Strategy Simplified

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Work–life balance is one of the most common concerns candidates have about consulting.
It’s also one of the fastest ways to quietly take yourself out of the running.
In this episode of Consulting Unpacked, Jenny Rae explains why asking about work–life balance in an interview sends the wrong signal – and what firms are actually optimizing for instead.
Inside this episode:
What firms really manage to (hint: it’s not balance)
What interviewers hear when you ask about workload
How to frame smarter end-of-interview questions that protect your candidacy
This is a mindset shift you need early – not after you’ve already missed your shot.
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
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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Once Upon a Farm went public, and the stock jumped. But this isn’t the standard path for a consumer brand.
In this episode of Market Outsiders, Jenny Rae and Namaan examine why a single-brand baby food company chose an IPO instead of selling to a large CPG player - and what role Jennifer Garner’s involvement really plays in that decision.
We break down the business fundamentals behind the headlines, from refrigerated supply chains to retailer economics, and question how much of the early momentum can translate into long-term scale.
The episode closes with what comes next - and whether this business is built to stay public.
We cover:
Why this IPO breaks the usual consumer brand playbook
The real economics behind refrigerated, organic consumer products
How celebrity-backed trust does - and doesn’t - scale over time
A clear-eyed look at IPO strategy, consumer economics, and where this bet could break.
Executive Presentation Training
Learn more about Executive Presentation and Storytelling Training with Management Consulted
Chapters:
00:00 – Why This IPO Is Different
02:30 – What Is Once Upon a Farm?
05:20 – The Jennifer Garner Effect
09:10 – Refrigerated Food Economics
13:40 – Retail Shelf Space and Margins
17:30 – Why IPO Instead of Selling
21:40 – Losses, Growth, and Valuation
25:40 – How This Business Scales
29:40 – What Comes Next
Employee Survival Guide®
A Podcast only for employees. Mark shares information your employer does not want you know
Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify
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 this Strategy Simplified episode, you’ll hear a McKinsey case interview example built around a real-world investment decision.
The client is a public university considering whether to add an inter-collegiate football program. 
Led by former McKinsey Senior Associate Jali Packer, this case challenges a candidate to assess costs, revenues, and strategic tradeoffs for a football program at a 10,000-student university in the Southern U.S.
If you want to practice structuring an open-ended question like “Is this a good idea?” – and see how McKinsey interviewers test thinking along the way – this case is for you.
Work with Jali:
View Jali’s 1:1 coaching calendar
Join the Black Belt case prep program for personalized coaching with Jali and a prep strategy tailored to your goals and timeline
Connect with Jali on LinkedIn
Additional Resources:
Book a free 15-minute call with Katie to explore coaching options
Watch more McKinsey, BCG, and Bain case interview demos on YouTube
Employee Survival Guide®
A Podcast only for employees. Mark shares information your employer does not want you know
Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify
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
In this episode of Recruiting Reality Check, Katie Neff and Japheth Mast break down the real story of “PhD Phil” – a brilliant advanced degree candidate targeting consulting bridge programs who’s fallen into a common trap: confusing reading with readiness.

In this episode, you’ll learn:
Why reading case books creates false confidence
The 3 pieces of the case prep puzzle (theory, practice, feedback)
Why smart candidates still struggle without real application
What effective case prep actually looks like for PhDs and other APDs
Want help like Phil is getting?
The February Black Belt cohort closes Tuesday, February 10 (limited spots). Learn more and join.
Additional Resources:
Join February Black Belt
Book a free 15-minute call with Katie to map out your best path
See upcoming Bridge Program application deadlines
Download a free step-by-step case prep plan
Chapters:
01:34 – Meet PhD Phil and bridge program recruiting
03:00 – How bridge programs actually work (and why they’re competitive)
04:22 – The “reading = readiness” illusion
06:25 – The 3 pieces of the case prep puzzle
07:32 – Building business acumen as a PhD
08:49 – Why drills matter more than more cases
10:59 – The role of feedback, coaches, and blind spots
12:58 – A tale of two PhDs (start early or miss out)
14:12 – Black Belt support for APD candidates
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 a text
Flat base pay isn’t a blip – it’s a signal.
In this episode, Namaan breaks down what new 2026 consulting salary data really means for recruiting, performance expectations, and how firms are reshaping compensation. 
You’ll learn:
Why starting base pay is staying flat (and why it’s not about weak demand)
How firms are shifting upside into bonuses, benefits, and faster skill-building
What this means for candidates, university career centers, and consulting firms heading into 2026–2027
If you haven’t already, download the 2026 Consulting Salary Report to see the full data behind these trends.
Additional Resources:
Create a free profile + access the Job Board (1K+ consulting roles)
Get full recruiting support with Black Belt
Explore deeper market analysis on the Market Outsiders Podcast
Partner Links:
Learn more about NordStellar's Threat Exposure Management Program; unlock 10% off with code SIMPLIFIED-10
Employee Survival Guide®
A Podcast only for employees. Mark shares information your employer does not want you know
Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify
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.