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Client Testimonials

IESE MBA preparing for McKinsey interviews

My Michael Moment was the collective screening rounds to get into the program. I was blown away by the time, energy and cost to screen people and find just a few clients. I applied with a class colleague and we went through the same process. When I received the 5 page feedback letter my admiration for Michael only grew. He provided very detailed advice on what I needed to do. Sadly, my class mate was unsuccessful but this impressed me more. To think that Michael went through all that trouble and provided a feedback letter made me realize Michael was serious about his intent. I am still in the program and loving every minute of it. I learn new things every day and feel I am growing professionally and ready to take on MBB come March 2013. We have published the most useful client feedback. Our commitment to confidentiality prevents us from disclosing the identity of our clients and other confidential information, and we may alter details to prevent such disclosure. Some client feedback may be lightly edited for grammar, spelling or prose, though we never alter or remove any information. Clients in our consultants coaching program are forbidden from…

Client Testimonials

My Michael Moment was the collective screening rounds to get into the program. I was blown away by the time, energy and cost to screen people and find just a few clients. I applied with a class colleague and we went through the same process. When I received the 5 page feedback letter my admiration for Michael only grew. He provided very detailed advice on what I needed to do. Sadly, my class mate was unsuccessful but this impressed me more. To think that Michael went through all that trouble and provided a feedback letter made me realize Michael was…

Client Testimonials

Haas MBA pursues BCG ignores case competitions

I asked Michael about the MBA case competition and he said I should forget about it. I did not believe him and he provided a long explanation which went something like this... "To win a case competition requires skills very different from that required to obtain an MBB offer. Case competitions require research, power point, formatting and team work skills which will not be required in a case interview. It will also take up a lot of my time, effect your grades and lead to no meaningful reward." Michael also pointed out that people who win case competitions generally do not get MBB offers. That was a statistic I found hard to believe at the time, especially since so many other major sites were telling me to do it! I am sad to say I did not believe Michael, entered 4 major case competitions, hurt my grades and ended up with no offers. That was the last time I ignored Michael’s advice. For round 2 at MBB, at least I hope to get a round 2, I follow his advice like scripture! Thanks for believing in me Michael. We have published the most useful client feedback. Our commitment to confidentiality…

Client Testimonials

I asked Michael about the MBA case competition and he said I should forget about it. I did not believe him and he provided a long explanation which went something like this... "To win a case competition requires skills very different from that required to obtain an MBB offer. Case competitions require research, power point, formatting and team work skills which will not be required in a case interview. It will also take up a lot of my time, effect your grades and lead to no meaningful reward." Michael also pointed out that people who win case competitions generally do…

Client Testimonials

Thai experienced-hire to Bain

A Michael Moment? Hmm...there are so many. And some saved me money and esteem. For my second round interview with AT Kearney in South East Asia, the company asked if I would be in Malaysia soon and wanted to know if I would be willing to fly in for my own cost. I was excited and thrilled, and ready to go online to spend a few hundred dollars to book the flight and hotel. It seemed normal to me. When I told Michael about this over Skype, he became upset about it. I had thought he was upset me with! Thankfully he soon clarified the direction of his anger! He repeated this a few times until I understood the point. I should never pay for my own trip because it implies two things. I am desperate for the position and because it is a double-standard from AT Kearney. If they knew I was desperate for the job, I would lose any chances of getting it. He also felt they would not ask a student from a better school to pay their way. He asked me if I wanted to work for an office with such poor standards? I was actually…

Client Testimonials

A Michael Moment? Hmm...there are so many. And some saved me money and esteem. For my second round interview with AT Kearney in South East Asia, the company asked if I would be in Malaysia soon and wanted to know if I would be willing to fly in for my own cost. I was excited and thrilled, and ready to go online to spend a few hundred dollars to book the flight and hotel. It seemed normal to me. When I told Michael about this over Skype, he became upset about it. I had thought he was upset me with!…

Client Testimonials

Motivating a Wharton MBA through Christmas

I think it is a swell idea of your team to collect the best moments with clients. I hope you will publish some of these stories. You will probably not recall this moment but it was a turning point for me. I was alone at Wharton, no family in the U.S., I had no money to fly home, all my friends were away for Christmas and I was planning my applications. I sent you a message at 6:15pm EST on Christmas day and never expected a reply. You sent me a message on Skype and offered to call me. That was a pretty amazing response to take your clients so seriously. We had a short call but you told me something which placed my situation in perspective and gave me the energy to push through. You said that great people are never happy. “They are extremes with no friends. They have sharp edges and they have no friends. They see things others cannot see and are ridiculed for it until they can make their ideas work. One of the great myths of the media is that successful people are happy. No successful person is happy. Successful people are flawed – deeply so.” You…

Client Testimonials

I think it is a swell idea of your team to collect the best moments with clients. I hope you will publish some of these stories. You will probably not recall this moment but it was a turning point for me. I was alone at Wharton, no family in the U.S., I had no money to fly home, all my friends were away for Christmas and I was planning my applications. I sent you a message at 6:15pm EST on Christmas day and never expected a reply. You sent me a message on Skype and offered to call me. That…

Client Testimonials

Picking McKinsey over BCG with a 15% lower salary

My Michael Moment occured after I had received offers from BCG and McKinsey and was trying to debate the best choice. BCG offered me 15% larger package overall and a higher signing bonus. I sent Michael a short note on Skype explaining my decision and intimating that the extra money would pay for a nice vacation with my wife. I received a note saying that money was not everything and I should choose the firm which I felt had a partner who could personally mentor me. Michael gave me 4 things to think about: • I would only progress to partner if a partner took me under his wings and mentored me. I should think about which firm was not more likely to do that. • 15% + higher immediate salary translates into very little over a 5 to 10 year career. I should think about the lifetime value of the decision and not the short term value. • A firm that pays more will have a reason for doing that. No one is that generous. I needed to think carefully about the gap for which the money was compensating. Was it training, the type of engagements etc.? • Don’t…

Client Testimonials

My Michael Moment occured after I had received offers from BCG and McKinsey and was trying to debate the best choice. BCG offered me 15% larger package overall and a higher signing bonus. I sent Michael a short note on Skype explaining my decision and intimating that the extra money would pay for a nice vacation with my wife. I received a note saying that money was not everything and I should choose the firm which I felt had a partner who could personally mentor me. Michael gave me 4 things to think about: • I would only progress to…

Client Testimonials

Client not placed in South-East Asia

A client from South-east Asia wrote 3 memorable moments from our coaching. I think 3 traits describe Michael for me -- utmost professional integrity, excellence and valued relationship. This story is about the 3rd trait: My "Michael Moment" came when I had finished the case coaching program, having spent ~4 months, and 15 hours being mentored by Michael. That day, I received the email decision from the consulting firm I was applying to. Sadly, I was unsuccessful in my application. Of course the first thing I did was shared it with Michael, and after some comforting encouragement from him, he said one the most inspiring words I've ever heard: That for him clients are friends. I understood this when I later on chatted with him. He provided me with guidance and resources, beyond the scope of what I had assumed as the "formal business contract" of the program. Michael, I am so fortunate to be your client and your friend. We have published the most useful client feedback. Our commitment to confidentiality prevents us from disclosing the identity of our clients and other confidential information, and we may alter details to prevent such disclosure. Some client feedback may be lightly…

Client Testimonials

A client from South-east Asia wrote 3 memorable moments from our coaching. I think 3 traits describe Michael for me -- utmost professional integrity, excellence and valued relationship. This story is about the 3rd trait: My "Michael Moment" came when I had finished the case coaching program, having spent ~4 months, and 15 hours being mentored by Michael. That day, I received the email decision from the consulting firm I was applying to. Sadly, I was unsuccessful in my application. Of course the first thing I did was shared it with Michael, and after some comforting encouragement from him, he…

Client Testimonials

African MBA Graduate on values before profit

My Michael Moment came right at the beginning. As a South African MBA student the program was approximately R[Redacted]. That was a lot of money and equal to 25% of the yearly cost of my MBA program. It was a lot of money! It is a lot of money! It will always be a lot of money. I had applied late in the cycle and given the sum involved, I would need about 3 to 4 weeks to beg, borrow and squeeze it out of my parents – who thought I was certifiably insane to spend so much money on this program. The moment occurred when I wrote to Michael and asked if we could start before the payment was made. I knew it would be a no but thought I should ask. Michael’s response is pasted below and it is the reason I am such a strong believer in his views – well, that and I did get into MBB! Dear [redacted] We understand the funding challenges. We would be able to start the program before payment is made. We select clients heavily on values and ethics, and if there was any doubt you would not pay us, then…

Client Testimonials

My Michael Moment came right at the beginning. As a South African MBA student the program was approximately R[Redacted]. That was a lot of money and equal to 25% of the yearly cost of my MBA program. It was a lot of money! It is a lot of money! It will always be a lot of money. I had applied late in the cycle and given the sum involved, I would need about 3 to 4 weeks to beg, borrow and squeeze it out of my parents – who thought I was certifiably insane to spend so much money on…

Client Testimonials

Harvard MBA helps Obama, despite missing BCG

My story is not a Michael Moment but a Michael Revelation. I was not successful with MBB while working with Michael. That said, I have no regrets taking the program and continue to refer friends and colleagues to Michael. I realized after the training ended that I was not ready for MBB. I had started my pursuit because everyone else was doing it. When Michael asked me why I wanted to work at McKinsey, I, sadly, had no good answer. I had never even thought about it until I was asked this question. I felt like a lemming. The training was excellent but the desire to be at MBB was missing and that was my weakness which the interviewers could easily see. They needed to have been blind to miss it. After my MBA I took 12 months off travelling around Central and Pacific Asia. The journey centered me and helped me realize what I wanted to do. I returned to the US and joined the Obama campaign. Everyday I used my consulting training to do things that matter. I am grateful for Michael giving me these skills. It is probably not the best story but it shows the power…

Client Testimonials

My story is not a Michael Moment but a Michael Revelation. I was not successful with MBB while working with Michael. That said, I have no regrets taking the program and continue to refer friends and colleagues to Michael. I realized after the training ended that I was not ready for MBB. I had started my pursuit because everyone else was doing it. When Michael asked me why I wanted to work at McKinsey, I, sadly, had no good answer. I had never even thought about it until I was asked this question. I felt like a lemming. The training…

Client Testimonials

Yale PhD inspired to think beyond McKinsey

Michael! Thank you so much for choosing me and leading me so far in the training program. It has changed me permanently in two good aspects. First are changes from deep inside, in terms of career goals and inner confidence. Second is about my outside presentation. Let's start with the changes from deep inside first. I still remember when you asked me, "Do you want to be a CEO of a company," during the initial screening interview. I thought it was absurd. How could I or how dare I even think about going that far? Never ever! However, after the training, if you asked me today this same question, I would say, “Maybe...Yes. I think that is an intriguing idea.” Raising my inner confidence occurred because training with Michael was one of the few times in a week that I felt good about myself. No kidding! It is because I had been in a dark time in my career - due to the pressure to graduate from school and the uncertainty about my future career - and my confidence was decreasing. Michael helped me to realize my "sparkles" as well as "bad things" that I should improve. It is tremendously…

Client Testimonials

Michael! Thank you so much for choosing me and leading me so far in the training program. It has changed me permanently in two good aspects. First are changes from deep inside, in terms of career goals and inner confidence. Second is about my outside presentation. Let's start with the changes from deep inside first. I still remember when you asked me, "Do you want to be a CEO of a company," during the initial screening interview. I thought it was absurd. How could I or how dare I even think about going that far? Never ever! However, after the…

Client Testimonials

Marvin Bower and management consulting

My Michael Moment is crystal clear. Before I applied to the program I sent him an email to get some advice on the best books to read about management consulting. I had bought the books The McKinsey Mind and The McKinsey Way. Boy, was I excited to read them. Five minutes after sending my email I get a call from Michael! I did not know him and this was my first email to him. He told me the best use of those books would be to send them back and ask for a refund. His view was that McKinsey and BCG are special and lead their peers for a simple reason. They have a better value system. We had 20 or 25 minute discussion about values and Michael told me something I will never forget: "Firms like Deloitte, Monitor, Booz, ATK etc all hire outstanding graduates from top schools and train them with similar material. So why do those firms not have the same cachet and prestige? It comes down to why they do things and that is driven by a firm’s value system. You can replicate a Harvard graduate but you cannot replicate the right value system." That call…

Client Testimonials

My Michael Moment is crystal clear. Before I applied to the program I sent him an email to get some advice on the best books to read about management consulting. I had bought the books The McKinsey Mind and The McKinsey Way. Boy, was I excited to read them. Five minutes after sending my email I get a call from Michael! I did not know him and this was my first email to him. He told me the best use of those books would be to send them back and ask for a refund. His view was that McKinsey and…

Client Testimonials

Decorated Female US Soldier on McKinsey PEI

Michael! It has been a real privilege working with you over the last few months. My Michael Moment occurred early in my training. As an ex-U.S. armed forces member, I had an interesting background. Yet, I was very surprised by the interest Michael took in that background. We spent a lot of time discussing my tours, the things I had seen and the problems I faced. I thought we were spending too much time on this but Michael insisted it was very important for him to understand me. I never realized the purpose of this intense interest until we started the McKinsey PEI preparations. When I gave an answer, Michael would ALWAYS provide a more insightful and detailed answer using the information from the early sessions. I realized this is similar to what they teach us in the military. Become friends with the locals and use their information to help them. Michael has purpose in what he does and he did nothing without a reason. This taught me the importance of CONTINUING to use every scrap of information I collected. It also made me realize how interesting my life experiences could be when told by the right person. Screenplay anyone?…

Client Testimonials

Michael! It has been a real privilege working with you over the last few months. My Michael Moment occurred early in my training. As an ex-U.S. armed forces member, I had an interesting background. Yet, I was very surprised by the interest Michael took in that background. We spent a lot of time discussing my tours, the things I had seen and the problems I faced. I thought we were spending too much time on this but Michael insisted it was very important for him to understand me. I never realized the purpose of this intense interest until we started…

Client Testimonials

Fulbright Scholar on McKinsey, BCG requirements

My Michael Moment happened during a pitifully sad email I sent to me him asking for advice. I was a Fulbright Scholar studying in the US and my applications to LEK, Deloitte, Monitor, Oliver Wyman and Booz had been rejected. I wanted to know what to do since MBB were much tougher and the weaker firms were turning me down! Michael found it very amusing and mentioned that my early choices preferred consultants with consulting experience and sector knowledge. MBB preferred students without consulting experience and sector knowledge and being rejected by the others probably indicated I was a good fit for MBB! Just like that the sun came out in my life and I was happy again! That happened 2 days before my own birthday so I am happy to return the favor for Michael. My other moment occured when I was scared to apply to New York. Michael gave this very funny analogy. He said the McKinsey New York office was like the most glamorous fair lady at the prom. Everyone wanted to dance with her but everyone was too sacred to ask. So she ended up getting too few offers! I thought that was really funny, but…

Client Testimonials

My Michael Moment happened during a pitifully sad email I sent to me him asking for advice. I was a Fulbright Scholar studying in the US and my applications to LEK, Deloitte, Monitor, Oliver Wyman and Booz had been rejected. I wanted to know what to do since MBB were much tougher and the weaker firms were turning me down! Michael found it very amusing and mentioned that my early choices preferred consultants with consulting experience and sector knowledge. MBB preferred students without consulting experience and sector knowledge and being rejected by the others probably indicated I was a good…

Where else can you learn from ex-McK, BCG et al. senior partners?

Learn from the people who make the final hiring decision in the final round of interviews.

IESE MBA preparing for McKinsey interviews

Haas MBA pursues BCG ignores case competitions

Thai experienced-hire to Bain

Motivating a Wharton MBA through Christmas

Picking McKinsey over BCG with a 15% lower salary

Client not placed in South-East Asia

African MBA Graduate on values before profit

Harvard MBA helps Obama, despite missing BCG

Yale PhD inspired to think beyond McKinsey

Marvin Bower and management consulting

Decorated Female US Soldier on McKinsey PEI

Fulbright Scholar on McKinsey, BCG requirements

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African MBA Graduate on values before profit

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Yale PhD inspired to think beyond McKinsey

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Decorated Female US Soldier on McKinsey PEI

Fulbright Scholar on McKinsey, BCG requirements

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