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

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

11

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.

12

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

13

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

15

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.

16

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

17

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

18

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

19

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!

20

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 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 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:

[email protected]

build better structures...15 play with the breaks don’t skip this layer! this is where you can...

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