - case interviews demos, expert panels, and more.
• Email us ([email protected]) with questions or feedback.

Send us a text

This is our most-listened-to episode of 2025 — and for good reason.

In this replay, you’ll hear a live McKinsey-style M&A case interview where a candidate evaluates whether a global bubble tea chain should acquire a fast-growing coffee brand.

Led by former McKinsey consultant and Management Consulted case coach Divya, the case walks through how to structure an acquisition decision, assess synergies and cannibalization risk, and pressure-test profitability — followed by concise interviewer feedback on what to refine.

The candidate went on to land an MBB offer shortly after this case, making this a must-listen for anyone prepping for consulting interviews in 2026.

Additional Resources:

• Purchase the Black Belt case prep program for 1:1 coaching with our expert MBB team
• More McKinsey case examples

Partner Links:

• Learn more about NordStellar's Threat Exposure Management Program; unlock 10% off with code SIMPLIFIED-10

Connect With Management Consulted

• Schedule free 15min consultation with the MC Team.
• Watch the video version of the podcast on YouTube!
• Follow us on LinkedIn, Instagram, and TikTok for the latest updates and industry insights!
• Join an upcoming live event - case interviews demos, expert panels, and more.
• Email us ([email protected]) with questions or feedback.

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Watch the top MBA teams in the 2025 MBA Case Competition World Cup Finals go head-to-head in a live, high-pressure strategy showdown.

Five finalist teams take on The Cava Challenge: build a 3–5 year growth strategy to scale Cava nationally — without sacrificing the flavor, quality, and culture that made the brand.

You’ll see:

• 5-minute executive-style presentations
• Live Q&A / defense under pressure
• How employers evaluate structure, judgment, and communication in real time

Whether you’re recruiting for consulting, strategy, or business roles, this episode is a front-row seat to what “top-tier” thinking looks like.

Judging employers: Accenture • L.E.K. • Netflix • OC&C • Simon-Kucher • Slalom

Additional Resources:

• Learn more about running a case competition for your university or club (Career Services & Club Leaders only)
• Get your copy of Marc Cosentino's newest book: Case In Point - Case Competition: Creating Winning Strategy Presentations for Case Competitions and Job Offers

Partner Links:

• Learn more about NordStellar's Threat Exposure Management Program; unlock 10% off with code SIMPLIFIED-10

Connect With Management Consulted

• Schedule free 15min consultation with the MC Team.
• Watch the video version of the podcast on YouTube!
• Follow us on LinkedIn, Instagram, and TikTok for the latest updates and industry insights!
• Join an upcoming live event - case interviews demos, expert panels, and more.
• Email us ([email protected]) with questions or feedback.

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Cannabis just moved from Schedule I to Schedule III — and the biggest implications have nothing to do with lifestyle or politics.

In this episode of Market Outsiders, Jenny Rae and Namaan break down what reclassification means for the market: who benefits, who loses, and why cannabis stocks dropped on “good” news.

They unpack the real unlocks behind the headlines — Medicare and Medicaid eligibility, federally funded research, banking access, and why Big Pharma, consumer giants, and even beer companies may now have the edge.

This is a regulatory shock case study: how one policy change reshapes competition, pricing power, supply chains, and long-term winners across healthcare and consumer markets.

Partner Links:

• Learn more about NordStellar's Threat Exposure Management Program; unlock 10% off with code SIMPLIFIED-10

Chapters:

01:05 — What Cannabis Reclassification Actually Changes
03:15 — Schedule I vs Schedule III: Why It Matters
05:45 — Banking, Taxes, and the Industry’s Hidden Constraints
08:20 — Medicare, Medicaid, and the Real Demand Unlock
11:10 — Why Cannabis Stocks Fell on “Good” News
13:30 — Big Pharma, Big Beer, and New Market Entrants
19:40 — Supply Chains, Compliance, and Rising Costs
25:00 — Who Wins, Who Loses, and What Comes Next

Connect With Management Consulted

• Schedule free 15min consultation with the MC Team.
• Watch the video version of the podcast on YouTube!
• Follow us on LinkedIn, Instagram, and TikTok for the latest updates and industry insights!
• Join an upcoming live event - case interviews demos, expert panels, and more.
• Email us ([email protected]) with questions or feedback.

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AI is everywhere in TMT — but in 2026, the hype is fading and the real question is simple: what’s the ROI?

Rick Wilmot (ex-McKinsey) sits down with leaders from Bain (Ron Kermisch), Capgemini Invent (Karl Bjurstrom), Strategy& (Dan Hays), and Altman Solon (Gregor Eichler) to unpack what TMT clients want now — and what it takes to win offers in this space.

You’ll hear what’s changing across tech and telecom: the post-hype AI reality check, shifting talent strategy, telco capex monetization pressure, and the growing role of regulation in growth strategy.

The panel also gets practical on recruiting: what makes candidates stand out, how to show real depth in TMT, and how to start strong once you land the role.

Each firm is hiring now. Click here to see open roles and prep resources to help you land your next offer.

Additional Resources:

• Explore open roles at Altman Solon, Bain, Capgemini Invent, and Strategy&
• Join Black Belt for personalized coaching, digital assessment practice, and targeted prep to break into education consulting

Partner Links:

• Learn more about NordStellar's Threat Exposure Management Program; unlock 10% off with code SIMPLIFIED-10

Connect With Management Consulted

• Schedule free 15min consultation with the MC Team.
• Watch the video version of the podcast on YouTube!
• Follow us on LinkedIn, Instagram, and TikTok for the latest updates and industry insights!
• Join an upcoming live event - case interviews demos, expert panels, and more.
• Email us ([email protected]) with questions or feedback.