Can Business Acumen be built or not really

Hi there, 

Business acumen and casing ability can DEFINITELY be built. While some have a natural intuition, structured thinking and problem-solving improve with practice.

MBB/Tier 2 don’t just hire the “smartest” people—they look for adaptability, communication, and a learning mindset. Many strong candidates get rejected, often due to fit or interview performance rather than intelligence.

If you’re already fairly smart, you can get better. With deliberate practice and feedback, even those who struggle at first can succeed. Keep refining your approach, and don’t let rejection define your potential.

Let me know if you need any further advice - happy to help!

Best,

Evelina

Hi, every skill you can imagine can be built. The trick is putting in the practice to actually repeat the behaviors you want to learn. Learn about what "good looks like" -> e.g., what good casers do, what good insights are and how you get to them; and try to act like that yourself, "fake it till you make it" style.

If you wonder about rejection, usually it's a combination of factors that allow you to get in MBB, not just your casing skills. It's the power of your network, your ability to sell yourself, how sour the interviewer felt in the morning, etc. etc.

If you are serious about getting these results, dedicate yourself fully to the goal & research, ask people, collect ideas and best practices everywhere to help yourself gradually position yourself better to reach your goal.

I think this goes for everything. Good luck!

Hi there,
Yes - A person that performs really bad at a case interview can build the skills to get an offer. Case performance is partially related to intelligence and partially to training, the latest carting the heaviest weight. That is why bright people sometimes don’t get an offer. It was not lack of intelligence but rather of preparation as case interview has a very particular way of being tackled.

Best,

Mari

Hey there! 

100% strong case performance can we built. I have seen the starting point and shape of learning curve vary by candidate. But we all have a significant learning curve doing cases. I have yet to meet someone who is naturally good at cases and doesn't benefit significantly from practice / coaching. 

Besides direct case practice, I find increasing your consumption of business news (#1 recommendation: The Economist, #2 recommendation: WSJ) can be very beneficial building your business acumen. 

Consulting firms hire for the highest expected value candidate. Part of that evaluation is performance potential, the other part is risk (e.g., will they stick around, are they a cultural fit, etc.). 

And even performance potential isn't just intelligence. Elements like Emotional Intelligence, Ability to build relationships with colleagues and clients, Being likable, Communication and presence all play a meaningful role. 

Hope that helps! 

-Andreas

Last time I looked, babies weren't born with business acumen.

So yes, it can be learnt and built. It is actually the only way to have it.

Of course, to be honest, you need to enjoy it at least to a certain point, i.e. if you don't have a genuine interest in business and in solving cases most likely you won't learn a lot, and in any case you won't enjoy consulting.

Hi there, 

first of all, getting an offer is much more than just business acumen (and the case). You also have to excel in the personal fit part and the overall networking component of it (especially in the US). 

In terms of business acumen, yes, you can get very comfortable with this with the right and sufficient and preparation and guidance. 

Excelling at the interviews, does not make you necessarily a good Consultant though, it is just the ticket to get in. Quickly understanding what is expected of you on the job, is the key to performing well. 

Happy to help with any of the above. 

Best, 
Sebastian

Business acumen can definitely be built. It's not just about raw intelligence - it's about developing structured thinking and business intuition through practice and exposure.

Case interviews are absolutely learnable skills. That's why so many people successfully prep their way in despite not being "natural" business thinkers initially.

The job itself requires a mix of analytical ability, communication skills, and adaptability. Smart people get rejected all the time due to interview performance, fit issues, or just bad luck on the day.

Focus on developing your analytical frameworks, practicing cases consistently, and building real business understanding. These skills transfer widely even if consulting doesn't work out.

Hey there 😊,

Yes, business acumen and casing ability can absolutely be built—but it takes deliberate practice, exposure, and the right mindset. Some people start naturally strong, but even those who aren’t "born for it" can develop strong business intuition and case-solving skills with the right approach.

1️⃣ Can Good Casing Ability Be Built?

✅ Yes, with structured practice – Learning to break down problems, structure solutions, and make quick decisions is a trainable skill (like learning a new language).
✅ Pattern recognition improves over time – The more cases you do, the more you recognize common business challenges, market dynamics, and profitability drivers.
✅ Strong casing doesn’t mean strong on-the-job performance – Some people ace interviews but struggle in real consulting work, while others struggle with casing but thrive in execution.

2️⃣ But What If Someone Isn't "Naturally Bright"?

🚀 It’s more about adaptability than raw intelligence – Many MBB hires aren’t "geniuses," but they are structured thinkers, fast learners, and strong communicators.
🚀 Business intuition can be developed – If you lack a natural sense of "what drives a business," reading financial reports, analyzing industries, and thinking critically about business models can massively improve this skill.
🚀 People who work exceptionally hard still get rejected – Because casing is not just about effort—it’s about practicing the right way. Some people do 50+ cases wrong and still struggle, while others focus on feedback-driven improvement and get in.

3️⃣ How to Set Realistic Expectations?

✅ If you’re willing to put in the right kind of effort, you can improve drastically—I’ve seen people go from failing first rounds to landing MBB offers.
✅ If you feel stuck, get structured coaching or feedback—sometimes small tweaks make a huge difference.
✅ Recognize that MBB hiring is competitive, but success isn't only about getting in—many non-MBB consultants have amazing careers.

You seem to have the right mindset, and if you think you’re "fairly smart," that’s more than enough—it’s all about how you train. Let me know if you want guidance on improving casing or business acumen! 🚀

Best, Alessa 😇

Hi there,

Business acumen is just one of several crucial dimensions that are evaluated in case interviews, alongside problem-solving, analytics, communication, and presence. These skills work together and must be developed through a structured approach - understanding how to think, communicate, and take the right steps. 

Most candidates fail because they never learn such a systematic approach.

However, while business acumen can absolutely be developed through targeted exercises, it may take longer for candidates without a business background to reach the same level of readiness.

Reach out for some free advice on the topic.

Cheers,

Florian