Market entry consulting case interview: ice cream or books? (w/ ex-Bain and BCG consultants)

🎥 Here’s a consulting case interview featuring an ex-BCG Consultant & ex-Bain Manager focusing on a market entry case. In this case, the candidate advises Michelle Jones, an aspiring entrepreneur with $300,000 to invest in her small-town business venture, whether she should open an ice cream parlor or a bookstore.
Watch Abigail Doekson (ex-BCG Consultant, Yale MBA) run Ashwin Shetty (ex-Bain Manager & ex-Deloitte Director) through this market entry consulting case interview.
🎬 Video Sections:
00:00 About the case
00:47 Introductions
01:33 Case question
02:09 Clarifying questions
06:47 Structure
14:02 Profitability estimation
29:20 Data analysis
32:52 Non-financial considerations
38:40 Synthesis
40:59 Conclusion
🚀 Prepping for case interviews? RocketBlocks has the best concepts, drills, and coaching to get you more consulting offers: www.rocketblocks.me/consultin...
📝 Try this case on your own and read through sample answers with the full PDF: www.rocketblocks.me/pdfs/Main...
➡️ Book a 1-on-1 coaching session with Abigail here: www.rocketblocks.me/contribut...
➡️ Book a 1-on-1 coaching session with Ashwin here: www.rocketblocks.me/contribut...
#consultinginterviews #Bain #marketentry #consulting #bcg

[@111bernadette111]

Thank you for the case, it's just a litle bit confusing. Because: 1) competition was ignored (it was mentioned in the framework and then completely forgotten) 2) assumptions were taken even without asking if there is any actual data regarding number of customers, real seasonality, etc. 3) 300K investment is taken for granted but it might be different for an ice-cream shop and for a bookshop, it's just amount of money that Michelle currently has.

[@VyshfulThinking]

Competition could have been considered in the non financial aspect as this could lead to stress in a sense of impact on estimated gross profit impact or foot traffic etc., Also could have been included in Risks during Recommendation as well. However, the case was analyzed very well considering the qualitative non- financial aspect. Definitely got to learn a lot. Regarding 300k, we could just mention an assumption this investment covers entire cost for both prospects. About assumptions for yearly gross profit, even I would prefer to ask if there is factual data, If not only then assume. However, did learn to handle in case there is factual no data.

[@aishwaryanarayan617]

Excellent case study and the interviewee is fantastic. So structured and clear in their approach.

[@mohitsingha1809]

This was a great case study, both participants did extremely well. Ashwin has done a wonderful job which will help many people looking to open small businesses to use his analysis and make a meaningful choice on competing business ideas. It will also help any consultant in clarifying key areas to concentrate on. Thanks so much.

[@sambenjamin8343]

Does he mean gross profit? I thought margin was generally expressed in % terms.

[@stanvanillo9831]

Running a high-street bookshop with one person is pretty ambitious. I would definitely assume 2 for the bookshop and 3 for the Ice cream shop

[@alilahlou5509]

Exellent, thank you