Client Testimonials

Lawyer on McKinsey learning gaps

Did you enjoy the program? If yes, how? Yes, I enjoyed the program. There are two main reasons for this: a) It helped me greatly improve my case interviewing (more than expected at the outset of the program). This was the reason I joined the program. b) It taught me valuable lessons which I can and will apply to my daily life (both professionally and outside of work). I was not expecting to learn these “lessons” from a case interviewing program. But I was pleasantly surprised when I did. By “lessons” I mean a range of things, such as: • the importance of communication in the workplace and outside, and how to communicate more effectively; • how to brainstorm and applying brainstorming in everyday life; • it re-emphasized the importance of values. It is admirable how the program (and Michael) live and breathe values. Did the program meet your expectations? If yes, how? Yes. The program met and exceeded my expectations as set out in my response to Question 1 above. In addition, the program helped me to improve my case interviewing by: • Teaching a very structured and easy to learn a method for market sizing questions (the best…

Client Testimonials

Client Testimonials

BCG Paris’s complex DCF case questions

Did you enjoy the program? If yes, how? The program was perfect for me. I had reached out to all the usual suspects on the internet, paid for a training program and lined up my brother’s friend from Bain Dallas to help me prepare. Just to make sure all bases were covered, I reached out to Michael for some general advice on how to use my resources. I was quickly impressed with Michael’s knowledge of the French offices, French economy, key sectors and office-interview strategy. I decided to work with Michael when he told me the French offices are different from the US offices in testing for analytic rigor. He told me to know how to do DCF calculations on a sheet of blank paper if I hoped to pass! Everyone else told me this was not important and such calculations are not needed. Only Michael insisted I ignore them and practice for it. I got a refund from the other program and signed up with Michael. The training was tailored to the French offices and for me that was enjoyable. I think that is one of the dangers of only practicing with online case partners from the US or…

Client Testimonials

Client Testimonials

Kim Kardashian takes PhD to McKinsey ME

Did you enjoy the program? If yes, how? I enjoyed the program immensely. The reasons are as follows: a. Structure: The way the program is structured is very helpful. The use of multimedia (podcast + videos) allows for full immersion in the program. I could listen to podcasts on the go, and watch videos on my own schedule to keep up with the program. The only thing that could make it even better, is the ability to download the pdf files and print them. Reading the manuals on paper is a lot easier, and does not require internet access. b. Coaching: I noticed that what my coach focused on during the session was very different than what the videos were teaching. This showed a proper understanding of my weaknesses and strengths by the coach, which I really found helpful. However, most of the time the two were so different that I could not apply the concepts that I learned from the video to my one-on-one sessions. This was frustrating at times. c. Availability of the coach: I could communicate with my coach anytime! This was great, since the process of preparation is lengthy and both intellectually and emotionally draining, and…

Client Testimonials

Client Testimonials

PhD sacrifices Bain opportunity for BCG

Did you enjoy the program? If yes, how? Yes! I enjoyed the program since the training was very effective in getting me into BCG (I was rejected 9 months ago and was told to apply after 2 years but FC helped me network my way around this rule). My coach was very accommodating to my unique needs (90% of my sessions were done at night with me sitting in my car on the side of the road since it was the only time I had). I was given very detailed advice for my unusual profile (I was a foreign candidate pursuing a US office with relatively weak language and communication skills – I have a US PhD in engineering from a tier-2 school). Did the program meet your expectations? If yes, how? The program exceeded my expectations in every way. FC was very diligent and seems to have had very careful reasons for making different decisions and advising. This thoughtfulness was much more than I expected. I had about 3 discussions with Michael to understand my chances to get into BCG or McKinsey. He was nice and polite and very helpful. I was surprised that FC wanted me to go…

Client Testimonials

Client Testimonials

Deloitte tech. consultant into BCG generalist

Did you enjoy the program? If yes, how? The program, my coach and the Firmsconsulting material was great. I was an experienced hire from an accounting firm at the manager level and looking to transition into MBB either in London, South Africa or the Middle East. I experienced many delays during the program with my job and having a baby and Michael was very patient as I dealt with these things. I am very appreciative of the flexibility given to me. He also pushed me to go out and network before applying. I felt the training was never rushed and Michael would always give his view on the impact to my application and case skills development if I tried to delay too long. I am not saying everything was perfect but I also do not think that on something as complex as joining the world’s most elite firms, everything would go smoothly and it was a bit silly to expect this smooth process. That is what you get from reading out blogs, forums and websites - crazy expectations about hitting submit on your application and simply receiving and offer. Though, I will say that Michael is good at creating a…

Client Testimonials

Client Testimonials

Harvard MBA on consulting women and modelling

Did you enjoy the program? If yes, how? I enjoyed all training sessions, the networking guidance and the general conversations with my coach. The discourse was always respectful, professional and tailored to my professional development. My coach made it very easy for me to share my concerns and ideas, and also discuss any challenges I was having. I believe the dual focus on communication and cases is unusual and was instrumental in gaining me an internship at McKinsey, which with FC’s guidance; I was able to convert into a full-time offer. Did the program meet your expectations? If yes, how? I did not have great expectations coming into this program. FC’s non-disclosure policy made it difficult for me to find former clients and I only met a handful of Harvard second-years who had been through the program. All but one had successfully placed at MBB: he had joined Deloitte S&O. Despite my low expectations, the program exceeded my expectations in several key ways: 1) Working with former McKinsey and BCG partners is an experience. The level of detail they could provide, explanations of the recruiting process and behind-the-scenes discussions on extending offers was extensive and right in 95% of the…

Client Testimonials

Client Testimonials

Asian MBA on case interview priorities

Did you enjoy the program? If yes, how? Yes. The program really helps me understand the core business fundamentals rather than just case cracking techniques. It does not focus on frameworks, but instead helps build a sound foundation that can be applied to solve complex cases. It provides an intellectually stimulating environment, which I like a lot. Did the program meet your expectations? If yes, how? Yes. The program has met my expectations so far. To be honest, I realized that there is much more hard work and diligence required for case preparation. There is so much to learn from Michael and the way he solves a case. The personalized feedback is extremely essential and useful for my preparation. What was the most important learning’s from the program? The most important learning’s so far are: - The way a business problem is approached, right from clarifying questions around business objectives to providing the final recommendations. Now, asking questions the ‘right’ way seems obvious, but at the start of the program it was different. - Not to focus on applying frameworks blindly, but properly approach cases. - How to structure thoughts in MECE format and prioritize the key issues - The…

Client Testimonials

Client Testimonials

Experienced hires mismatched expectations

Did you enjoy the program? If yes, how? Overall, Yes I did. I have built a level of confidence surrounding the fundamentals. The only issues were due to the pressure I put upon myself to perform. The levels of pressure and patience from Michael were good in my opinion. Did the program meet your expectations? If yes, how? Mostly yes, at the beginning I felt that even though the online material paved a route of progression, I perhaps could have had a clearer introduction into how the coaching would proceed. What I mean by this is, I feel that at the beginning I had over a month from being accepted through to the start of coaching, in that time I studied the podcasts, then when we did start it felt slightly rushed having 2 sessions a week; and the expectations of the next session were not covered prior to the call itself. I also feel my preparation was perhaps misaligned with Michael’s expectations, I read a lot, and listened to the podcasts, but my understanding of certain areas was not sufficient and was evident during our calls. Perhaps more thorough reviews of where I was failing initially would have focused…

Client Testimonials

Client Testimonials

Turkish female to McKinsey Istanbul

Did you enjoy the program? If yes, how? I had known Michael for over 12 months before applying to the Firmsconsulting training and have always found his emails, podcasts and articles to be witty, counter-intuitive and useful to my planning. We had communicated several times during the year and Michael had also helped me select my majors. To some degree we were friends by the time I joined the program, but I believe Michael is congenial towards anyone. I truly admired Michael’s honesty, enthusiasm and worldly experiences. We could be talking about any city and Michael would certainly have this interesting experience to share. My desire to return to Istanbul was sparked my Michael’s many engagements with the firm which he openly discussed with me. I was born in Turkey but left when I was younger, so Michael’s experiences were all new to me and created this picture of a vibrant and dynamic cosmopolitan city. My parents were very surprised when I told them Istanbul was my preferred choice over Boston or London but they also could see I was thrilled with the potential of working in the rapidly changing Turkish economy. Since joining MBB my friendship with Michael has…

Client Testimonials