MAJOR HAPPENING.
Last couple of years, a new wave of transformation has hit consulting businesses, with AI at the forefront. It is reported that the demand for AI-powered consulting is expected to grow by 30% in the next 5 years. Consulting firms are now increasingly incorporating gen AI.
Lilli is Mckinsey’s very own gen AI tool that offers clients the most effective insights, capabilities, and technological solutions by conducting a fast, unbiased search and synthesis of enormous knowledge repositories. The Call Guide Draft Generator is a proprietary gen AI tool by Bain & Co, that assists in creating interview guides and classifies datasets for sentiment analysis.
Disruptive Innovation
Disruptive innovation refers to breakthroughs that create new markets and value networks; think of it as the unexpected storm that reshapes the landscape.
61% of banking technology leaders believe in the power of gen AI- even today some of them use predictive analytics to reduce customer churn by pinpointing at-risk customers and their dissatisfaction.
It is estimated that 30% of today’s workforce will be automated before 2030. According to report by Glassdoor, AI specialists and prompt engineers are among the highest-paying prompt engineering jobs in tech industries like healthcare and finance.
Blue Ocean Strategy
A blue ocean strategy involves creating uncontested market space, making the competition irrelevant; it’s like sailing into uncharted waters where no one else dares to go.
From Engineering to executive suit
How Indian Engineers are Cracking the Code to Management
The Entry: From Code to Corporate Strategy
While engineering is a well-respected career, many engineers realize that to make a broader impact, they need to step into management. According to a 2023 Economic Times report, nearly 40% of engineers in India are now opting for postgraduate degrees in management. An MBA remains the most popular choice, with institutions like the IIMs and ISB offering specialized programs that help engineers blend their technical expertise with business strategy. India’s booming tech startup
ecosystem has produced engineers-turned-founders, like those behind Ola and Unacademy
The Exit: Stepping Back or Moving Beyond
: According to Business Today, about 30% of engineers who move into management eventually return to technical roles, often as CTOs or Chief Product Officers. This path offers the best of both worlds—technical leadership combined with strategic decision-making.
For others, management opens doors to new fields. Many engineers transition into consulting, joining firms like McKinsey and BCG to solve business problems. Another popular path is moving into finance domains such as venture capital, private equity and investment banking.
The Hybrid Hustle: Balancing Both Worlds:
For engineers who love both tech and management, hybrid roles like Product Manager or Technical Director offer a perfect balance. These positions keep engineers involved in the technical aspects of a product while giving them a seat at the table for strategic decisions. Hybrid roles are becoming increasingly popular in India’s tech sector, allowing engineers to stay hands-on while also leading teams.
HR PLAYBOOK The
Tell me about Yourself
1
When answering this question, start with a concise summary of your academic and professional background, focusing on key achievements. Talk about your past, present and your future goals
Pro tip: Arrange your key points strategically, placing your strongest ones at the beginning - your recruiters typically remember well – what you tell at the very beginning and at the end. An intro of 30-60 seconds is considered ideal.
What is your weakness?
3
The secret recipe for this question is to NOT reveal permanent liabilities, but to present small weaknesses with a positive spin. Include the mitigation you have taken for the same.
Pro tip: “I’m a workaholic”, “I tend to overcommit” , “I seek perfection” are some of the most overused answers that can be avoided.
DATA DOTS
The average consultant travels over 30,000 miles a year—basically enough to go around the world! Perks? Free flights and hotel points.
2
What salary do you expect?
When you provide a well-reasoned response, you show that you are aware of your worth. Before you walk into the interview, research about the role and the typical pay, so that you answer aligns with what the company provides.
Pro tip:You can check out websites like Glassdoor, Fishbowl, or Vault, or connect with communities on LinkedIn to get a better understanding.
4
Do you have any questions for us?
As innocent as it looks like, the interviewer has something in their mind – They want to see how curious you are about them. Always have at least one question prepared.
Pro tip: Reports shows that 80% of candidates ask general questions about the role and their interview process. Ask more specific questions about the industry itself if you want to stand out.
The CFAJourney
How to Navigate this journey as an Engineering Undergraduate
WHAT IS CFA?
CHARTERED
CFA stands for Chartered Financial Analyst, a prestigious professional designation awarded by the CFA Institute. Think of CFAs as the elite in financial analysis and wealth management. Career paths post CFA include asset and wealth management, investment banking, commercial banking, and consulting.
The CFA program has three levels, each building on the last. Level I covers investment tools, Level II focuses on applying them, and Level III emphasizes portfolio management. Level I is offered four times a year, while Levels II and III are held twice. With a 40% pass rate, preparation is the key!
Insights for Engineers
For engineering students eyeing a CFA designation but worried about the hefty fees, don’t be discouraged! There’s a silver lining with the CFA Access Scholarship, which slashes the cost from $1,100 to $250 (for Level-1 exam). Apply early to take advantage of this financial relief. For your studies, blend resources like the CFA Curriculum and Schweser’s Notes with IFT videos to tackle challenging topics.
Its a great idea to prepare for CFA when you are pursuing UG, it opens up a variety of options in any kind of field that you might be getting into with a touch of finance to it. Self preparation is viable option while preparing and it takes approximately 300 hours to complete the syllabus.
Our client, Fashion Co., is a U.S.-based men’s business clothing retailer. They’ve been struggling to grow among the 20-40-year-old demographic, who are increasingly shopping online. We need to improve growth in this segment. How would you approach this?
It seems like the issue is a shift in shopping behaviour. I'd explore: Market Trends – Is the men's business fashion market growing or shrinking? Customer Behaviour – What drives this group's preference for online shopping? Competition – What strategies are competitors using to attract these customers?
Let’s start with the market. How large do you think the online men’s business fashion market is for this age group?
Given the shift to e-commerce, I estimate the market for men’s dress shirts alone is around $5 billion. This is where growth is happening. That’s a strong estimate. What’s driving this group’s behaviour?
Customers in this age range are pricesensitive and focused on convenience. Online shopping offers them quick, seamless experiences where they can easily compare options. Do we have data on what they value most?
Yes. A survey shows their priorities are low pricing and brand variety, but Fashion Co. focuses on things like premium packaging, which they don’t care about as much.
So, we’re investing in areas that aren’t valuable to them while missing the mark on pricing and variety.
Exactly. How would you address the brand variety issue?
There’s an opportunity to partner with emerging or niche brands. A store-in-store concept would allow us to bring in fresh styles without overhauling the inventory, appealing to younger customers.
We’ve received a proposal from a new brand to open a section in our store. How would you evaluate this?
First, I’d evaluate the financials. Setup costs for IT, marketing, and in-store would total about $32,000. With a $40 contribution margin per unit, we’d need to sell 800 units to break even. Do you think that’s feasible? 800 units sounds achievable. What makes you confident?
Given the $5 billion market, with proper positioning and marketing, 800 units is realistic—especially if the brand resonates with younger customers. Makes sense. What would you tell the CEO in summary?
Fashion Co. is losing 20-40-year-olds due to limited variety and price sensitivity. Partnering with brands that appeal to this demographic through a store-in-store concept could diversify offerings with minimal risk. Selling 800 units to break even seems achievable, given the market potential, and could re-engage our target audience.
That’s a solid pitch. Thanks for your time.
RESOURCES
"Case in Point" by Marc P. Cosentino "The Consulting Bible" by Alan Weiss Caseinterview.com
Victor Cheng Consulting Prep
which path to pursue?
Understanding the key differences
Before diving into which exam is better suited for you, let’s break down the key differences between the GMAT and GRE. The GMAT is specifically designed for business school admissions and is made up of four sections: Analytical Writing, Integrated Reasoning, Quantitative, and Verbal. Meanwhile, the GRE, accepted by a wider range of grad uate programs (includ ing business schools), has three sections: Analytical
So, Which Should You Choose?
as it’s accepted by many different graduate programs. If you prefer vocabulary-based verbal questions and want a less rigid format, the GRE might be for you. In the end, it all boils down to your strengths—choos e the one that plays to your abilities!
The GMAT is a better fit if you’re gunning for business schools and have strong quantitative and analytical skills, making it a great choice for engineers. Top MBA programs often prefer GMAT scores, especially for careers in consulting and finance. However, the GRE offers more flexibility, Writing, Verbal Reasoning, and Quantitative Reasoning. A key difference is how each test adjusts its difficulty — GMAT adapts question - byquestion,while the GRE adjusts at the section level. Another perk? The GRE lets you navigate between questions, while the GMAT doesn’t offer that flexibility.
consultants sold over $100 billion of advice
2hr 15 min GRW- 1hr 58 min
the ULTIMATE GUIDE to DEFFERED MBA
Reserve your MBA seat while you are doing your undergrads
MDATA DOTS
Consultants have more face time with flight attendants than with their significant other...
BA programs aim for diversity in their student body. Traditional MBA programs require several years of work experience, but there are programs specially designed for students in the final year of the undergraduate –Deferred MBA. This program allows the students in their final year of college to recommendation, and typically two essays (SOPs) . There’s also an interview or team-based discussion
THINGS TAUGHT in BUSINESS SCHOOL
Put the Customer in the Driver's Seat
Let’s be real: It’s not about cutting costs , it’s about adding value where it counts. Profits come from value creation , not just revenue growth. Selling more units by slashing prices might boost sales but often squeezes your margins dry. Instead, focus on items that yield the highest return on investment (ROI). And always keep an eye on your cash flow – it's more important than sales figures. Work backward from external Customer Performance Indicators (CPIs) to internal Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), and map out what your customers truly need. Use the Customer Value Equation and the Importance-Performance Matrix to develop a unique value proposition that will keep your customers hooked.
MARKETING COMPETITIVE STRATEGY
Stand Out or Step Aside
In today's fast-paced business world, strategy isn't about doing everything – it's about doing the right things differently . To gain an edge, you have two choices: Cost Leadership (offering the best prices) or Differentiation (providing unique value). Are you trying to please everyone? That's a recipe for mediocrity. True strategy is about making bold choices that create shareholder value and drive sustainable growth.What is your ultimate goal? It’s not just about knowing what to do but also what to avoid.
If Excel is a consultant's first language, PowerPoint is their poetry
WORD
Discover what’s next—exciting events, workshops, and opportunities for every aspiring consultant!
Find following words in the puzzle.
CONSULTATHON INDUCTIONS
CASECOMP
BOOTCAMP
CONSULTXPO
PIVOT
DATA DOTS
KPMG Hackathon - November
CBS Case comp - Registration Ongoing
Tata Imagination Challenge - October
Reliance TUP Challenge - December
180DC NITT’s annual summit enhancing consulting skills through workshops, guest lectures and competitions. STAY TUNED! Answer
