I have worked as an intern for several companies in many different industries before joining BCG.
But, I discovered that working at BCG was different from any of my prior industry experience after working on the very first case.
First, BCG projects are usually organized with input from upper level executives and managers. Second, BCG teams are explicitly hired to develop new solutions.
Let me tell you an example of how work at BCG can really make changes happen. Recently, I had a case for a European car parts producer.
This company suffered from poor income margins due to a strong supplier base on one side and powerful OEMs on the other side. During this case, we developed a sourcing and negotiation strategy by leveraging the suppliers’ key weaknesses.
After the negotiations with its suppliers, the client had decreased its sourcing budget tremendously, with full impact on profitability, although sourcing in an oligopoly market.
This case is a real BCG success story and has created a big power shift in that industry.
Not only as a team, each individual at BCG has the opportunity to effect changes. I, personally, worked with an industrial goods client to create scenarios of how to bring an underperforming plant back to profitability.
The plant manager and I developed a scenario which was approved by the steering committee and was immediately implemented. In that moment, I realized the immense impact that my work had for the client, the plant and hundreds of its employees.
After each case, I am impressed by the responsibility and the power BCG has to change its clients' organization, strategy, and, in some cases, even the rules of an industry.