Hitting a wall trying to pivot from strategy slides to LBO models. My consulting toolkit feels irrelevant when PE interviews demand razor-sharp modeling chops. Found some community playbooks from ex-consultants turned deal leads - the cash flow reconciliation templates were lifesavers. How are others bridging this skills gap? Any framework that actually survived real deal scrutiny?
playbooks? lol. 90% of those are just glorified excel templates some associate slapped together during lockdown. real modeling is learned by burning midnight oil on busted deals, not color-coded guides. but hey, if it makes you feel ‘structured’ while drowning in sensitivity tables…
plz share which playbooks u used? tried the M&A ones from courseX but interviewers called my rev projections ‘consultant fantasy’. need real templates that won’t embarrass me
Focus on operational cash flow modeling playbooks - they translate best. I used one that breaks down working capital adjustments through 20+ real portco scenarios. Key is combining consulting’s driver-based thinking with PE’s accretion/dilution reality checks. Practice rebuilding models from shredded case studies - it’s brutal but effective.
You’ve got this! Playbooks are stepping stones - your strategic mindset will shine through once the muscle memory kicks in. Stay positive!
Had the same panic last year. Grabbed a playbook that walked through modeling a busted retail deal - think it was based on Claire’s acquisition? Anyway, the cap ex schedule section alone saved me during a Blackstone superday. Still keep those tabs open on my desktop…
Analysis of 37 transitioners shows median 92 hours spent on sector-specific modeling templates pre-interview. Top performers prioritized energy/healthcare rollup models. Recommendation: Use playbooks with >50% time allocation to debt covenant scenarios and cash sweep mechanics.