consult case

8/9/2019 Consult Case

1/29

Consult InterviewsOur contribution

Chanchal BansalPankaj Goyal


2/29

Disclaimer

All this is what we think!

We are not taking your interviews


3/29

Agenda

Structure of a consult interview

How to handle personal interview?

How to solve a case?


4/29

Structure of a consult

interview Resume based questions

Personal Questions

Cases

Guestimates

Business decision problems


5/29

Personal Questions

Typical/Important questions

Tell me about yourself. About your work experience

Strengths/weaknesses

Why are you different from others? Why consulting (over i-banks)?

Why XYZ consult only?


6/29

Personal Questions Your resume

Each point 30 seconds to 3 minutes

Give stories (stickiness factor)

Come out as a:

Enthusiastic person

Ability to learn

Flexible yet assertive

Team worker; no ego

Likeabilityfactor


7/29

How to crack a case in interview? Skills they try to assess:

Problem solving (Analytical)

Communication

Practicality and effectiveness

Synthesis

Some handy tools Sample cases

Process


8/29

Guestimates

Logical reasoning

Number-crunching

Bigger picture details Goal

Flow of thinking matters!


9/29

Sample Guestimates How many cricket bats are sold in India

annually?

How many golf balls can be

accommodated in a Boeing 747?


10/29

Frameworks

SWOT

4 Ps

Product, Price, Promotion, Place

4 Cs

Consumer, Company, Competition,

Context


11/29

Porters Five Forces-

Industry Analysis


12/29

Value Chain Analysis


13/29

Others

Product life Cycle

Decision Tree Analysis


14/29

Others Microeconomics

Pareto Principle

Profitability Analysis

Law of supply & demand; diminishing marginal

utility; diminishing returns

Fixed vs. Variable cost; Breakeven point;

Corporate Finance NPV

Cost of capital


15/29

Things to remember

Never use the frameworks

Think loudly

Ask questions (intelligent ones will help)

State your assumptions

Summarize at the end


16/29

Sample Cases


17/29

Athikas:

Who is eating my samosa? Campus Cafeteria

Revenues increasing; profits decreasing

Thoughts?

Revenue vs. cost

Drivers of cost?

Fixed vs. variable costing? Competition?

Taste preferences?


18/29

Athikas: More information Same cost structure

No new competition

Possibilities?


19/29

Special Economic Zones You are a real estate company

You have 200 acres of land and need to

build up a SEZs

Which sector(s) to invest in?

What should be your entry strategy?


20/29

SEZ- Some information Regulations:

You cant sell the land only lease out

Single sector

25% for commercial use; 75% for others

Margins in construction: 18-20%


21/29


22/29

SEZs: Analysis Understanding the real estate industry

Understanding the regulations

Market research

Competitor Analysis

NPV

Potential Risks


23/29

Drainage

Dilemma

Your client manufactures drainage pipes.It is complaining of declining profits. It is avery innovative company which invests a

lot of R and D.

Its business model is where 40 % farmersbuy directly and 60 % get the installation

done by a drainage contractor

How should its pricing be?


24/29

Beyond Value Innovation:

Competitive Innovation

Many

Low

High

Few

Valued Features

(Tangible + Intangible)

Price

Feature

Threshold

Willingness ToPay Threshold

Price Leader

Differentiator

Why should this company be selling at low prices ?


25/29

Contd.

So the sales team has volume targets,

goes to take order, calls the HO and gets

the lowest possible price.

It is about to launch a new product with

distinct features. Should it do premium orpenetration pricing ? What are the

challenges


26/29

Leela Palace Hotel

Your client is a 7 star hotel, which is not

making money. How will you analyze the

cause of low profitability of the hotel.


27/29

Contd.

Revenue Sources

Lodging

Restaurants Gym and Spa

Services Ironing, Dry cleaning

Cost Centers Man power

Maintenance

Observation: High Fixed Cost business


28/29

Important considerations Way to make money

High Premium per customer

Greater occupancy How to attract customers

Customer feedbacks check whether customerscome back

Differentiate through service

Customers Corporate deals / individualcustomers

Increase customer loyalty


29/29

Best of luck!!

consult case

Documents