S15E23: The China Conundrum: Ken Wilcox on Avoiding the 'Win-Win' Trap

Send us a textDreaming of a career in consulting? Learn directly from 5 candidates who recently received offers from top firms (i.e., McKinsey, BCG, OC&C, MasterCard Advisors).They share the secrets behind their journeys - from case interview prep to networking mistakes to crafting impactful applications.Whether you’re just starting to explore consulting or deep in the recruiting process, this will give you the tools and motivation to secure an offer at a leading firm.Relevant LinksUnlock top consulting jobs on the Management Consulted Job BoardGet one-to-one interview coaching through Black BeltGet our best tips on networkingPartner LinksMore info on Palm Tree careersFarrell Sports BusinessInterviews with unicorns from sports business and their career pathsListen on: Apple Podcasts   SpotifyConnect With Management Consulted Follow Management Consulted on LinkedIn, Instagram, and TikTok for the latest updates and industry insights. Schedule a free 15min consultation with a member of the Management Consulted team. Join an upcoming live event - case interviews demos, expert panels, and more. Email our team ([email protected]) with any questions or feedback.

Send us a textManagement Consulted hosted a panel with leaders from some of the world's top consulting firms for a candid conversation on the state of the industry:BainKPMGL.E.K.PwCThe panelists provided insights on everything from hiring patterns to the hottest (and not-so-hot) practice areas. Listen to learn where firms are focusing recruitment efforts, learn which service lines are growing fastest, and to get a forecast of what’s to come in 2025 and beyond.Connect with these firms here.Relevant LinksUnlock top consulting jobs on the Management Consulted Job BoardSee the video replay of this panelRun a Management Consulted-hosted case competition for your studentsPartner LinksMore info on Palm Tree careersFarrell Sports BusinessInterviews with unicorns from sports business and their career pathsListen on: Apple Podcasts   SpotifyConnect With Management Consulted Follow Management Consulted on LinkedIn, Instagram, and TikTok for the latest updates and industry insights. Schedule a free 15min consultation with a member of the Management Consulted team. Join an upcoming live event - case interviews demos, expert panels, and more. Email our team ([email protected]) with any questions or feedback.

Send us a textIn this segment of Business Breakdowns, we look under the hood at Tesla. Jenny Rae Le Roux and Namaan Mian dissect Tesla’s business model.The conversation also explores strategies for Tesla’s future, with each leader sharing the three key levers they’d focus on to sustain profitability plus hot takes about what's next for the automotive manufacturer.Whether you’re a Tesla fan or aspiring consultant looking to build your business acumen, this episode delivers actionable insights and thought-provoking analysis you won't want to miss.Business Breakdowns drops on the 1st and 3rd Wednesday of each month. Loving it or have ideas to grow the segment? Reach out by sending us a text or email, and connect with Jenny Rae and Namaan on LinkedIn.Relevant LinksBuild your business acumen through our Black Belt case coaching programRun a Management Consulted-hosted case competition for your studentsTesla Investor Relations sitePartner LinksMore info on Palm Tree careersConnect With Management Consulted Follow Management Consulted on LinkedIn, Instagram, and TikTok for the latest updates and industry insights. Schedule a free 15min consultation with a member of the Management Consulted team. Join an upcoming live event - case interviews demos, expert panels, and more. Email our team ([email protected]) with any questions or feedback.

Send us a textListen to this episode to learn what BCG case interviews are all about.BCG consultant and Management Consulted case coach Yusuf leads a candidate through a market entry case. It has all the components you'd expect in a BCG case.Listen to the end as Yusuf delivers insightful feedback on the candidates strengths, weaknesses, and opportunities for improvement. Yusuf enjoys working with candidates virtually to help them prep for case and fit interviews. Learn more below.Relevant LinksCreate a free job search profile on the Management Consulted Job BoardWatch the video replay of this caseGet coaching hours to work with Yusuf one-to-oneSee Yusuf's calendarPartner LinksMore info on Palm Tree careersFarrell Sports BusinessInterviews with unicorns from sports business and their career pathsListen on: Apple Podcasts   SpotifyConnect With Management Consulted Follow Management Consulted on LinkedIn, Instagram, and TikTok for the latest updates and industry insights. Schedule a free 15min consultation with a member of the Management Consulted team. Join an upcoming live event - case interviews demos, expert panels, and more. Email our team ([email protected]) with any questions or feedback.

Send us a textIn today's can't-miss conversation, we chat with former McKinsey Engagement Manager Rick Wilmot. Rick shares a wealth of insights applicable to anyone pursuing a role in management consulting, including:How McKinsey evaluates candidatesKey mistakes to avoid for office selection (and why he is against side-dooring)The importance of compelling fit interview storiesTactical networking tipsRick's approach to helping candidates ace McKinsey interviewsRick is a pro case coach and would love to guide you to your offer. More info below.Connect with Rick WilmotSee Rick's coaching calendarRead more about RickFollow Rick on LinkedInConnect with Management ConsultedUnlock top consulting jobs on the Management Consulted Job BoardJoin the Black Belt case prep program (8 hours 1:1 coaching, application edits, and more)Get firm email formats in the Firm DirectoryTop-down communication articleFarrell Sports BusinessInterviews with unicorns from sports business and their career pathsListen on: Apple Podcasts   SpotifyConnect With Management Consulted Follow Management Consulted on LinkedIn, Instagram, and TikTok for the latest updates and industry insights. Schedule a free 15min consultation with a member of the Management Consulted team. Join an upcoming live event - case interviews demos, expert panels, and more. Email our team ([email protected]) with any questions or feedback.

Send us a textTomorrow only (Friday Nov. 22), you can get the All Access Pass for 50% off ($350 vs. $700 regular price)!The All Access Pass gives you lifetime access to the entirety of our online consulting prep curriculum, including:600+ practice cases (with solutions)9 video courses (case interviews, Excel/PPT, resumes, etc.)10,000+ drills (math, frameworks, exhibits, brainstorming, etc.)28 chatbot cases12 industry primersExpert case videosAll this for just $350. The sale ends at 11:59PM PST Friday.Buy here.Other LinksNot the DIY type? Work with an expert coach in our Black Belt or SuperPrep program.Connect With Management Consulted Follow Management Consulted on LinkedIn, Instagram, and TikTok for the latest updates and industry insights. Schedule a free 15min consultation with a member of the Management Consulted team. Join an upcoming live event - case interviews demos, expert panels, and more. Email our team ([email protected]) with any questions or feedback.

Send us a textToday is your last opportunity to purchase our interview coaching packages at current rates before prices go up at midnight PST TONIGHT.Lock in the best rates here.These 3 packages are going up:1 Hour Coaching: Today: $225 ➔ Tomorrow: $250Great if you need a diagnostic session or last-minute tune-up prior to interviews.Black Belt Interviewer (8hr coaching, prep plan, digital pass): Today: $1,600 ➔ Tomorrow: $1,800Our most popular interview prep package, great if you are 7-30 days away from an interview.2nd Degree Black Belt (20hr coaching, resume/cover letter edits, prep plan, digital pass): Today: $3,400 ➔ Tomorrow: $4,100The whole kitchen sink - great if you know you need all the help you can get!Connect With Management Consulted Follow Management Consulted on LinkedIn, Instagram, and TikTok for the latest updates and industry insights. Schedule a free 15min consultation with a member of the Management Consulted team. Join an upcoming live event - case interviews demos, expert panels, and more. Email our team ([email protected]) with any questions or feedback.

Send us a textIn this segment of Business Breakdowns, Namaan Mian and Jenny Rae Le Roux dive into the genius behind Costco’s business model. From its razor-thin margins to its strategic membership fees, they explore what makes the warehouse giant an unstoppable force in retail. Each leader shares the three key metrics they would prioritize if they were running the company—covering everything from customer retention and inventory turnover to revenue per square foot. Whether you’re a business enthusiast, an aspiring consultant, or just curious about what keeps Costco thriving, this conversation is packed with actionable insights and behind-the-scenes strategies you don’t want to miss.Business Breakdowns drops on the 1st and 3rd Wednesday of each month. Loving it or have ideas to grow the segment? Reach out by sending us a text or email, and connect with Jenny Rae and Namaan on LinkedIn.Relevant LinksPrices on coaching packages go up November 21 - lock in the best rates nowBuild your business acumen through our Black Belt case coaching programConnect With Management Consulted Follow Management Consulted on LinkedIn, Instagram, and TikTok for the latest updates and industry insights. Schedule a free 15min consultation with a member of the Management Consulted team. Join an upcoming live event - case interviews demos, expert panels, and more. Email our team ([email protected]) with any questions or feedback.

Send us a textOlivia stumbled across consulting early in her undergrad journey, joined BCG's "Advance" program for sophomore women, and parlayed a summer internship into a full-time Associate offer.Sounds fairly standard - right? But when you dig a little deeper, you'll realize that Olivia's journey into consulting was anything but standard - and carried a lot of hard-fought lessons.This conversation is about mining out those lessons from her story, including:The unconventional strategy she used to stand out in the recruitment processHow to show up confidently in case and fit interviewsThe mindset shift that transformed her networking approachTips for bouncing back from interview mistakes& much moreRelevant LinksPrices coaching packages go up on November 21 - lock in the best rates hereBCG Advance - learn morePurchase How to Win Friends & Influence People (Dale Carnegie) on AmazonPartner LinksMore info on Palm Tree careersFarrell Sports BusinessInterviews with unicorns from sports business and their career pathsListen on: Apple Podcasts   SpotifyConnect With Management Consulted Follow Management Consulted on LinkedIn, Instagram, and TikTok for the latest updates and industry insights. Schedule a free 15min consultation with a member of the Management Consulted team. Join an upcoming live event - case interviews demos, expert panels, and more. Email our team ([email protected]) with any questions or feedback.

Send us a textToday's conversation is with Ken Wilcox, the former CEO of Silicon Valley Bank.Ken's new book The China Business Conundrum: Ensure That "Win-Win" Doesn't Mean Western Companies Lose Twice is out now.In the conversation, Ken shares his experience of navigating the complex, untold realities of doing business in China.It's a compelling listen for any businessperson, consultant, or executive looking to do business with China and for the global citizen looking to get informed.Relevant LinksPurchase "The China Business Conundrum" on AmazonFollow Ken Wilcox on LinkedInBook a 15m call with Eden to go over recruitment support optionsKen mentioned the book Chinese Negotiating Style: Commercial Approaches and Cultural Principles by Lucian Pye; purchase on AmazonFarrell Sports BusinessInterviews with unicorns from sports business and their career pathsListen on: Apple Podcasts   SpotifyConnect With Management Consulted Follow Management Consulted on LinkedIn, Instagram, and TikTok for the latest updates and industry insights. Schedule a free 15min consultation with a member of the Management Consulted team. Join an upcoming live event - case interviews demos, expert panels, and more. Email our team ([email protected]) with any questions or feedback.