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Problem with case opening

Hi,

What I find problematic in this particular case is the opening itself. "Give winery some fresh impetus" is a very general objective - it can mean everything. Should a candidate come up with the steps listed in comments by herself, or is it something that would be specified by the interviewer?

Also, it doesn't seem that there is a opportunity here to give hypothesis as the case is not really problem driven. How should a candidate then tackle this problem?

Thank you!

A.

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Top answer
Clara
Coach
on Nov 02, 2020
McKinsey | Awarded professor at Master in Management @ IE | MBA at MIT |+180 students coached | Integrated FIT Guide aut

Hello !

It is very common to find statements like this. 

Precisely for that, it´s fundamental always clarifying the target first: 

"what is sucess for the client in this specific engagement?"

"are there any metrics that we have in mind to measure sucess?"

Hope it helps!

Cheers,

Clara

Ian
Coach
on Nov 02, 2020
#1 BCG coach | MBB | Tier 2 | Digital, Tech, Platinion | 100% personal success rate (8/8) | 95% candidate success rate

Hi Agata,

Get used to this! Cases can really come in all shapes and sizes (as can real-life projects). It's up to you to figure out how to approach them!

In general, if a case prompt/objective "can mean everything", then you need to define it! Ask questions (i.e. propose options) for what it means. Work to narrow it down. If you "can't" through clarifying questions, then your framework needs to be structured in such a way that addresses the world of possibilities (i.e. it has to be MECE).

This takes a long time to hone in as a skill and most people don't get there on their own! If you're struggling, I highly recommend hiring a coach!

Gaurav
Coach
on Dec 27, 2020
#1 MBB Coach(Placed 750+ in MBBs & 1250+ in Tier2)| The Only 360° coach(Ex-McKinsey+Certified Coach+Active recruiter)

Hi Agata!

I agree with the experts that the objective could be specified when needed and the key here is to practice more and more.

If you're struggling with clarifying questions and setting the framework, a good coach might help explain the principles of approaching different cases and staying structured as well.

Feel free to reach out if you need any help.

Cheers,
GB

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