Client Testimonials

PhD teamwork for McKinsey group interviews

I hope Michael will have a very special birthday and I was very happy to be asked to contribute to this book. My Michael Moment came in my second round with McKinsey. It was a group interview with 4 PhD candidates and I was terrified of my chances. I was at a weaker school and the other candidates were from Harvard, Yale and so on. I sent Michael an email asking for advice and this was his response: This is not a competition. If you see it as a competition you will fail. Your job is to help the team succeed. Every time you want to say or do anything, ask yourself if it helps the team succeed and makes the team feel better about themselves. If you can do both, you will get through. Also remember to build on a point and not dismiss it – this makes people feel worse about themselves. That is counter to McKinsey values of trust and support among colleagues. Just don’t abdicate your responsibility of politely guiding the team towards the right idea. It is my moment because I felt that I got the offer in this round and the rest of the interviews were…

Client Testimonials

Client Testimonials

MBA on a very counter-intuitive BCG strategy

Did you enjoy the program? If yes, how? The program was one of the best journeys of my life! Well before doing my MBA I wrote to Michael and asked for his advice. He recommended INSEAD or Ivey for the 1-year program and several of the US programs for the 2-year programs. He strongly encouraged me to consider the limitations of a 1-year program and that I would not have any room for mistakes. I signed up and went with Ivey. Big mistake? Hell Yeah! My grades were tanking by September and I did not see any way out. I was struggling to prioritize and decided to major in finance modules to show off my analytic skills. Bob Whites course was killing me. At this stage Michael gave me some very useful advice which changed everything for me and put me back onto track: 1) I should ignore consulting in the September recruitment and join the internal strategy team at a bank. Consulting firms apparently liked this profile and I could apply to McKinsey the next year in December – in about a year’s time. If I applied in September and was declined it would be hard to ever get…

Client Testimonials

Client Testimonials

Vancouver undergrad into McKinsey Asia

Did you enjoy the program? If yes, how? Yes, I always enjoy speaking to Michael and his team. I have an extended relationship with Michael and reached out to him for a different initiative at Firmsconsulting, but I was not successful getting selected for that. We built a good relationship from my early decline and we exchanged emails over the year leading up to me applying for the program. Michael knows management consulting, the Canadian market and the inner workings of the firms - down to the office level in some cases. He is a professional with a passion for teaching. All our sessions were well planned and focused on my vital development areas. I found the networking advice very helpful since I was living in Vancouver and our management consulting alumni network was very small - pretty much non-existent. Michael worked with me to arrange trips into Toronto and meet the appropriate people. He is my good buddy and mentor. No doubts on that point! Did the program meet your expectations? If yes, how? My knowledge about management consulting was weak when I joined the program. I was looking for a program to educate me, help me set goals…

Client Testimonials

Client Testimonials

Experienced non-target at BCG Middle East

Did you enjoy the program? If yes, how? This was a great program. I signed up but was not motivated to push through due to low personal drive - after tonnes of practicing and several earlier rejections I was just so tired to start again. It was a final opportunity to get into MBB Boston and I wanted something that could get me there. I had practiced with a Firmsconsulting graduate and thought his skills were exceptional. He had good things to say about the program so I thought, what is there to lose? Besides the last few thousand dollars in my savings! The program was unusual because Michael lit a fire under me. I had edited my resume with another well-known program and Michael tore it to pieces in about 5 minutes. He had about 25 edits just for the educational section and they all made perfect sense – though not initially and I really needed to think about them until I understood them. My first resume editing session was 63 minutes with Michael talking me through a long list of changes required. I was stunned, terrified, excited and irritated at the same time. Stunned that Michael’s comments rang…

Client Testimonials

Client Testimonials

Undergrad. on ex-partner apprenticeship case model

Did you enjoy the program? If yes, how? Yes, it was the best professional learning experience I have ever had (seriously, not making this up). Here’s how: 1 - The learning method was an apprenticeship model – I was mentored by a single mentor, as opposed to a traditional (virtual) classroom 2 - The instructor was a industry-expert – I was mentored by a former Partner of the top 3 Management Consulting firms 3 - The learning content was tailored to me – I had an assessment session in which the mentor designed a customized program Did the program meet your expectations? If yes, how? Yes, it even exceeded my expectations Here’s how: 1 - I was given more amounts of training hours -- not merely for the sake of more time, but due to better prepare my actual consulting interview 2 - I had the flexibility to discuss with the mentor (via chat) any other items related to Consulting (e.g. advice on managing my career, business education, anything that’s relevant) What was the most important learning’s from the program? Two things: 1 - How consultants think – Case Interview Structure: confirming & operationalizing the key question, setting up MECE…

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

Client Testimonials

Wharton MBA on holistic case coaching approach

Did you enjoy the program? If yes, how? Yes, the program was very enjoyable and effective for reasons I have disclosed below in no particular order of importance: • My coaches, Kevin and Michael, were very friendly, helpful and willing to step outside the program to provide additional help and suggestions. There was noticeable continuity between Kevin and Michael – it felt like I was talking to the same person each time, but with a different purpose – Michael was the hunter looking for ways to make me improve while Kevin did more consolidation to help me build on what I knew. This was an effective teaming and I have only seen this approach work maybe once before, but it can be incredibly effective when done right. Firmsconsulting has found the right formula. • The program was very flexible and helped me learn the basics. That was a big surprise - I did not expect this. I had interviewed during my Wharton MBA internships and was declined by both BCG and McKinsey. I had about 50 cases under my belt, studied all the online material and used many other programs which I found online. It was only in this program…

Client Testimonials