Distinctive Plus - Newsletter for MBB Consultants

Struggle with slide-making?

Slide-making is the most fundamental skill in consulting. If consultants have friction there, it may tank their performance. But most consultants have…

1 hr ago • Rustem Karymov

July 2026

Struggle to understand partners' expectations?

You worked on the problem only to find out later that it was the wrong one. All this hard work was for nothing, just wasted time. The feeling of…

Jul 30 • Rustem Karymov

What ex-MBB consultants regret about?

Some consultants were forced to leave MBB firms too early. What do they regret about? The short answer is not learning enough.

Jul 14 • Rustem Karymov

3

My Speed to Output is Very Slow

Speed to output is the most common pain point for consultants. But the solution is counterintuitive. Let's discuss what you can do to improve your…

Jul 7 • Rustem Karymov

2

June 2026

I don't have time for learning

Consultants are extremely busy. They often don’t have time to sleep, let alone to learn. But learning well is the only way to win in this profession…

Jun 30 • Rustem Karymov

2

What is Sponsorship at McKinsey, BCG, or Bain? And How to Build it Effectively.

Sponsorship in MBB consulting is an absolutely important ingredient for successful career growth. But many lateral hires struggle with understanding…

Jun 16 • Rustem Karymov

1

How to improve your confidence in MBB firms?

Lack of confidence is the biggest pain point for consultants. But many don't know how to address this practically.

Jun 9 • Rustem Karymov

How to Conduct Feedback Sessions with Partners?

McKinsey, BCG, and Bain are well know for their strong feedback cultures. But asking and receiving feedback can be tricky. In this post, read how you…

Jun 2 • Rustem Karymov

2

May 2026

How to Deal with a Toxic Manager

How to deal with a toxic manager?

May 26 • Rustem Karymov

3

How AI helped to solve a really tough problem

How AI helped to solve a really tough problem.

May 19 • Rustem Karymov

4

I struggled with problem-solving

Most consultants hear “improve problem-solving” and start learning more frameworks. But the real gap is not theory. It’s the lack of a systematic…

May 12 • Rustem Karymov

2

April 2026

I didn't expect my MBA to be so useless at McKinsey

Lateral hires join MBB firms after completing costly MBAs. They are good for career transition, but knowledge is not always directly applicable at the…

Apr 28 • Rustem Karymov

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