Build Better Structures...15 Play with the breaks Don’t skip this layer! This is where you can...
Transcript of Build Better Structures...15 Play with the breaks Don’t skip this layer! This is where you can...
David Ohrvall Founder, MBACASE
What will we learn in thiscase interview series?
CSAI Skills!• Show breadth and
depth of thinking..
• Know each lever of business and be able to apply it to a problem.
• Break down any problem consistently.
• Use a succinct, Answer First, confident style.
• Organize your language to explain data, thinking processes and insights.
• Ensure that senior leaders have their “So what?” answered.
• Combine insights in an actionable, solution-based manner.
• Learn to ask structured, data specific questions.
• Prioritize analysis and find meaningful insights across data sets.
What’s a case interview?
Question: Should our fashion retailer open pop-up stores?
• How would you approach this problem thoroughly and systematically?
• What data would you want to see to answer your questions?
• What have you learned in the case that can support a firm recommendation?
Interviewers want to see breadth and depth of thinking!
Breadth
Depth
Solving problems starts with breaking the problem into solvable pieces.
Some pieces of the
problem are more
important than others.
Size or Importance
Some pieces are
connected to several
others. They are share
something in common.
Connectivity
Some pieces need to be
addressed immediately
given their importance
or timing.
Urgent
Other pieces are
secondary in nature and
can be addressed later.
Secondary
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Our client wants to open a bike shop on campus.
❑ Go to your Breakout Room
▪ Meet your group, keep introductions short
▪ Discuss your initial ideas to get the conversation going
❑ Group your ideas in a way that makes sense
❑ Think about the question you want to ask
❑ What data would help you create a better plan?
Total time: 10 minutes
Structuring Warm-upExercise
Use this technique to show breadth of thinking AND the ability to find relevant data
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Block, Break & Ask
ASK or STATE
Gather and group your ideas. Do your categories make sense?
Be case specific to address what matters for THIS case. This shows you are thinking!
Mention the specific $, # and % that you need. Be ready to explain ALL of your thinking before the interviewer gives you data.
BREAKBREAK
BLOCK
ASK or STATE
Our client wants to open a bike shop on campus.
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Bicycle Shop
Competitors
Direct (e.g., bike shops)
Alternatives(Walmart, used)
What makes our product unique
and will that advantage last?
Supply & Distribution
Major Brands(Trek)
Independents(custom bikes)
Equipment
Which suppliers must we work
with to be competitive?
Financial Goals
ROI($, time to profit)
Profit by product(equip vs. bikes)
What’s our ROI goal and how
does it compare to competitors?
Store Operations
Store location
Store hours(normal, special)
Should we consider a
traditional store format or a pop-
up?
Employees
Remember these as you practice
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Block, Break & Ask Tips
Be willing to “play” with different blocks and groups.
Interviewers love to ask,“How else could you approach this?”
Do the same case multiple ways.
Work on thinking, not just reciting something you memorized.
BLOCK
You’ll start off robotic, but push for true AI
Ask-Bot
List-Bot
Hypothe-Bot
True “AI”
Authentic Intelligence
Ro
bot
E v o l u t i o n
Real Estate
Speaking case specifically is the fun part
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Play with the breaks
Don’t skip this layer! This is where you can differentiate yourself in the interview.
BREAKBREAK
BLOCK
Donuts
Telecom
Fashion
Auto Racing
Fast Food
Chains
Oil Rigs
SoftwareAdvertis-ing
Insurance
Farming
Construc-tion
Educa-tion
Pharma
Children could do this! Please think.
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Ask-bots only ask questions
Could you tell me more about the company?
BREAKBREAK
Customers
Who are the customers and what do they
prefer?
Company
BREAK
Competitors
Who are the competitors and
what is their market share?
You can’t ask for everything
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Prioritize your data
ASK or STATE
Here’s a simple question to remember:
“If I got the data, what decision could I make?”
BREAKBREAK
BLOCK
ASK or STATE
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Use your plan to connect and explain. Write or talk it through.
Plan
Facts
Data
BLOCK
BREAK
BREAK
$, #, %
BLOCK
BREAK
BREAK
BREAK
$, #, %
BLOCK
BREAK
BREAK
$, #, %
BREAK
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You may choose to show it horizontally (profit tree example)
R
C
P
V
VC
FC
Plan
Facts
Data
BLOCK
BLOCK
BLOCK
BLOCK
HIGH
LOW
$, #, %
$, #, %
$, #, %
$, #, %
$, #, %
$, #, %
$, #, %
$, #, %
Profit
We’ll learn so much more this summer!
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Summer Camp
ASK or STATE
BREAKBREAK
BLOCK
ASK or STATE
How to make sure your blocks are
MECE
When it might be appropriate to use
a standard framework
How to ensure you start your case
confidently every time
When to skip a MECE break approach to
ensure discussion
How to handle crazy “cow” questions
How to show you are data oriented
but not directionless
When to use a hypothesis and how to make it sound sensible
How to prioritize your data and speed up your
analysis
How to create a structure that improves your
recommendation
Recap
• Structuring well is critical• Makes your first impression• Shows how you think• Conveys your communication style• Sets up your data search
• Block, Break and Ask skills will ensure you are thinking rather than reciting
• Practice breaking down everyday objects at first
David [email protected]
davidohrvall
Next Steps
Get the slides and watch the replay video
- we’ll be sending an email tomorrow
- look for Crack the Case Summer Camp
- Sign-up opens next Thursday
Sign up if you are serious!
Limited to only 100 people
Each week we’ll cover a concept and a case
Office hour each week
Practice with your built-in community
Two cohorts of 50 max to ensure participation, learning & time zone
Registration opens next week!
Attend next week live and receive a discount code.
Next Steps
Get the slides and watch the replay video
- we’ll be sending an email tomorrow
- look for Crack the Case Summer Camp
- Sign-up opens next Thursday
Get a jump on your behavioral interviews
- Interview LOGIC Online, 50% off coupon
- Transform your skills and be interview ready!
MBACASE Resources
• Crack the Case System book with roadmaps, key concepts and drills
• 42 cases - free on MBACASE.com
• 160+ videos
• C4 on-line training
Sign up with your 50% off coupon
CTCWS19
Next Steps
Get the slides and watch the replay video
- we’ll be sending an email tomorrow
- look for Crack the Case Summer Camp
- Sign-up opens next Thursday
Get a jump on your behavioral interviews
- Interview LOGIC Online, 50% off coupon
Watch your bonus video in the replay email
- Register on mbacase.com
- Practice your case starts in our library
See you next week! Be ready to interact.
Send your questions to: