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I applied via Walk-in
An operation roadmap for the COO of a large telecom firm in the Middle East
Identify key areas of improvement such as network infrastructure, customer service, and product offerings
Develop a comprehensive plan to address these areas, including timelines and budget allocations
Implement performance metrics to track progress and ensure accountability
Establish partnerships with local businesses and government agencies to im...
I applied via Walk-in
I am passionate about consulting and believe that OW is the best fit for me. Dubai offers unique opportunities for growth and development.
I have always been fascinated by problem-solving and enjoy working with diverse clients to find innovative solutions.
OW has a strong reputation for delivering exceptional results and has a collaborative and supportive work culture.
Dubai is a thriving business hub with a dynamic and m...
Comparison between ISB MBA and Wharton MBA
ISB MBA is a one-year program in India, while Wharton MBA is a two-year program in the US.
Wharton is consistently ranked among the top business schools globally, while ISB is highly regarded in India.
Wharton offers a wide range of specializations and has a strong focus on finance and consulting, while ISB has a diverse curriculum with a focus on emerging markets.
Wharton has a l...
Develop a 3-year Operations Roadmap for a company as requested by the COO.
Analyze the current operations and identify areas for improvement
Set specific goals and objectives for each year of the roadmap
Create a timeline with milestones and key deliverables
Consider factors such as market trends, competition, and technological advancements
Collaborate with different departments to gather input and ensure alignment
Include s...
Top trending discussions
Ind AS 115 is applicable for revenue recognition in financial statements, ensuring compliance with accounting standards.
Ind AS 115 is applicable for all entities that prepare financial statements in accordance with Indian Accounting Standards.
It provides guidance on when and how to recognize revenue from contracts with customers.
Compliance with Ind AS 115 ensures that revenue is recognized in a manner that reflects the...
I am a dedicated and experienced consultant with a strong background in problem-solving and client management.
Over 5 years of experience in consulting roles
Skilled in analyzing data and providing strategic recommendations
Proven track record of successfully managing client relationships
Strong communication and presentation skills
Certified in relevant consulting methodologies
I successfully led a team through a challenging project deadline.
Assigned clear roles and responsibilities to team members
Set up regular check-ins to monitor progress and address any issues
Motivated team members to stay focused and work efficiently
Celebrated milestones and successes along the way to boost morale
I applied via campus placement at Indian Institute of Management (IIM), Lucknow
I am a highly motivated and experienced consultant with a strong background in problem-solving and strategic planning.
I have a Bachelor's degree in Business Administration from XYZ University.
I have worked for ABC Consulting for the past 5 years, where I have successfully led multiple projects for clients in various industries.
I specialize in process improvement, cost reduction, and organizational restructuring.
I have ...
Consulting offers diverse challenges and opportunities for growth. A&M stands out for its expertise and collaborative culture.
Consulting provides the opportunity to work on diverse projects and industries, constantly learning and growing.
A&M is known for its deep expertise in various areas such as restructuring, performance improvement, and operational excellence.
A&M has a collaborative and inclusive culture, where tea...
I am a good fit for consulting because of my strong analytical skills, problem-solving abilities, and experience in working with diverse clients.
Strong analytical skills: I have a proven track record of analyzing complex business problems and providing data-driven solutions.
Problem-solving abilities: I excel at identifying and addressing challenges, and I am adept at developing innovative strategies to overcome them.
Ex...
I enjoy playing sports, exploring new places, and reading books.
Playing sports: I am an avid basketball player and enjoy participating in local leagues.
Exploring new places: I love traveling and discovering new cultures. Some of my favorite destinations include Japan, Italy, and Iceland.
Reading books: I find solace in reading and enjoy a wide range of genres, from fiction to self-help books.
I worked at EY as a consultant, specializing in financial advisory services.
Worked as a consultant at EY
Specialized in financial advisory services
Assisted clients in making strategic financial decisions
Conducted financial analysis and provided recommendations
Collaborated with cross-functional teams to deliver projects
Developed financial models and performed valuation analysis
Presented findings and recommendations to cl
I have loved working on projects that involve solving complex business problems and driving strategic change.
Projects that require analyzing data and providing data-driven insights
Projects that involve working with cross-functional teams and stakeholders
Projects that have a significant impact on the client's business
Projects that allow me to apply my problem-solving and critical thinking skills
Projects that involve dev...
My day has been productive and filled with interesting challenges.
I started the day by reviewing client documents and preparing for meetings.
I had a productive meeting with a client where we discussed their business challenges and potential solutions.
In the afternoon, I worked on analyzing data and creating a presentation for a client presentation tomorrow.
I also had a brainstorming session with my team to come up with...
I have interacted with several individuals from A&M today.
I have interacted with my team members during our morning meeting.
I had a discussion with my manager about the progress of a project.
I collaborated with a colleague from A&M on a client presentation.
I had a phone call with a senior consultant from A&M to discuss a potential engagement.
I attended a virtual training session conducted by an A&M expert.
I have a wide range of interests including technology, business strategy, and personal development.
Technology: I enjoy staying up to date with the latest advancements in technology and how they can be applied to solve business problems.
Business strategy: I am fascinated by the strategic decisions that organizations make to achieve their goals and thrive in competitive markets.
Personal development: I believe in continuo...
Consulting involves providing expert advice and solutions to businesses. A&M is a global consulting firm known for its turnaround and restructuring expertise.
Consulting is a profession where professionals provide expert advice and solutions to businesses.
A&M is a global consulting firm known for its expertise in turnaround and restructuring.
The job of a consultant involves analyzing business problems, developing strate...
Suppose you have a PE firm as your client, looking to invest in a company into packaging business. The client has 2 options.
• Company A: 200Cr in revenues, 15 Cr EBITDA, Growth rate 10%
• Company B: 150 Cr in revenues, 18 Cr EBITDA, Growth rate 15%
You have to assess the options. However, you cannot ask for more than two data points from me/client.
[Please note that I stands for Interviewer and C stands for Candidate]
C: I would ask for the following two data points:
1. Purpose of the investment? I want to understand if the investment has a larger strategic motive or if it is being done purely from an investment perspective.
2. Considering we are looking at EBITDA numbers right now and not the net profit, I would want to know the capital structure of the two companies - debt/equity split and financial costs, if any.
I: The client is PE firm. They are only motive is to maximize their profits. (I do not remember him mentioning that the client was a PE firm initially. If he did, this was a blunder on my part.) Gave me numbers for capital structure, interest costs.
C: Based on the limited information available, Company B appears to be the better option. Do you want me to explore the two options further?
I: Yes, maybe we can dig deeper. What are some other factors that would affect the decision?
C: Listed factors like - revenue current and future, interest burden, volatility of revenue (risks), diversity of revenue streams (to hedge against risks), environmental factors, increasing costs, etc.
I: Asked me to think more. What would be that one piece of information that would change your decision altogether?
C: ROI to the firm (How much would I need to invest to earn x% return) - this should have been mentioned before (ideally) - defended myself by saying that I had asked for the capital structure and as per his reply capital investment was comparable.
I: Gave me feedback. You could have thought about the total capital requirement of the firm. Did not consider whether the companies would need to raise additional capital to grow at the projected rates - apart from the money they would be raising from our client.
Your client is an EPC company (construction business). They work in construction of roads, buildings, water tanks, etc. The client has heard from a friend that there are growing opportunities in water sector. The client has reached out for your help to figure out whether they should pursue this.
[Please note that I stands for Interviewer and C stands for Candidate]
C: Started with CPCC to understand the context. Asked questions on the motives.
I: Gave me facts about the company, competition, market scenario for EPC players.
C: You initially mentioned that the client has a presence in water tanks - you mentioned projects like construction of water tanks. What are these new opportunities that we are exploring now? Are they different from the kind of work we already do?
I: Gave me a detailed description of water sector projects - different categories.
C: Asked a few questions related to each category - customer profiles, market size, growth rates, competition.
C: I believe I have got a good sense of the overall business and the opportunity we are analyzing right now. I would now proceed to analyze the factors that could have an impact on the decision.
Started with PESTLE, Porter's 5 forces. However, he asked me to quickly list all the factors - did not give a lot of information.
I: From our discussion so far, can you list the top 3-4 factors that will be relevant to the decision?
C: Listed 3 factors.
I: Alright. So, let us assume after all the discussion, we have narrowed down on XX opportunity and it requires an investment of INR 1000 Cr. The project would give the client INR 100 Cr in cash inflows for the next 15 years. Should the client go ahead with this?
C: Asked questions about equity/debt split, cost of capital, cost of debt. He gave me the numbers.
I started with the calculation at this point. I was 30-40 seconds into the calculation when he realized that the calculation had become a little complicated (because of the additional information he had just given me).
I: Let us not get into the entire calculation. That may take too much time. Tell me the approach you were following.
C: Explained IRR calculation. IF IRR> Weighted cost of capital - profitable investment. If not, the client should not invest.
There are approximately 1.5 million trees in Gurgaon.
Assuming an average of 10 trees per acre of land
Gurgaon has approximately 150,000 acres of land
Therefore, there are approximately 1.5 million trees in Gurgaon
Factors to consider when selecting stocks to invest $1mn in
Market trends and performance of the company
Financial health and stability of the company
Industry competition and growth potential
Management team and their track record
Diversification of the portfolio
Risk tolerance and investment goals
I applied via campus placement at Indian Institute of Management (IIM), Lucknow
Your client is a Brick Manufacturer. A new player has entered the market and slashed the price by 10%. The client is asking us what they should do.
[Please note that I stands for Interviewer and C stands for Candidate]
C: To understand our client better, can you tell me how old is the company?
I: The client is an old company in this line.
C: Does the client also have other lines of business?
I: No. The client only manufactures bricks and sells it directly to customers.
C: As we are selling directly to customers, can I assume that most of our customer base is builders?
I: Yes. Most of our customers are small builders.
C: Okay. Where is the Client located? Also, what is our scale of operation?
I: The Client is located in East India. It has a single plant in a catchment. It is one of the biggest players in East India.
C: Who are our competitors? Also, is it a fragmented industry?
I: Yes. It is a fragmented market with 30 odd players in the market. There are 2-3 big players in the market and our client is one of them.
C: Okay. What is the price that we are currently charging for the brick? Is that the price that our competitors are charging as well?
I: We are currently charging Rs. 10 per brick. Yes, the price throughout the market currently is more or less similar. However, the new player has entered and cut price by 10%.
C: As we have to decide if we should cut the price by 10% or not, we can consider the following before taking a decision. Our Market Share in the current market, the current pricing of the product, the process of manufacturing, our customer base and their perception of a price cut, the quality of our product vis a vis our competitors.
I: This sounds good. Let us look at the market share but I want you do a few calculations for me first.
C: Sure.
I: Let us say we are selling 100 thousand bricks. Should we reduce our price? Is it feasible?
C: I would like to decide the feasibility of price reduction on the basis of our profitability. To understand more about it, do we have any information about the costs incurred for production as well as the fixed costs?
I: Yes. The variable costs are around Rs. 3 per brick and the fixed cost is Rs. 20000 currently.
C: (Asked for some time for calculating profit) Currently, we are selling a 100 thousand bricks at Rs. 10 per brick. Thus, our sales are Rs. 10 Lakhs. The variable cost of producing 100 thousand bricks is Rs. 3L. Contribution is 10L minus 3L i.e., 7L. The fixed costs are 2L thus our profit is Rs. 5 Lakh. We have a profit margin of 50% currently. If we reduce the price 10% per brick for the same sale quantity, the sales would be 9L and the profit would be 4L. Although our profit margin would reduce from 50% currently to around 45%, it still seems a feasible option.
I: Sounds Fair. How many bricks will I have to produce and sell if I still want to earn a profit of Rs. 4L without reducing the price by 10%.
C: In this scenario, the price of the brick is Rs. 10. We need to earn a profit of Rs. 4L. The fixed costs will not change due to change in quantity of sales and production. Thus, the contribution will be 6L. Per brick contribution is Rs. 7, thus, I will have to produce and sell around 85,000 bricks.
I: Yes, that makes sense. What does the contribution signify?
C: The contribution is that portion of revenue which is not used up by variable costs and used to cover the fixed costs. Contribution is also considered while calculating the break-even quantity essential to keep the business running in the short term.
I: Good. All the factors you listed while considering a price cut make sense. However, as we are short of time, can you tell me why would you consider customers while deciding a price cut?
C: As we are an established player manufacturing since many years and amongst the Top 3 players, can I assume we would be having a specific loyal customer base since many years?
I: Yes, we do have some loyal customers who value our quality.
C: Customers might perceive price cut as reduction in our quality of bricks. It can create a lower perceived value for the product and buyers might consider our product less valuable.
I: That sounds fair. So, what do you think should we do?
C: As currently the pricing in the market is more or less similar, 10% reduction by one player will affect the pricing of other competitors as well. Based on the calculations, a 10% price reduction will affect our profitability by 5%. We are a big player in the market, and we have the capacity to reduce our prices and focus on increasing our volume to compensate for the reduction in profit. Also, since most of our customers are small builders, a 10% saving in brick cost might also be an attractive opportunity for them to shift to another manufacturer since the product offered by all players is similar. Thus, we can also go ahead with reducing our price by 10%.
I: Correct. Seems good. That will be all.
Your Client is the manufacturer of fishing nets. These nets are used in agriculture, fishing, and construction. The growth has slowed down. It wants to grow at 15%.
[Please note that I stands for Interviewer and C stands for Candidate]
C: (Clarified the problem statement). What is the current growth rate of our client? Has there been a fall in our growth rate?
I: The client is currently growing at 5%. It is a well-established player and was growing at 10% earlier but the growth has gradually reduced to 5% over the last few years.
C: What is time period within which we need to achieve this target of 15% growth?
I: We need to achieve this target in the next 3 years. Let us only consider the fishing industry for this problem.
C: Okay. I would like to understand at what rate is the fishing industry growing.
I: The industry is also growing at 4-5% and our growth currently is in line with the growth of the industry.
C: Okay. Where is the client located? Also, what is the distribution channel that the client uses?
I: The client is located in India. It operates through dealerships and has a distribution network all over India.
C: I would like to understand a little more about our competitors and their share in the market.
I: We are one of the major players in the market. Our market share is about 70%. We have not been able to grow much as the market has now stagnated.
C: Okay. In order to grow at 15%, I would like to explore the existing market and also explore new geography or businesses.
I: Let us consider the existing market for now.
C: While exploring the existing market, I would look at increasing the volume of sales or increasing the price of our nets.
I: I would like you to look at increasing the volume of sales first.
C: The volume of sales can be increased by increasing our customer base or increasing the quantity sold to a particular customer.
I: Can you help me estimate the size of the market for fishing net?
C: Sure. Fishing net can be used for sea water as well as freshwater fishing. I would divide the population of the country on the basis of access to coast or river and those with no water body around for fishing.
I: Let us consider only seawater fishing here. Since we are short of time, tell me the approach first and then you can calculate.
C: Sure. I would divide population of India who live along the coast and those who live in landlocked areas. Out of the people living along the coast, I would divide them into those living in rural areas and those in urban. The population practicing fishing as a profession in urban areas would not be much thus, I would first look at the professions practiced in rural areas along the coast. On the basis of their professions, I would divide the population majorly between agriculture/farming, poultry/animal husbandry, fishing and other. Out of the population that practices fishing, I would consider the number of households here and divide the population assuming 5 people per household. This would give me a number of fisherman and assuming every fisherman buys his own net, that would be the number of nets required. However, the fishermen would not buy a new net every year so we also need to factor in the number of years after which they would buy a new net.
I: This is a good approach. Can you also tell me what other strategies can we look at to grow in the existing market?
C: Firstly, we can increase the overall distribution network that we have. Currently, we are only selling through dealership. We can increase our distribution channels and also venture into setting up our own retail stores. Or we can also increase the number of dealerships we have within the same channel.
Second, we can analyze the current market and try to onboard more customers.
Third, we can diversify our product. We can introduce different sizes for the fishing net. We can also introduce a variety in the shapes of the mesh.
Fourth, we can market our product better. As most of the customers we are targeting are from rural areas, we can market our product through radio or local bazaars and trade fairs.
Fifth, we can also consider acquiring other players in the market. However, that depends on two factors – their willingness to sell and our capacity to buy.
Sixth, we can look at the pricing of the product.
I: This sounds good. I think you have covered all. We can stop here. Do you have any questions for me?
I applied via Approached by Company and was interviewed in Jul 2022. There were 4 interview rounds.
Data interpretation and business problem solving
posted on 4 Feb 2024
I was interviewed before Feb 2023.
I applied via Company Website and was interviewed in Aug 2020. There were 6 interview rounds.
Breakeven point is the level of sales at which total costs equal total revenue.
It is the point where a company neither makes a profit nor incurs a loss.
It is calculated by dividing fixed costs by the contribution margin per unit.
It helps in determining the minimum sales required to cover all costs.
It is an important tool for businesses to make informed decisions about pricing and production.
For example, if a company ha...
To calculate growth rate, divide the difference between final and initial value by initial value and multiply by 100.
Subtract the initial value from the final value
Divide the result by the initial value
Multiply the quotient by 100 to get the percentage growth rate
Tangible assets are physical assets that have a measurable value and are used in business operations.
Tangible assets are recorded on the balance sheet at their original cost minus any accumulated depreciation.
Examples of tangible assets include buildings, equipment, vehicles, and land.
The value of tangible assets can be affected by factors such as market demand, technological advancements, and wear and tear.
Tangible as...
Preparing a balance sheet involves listing assets, liabilities, and equity of a company at a specific point in time.
List all assets, including current and fixed assets
List all liabilities, including current and long-term liabilities
Calculate equity by subtracting liabilities from assets
Ensure the balance sheet balances by ensuring assets equal liabilities plus equity
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