BCG vs Bain in Dubai, Middle East, for January 2024

Congratulations on receiving offers from both Bain and BCG for their Dubai offices! It's understandable that you're facing a tough decision. As an experienced consultant in the Middle East, I can provide some insights to help you make your choice.

When it comes to selecting between Bain and BCG, it's important to consider a few key criteria:

Firm reputation and size: BCG is indeed known for its strong reputation and global presence. However, it's worth noting that being part of a larger firm may sometimes make it challenging to stand out or have a more personalized experience. On the other hand, Bain has a strong culture and a more intimate working environment, which can foster closer relationships and potentially provide more visibility.

Culture and fit: It's great that you have connected with many people at Bain Dubai and feel a positive cultural fit. A supportive and collaborative culture can contribute to your overall job satisfaction and professional growth. Take into account the values, working style, and team dynamics of each firm to determine where you believe you will thrive the most.

Industry exposure and practice areas: Given your desire to switch industries and explore different practices, it's crucial to assess the opportunities each firm offers. Research the specific projects and clients they work with in the Middle East, particularly in areas like private equity and the public sector. Consider which firm aligns better with your career aspirations and provides the most exciting growth prospects.

Recent performance and future outlook: While it's important to consider the current state of the firms, keep in mind that the consulting industry can be cyclical. Look beyond forum comments and try to gather more comprehensive information about their recent performance, client portfolio, and strategic direction. This will give you a better understanding of their stability and growth potential in the Middle East.

Ultimately, the decision should be based on your personal preferences, long-term goals, and the opportunities each firm can offer you. I encourage you to reflect on these criteria, conduct informational interviews with current employees, and trust your instincts. Good luck with your decision-making process!

Hi there,

Congratulations on the BCG and Bain offers! In terms of your question:

Q: Which firm would you choose? Based on which criteria?

I haven’t worked in the Middle East but as a general guideline, I would recommend the following:

• Where do you want to be in 5-10 years? Look for the company that can help you to achieve that goal faster. You can check LinkedIn for that (see below). If you are not sure, the BCG brand is still stronger in most countries.
• If you consider the average consultant/partner you talked to in each company, which one would you rather be? You will spend a lot of time with your colleagues in the next years - be sure you choose a company where the people are close to the person you want to become.
• If money and prestige were not a consideration, which company would you choose? This could help you to identify additional elements to weigh you have not considered yet.

In terms of exits (for most people they are a very important factor in joining a consulting company), you can check them as follows:

1. Look for alumni of the two companies on LinkedIn.
2. Check how many moved to your preferred exits in your target region.
3. Normalize for the size of the companies in the region.

If you want to do extra due diligence, contact Alumni of your university (not current consultants) who worked in the two companies (bonus if they worked for both companies). You will learn more in a 30-minute call with them than with any online research you might do.

Best,

Francesco

Hi there,

First of all, congratulations on the offers!

I would be happy to share my thoughts on your question:

I would highly advise you to opt for the option that better aligns with your professional (and maybe even personal) mid- to long-term goals. In order to make an informed decision, I would advise you to do the following:

• Weigh the different criteria that are meaningful to you independently of the current options (e.g., prestige, culture, international exposure, compensation, location). After that, score the two options based on your criteria and their weighting, resulting in two scores. This way, you have covered the left-brain perspective.
• Critically assess your initial reaction to the outcome of the scores. For instance, if you feel the urge to tweak the numbers, this is a solid indicator that you do not want this decision to become reality. This way, you have covered the right-brain perspective.
• By doing so, you will be able to integrate both parts of the brain into the decision-making, guaranteeing a higher chance that you will still be happy with it years later.

If you would like a more detailed discussion on how to address your specific situation, please don't hesitate to contact me directly.

Best,

Hagen

Hi, congrats on two offers!

I would probably stick with BCG as it's generally a larger firm with a greater variety of projects.

One of my ex students quit Bain Dubai for a T2 firm because he didn't want to work on public sector projects, in which, according to his words, Bain specialises across this region.

Though the decision of which firm to join ultimately lies with your career goals and personal preferences.

Good luck,
Nick



 

Congrats! 

That's an amazing position to be in. 

I have former candidates and friends in both offices and both are really great places to be in.

If I lean more towards BCG, it's because of their regional staffing model that lowers the risk for you. Basically, you can develop a network faster in BCG because you'll get to interact with more people from different offices. That means more opportunities and more flexibility for when things go wrong.

Sharing with you two articles that you might find useful if you're just starting in consulting:

• Expert Guide: How to Become A Distinctive Consultant
• Expert Guide: How to Manage for Lifestyle in Consulting

Best,
Cristian

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Hi there,

I lean BCG (global brand, future, etc.) BUT it's really important that you make your own decision here.

Think about what you value most, and which firm represents that. Network and speak with people to get more color to the decision. Consider hiring a coach. And, don't forget to negotiate!

Finally, remember there's no “wrong” decision here…you're in an enviable position as most would kill for just one offer!

Hi there,

Congratulations on the offers! Both options are excellent choices and you should decide based on your personal criteria and intuition. Some thoughts to help you choose:

• Make a list of criteria that truly matters to you and make sure to balance professional and personal elements.
• Network with BCG and Bain consultants in the region (your recruiting contact could help you with this) and alumni to get a clearer view on both options.
• Follow your intuition and move on. Both options are great and you could not regret what you don't know after taking the decision.

Best,

Alberto

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Check out my latest case based on a real MBB interview: Sierra Springs

I‘d overweight BCG. Though there are interesting boutique consultancies in the region too. I’m advising in the region myself so feel free to connect over a coffee chat. Warm regards, Frederic