I’ve been grinding through case prep using standard frameworks, but bombed a recent interview when the interviewer said my approach felt like ‘checklist mentality.’ A consultant friend mentioned tweaking frameworks peer-to-peer instead of following templates rigidly. Has anyone successfully modified profitability or market entry frameworks for niche scenarios? What red flags should we watch for when customizing?
lol ‘checklist mentality’ is consultant-speak for ‘you didn’t pay $2k for our secret sauce.’ Real talk: everyone uses the same 5 frameworks. Just sprinkle in their buzzwords from the website and call it ‘tailored.’ Works 90% of the time, they’re just testing if you can bs convincingly
omg same prob! i try mixing in indstry terms from comp reports. like adding ‘supply chain resilience’ for manufcturing cases. works sometimes? idk
The key is to anchor modifications in the case context. For a recent biotech case, I kept the profitability framework but added layers for regulatory risks and IP timelines. Always validate adjustments by asking ‘Does this directly address the unique value driver the interviewer hinted at?’ Start small - modify 1-2 sections first.
Totally been there. I once tried forcing a retail framework on a SaaS case and got destroyed. Now I do quick ‘context alignment checks’ upfront - literally ask ‘Should we approach this as traditional CPG or subscription model?’ before diving in. Interviewers seem to appreciate the calibration.
Analysis of 23 successful cases shows top performers adapt 2.1 framework elements on average versus 0.8 for rejects (source: Kellogg interview study). Most common modifications: adding industry-specific success metrics (58%), altering segmentation approaches (42%). Start with revenue drivers - safest area to customize.