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In this BCG case interview, ex-BCG Principal and case coach Tauseef Charanya leads a live, candidate-led walkthrough of an airline profitability case: should the client switch to credit-card-only in-flight payments?

Follow along as Bao works through clarifying questions, a customized profitability framework, structured math, and a clear final recommendation — plus hear Tauseef’s expert coaching on what “good” looks like at BCG.

Learn how to:

• Build a tailored framework under pressure
• Navigate candidate-led case flow with confidence
• Turn math, exhibits, and insights into a strong “so what”

Whether you’re prepping for BCG or any consulting interview, this session shows how to think, communicate, and problem-solve like a top-tier candidate.

Work with Tauseef:

• See Tauseef's coaching calendar
• Purchase the Black Belt case prep program for 1:1 coaching with Tauseef (8-10 hours)

Free Consulting Prep Just Got a Whole Lot Better

Create a free MC account for access to step-by-step learning pathways, a brand new case prep course, and more. Download the MC app to prep anywhere.

MBB Undergrad Timelines Are This Month

Application deadlines are the earliest we've ever seen; join Black Belt for an accelerated, MBB-led prep program

Listen on: Apple Podcasts   Spotify

Connect With Management Consulted

• Create a free MC account or download the MC app (Apple, Android) to start your prep today
• Schedule a free 15min consultation with the MC Team
• Watch the video version of the podcast on YouTube
• Follow us on LinkedIn, Instagram, and TikTok
• Join an upcoming live event – case interviews demos, expert panels, and more

Send us Fan Mail

Want to land a consulting role in China? This episode breaks down what makes the 2025 recruiting process one of the most competitive and unique in the world.

We cover:

• How applications, assessments, and interviews differ in mainland China vs. Hong Kong
• Why bilingual skills, academic strength, and international exposure matter more here than almost anywhere else
• What to expect from digital assessments, group cases, and market-specific interview themes
• 2025 salary benchmarks across McKinsey, Bain, BCG, OW, LEK, and more

For the full playbook, download Management Consulted’s 2025 China Recruitment Roadmap – free. 

It includes office-by-office insights, target schools, visa info, timelines, and a complete salary table for Shanghai, Beijing, and Hong Kong.

Additional Resources:

• Join Black Belt for coaching, CV edits, and case prep tailored to China’s competitive recruiting process
• Follow along on YouTube

Partner Links:

• Learn more about NordStellar's Threat Exposure Management Program; unlock 20% off with code BLACKFRIDAY20 until Dec. 10, 2025

Free Consulting Prep Just Got a Whole Lot Better

Create a free MC account for access to step-by-step learning pathways, a brand new case prep course, and more. Download the MC app to prep anywhere.

Connect With Management Consulted

• Create a free MC account or download the MC app (Apple, Android) to start your prep today
• Schedule a free 15min consultation with the MC Team
• Watch the video version of the podcast on YouTube
• Follow us on LinkedIn, Instagram, and TikTok
• Join an upcoming live event – case interviews demos, expert panels, and more

Send us Fan Mail

Best Buy was supposed to be dead. Instead, it just raised its full-year sales and earnings outlook.

In this episode, Jenny Rae and Namaan dig into why Best Buy is outperforming in a “K-shaped” economy, even as everyone keeps blaming the consumer and inflation.

They break down:

• How Best Buy is still winning on laptops, gaming, and smartphones
• Why AI-enabled laptops and new consoles are quietly driving an upgrade cycle
• The role of predictable sale moments (Prime Day, back-to-school, Black Friday)
• What Best Buy is doing in-store vs. online that pure e-commerce players can’t match
• How services and better execution matter more than macro excuses

They also talk about what this says about the American consumer, why sentiment and spending keep telling different stories, and what levers they’d pull if they were running Best Buy for the next five years.

Partner Links:

• Learn more about NordStellar's Threat Exposure Management Program; unlock 20% off with code BLACKFRIDAY20 until Dec. 10, 2025

Chapters:

• 02:10 Black Friday: From Chaos Day to 2-Month Season
•  04:45 Best Buy’s Unexpected Earnings Beat
•  07:20 What’s Actually Selling: Phones, Laptops, Gaming, AI Devices
•  10:05 Why Best Buy Wins In-Store (When It Shouldn’t)
•  13:00 Digital Channel Strength: Website, Pick-Up, Inventory, UX
•  15:40 The Consumer Is Fine (Again): Spending vs Sentiment
•  18:25 Best Buy’s Revenue Declines & Store Footprint Questions
•  

Free Consulting Prep Just Got a Whole Lot Better

Create a free MC account for access to step-by-step learning pathways, a brand new case prep course, and more. Download the MC app to prep anywhere.

MBB Undergrad Timelines Are This Month

Application deadlines are the earliest we've ever seen; join Black Belt for an accelerated, MBB-led prep program

Connect With Management Consulted

• Create a free MC account or download the MC app (Apple, Android) to start your prep today
• Schedule a free 15min consultation with the MC Team
• Watch the video version of the podcast on YouTube
• Follow us on LinkedIn, Instagram, and TikTok
• Join an upcoming live event – case interviews demos, expert panels, and more

Send us Fan Mail

Sophomore year feels early to think about consulting — but it’s actually the perfect time to get ahead. In this episode, MC coach Kabreya Ghaderi breaks down a simple roadmap using the 3A framework: Access, Ability, and Acceleration.

You’ll learn how to:

• Choose the right firms and offices
• Build a focused networking plan
• Avoid the “spray and pray” approach most candidates fall into

Kabreya also shares how to strengthen your resume, find meaningful sophomore-year experiences, and start building the case + fit skills firms expect.

If you’re aiming for a junior-year consulting internship, this episode gives you the clarity and momentum to start today.

Additional Resources:

• Get personalized coaching through our Black Belt program – includes MBB digital assessment practice, case + fit coaching, and a personalized prep plan
• Start your prep with our free Case Prep Plan – a structured, step-by-step guide

Free Consulting Prep Just Got a Whole Lot Better

Create a free MC account for access to step-by-step learning pathways, a brand new case prep course, and more. Download the MC app to prep anywhere.

MBB Undergrad Timelines Are This Month

Application deadlines are the earliest we've ever seen; join Black Belt for an accelerated, MBB-led prep program

Listen on: Apple Podcasts   Spotify

Connect With Management Consulted

• Create a free MC account or download the MC app (Apple, Android) to start your prep today
• Schedule a free 15min consultation with the MC Team
• Watch the video version of the podcast on YouTube
• Follow us on LinkedIn, Instagram, and TikTok
• Join an upcoming live event – case interviews demos, expert panels, and more

Send us Fan Mail

Want to land a consulting role in Europe? This episode breaks down the 2025 recruiting landscape across a region where language, prestige, and pay vary widely.

We cover:

• How language requirements differ across markets
• Why school pedigree still matters in Europe
• Compensation ranges across major cities and firms
• Key timelines, assessments, and cultural expectations

For the full playbook, download Management Consulted’s 2025 Europe Consulting Recruitment Roadmap – free. 

It includes office-by-office guidance, salary insights, and strategies to help you land an offer anywhere from Paris to Frankfurt to Amsterdam.

Additional Resources:

• Join Black Belt for coaching, CV edits, and case prep tailored to Europe’s recruiting process
• Follow along on YouTube

Partner Links:

• Learn more about NordStellar's Threat Exposure Management Program; unlock 20% off with code BLACKFRIDAY20 until Dec. 10, 2025

Free Consulting Prep Just Got a Whole Lot Better

Create a free MC account for access to step-by-step learning pathways, a brand new case prep course, and more. Download the MC app to prep anywhere.

Connect With Management Consulted

• Create a free MC account or download the MC app (Apple, Android) to start your prep today
• Schedule a free 15min consultation with the MC Team
• Watch the video version of the podcast on YouTube
• Follow us on LinkedIn, Instagram, and TikTok
• Join an upcoming live event – case interviews demos, expert panels, and more

Send us Fan Mail

Bath and Body Works used to own the mall fragrance space. Now traffic is shrinking, margins are squeezed and a new CEO is blaming the old playbook.

In this episode, we break down what went wrong and whether the turnaround plan has a real shot.

We cover:

• How chasing “adjacent” categories like shampoo and laundry backfired
• Why discounting destroys price integrity in a brand-led business
• The missed opportunity in e-commerce and Amazon resellers
• What Bath and Body Works can learn from Walmart, Target and TJX
• How to think about profit from the core in your own business

If you want to sharpen your operator brain and see how a real consumer brand tries to pull out of a stall, this one is for you.

Partner Links:

• Learn more about NordStellar's Threat Exposure Management Program; unlock 20% off with code BLACKFRIDAY20 until Dec. 10, 2025

Chapters: 

• 00:30 Introduction to Bath and Body Worksv
• 06:37 Analyzing Bath and Body Works' Strategy
• 11:40 Challenges in Product Expansion
• 17:32 E-commerce Strategy and Customer Engagement
• 27:34 Future Outlook

Free Consulting Prep Just Got a Whole Lot Better

Create a free MC account for access to step-by-step learning pathways, a brand new case prep course, and more. Download the MC app to prep anywhere.

MBB Undergrad Timelines Are This Month

Application deadlines are the earliest we've ever seen; join Black Belt for an accelerated, MBB-led prep program

Connect With Management Consulted

• Create a free MC account or download the MC app (Apple, Android) to start your prep today
• Schedule a free 15min consultation with the MC Team
• Watch the video version of the podcast on YouTube
• Follow us on LinkedIn, Instagram, and TikTok
• Join an upcoming live event – case interviews demos, expert panels, and more

Send us Fan Mail

What’s really happening behind the scenes in education consulting right now? 

In this panel, Ish (ex-BCG) sits down with Mark Finlan (Huron), Laura Brookhiser (L.E.K.), and Miriam El-Baz (Grant Thornton Stax) for a fast, unfiltered look at how top firms are navigating a rapidly shifting education landscape.

You’ll hear how these firms are responding to enrollment pressure, the return of standardized testing, AI’s influence on academic integrity, and the growing role of private equity across the education ecosystem.

The panel also shares clear, practical advice for anyone trying to break into education consulting in 2025 — including what actually makes candidates stand out in interviews.

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 G

Free Consulting Prep Just Got a Whole Lot Better

Create a free MC account for access to step-by-step learning pathways, a brand new case prep course, and more. Download the MC app to prep anywhere.

MBB Undergrad Timelines Are This Month

Application deadlines are the earliest we've ever seen; join Black Belt for an accelerated, MBB-led prep program

Listen on: Apple Podcasts   Spotify

Connect With Management Consulted

• Create a free MC account or download the MC app (Apple, Android) to start your prep today
• Schedule a free 15min consultation with the MC Team
• Watch the video version of the podcast on YouTube
• Follow us on LinkedIn, Instagram, and TikTok
• Join an upcoming live event – case interviews demos, expert panels, and more

Send us Fan Mail

Panera used to dominate fast casual. Now traffic is falling and leadership is scrambling to turn it around.

In this episode, we unpack:

• How cost cutting changed salads, sides, and the in-store experience
• Why menu complexity and pricing confuse customers
• The barbell strategy Panera is betting on for its comeback
• What we’d do differently on pricing, testing, and customer research

A practical breakdown of what happens when spreadsheets win over the customer experience.

Partner Links:

• Learn more about NordStellar's Threat Exposure Management Program; unlock 20% off with code BLACKFRIDAY20 until Dec. 10, 2025

Episode Links

• Panera lost diners by cutting portions and staff. It’s reversing course to win them back (CNBC)
• Jewelry business that implemented updated pricing strategy 

Chapters 

• 03:16 Personal Experiences with Panera
• 06:11 Panera's Business Challenges
• 08:50 Consumer Trends and Market Forces
• 11:46 Menu Complexity and Customer

Free Consulting Prep Just Got a Whole Lot Better

Create a free MC account for access to step-by-step learning pathways, a brand new case prep course, and more. Download the MC app to prep anywhere.

MBB Undergrad Timelines Are This Month

Application deadlines are the earliest we've ever seen; join Black Belt for an accelerated, MBB-led prep program

Listen on: Apple Podcasts   Spotify

Connect With Management Consulted

• Create a free MC account or download the MC app (Apple, Android) to start your prep today
• Schedule a free 15min consultation with the MC Team
• Watch the video version of the podcast on YouTube
• Follow us on LinkedIn, Instagram, and TikTok
• Join an upcoming live event – case interviews demos, expert panels, and more

Send us Fan Mail

The once-a-year All Access Pass flash sale is officially live — and it ends Monday, Nov. 17 at 11:59PM PT.

For one weekend only, get 50% off the All Access Pass™ ($350 vs. $700), our complete DIY case-prep system used by candidates breaking into McKinsey, Bain, BCG, and top-tier firms.

This year’s sale is bigger than ever: a full McKinsey Solve practice test is included exclusively during the flash sale — and disappears once the sale ends.

Inside All Access, you’ll get: 

• Practice digital assessments for McKinsey, Bain, and BCG
• 600+ cases
• 9 video courses
• 10,000+ drills
• 28 chatbot cases
• 12 industry primers; expert case videos
• And more

The flash sale ends Monday, Nov. 17 at 11:59PM PT. Grab the All Access Pass while it’s live.

Free Consulting Prep Just Got a Whole Lot Better

Create a free MC account for access to step-by-step learning pathways, a brand new case prep course, and more. Download the MC app to prep anywhere.

Connect With Management Consulted

• Create a free MC account or download the MC app (Apple, Android) to start your prep today
• Schedule a free 15min consultation with the MC Team
• Watch the video version of the podcast on YouTube
• Follow us on LinkedIn, Instagram, and TikTok
• Join an upcoming live event – case interviews demos, expert panels, and more

Send us Fan Mail

The U.S. stops minting new pennies. Cost savings help, but do second-order effects matter more?

We dig into:

• Why it cost ~4¢ to make 1¢
• $56M savings vs real economic impact
• Rounding rules, cash users, and pricing behavior
• Card mix, tipping culture, and “two-way door” policy

A quick, practical look at what this means for consumers and businesses.

Partner Links:

• Learn more about NordStellar's Threat Exposure Management Program; unlock 20% off with code BLACKFRIDAY20 until Dec. 10, 2025

Chapters: 

• 00:31 The End of Penny Minting
• 03:16 Economic Implications of Removing Pennies
• 05:57 Nostalgia and Cultural Impact of the Penny
• 08:30 Regulatory Challenges and Business Adaptation
• 11:36 The Future of Currency and Transaction Trends
• 14:06 Critical Thinking in Business Decisions

Free Consulting Prep Just Got a Whole Lot Better

Create a free MC account for access to step-by-step learning pathways, a brand new case prep course, and more. Download the MC app to prep anywhere.

Connect With Management Consulted

• Create a free MC account or download the MC app (Apple, Android) to start your prep today
• Schedule a free 15min consultation with the MC Team
• Watch the video version of the podcast on YouTube
• Follow us on LinkedIn, Instagram, and TikTok
• Join an upcoming live event – case interviews demos, expert panels, and more