Distinctive Plus - Newsletter for MBB Consultants

Struggle with the imprecise nature of consulting?

Many MBB consultants struggle with being imprecise in consulting. This post explains when high level estimates are legitimate, how to use them safely…

Dec 5 • 

Rustem Karymov

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Can't find critical data for analysis?

Most consultants freeze when critical data is missing. But that’s when real problem-solving begins. What can you do? Let me share a real example of how…

Dec 2 • 

Rustem Karymov

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November 2025

How to deal with scope creep

Consultants panic when their scope expands, but that reaction hurts their career. This post helps understand how partners think about scope. You’ll…

Nov 28 • 

Rustem Karymov

2

Avoid being staffed on a bad project

MBB consultants feel powerless when staffing forces them on bad projects, but it's not completely hopeless. This post helps you to protect your career…

Nov 25 • 

Rustem Karymov

1

How I built my coaching business

What if you dream of “one day” building your own business. In this post I share my journey of building my profitable, low-stress coaching business.

Nov 18 • 

Rustem Karymov

5

What are the 2nd and 3rd level insights?

Partners ask MBB consultants to generate the 2nd and 3rd level insights. But consultants struggle to understand what that means and how to do it. In…

Nov 11 • 

Rustem Karymov

7

How to prepare for your start at an MBB firm

Many incoming MBB consultants underestimate how critical the first months are. This guide shows how to prepare before day one to avoid mistakes and…

Nov 4 • 

Rustem Karymov

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October 2025

EM role is the best one at McKinsey

Most consultants dread stepping into the EM role, seeing only chaos, stress, and blame. But for those who master it, it becomes the most rewarding job…

Oct 28 • 

Rustem Karymov

1

How to Structure Well: 5 Critical Tests

Structuring is an essential skill in consulting. It turns chaos into clarity and builds partners' trust through sharp, logical, and disciplined…

Oct 21 • 

Rustem Karymov

2

I believed McKinsey promotions were unfair

Many consultants think promotions are driven by politics. But partners make decisions mainly based on performance. They want to support the best…

Oct 14 • 

Rustem Karymov

I thought at McKinsey great work would speak for itself

Many consultants think great work will speak for itself. But that’s not how promotions work. This post is for consultants heading into review season…

Oct 7 • 

Rustem Karymov

September 2025

People often interrupted me at McKinsey

New consultants often struggle with speaking up in leadership meetings. This is especially difficult for introverts. Learn one simple trick to deal with…

Sep 30 • 

Rustem Karymov

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