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Want to land a consulting role in the Middle East? This episode breaks down the 2025 recruiting landscape and what it takes to succeed in this unique region.

We cover:

• How the Middle East consulting market is shaped by nationalization, expat hiring, and cultural dynamics
• 3 recruiting power moves you can use right now
• Top schools, firms, and timing to keep on your radar

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

Inside, you’ll find firm-by-firm insights, hiring timelines, and proven strategies to land an offer.

Additional Resources:

• Join Black Belt, an expert prep program that’s helped candidates break into McKinsey, Bain, BCG, and more across the region
• Follow along on YouTube

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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Claire’s is back in the headlines after its latest bankruptcy and acquisition by Ames Watson, the firm behind Lids. Can a nostalgic mall brand really be turned around in today’s retail environment?

In this episode, we unpack Claire’s challenges, the role of experience in modern retail, and what this deal signals for the future of malls.

Timestamps:

[07:15] What Made Claire’s a Rite of Passage
[10:22] Bankruptcy and the Ames Watson Acquisition
[14:17] Who Ames Watson Is and Their Playbook
[16:42] Lessons from Lids and Build-A-Bear
[22:36] Claire’s Second Bankruptcy Explained
[25:20] Mall Traffic, Competitors, and Industry Headwinds
[29:11] Can Claire’s Become an Experience Business?

Links mentioned in the episode:

• CNBC: ‘A broken business’: The company behind the makeover of bankrupt retailer Claire’s
• Invest in Project Management Training for your team

• Listen to the Market Outsiders podcast, the new daily show with the Management Consulted team

The Best Pizza Franchise Opportunity
Anthony & Luca's Pizza Kitchen is the hottest new Cheesesteak & NY Pizza Franchise.

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 NFL isn’t just America’s favorite pastime. It’s also a business giant that generates two-thirds of its revenue from one source: media rights.

In this episode of Market Outsiders, Namaan and Jenny Rae unpack:

• Why the league is considering renegotiating billion-dollar contracts years ahead of schedule
• How streaming platforms like Amazon, Netflix, and YouTube TV are reshaping the game
• Why the NFL holds more leverage than ever before

If you’ve ever wondered how professional sports really make money — or why your Sunday routine (and maybe your business) is tied to football — this is the breakdown you need.

Links mentioned in the episode:

• CNBC: NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell says league could renegotiate media deals as soon as 2026
• Invest in Project Management Training for your team
• Previous episode: The Booming Business of Sports Betting (September 8, 2025)

• Listen to the Market Outsiders podcast, the new daily show with the Management Consulted team

The Best Pizza Franchise Opportunity
Anthony & Luca's Pizza Kitchen is the hottest new Cheesesteak & NY Pizza Franchise.

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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Consulting recruiting has changed, and digital assessments are now the new gatekeeper. In this episode, we break down what McKinsey, Bain, and BCG’s digital tests look like in 2025, what skills they’re really testing, and how you can prepare with confidence.

Whether you’re facing McKinsey Solve, Bain’s Gorilla test, or BCG’s CCA, this conversation gives you the latest insights and prep tips straight from candidates and firms.

Additional Resources:

• Explore our deep dives into digital assessments across MBB, Big 4, and boutique firms
• Premium client or partner student? Take the new Bain Gorilla practice test in your MC account
• Help us keep resources up to date – share your digital assessment experience anonymously
• Subscribe to Management Consulted on YouTube for weekly case prep, recruiting insights, and firm updates

Partner Links:

• Stax is hiring! See open roles and requirements

• Listen to the Market Outsiders podcast, the new daily show with the Management Consulted team

The Best Pizza Franchise Opportunity
Anthony & Luca's Pizza Kitchen is the hottest new Cheesesteak & NY Pizza Franchise.

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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Labubu dolls are the latest global craze... but what makes them so irresistible?

In this episode of Market Outsiders, Jenny Rae and Namaan break down the business model behind Labubu’s rise, from blind box marketing to luxury brand tie-ins. They explore:

• How scarcity fuels demand
• Why repeat purchases matter more than volume
• How the resale market reinforces value

It’s a case study in novelty vs. luxury, brand strategy, and consumer psychology — all packed into one tiny doll.

Links mentioned in the episode:

• CNBC: How luxury brands are tapping into the Labubu craze
• Learn more about Corporate Training with Management Consulted
• Invest in Project Management Training for your team

More Market Outsiders content:

• Subscribe on YouTube
• Subscribe to the Market Outsiders feed (Apple, Spotify).
• Connect with Namaan and Jenny Rae on LinkedIn

• Listen to the Market Outsiders podcast, the new daily show with the Management Consulted team

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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Who decides what a song is worth? In this episode, Jenny Rae speaks with Prerna Rakheja – Managing Economist at Bates White – about the landmark Phonorecords IV case that set new streaming royalty rates.

For aspiring consultants, this conversation is a rare look inside economic consulting: how teams structure complex problems, build models that influence billion-dollar industries, and communicate insights to lawyers and judges.

Quick note: Bates White is hiring – see open roles at a firm known for its culture and impact.

Connect with Bates White:

• Explore current openings and apply to roles at Bates White
• Learn more about the work and culture at Bates White
• Learn more about the case – background on the Phonorecords IV royalty decision

Additional Resources:

• Subscribe to MC on YouTube so you never miss Strategy Simplified episodes and case tips
• Listen to Market Outsiders for quick insights on what’s happening in business and markets

The Best Pizza Franchise Opportunity
Anthony & Luca's Pizza Kitchen is the hottest new Cheesesteak & NY Pizza Franchise.

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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Amex just raised the annual fee on its Platinum card from $695 to $895 — a nearly 30 percent jump. 

In this episode of Market Outsiders, Jenny Rae and Namaan break down what’s behind the increase, why Amex believes customers won’t walk away, and how the move fits into a broader strategy to protect its premium brand.

We dig into questions like: 

• Who really cares about the fee hike? 
• Why didn’t Amex go even higher? 
• And what does this say about the future of credit card perks, co-branding, and the “status symbol” game?

Whether you’re a cardholder, a competitor, or just curious about how big financial decisions get made, this conversation reveals the business logic behind the headlines.

Related Episodes:

• Amex’s Profit Jump and the Credit Card Strategy Driving It (July 18, 2025)
• Chase Sapphire Reserve Fee Hike: Smart Strategy or Customer Risk? (June 17, 2025)

Get in Touch

Have thoughts on today’s episode? We’d love to hear them. Email us at [email protected]

More Market Outsiders content:

• Subscribe on YouTube
• Subscribe to the Market Outsiders feed (Apple, Spotify).
• Connect with Namaan and Jenny Rae on LinkedIn

• Listen to the Market Outsiders podcast, the new daily show with the Management Consulted team

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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Consulting hiring is up 22% year over year — the biggest surge since before the pandemic. But there’s a catch.

In this episode of Strategy Simplified, Japheth breaks down 3 major shifts reshaping the consulting industry right now:

• The 22% hiring surge (and why entry-level roles are shrinking)
• How AI is transforming both client work and firm operations
• Why global performance is uneven, with some regions booming and others in decline

Download the full September 2025 Consulting Industry Report free for a deeper dive into the changes.

Links:

• Download the Industry Report (free)
• Currently working in consulting? Take this month's Sentiment Survey (5min)
• Unlock 1,000+ consulting jobs on the Management Consulted Job Board

Partner Links

• Stax is hiring! See open roles and requirements

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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Ram will cancel its all-electric pickup, raising questions about the EV market, the rise of hybrids, and what truck buyers really want. Was the plan ever realistic, or just peak EV hype?

Jenny Rae and Namaan break down the strategy shift at Stellantis — the parent company of Ram, Jeep, Chrysler, and Dodge — and why it matters. They also highlight:

• The risks of chasing trends
• The limits of EV infrastructure
• Why hybrids may be the more practical bridge for automakers
• Why doubling down on Ram’s strengths might be less flashy but far more sustainable

Links mentioned in the episode:

• CNBC: Ram cancels plans for all-electric pickup truck
• Learn more about Management Consulted's Corporate Training program

Get more Market Outsiders content in your life:

• Subscribe on YouTube
• Subscribe to the Market Outsiders feed (Apple, Spotify).
• Connect with Namaan and Jenny Rae on LinkedIn

• Listen to the Market Outsiders podcast, the new daily show with the Management Consulted team

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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Bain is doubling down on Canada. In this episode of Strategy Simplified, we sit down with Jed Fallis, Bain’s Managing Partner in Canada, to talk about the firm’s brand-new Montreal office.

Jed shares why Bain chose Montreal, which industries the office will focus on, and what kind of candidates the firm is looking for as it grows. 

Importantly, Bain is actively recruiting to staff the new Montreal office. If you’re considering consulting in Canada, now is the time to prepare your application and stand out in a competitive process.

Additional Resources:

• Explore open roles at Bain Montreal
• Learn more about the new Montreal office
• Unlock 1,000+ consulting jobs on the Management Consulted Job Board
• Get case interview ready with Black Belt

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.