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Everyone assumes AI is eating consulting alive – demand shrinking, firms pulling back. That's the narrative. 
The data from our July Consulting Market Outlook says something else entirely.
In this episode of The Briefing, Japheth sits down with Namaan to unpack what's actually happening in the market right now. 
Demand is up. The bottleneck isn't leads or RFPs – it's delivery. And that changes who's winning in the second half of 2026, for firms and for candidates.
We cover:
Why the firms stuck in the middle are getting squeezed out
The 3 things on the podium now that AI is just the entry fee
What candidates should be asking firms that most aren't
Resources:
Download the July Consulting Market Outlook Report free – the data behind everything Namaan breaks down in this episode
If you represent a consulting firm and want your perspective shaping future MC research, rankings, or thought leadership, get on Namaan's calendar
If your profile still reads generalist in a market that's paying for sector depth, Black Belt helps you fix that before it costs you the offer
Connect With Management Consulted
Create a free MC account or download the MC app (Apple, Android) to start your prep today
Schedule a free 15min consultation with the MC Team
Watch the video version of the podcast on YouTube
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Join an upcoming live event – case interviews demos, expert panels, and more

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BCG's HireQuotient Online Assessment is the Online Case – same test, new platform.
Katie – MC's Black Belt Advisor and ex-BCG – breaks down what's on it, how it's scored, and the thing that fails candidates outright.
We walk through a live demo so you can see the mechanics before BCG sends you the real thing. Finish in time, prioritize fast, rule things out. And when you get to the final video rec – you get one shot. Whatever's recorded when the clock hits zero goes to BCG.
Resources:
If you want chatbot cases to practice before BCG sends you the real thing – plus a coach to build your full prep plan – Black Belt is for you
New to case prep? Case Foundations is free and gets you started on the right foot
Not sure if your BCG profile is competitive? 15 minutes with Katie will tell you exactly where you stand
Connect With Management Consulted
Create a free MC account or download the MC app (Apple, Android) to start your prep today
Schedule a free 15min consultation with the MC Team
Watch the video version of the podcast on YouTube
Follow us on LinkedIn, Instagram, and TikTok
Join an upcoming live event – case interviews demos, expert panels, and more

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The consumer and retail consulting market is fragmenting. Specialists are winning deals that used to go to the big firms – and the clients driving that shift aren't going back.
2 partners from this year's Top Consumer & Retail Consulting Firms ranking break it down. 
Keith Fogerty from Advancy and Shikha Jain from Simon-Kucher share what's actually happening in the market – revenue growth pressure, AI's real role, private equity's tightening standards, and why a pretty PowerPoint that collects dust is a failed engagement.
If you're building a career in consumer or retail consulting, or running a practice in this space, this is the market intelligence you can't get anywhere else.
Full speaker bios and firm profiles here.
Resources:
See this year's Top Consumer & Retail Consulting Firms ranking
Ready to break into a top consulting firm? Black Belt is where serious candidates get the coaching to do it
Explore top firms hiring in Consumer and Retail on the Management Consulted Job Board
Connect With Management Consulted
Create a free MC account or download the MC app (Apple, Android) to start your prep today
Schedule a free 15min consultation with the MC Team
Watch the video version of the podcast on YouTube
Follow us on LinkedIn, Instagram, and TikTok
Join an upcoming live event – case interviews demos, expert panels, and more

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Bruno had every disadvantage on paper: international student, non-target school, three internships that didn't add up to one clear story.
He didn't let it hold him back, landing a full-time offer at BCG.
In this episode of Recruiting Reality Check, Katie – MC's Black Belt Advisor – breaks down what got Bruno there. Spoiler: it wasn't more cases. It was a plan he stuck to even when it felt too "boring" to work. 
Turns out, unsexy habits get results.
We cover:
Why stacking cases with peers doesn't fix a weak strategy
How Bruno turned a shared home country into 3 real referrals
The unsexy habit Katie tells every candidate to copy
Resources:
If you're stacking cases and still not landing offers, Black Belt fixes the approach, not just the reps
Not sure your profile is competitive for MBB? 15 minutes with Katie will tell you where you stand
Your free MC account unlocks Case Foundations and the same tools Bruno used to build his plan
Connect With Management Consulted
Create a free MC account or download the MC app (Apple, Android) to start your prep today
Schedule a free 15min consultation with the MC Team
Watch the video version of the podcast on YouTube
Follow us on LinkedIn, Instagram, and TikTok
Join an upcoming live event – case interviews demos, expert panels, and more

Send us Fan Mail
Every McKinsey interviewee last year got at least 1 non-traditional case. Most candidates are still only prepping for standard business cases.
Namaan breaks down what's actually different about case interviews in 2026, and it's not just the case types.
McKinsey is piloting an AI-enabled interview round. Bain's also adding one this summer. 
The bar on communication and presence just went up too, because AI raised the floor on sounding prepared – but sounding ready isn't the same as being ready anymore.
Resources:
If you've only drilled business cases, Case Foundations will get you ready for the case types firms are actually giving in 2026
Want a coach who is up to date on 2026 cases? Black Belt builds your prep around what firms are testing for right now, not two years ago
Connect With Management Consulted
Create a free MC account or download the MC app (Apple, Android) to start your prep today
Schedule a free 15min consultation with the MC Team
Watch the video version of the podcast on YouTube
Follow us on LinkedIn, Instagram, and TikTok
Join an upcoming live event – case interviews demos, expert panels, and more