The document provides feedback on two introductory consulting career presentations given to MBA students. Some key points: - The format of circulating pre-reading materials and having an interactive Q&A session worked well, though some wanted more/less information. - There was confusion over the split themes of one presentation being for "undecided" students and the other for "committed" students. - Logistics like tight scheduling, venue issues, and timetable clashes caused problems. - The presenter was praised as inspiring and informative, but could improve time management. - Most students would recommend the events, but some improvements were suggested around content, organization, and addressing a range of experience levels

1. +
MBA Consulting
Curriculum 2011-12:
Early Feedback
Introduction to Consulting
Careers presentations
J-P Martins
Associate Director Consulting Careers
September 2011

2. +
Intro
 This is a very confusing set of feedback results and your opinion would be highly valued
 The feedback relates to two separate presentations which were meant to be independent – students should
have gone to either one or the other
 The format for each, as last year, was a pre-circulated slide deck (‘fact pack’ on consulting careers), with
students encouraged to email me questions in advance of the presentation. The presentation was then a highly
interactive Q&A, with slides prepared in answer to emailed questions as a fallback if no questions were
forthcoming from the floor
 The first, in RCOG, had a signup of 180+ students. It was billed as an Intro to Consulting for the Undecided and
was meant to address What is consulting and is it the career for me?, Who are the consulting firms and to which
would I be best suited?, What are they looking for in candidates? And How do I go about getting hired from
LBS?
 A show of hands at the start of the presentation indicated that only around 30 of the 180 had done the pre-reading, and this was
backed up by the fact that I received very fgew questions beforehand
 The presentation was scheduled from 11:15 to 12:45, and started late due to poor sign-in processes on the door. Around 40 minutes
before the end a lot of students started to leave, so I interrupted the presentation and asked people to either go or stay until the
end. They claimed they had a timetable clash, though the Ops team assures me there was no clash.
 The presentation specifically dealt with MiF hiring, and covered historical recruiting stats at LBS
 The second was in LT6 with overspill into LT5 via one-way video link. Signup was around 150 students. It was
billed as being for the committed or decided, and as such did not address What is consulting? Or Is consulting
for me?
 It was scheduled from 11:30 to 12:45 – the later start was for reasons that are unclear to me. We were asked to finish 5 minutes
before the end by a member of faculty who said he had to get ready for his lecture

3. +
Summary
 The events were very positively received
 The presenter’s style was very much appreciated, being inspiring and informative
 Opportunity noted to manage time better
 Some division over whether the pre-reading + Q&A format works
 Some want more info
 Some want less
 However, overwhelming response to ‘what should we keep the same’ on retaining pre-
reading and Q&A format
 Some confusion over the split themes – ‘Consulting for the undecided’ and ‘Consulting
for the committed’ – I sense many students attended both?
 Lots of complaints around logistics
 Tight scheduling in lunch break (no gaps allowed to next classes)
 Some confusion over timetable ‘clashes’ – many students believe there was a clash
 RCOG not ideal, but more complaints over dual LT with video link

4. +
Intro to Consulting Careers: 96%
would recommend it strongly
The format and content of the sessions 10 74 16
were excellent
The presenter was inspiring and 4 49 47
informative
The events were well organised - 16 51 33
logistics and venue were appropriate
I would strongly recommend this event to 4 50 46
next year's first year MBA students
0% 25% 50% 75% 100%
Disagree Strongly Disagree Agree Agree Strongly
Response rate: 70/180 (39%)

5. +
Self-reported pre-reading
compliance!
13% 36% 51%
Did you read the pre-circulated materials?
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%
Not really Yes, for one but not both of the presentations Yes, for both
Response rate: 70/180 (39%)

6. +
Comments

7. +
Comments: format and content
Format and content
Stick more rigidly to Repetition of the slides we were e-mailed
pre-reading + Q&A There was still a fair amount of repetition from the presentations we were supposed
format to watch before this session but I imagine that's because many people did not watch
them. It does, however, make it less appealing to people who did!
I like the Q and A format - no point in going over stuff we can just read ourselves
Good format
Answering questions people send is very useful format
I think he should do a little presentation anyways
More slides Wanted more information and examples - I'm attending the consulting information
sessions because I want to know more about what it is to be a consultant
I would recommend holding questions to the end
?? I personally was not interested in mainstream consulting and so did not find
presentations valuable
Presentation was ‘Intro
to consulting careers – Should have started at a much more basic level. Don't assume everyone WANTS to
be a consultant so soon
for the committed
In the 2nd presentation I More organized, better control of time
ran out of time

8. +
Comments: presenter
Presenter
Spoke well and knowledgably, however could benefit from better
Good presenter, manage time management of time and a set message (rather than jumping
better, more slides between questions)
Certainly there was a more optimistic atmosphere in the talks
Optimism
compared with the financial careers information talks
(I would hit "agree strongly" for the Consulting CV workshop but
maybe that's to do with the nature of the questions asked at this
workshop!)
Good presenter J-P is terrific and really helps those of us with no consulting
background better understand what consulting is all about, the
differences between the different firms, and the recruitment
process. Thank you J-P for taking your time to put so much into this
and your honesty and efforts to help us out so much!
The presenter did not give much information for students with
Optimism unusual backgrounds. The presentation was made for corporate
background students

9. +
Comments: organisation
Organisation
Trying to squeeze it into the break between lectures meant that we either
skipped lunch and / or ran late for our next lecture. Also the first venue did not
allow drinks inside, but this was not advertised, meaning I had to throw away a
newly purchased coffee
Tight scheduling
The events felt hurried and conflicted with some core lectures
For the 1st presentation I didn’t receive the pre-readings. Both events finished
at the same time I had classes in a different location
The 2nd session was organized in 2 separate lecture halls, with live video
being used in one of the class rooms. Attendees in this hall, had no chance of
putting forward their questions
Over subscribed
Dual LT format I was in the room with video. Presentation was good, but way too much
coughing of audience. Sound quality was very poor
didn't like the overflow room style for the second one
Being located in a separate lecture theatre is not ideal
Space Lack of space
first presentation didn't finish on time which meant that people left to go to
Not true – but underlying core classes, disturbing the session. the second session I was in the overflow
complaint about dual LT format lecture theatre. I arrived on time but you had already started. the sound was
terrible and we mainly heard people coughing

10. +
Comments: overall
recommendation
Overall recommendation
Yes, these events give students a good idea of the
consulting industry
Yes, new students will want to know about Consultancy,
Highly recommended but really need to think about core messages
Well, if they are interested in consulting
Extremely helpful and at the correct level of information
transfer in my opinion
Recommend, but ask more At the same time, I'd emphasise that they should ask lots
questions in advance of questions in advance in order to shape the session
Only for those who have absolutely no clue of consulting.
Too basic for this audience but how many such people do you think are there? A
dozen?
Too MBA focused I'm a MiF. The presentation was totally focused on
internships for MBAs

11. +
What should be improved? Overall
comments
Nothing; I cannot think of anything you should do differently; I
think everything was perfect; Nothing springs to mind
 Nothing or N/A x 10 comments
Better control the time and engagement with audiences
Reiterate to students the high demand of these presentations and
the need to register.
It was a negative meeting
Move a little quicker when the questions are either too specific or
repetitive

12. +
What should be improved?
Comments on content
Talk about more companies in detail: Helpful to have a slide summarizing the following: -
approx no of positions avail at each of the big firms
 Try to have someone who can also talk about (based on historic no.s) - app vs. interview vs. selection
the other main consulting companies rates - list of boutique firms by industry / nature of work
 Provide more information of specialities of (at least the most well know ones) - review samples of
different firms (rankings perhaps?) 1-2 good / successful CV's
 There was a lot of emphasis on the top tier A bit more 'what does a consultant actually do' in the
firms and although completely first session may be useful for those who have not had
understandable as this is the area in which exposure to the industry
the career department has most knowledge, Have more information and examples so that people
it comes across as biased. discussions who are new to the industry have a clearer view
between students subsequently are that
perhaps the careers department has a Please give an opportunity to discuss fall recruiting for
biased because of job placement results, not full-time hires instead of solely focusing on internships
to say that this is at all the case
Speak more about life-work balance. Explain how is
 Keep it the same way. Perhaps do some the life of a consultant. Talk about other firms rather
research on Booz & AT Kearney as well than the big 3 or 4
since not all students will be accepted to the
top 3 Focus on the positives and fit of the profession, not just
long hours/travel/better remuneration than industry
 J-P, at times, at times you guy say that you
personally have experience of Bain and BCG More tales from students who have done and found
but cannot really comment for ATK or Booz internships
on specific issues. But that is not really what More descriptions on what does consultant do
a student is looking for. If there is more
comprehensive information, it will be much Wanted to see more about recruiting strategies and
more useful early preparation items or things to do now
 More information about other consulting
firms but the "big 3"

13. +
What should be improved?
Comments on content
More stats: Additional value to pre-reading material
 Provide updated recruitment statistics,
inclusive of those for the latest batch's
Most of the slides are repeats from last year that we
 Some more information about the hiring can look at on Career Services on Portal. I'd like to
needs of consulting industry in London and hear more about consulting firms other than the big
abroad. For the finance sector there is some ones. More explanation/development of the CV
kind of indication regarding hiring needs of scoring form would be helpful too. It would also be
large banks in specific service lines helpful to explore more of the four attributes that
consulting recruiters are looking for, and particularly
 Some statistics about what are the top tier how we can best illustrate these on our CVs
consultants looking for, i.e. which type of
background, interests...
 More on salaries I believe vast majority of people know what
consulting is. For the dozen of those who don't you
 Could add more specific info, e.g. salary of could have done a smaller even. It is not the
different companies information that can be read on the websites of 3 main
 Show figure of how many MBAs that are hired companies that needs to be presented. It is the
by Consulting companies were sponsored hidden pitfalls, insider info that will make people
students and how many were completely new reconsider this path. Sth that CANT be read in the
hires net. why nothing was said about smaller consulting
co? Although we specifically asked for it? You said
 Know more information about how successful we need to research them ourselves! We can a lot
you were at placing people into jobs - really easier research BCG, Bain and McKinsey than some of
poor image when you're saying 30ish people the boutiques…
managed to secure consulting jobs at exit from
the MBA, but not knowing how many of those
already came from a consulting background.
All them? Not much hope for me then!

14. +
What should be improved? Format
and logistics
Format Logistics
Potentially break this into 2 smaller sessions so that there are Try to accommodate all participants in
less people and more room to asking questions the same hall. If not feasible due to
space constraints, it would be better to
The sessions are not long enough and do not go into enough hold 2 similar events at different
detail. The pre-reading does provide a foundation however dates/time slots
nothing is a substitute for J-P and his team providing their
insights and answering questions. We need more time to ask You know how many ppl sign up so get a
questions and have them answered. For those who have never big enough room
worked in consulting, a lot remains unanswered and confusing
Smaller groups and shorter sessions
J-P and Gavin present on different parts instead of Gavin
jumping into J-P's presentation from time to time. It provided Better sound quality
some different or complimentary perspective but not as serious One big room for each presentation that
or enjoyable can accommodate everyone
The sessions should be longer and less rushed - maybe split Hold the talk in the RCOG
them down and have stream specific events?
If events can begin on time, it will be
Interactive but not too floating around, should have better better. Consulting team really needs to
control of theme and time. More information organized set standards on this front. There was
beforehand rather than answering questions on the spot. More some repetition of information in the
systematic introduction with a good logic and organization rather two sessions. Try seeing how much that
than pieces of information can be avoided
Handouts/pre-readings need to be more basic and informative. The slots were a bit tight
Many considering consultancy in the group have no experience
in this sector and are trying to decide whether its a suitable Have a venue that can accommodate all
career for them. I would recommend that more structure be those who are interested
provided to the consultancy presentations, as I have found them
unclear
Guest speakers/alumni

15. +
What should we keep the same?
Format
Q's were helpful Keeping the presentations in pure Q&A format
Asking students to send questions before the session The pre reading is useful and makes the presentation
so you can discuss them in the day more dynamic
Opportunity for everyone to send questions in Emailing the slides before the presentation helped -
advance we are still at the stage that we barely know where to
look for this information so it was handy to have an
I like the format of seeing the presentation in advance introduction to the basics of a consulting career
and sending in questions
Pre-reading
An open discussion
Doing presentations on basis of students' questions
The pre-reading does help
Having lots of questions aggregated and already
The open discussion format and offering prior answered during the presentation
questions. Although I would like a split between
structure presentation and then a Q+A Questions sent in advance
Interaction The format of the presentation
Format of Q&A session Keep open for dialogue throughout the session
Pre-read was good. Good thing about the session was that it was specific
to the questions asked...so might as well keep the
Informal atmosphere and discussions presentation style same, but not necessarily the
Asking for questions before the sessions content
Having a flexible format, driven by Q&A Q&A format as opposed to presentation of slides
which we can do in our own time, career progression
The presentation was pretty relevant. I liked the fact slide is useful!
that the speaker talked about the questions asked
previously before making a point The format of responding to specific questions was
good
Pre reading and self assessment form
Format
Allow students to ask questions, but maybe only by
the end of presentation, or give some intervals for Format with questions sent beforehand by students
questions. The session shouldn't be driven by and later addresssed in class. Very helpful the docs
questions from students sent after the presentation, with the actual answers
provided during the session
The format of circulating slides earlier to solicit
questions Good Q&A format

16. +
What should we keep the same?
Content and presenters
Content Presenters
The fact that you are providing some differentiating points about the culture of the Good presenter
big consulting firms
All the slides, particularly those on Consultants' career progression and differences J-P!
between top tier firms Retain and promote J-P,
The specific data and numbers and %s help the most he is very good.
The information on the cultural differences between the big 3 organisations The speakers
The difference of the top-tier firms The dual dialogue
Differences between the top 3 firms (ideas, results etc) between J-P and Gavin;
Contents are good built on each others
Liked the slides about different firms, boutiques vs big, drop out rates and points or explained why
conversation about money the slightly different
opinions
The content was excellent and well-presented
The clear structure, and the great insights JP shared with us Energetic presenter
The topics covered
Detailed intro about the internship/job searching process, important points about
CV writing
Different requirements that the big 3 look for
Content was good
The content was useful and I would keep the format the same
I liked that you talked about the different cultures or focus of the top tier companies.
It was very useful and something you don't see on their webpages
Overview of the career progression in consultancy

17. +
What should we keep the same?
Overall ‘Other’
NA (x 3) Sign-up and logistics sending out the presentations
Excellent content and information Organization
Overall it was excellent I really like the rule about "don't show up if you're
going to leave early"
Everything
Spill over room was good to ensure everyone could
The rest
attend
Everything - nothing to change
Open to all
I think everything was perfect
Everything
Everything
The session was informative and helpful. Thank you.
Everything