Why is a manhole cover round?"
Never thought of that one before? Well, if you're reading this while the sun is up, I guarantee that there's at least one senior, dressed up in a suit and sitting in the Hanover Inn, sweating right now over that question or one like it. Who knows? There's a good chance that it's me.
Anyhow, this is an example of the case question, the gatekeeper to the hallowed ground of the consulting firm. So, what exactly does a consultant do? They give business advice for a living, and from the look of Career Services on the day resumes were due, a whole lot of seniors want to tell Corporate America exactly how to obtain competitive advantage and retain organizational learning while creating shareholder value along the way.
I confess. I've spent more time than I'd like to admit coming up with a whole range of responses to the manhole question. Everything from "because it can't fall down the manhole" to "because the manhole is round" has crossed my mind at least once. These questions can be fun, terrifying or both.
Here, I offer possibly the ten most difficult case questions ever devised. These cases have been taken from real engagements, although the identities of the clients have been obscured. Try your hand at them and see how you do! (Extra credit if you use five forces, four Ps, three Cs or e-i-e-i-o. Extra extra credit if you can integrate even more letters and numbers into your answer.)
10) Estimate the size of the market for those little battery charge testers that are part of batteries these days. In Alsace-Lorraine. In late 1944. Assume a financial market in exactly half-charged batteries exists with actively traded futures and derivatives.
9) An omnipotent being has hired our firm. She wants to reengineer the universe; what factors do you consider and what information sources do you consult? Note: Flooding has already been tried.
8) Another client, a sworn enemy of the aforementioned omnipotent being, wants to increase market share in the mortals market. How would you do this? On a separate note, are human souls appropriate compensation for our firm?
7) A certain client of ours, who rides in a sleigh pulled by flying reindeer, is facing declining brand recognition in the eight to 13 year-old segment. Why is this and how would you reverse the trend?
6) Our client, who represents a large group of rabbits, is facing increased pressure from hunters who want her clients' feet. What kind of concerns should we think about to combat this problem?
5) A group of deities from dead cultures has approached our firm and asked for our help in regaining dominance in the market for veneration. What kind of marketing strategy would realize the quickest long-term gains?
4) A particular political party that, among other beliefs, espouses worker ownership of the means of production is facing declining membership. How should they attract more members? Discount the possibility of coercion by committees for state security.
3) A wealthy client is concerned that when he dies, he will not be able to take his money with him. What solutions do you suggest to solve this problem?
2) A society of concerned citizens has enlisted our firm to give advice on how best to stem the growing perception that the world is round. What can we tell them?
1) I see from your resume that you are not class valedictorian here at Dartmouth. Why is that and how do you expect to survive at our firm since you are not?
How did you do? Feel comfortable applying the right framework, pulling numbers out of thin air and assuming anything you need? If you're not, don't sweat it. Remember, there is no correct answer!
