Client Testimonials

Marvin Bower and management consulting

My Michael Moment is crystal clear. Before I applied to the program I sent him an email to get some advice on the best books to read about management consulting. I had bought the books The McKinsey Mind and The McKinsey Way. Boy, was I excited to read them. Five minutes after sending my email I get a call from Michael! I did not know him and this was my first email to him. He told me the best use of those books would be to send them back and ask for a refund. His view was that McKinsey and BCG are special and lead their peers for a simple reason. They have a better value system. We had 20 or 25 minute discussion about values and Michael told me something I will never forget: "Firms like Deloitte, Monitor, Booz, ATK etc all hire outstanding graduates from top schools and train them with similar material. So why do those firms not have the same cachet and prestige? It comes down to why they do things and that is driven by a firm’s value system. You can replicate a Harvard graduate but you cannot replicate the right value system." That call…

Client Testimonials

Client Testimonials

Decorated Female US Soldier on McKinsey PEI

Michael! It has been a real privilege working with you over the last few months. My Michael Moment occurred early in my training. As an ex-U.S. armed forces member, I had an interesting background. Yet, I was very surprised by the interest Michael took in that background. We spent a lot of time discussing my tours, the things I had seen and the problems I faced. I thought we were spending too much time on this but Michael insisted it was very important for him to understand me. I never realized the purpose of this intense interest until we started the McKinsey PEI preparations. When I gave an answer, Michael would ALWAYS provide a more insightful and detailed answer using the information from the early sessions. I realized this is similar to what they teach us in the military. Become friends with the locals and use their information to help them. Michael has purpose in what he does and he did nothing without a reason. This taught me the importance of CONTINUING to use every scrap of information I collected. It also made me realize how interesting my life experiences could be when told by the right person. Screenplay anyone?…

Client Testimonials

Client Testimonials

Fulbright Scholar on McKinsey, BCG requirements

My Michael Moment happened during a pitifully sad email I sent to me him asking for advice. I was a Fulbright Scholar studying in the US and my applications to LEK, Deloitte, Monitor, Oliver Wyman and Booz had been rejected. I wanted to know what to do since MBB were much tougher and the weaker firms were turning me down! Michael found it very amusing and mentioned that my early choices preferred consultants with consulting experience and sector knowledge. MBB preferred students without consulting experience and sector knowledge and being rejected by the others probably indicated I was a good fit for MBB! Just like that the sun came out in my life and I was happy again! That happened 2 days before my own birthday so I am happy to return the favor for Michael. My other moment occured when I was scared to apply to New York. Michael gave this very funny analogy. He said the McKinsey New York office was like the most glamorous fair lady at the prom. Everyone wanted to dance with her but everyone was too sacred to ask. So she ended up getting too few offers! I thought that was really funny, but…

Client Testimonials

Client Testimonials

McKinsey Rhodes Scholar

My best Michael Moment took place after I was placed at McKinsey and 8 months after I left the program. It was my very first engagement and I felt miserable. Everything was going over my head and I was putting out fires hourly. My planning was shot with holes and my plan was to simply give the engagement manager what he wanted when he wanted it. A bad strategy indeed, but I had no choices. Michael and I arranged to speak on that first weekend and we had a long chat about the engagement, my role, my planning documents, objectives and so on. We worked out a good plan and Michael explained each step I needed to follow to take control of the work . He stressed accountability at all times, which is different from responsibility – a lesson for me. The moment occurred when Michael told me about his own first engagement and how badly that went. I was pleasantly surprised by that story. I had assumed all partners were perfect and had these fairy tale careers. Michael found that funny and said that is how I should distinguish between true seniority/success versus a facade. Partners don’t need to…

Client Testimonials

Client Testimonials

Experienced hire on succinct speaking

Here's my thought for the Michael moment. I have this habit of speaking in long winding manner while answering some questions. Michael taught me a technique to answer using one sentence only and provide a crisp reply. This has helped me not only in answering questions in a succinct manner, but more than that it has helped my performance in a different manner as well. I applied this technique in my office for making presentations. I started summarizing every slide in one sentence. This approach won me much appreciation among my superiors for making good quality presentations. We have published the most useful client feedback. Our commitment to confidentiality prevents us from disclosing the identity of our clients and other confidential information, and we may alter details to prevent such disclosure. Some client feedback may be lightly edited for grammar, spelling or prose, though we never alter or remove any information. Clients in our consultants coaching program are forbidden from sharing sensitive client data with us.

Client Testimonials

Client Testimonials

PhD notices the impact of the Rajat Gupta tragedy

Ever since Michael became my coach, there have been many 'Michael Moments'. It is hard to pick one particular moment. So here's 3 important Michael Moments for me. 1. The moment I got to know Michael through Firmsconsulting.com In search of information about consulting career, I came across the website. I was amazed by the style, which is extremely sincere on every topic, and the fact that there is zero distance between him and anyone who needs his advice. Even if it is an email from a total stranger, he would treat it as if it is from a long time friend, and spend enough time to answer it. This is certainly the first Michael Moment for me, and the moment when I decided to apply for the training program. 2. The moment when Michael makes company principles clear After months of interaction, Michael and I are more like friends. We would share interesting articles or just chat a little online. But if there is a confusion concerning company's principles, he would immediately correct it with a strict tone, such as: "we definitely don't do that!" The tone switch probably takes him a nanosecond. :) He keeps these principles intact…

Client Testimonials

Client Testimonials

Stern MBA on practice with ex-McKinsey partners

Did you enjoy the program? If yes, how? Yes. I enjoyed casing practice under pressure compared to the relatively easier experience when case practicing with fellow MBA students. Did the program meet your expectations? If yes, how? Yes. It was extremely useful to get information from a senior person in consulting industry vs. getting it from consultants with 1 or 2 years of experience, or reading it on the internet. Michael was very supportive throughout the recruiting process and his interpretation of the interview results and feedback was correct, allowing me to continue on the job seeking path and finally succeed. What was the most important learning’s from the program? Structuring cases, brainstorming and estimation cases - these 3 concepts I couldn't get out of my own preparation even though I have purchased [Redacted] program from [Redacted] and done over 100 cases with fellow MBA students and junior consultants. Do you feel the program provided an advantage for you versus your own/other preparation? If so, in what way? Yes. Feedback on my case practice performance was much more critical and to the point vs. what I was getting from my regular casing partners. Support and feedback provided throughout the process…

Client Testimonials

Client Testimonials

Scientist on networking, MECE, 80/20 and structure

Did you enjoy the program? If yes, how? I enjoy learning; I enjoy being coached; I enjoy being challenged to grow; the program has done all of these. I have also enjoyed building a coaching relationship with Michael, and watching my own progress, from the resume rewrite to case interview training and networking success. Regardless of the outcome, the program has been invaluable in shaping how I present and communicate myself, with immediately tangible and life-long professional & personal benefits — therefore the program is enjoyable even when I’m discouraged or challenged. I would not have enjoyed the program if my expectations had not been met. Did the program meet your expectations? If yes, how? My expectations were met, but I did not expect an offer at a management consulting firm. I believed the desired result was possible, but remained neutral about my chance for success. This approach allowed me to stay confident even when the outcome is uncertain. This is the same approach I used when applying to the program. While I was not shocked to receive an offer to join the Firmsconsulting program, it was something I wanted personally but did not have enough information to draw conclusions,…

Client Testimonials

Client Testimonials

Indian executive on speaking and analyses

Did you enjoy the program? If yes, how? I thoroughly enjoyed the program. Although I have substantial industry experience, the program forced me to look at aspects that I had ignored earlier – communication skills, presentation, storytelling etc. The main learning was the structured manner to approach problems, which I try to apply to my daily work as well. Did the program meet your expectations? If yes, how? Till now, the program is going on well for me. Since my situation is slightly different, being a lateral with major work experience, finding the right opportunity is taking time. So my struggle is far from over. However, I am quite satisfied with the feedback and direction provided by Michael and it has worked for me till now. What was the most important learning’s from the program? The importance of communication and presentation came as an eye opener for me. It is an aspect I ignored throughout my career. Do you feel the program provided an advantage for you versus your own/other preparation? If so, in what way? I could never have reached this level of confidence without the program. It is a definite advantage. Can you recall any memorable moments? In…

Client Testimonials