Kristina Safarova

Los Angeles, CA, United States

Posted

Dec 02 at 09:39 PM

The Bright Glare Of Powerful People And Industry Giants Is A Double-Edged Sword. They Reward Results...

But Have Little Patience
For Anything Less

We just released a full new Insider program (a 3-part program)...

33-Page Workbook: This program also comes with a powerful 33-page downloadable workbook. You will see it as a downloadable document on the program page the way you can access workbooks for Innovators vs. Summarizers and Overcome the Fear of Failure. I highly recommend you download and print the workbook and use it as you work through the program. You will get even more value out of the program this way. Our workbooks also go deeper into certain areas covered in the program, so you will be missing out if you don't go through them.

Now let me share more details about this new 3-part Insider program (the full program was just released for Insiders): 


What would you do if you held the keys to a media asset so compelling that it caught the attention of the world’s most influential figures?

Imagine your creation, something with the quality of HBO and the reach of the biggest streaming giants, generating tens of millions of views and being celebrated on social media by the likes of Elon Musk.


Sounds like a dream, right?

But here’s the catch:

Each episode costs $100,000 to produce.

The business is teetering on the edge of profitability, and the ever-present shadow of AI looms over the industry, threatening to drive the value of content-only businesses way down.

Add to this the uncertainty of whether these views were sparked by grassroots admiration or the fleeting endorsement of a few powerful voices.


The question our client asked cuts straight to the heart of the matter:

What are the non-obvious ways to turn these assets and relationships into a sustainable business?

The stakes are high:

  1. Trust is Fragile
    Trust with notable public figures and collaborators hangs by a thread. Without contracts locking in support, even the most promising relationships can vanish overnight.

  2. A Limited Financial Runway
    How long can you sustain $100,000 per episode without significant revenue? Every dollar spent raises the stakes higher, and the clock is ticking.

  3. AI and the Content Apocalypse
    Can you ensure your creations remain valuable, or will they become just another casualty in a rapidly evolving digital landscape?

  4. The Weight of Partnership
    Even with a trusted co-producer who has a proven track record in linear TV, differing goals and expectations could derail progress. Success in one medium doesn’t guarantee success in another.

The challenges are relentless:

  • Are you willing to bet on a business model that hasn’t proven itself?

  • How do you secure relationships built on trust when the promises aren’t written in ink?

  • Can you handle the relentless scrutiny of powerful partners who expect results, not excuses?


The cost of failure?

It’s not just financial.

It’s reputational.

 

The bright glare of powerful people and industry giants
is a double-edged sword. They reward results
but have little patience for anything less.


Our client stands at a pivotal moment. Does he double down, risking it all to find the one non-obvious play that turns potential into profit? Or does he try to pivot, attempting to leverage trust, relationships, and proven ability to create value to seize a completely different kind of opportunity?

The answer lies in the choices he makes now.

The contracts he negotiates, the risks he takes, and the relationships he builds will determine whether this is a fleeting story of what might have been or the beginning of a successful media business that stands the test of time.

This is the kind of story you can’t help but follow. The stakes are personal, the risks are enormous, and the outcomes are uncertain.

And yet, if the client is willing to reflect deeply, adapt boldly, and act decisively, the rewards could be extraordinary.

Here are some time stamps as you work through the program to help you not miss important points: 

  • What is often more important than an answer to your question? (01:00, Ep 1)

  • Client's question (02:00, Ep 1)

  • Dissecting the question. This is an example that will allow you to read important information more thoughtfully and critically (03:37, Ep 1)

  • Identifying hidden risks (05:58, Ep 1)

  • Key questions to ask when dissecting information (07:00, Ep 1)

  • The biggest red flag (10:30, Ep 1)

  • The first rule of investing (11:52, Ep 1)

  • Important things to consider when evaluating a partner's experience/expertise (14:15, Ep 1)

  • Revenue and profit considerations (16:00, Ep 1)

  • Hidden costs (17:25, Ep 1)

  • The future of content businesses (18:05, Ep 1)

  • The starting point in interrogating this opportunity, analyzing it further, and looking for non-traditional ways to create value (00:15, Ep 2)

  • What you should consider to help you determine how far you want to go with this (01:15, Ep 2)

  • The sense of purpose will change (02:35, Ep 2)

  • The starting point (03:10, Ep 2)

  • What you need to understand about your business partner (04:00, Ep 2)

  • Choosing a business model (05:16, Ep 2)

  • Degrees of freedom (07:50, Ep 2)

  • What sets us apart at FC that you can apply and should apply in your life and career (11:05, Ep 2)

  • Not being inquisitive (00:30, Ep 3)

  • What you need to know when working with powerful people (02:17, Ep 3)

  • Angles you can take (02:38, Ep 3)

  • What powerful people look for (03:25, Ep 3)

  • Remuneration (04:30, Ep 3)

  • An important thing to think about (04:55, Ep 3)

  • The question to ask (05:45, Ep 3)

  • Contracts (06:11, Ep 3)

  • Important considerations related to relationships with powerful people (06:46, Ep 3)

  • A bone melting glare (08:00, Ep 3)

  • What happens when powerful people trust you (08:36, Ep 3)

  • A way forward (09:10, Ep 3)

  • How owners of the business evaluate you (10:10, Ep 3)

  • Playing sports with powerful people story and the crucial lesson here (11:00, Ep 3)

  • What creation of value depends on (14:00, Ep 3)

  • It always comes back to this one thing (15:25, Ep 3)

  • How to draw different insights from this program (16:00, Ep 3)

---

If you're an Insider member, this program is now available in your account on StrategyTraining.com.

Not a member yet? Enroll here:
www.strategytraining.com (scroll to membership options and select Insider or Legacy level to immediately access this program).

Not ready to join as an Insider or Legacy member yet? But want to have 12 months access to this single program? Rent this individual program here. Use code NEW to get a special new release discount. Within 30 days of purchase, you can apply the amount spent on this individual program towards Insider annual membership, which will unlock the entire Insider library on StrategyTraining.com and Strategy Training apps (email team@firmsconsulting.com within 30 days of purchase of this single program if you want to take advantage of this opportunity).

We care about your success and are here to support you. Feel free to reach out with questions at
team@firmsconsulting.com.

Thank you for being a part of the
StrategyTraining.com community.

Access New Program (Insider Members)

Posted

Nov 24 at 12:54 PM

Know What You Want To Be Known For...
And What You Want To Be Speaking About...

Over The Next Few Decades

We just released a full new Insider program (4-part program)...

23-Page Workbook: This program also comes with a powerful 23-page downloadable workbook. When Michael saw the workbook we created for this program, he messaged me, "This is exceptionally powerful. Even I would use it all the time." He then followed it up with another message, "Went through the entire document. It’s so good. Please send me a copy of the final document." I highly recommend you download and print the workbook and use it as you work through the program. You will get even more value out of the program this way.

Now let me share more details about this new 4-part program. 

Imagine this: You’re the youngest consultant in the room, sitting across from the decision-makers of a global powerhouse. The weight of expectation hangs heavy, but the excitement of presenting something truly original keeps your confidence alive.

Are you brave enough to dare to believe you can come up with NEW ideas that matter?

- Not ideas you have read in a Harvard Business Review.
- Not ideas you have heard in an interview with the CEO of a Fortune 500.
- Not ideas you have read about in a book.
 

But ideas that originated in your OWN head.


Even when they’re raw and unpolished, they bring more value to the world and contribute more to YOUR career or business versus summarizing something you have read or heard somewhere.
 

What if you could have an unshakable conviction that what you create could one day redefine how an entire industry thinks?

In a brand new program just released for Insiders and Legacy members, we teach you how you can become a person whose ideas matter.
 

In a case study shared in a program, the journey began with a simple yet profound question:

What risks are core to your business, and how do you approach the ones that aren’t?
 

This led to years of refining, failing, and learning. 


Until it was refined to the point that clients saw its tremendous value.

Then, a new consulting practice emerged. One that changed how clients thought about their future.

But this is only the beginning. Over four riveting episodes, in a typical Michael's style, we explore:

  • The quiet confidence it takes to share original thinking when the easier path is to summarize someone else’s.

  • The system and process of documenting your thoughts, not just for clarity but to honor your own intellectual journey.

  • The untold story behind one of management consulting’s most pivotal moments and the unexpected loss of a vast knowledge archive.

  • The cutting-edge methods we use to enhance our thinking through AI and the AI system we use which is built upon our proprietary materials.

  • And much more...

These are the kinds of conversations that keep you awake at night. 

Not with worry but with excitement about what’s possible.


I believe you’ll connect with the core point of this program.

The lessons go beyond consulting. The consulting example is used as a case study. The program is designed to give you a roadmap to lead with your own voice in any field you are in. This is relevant more than ever, given we live in a world that is drowning in people summarizing and repackaging what someone else said without even fully understanding the drivers behind the ideas, teachings, strategies, and approaches.

Take your time with this program.

Reflect on the moments where you see yourself. Where you might feel the tug to embrace your own original thinking. Use the workbook to help you make the most of this program.

See what is not clear and where you need further guidance. And after carefully working through the program and the workbook and applying what you learn in your life, feel free to email us at team@firmsconsulting.com if any questions come up. Those questions will be used as input for bonus episodes or sequel programs, as needed. 

If you’re ready, then let’s begin this program led by Michael. And know that from here on out, your original thinking can matter.
 

You are good enough to produce original thinking.


And this is what will set you apart in business and in life.

Here are some time stamps as you work through the program to help you not miss important points: 

  • 01:00 - What it took to present a new concept to a senior client as a most junior person on the team (Ep 1)

  • 03:20 - Eventually being able to leverage the new concept that led to building a new consulting practice (Ep 1)

  • 05:00 - Developing a mindset that will position you for the future as a thought leader (Ep 1)

  • 06:20 - The starting point of becoming a thought leader (Ep 1)

  • 07:12 - The road to becoming a person who shares original thinking (Ep 1)

  • 08:00 - Do you want to live your life summarizing other people's work? (Ep 1)

  • 09:00 - 98% of people are repackagers (Ep 1)

  • 00:20 - A little-known event within management consulting that had ramifications that lasted until today (Ep 2)

  • 02:50 - The loss of the acquired firm's entire knowledge database (Ep 2)

  • 04:00 - The secret sauce to the organization and to a person (Ep 2)

  • 05:50 - Developing your database (Ep 2)

  • 08:30 - How and why StrategyTraining.com was created (Ep 2)

  • 00:20 - Folder structure (Ep 3)

  • 01:40 - Themes Michael uses (Ep 3)

  • 03:30 - Process we follow to document our work (Ep 3)

  • 04:40 - Capturing ideas (Ep 3)

  • 05:30 - Deciding on your general interest area (Ep 3)

  • 06:20 - Knowing what you want to be known for and what you want to be speaking about over the next few decades (Ep 3)

  • 07:00 - What happens when we are bored or get tired of things (Ep 3)

  • 00:13 - What has given us a tremendous advantage in business and in life (Ep 4)

  • 00:35 - How we document our knowledge and ideas (Ep 4)

  • 01:19 - The problem with the archiving approach (Ep 4)

  • 01:30 - How we developed our own Strategy & Consulting AI system, which is trained and continues to be trained on our proprietary database (Ep 4)

  • 02:30 - How we use our Strategy & Consulting AI system to enhance our workflow (Ep 4)

  • 03:15 - How we set up our Strategy & Consulting AI system (Ep 4)

  • 04:07 - What Strategy & Consulting AI system allowed us to do that we couldn't do before with our data (Ep 4)

  • 05:30 - Using the formidable brain power that is not public (Ep 4)

  • 06:30 - Using our risk strategy applied to an unexpected problem (Ep 4)

  • 07:00 - Our go-to place when we have a question (Ep 4)

---

If you're an Insider member, this program is now available in your account on StrategyTraining.com.

Not a member yet? Enroll here: www.strategytraining.com (scroll to membership options and select Insider or Legacy level to immediately access this program).

We care about your success and are here to support you. Feel free to reach out with questions at team@firmsconsulting.com.

Thank you for being a part of the StrategyTraining.com community.

Access New Program (Insider Members)

Posted

Nov 17 at 05:37 PM

Every Time You Sidestep a Challenge Because Of ‘What If,’ You Let...

The Past Decide Your Future

I'm going to talk you through what is a very common challenge many clients face. It's so common that when putting together this program, we could create a composite client as a case study to show you how this obstacle pans out. It's the fear of failure. The program covers how to understand where and how it originates and how to address it.

We were once working with a client, let's call him Rohan. Rohan felt he was going to struggle and fail at tasks, and because he believed he would fail, he was unwilling to try certain things. When Rohan did try and fail, he found the process so debilitating, so hurtful, that it took him a very long time to recover. He was often paralyzed from acting by a fear of failure.

 

And in some ways, he never really recovered from it.


So, when Rohan brought up his uncertainty about how to work in his medical field because of this fear of failure, he wanted to know how to overcome this.

We asked, "
You have this fear of failure, you feel terrible about it, and you want to hide from tasks where you could fail. Other times, you don’t even discuss failure because it leaves you with so much anxiety. So, you were taught to have this strong emotional reaction to failure, but actually, it’s the fear of failure itself."

Rohan failed, and he was exposed to such a negative reaction to failure that he now feared it. Vigorously.

We wanted to find out when Rohan was taught that failure was so bad it had to be avoided at all costs.

When Rohan was talking about what occurred during his work, we pushed deeper and deeper until we identified the real origin of his fear of failure. Once we shined a light on it, things started to shift for Rohan. This is the key part of the program. How we helped Rohan understand his relationship with failure, why he has been taught to fear it and how he can move forward.

With most clients, when we talk to them about fear of failure, they assume the problem lies somewhere in a professional setting. They think something happened at the office, or in this case, during his medical career, that led them to fear failure. But often, it’s something very different.

 

This program is designed to help Insiders and Legacy members identify the origin of their fear of failure.


This a key program to work through and comes with a workbook to ensure members can thoroughly work through the program, the steps required, to understand and address this problem. Insiders and Legacy members can find the workbook for the first 4 episodes on the program page. 

Because of the situation in which Rohan's fear of failure originated, he never talked about this part of his life. He was convinced that he had failed, and beyond that, he was taught he should be ashamed of his failure. So, he has been hiding his feelings about failure ever since. Discussing it with family members, for example, only further disappoints those he cared about most. As a result, he couldn't talk about this major life event that impacted him ever since because it has been classified as a failure.

Imagine living with such a burden. This type of story is very typical for many clients. 

Many of us are obstructed by the fear of failure. Not just a fear but a deep-rooted aversion we were taught to feel.

You might say, “Well, this is just me. This is how I’m wired.” But let me ask you: what if this isn’t your fear? What if it’s a learned response passed down to you? You may have been trained to flinch at failure, to avoid risk, to keep in the shadows when something might not go perfectly well, when you may publicly fail.
 

We’ve seen it before. Professionals who’ve achieved outstanding things but are held hostage by a fear that feels deeply ingrained. Like our clients who are incredibly successful, only to feel the constant tug of invisible strings, an obligation to succeed and to make up for "failures" of the past so they don’t “let anyone down.”
 

Anyone that is, but themselves.
So they can finally be ENOUGH.
 

We are not just talking about failing. It’s about everything failure would mean to the people watching, waiting, judging, maybe even depending on you. You’re taught to feel it so profoundly that it nearly defines you.
 

This fear is deeply ingrained. It isn't something you can just ignore or laugh off. It's bound up in relationships, your sense of duty, your identity. If you fail, truly fail, it feels like every connection, every affirmation of your worth, every last ounce of love could be called into question.
 

You’re carrying a lot of burden, but you can unpack this, shift it, even rewrite it.


We’re not here to tell you that fear or shame can just be switched off.

We’re talking about rewriting the entire narrative, going to that core moment when you first learned “failure is unacceptable.”

It may feel like pulling off armor, exposing parts of yourself you’ve kept locked away for years. But the real growth is on the other side of that discomfort.

We’re talking about controlled failure.

 

Testing yourself on your terms.


The goal is, of course, not to invite disaster. The goal is to transcend your current relationship with failure, elevating it into a source of strength and growth.

Here’s what’s at stake if you don’t. 

The stiffness that holds you back will intensify. You’ll withdraw from great opportunities, play it safe, and maintain surface-level relationships where they should be deeper and truer. Every time you sidestep a challenge because of the fear of “what if,” you let the past decide your future.

And here’s what can happen if you do confront it: liberation.

An emotional, personal, and professional freedom that allows you to act without your past constantly pulling the strings.

So you can finally be free.

Imagine setting new terms and building a relationship with failure that strengthens you rather than reduces you. Of course, it’s not about acting recklessly. Instead, it’s about defining failure as part of the journey, a step rather than an endpoint.

So, here’s what we’re offering you: a journey, yes, and also a challenge. We’ll uncover those early triggers. But more than that, we’ll use them to rewire the programming you have running related to failure.

Yes, literally and figuratively, rewrite. As I mentioned earlier, there is a corresponding workbook for this program (Insiders and Legacy members can find it on the program page).

We’ll help you rewrite your stories that are making you stiff and pass on opportunities, and worry endlessly about situations where you should not have such a reaction. Working diligently through this program will help you be able to talk about your failures openly and calmly. Why?

 

Because they’ll no longer have such a hold over you.


Every one of them will just be another step that gets you to a better place.

If you’re ready, then let’s begin this program, led by Michael. And know that from here on out, failure isn’t your enemy. It’s the stepping stone on the way up.

In the first 4 (out of 8) episodes of the program, we cover:

  • 01:00 - Introducing Rohan and his backstory. Setting the objective (Ep 1)

  • 02:20 - Where the origin of the fear of failure usually resides (Ep 1)

  • 03:00 - Rohan's fear of failure origin story (Ep 1)

  • 03:50 - The conflict that led to a debilitating fear of failure (Ep 1)

  • 05:10 - The narrative he created was crippling for him and made him make flawed career choices later in life (Ep 1)

  • 07:05 - Three parts involved in creating a debilitating fear of failure (Ep 1)

  • 08:05 - What do you actually afraid of rather than failure itself (Ep 1)

  • 10:20 - The exercise members need to complete at this stage of the program (Ep 1)

  • 10:45 - Example from Michael's life (Ep 1)

  • 00:30 - This problem is very common among our clients (Ep 2)

  • 01:30 - What dynamic is playing out in your life, and how is it severely hurting you (Ep 2)

  • 02:10 - Compounded failure and corresponding label placed on Rohan (Ep 2)

  • 04:00 - Taking a stand to do something that makes other people uncomfortable (Ep 2)

  • 04:50 - Unpacking the narrative (Ep 2)

  • 05:50 - What hurts us the most (Ep 2)

  • 07:16 - The key thing to understand about Rohan's role (Ep 2)

  • 09:12 - The path that was not an option for Rohan that people born in the US take for granted (Ep 2)

  • 10:50 - Realignment process after immigration to the United States (Ep 2)

  • 11:35 - Member's action item to compete (Ep 2)

  • 0:00 - Explaining the client's challenge, which may be very similar to your own (Ep 3)

  • 0:00 - Introducing 9 action steps that you can take to understand your relationship with failure or anxiety (Ep 3)

  • 01:10 - Action step 1 almost always originates from childhood (Ep 3)

  • 03:18 - Action step 2 and how this step may clarify why you may seek isolation (Ep 3)

  • 05:20 - Action step 3. Shining light on an important event that will explain a lot about your life and how life is not linear (Ep 3)

  • 08:00 - How you should rewrite your stories

  • 00:00 - Action step 4 helps us cultivate a positive relationship with failure (Ep 4)

  • 02:06 - This emotion exists in the shadow, in the darkness (Ep 4)

  • 03:12 - How do you write a white paper you are afraid to write and submit? Specifically what to say to protect yourself and change the goal (Ep 4)

---

If you're an Insider or Legacy member, this program is now available in your account on StrategyTraining.com.

Not a member yet? Enroll here:
www.strategytraining.com (scroll to membership options).

We care about your success and are here to support you. Feel free to reach out with questions at
team@firmsconsulting.com.

Thank you for being part of the StrategyTraining community.

Access New Program (Insider & Legacy Members)

Posted

Nov 10 at 05:18 PM

A portion of the StrategyTraining.com community is currently preparing for the next case interviews window. To help you, we have released the third and final part of the new book, 251 Case Interview Quizzes: Test Your Readiness for McKinsey, BCG, Bain et al. (432 PAGES), exclusively available in the Strategy Control Room, Advanced Level. 

***

How do you know if you are ready for a McKinsey, BCG, Bain et al. case interview?

Preparing for management consulting case interviews with McKinsey & Co, Bain & Co, The Boston Consulting Group, Deloitte S&O, EY-Parthenon, PWC Strategy&, and the like, is a long and difficult process. The advice in this book applies across all management consulting firms, with a particular focus on the major strategy firms.

Why did we write this book? Practicing just one case with a good practice partner can take up to 90 minutes, with 45 minutes for each applicant to solve a case and receive feedback. This often becomes tiring when this is usually the only way to test your case skills. Applicants can often burnout from practicing, trying to find good practice partners and scheduling practice sessions. In our experience, it helps to have case interview quizzes to self-test yourself. 

There are 251 quizzes in this book. Each quiz introduces a case or interview situation, and either presents options or multiple choice answers for the readers. The quizzes are divided into 3 parts and they should be completed in the order presented.

Part 1: Readiness Quiz: Take this quiz before you start practicing cases or submit your application. The quiz tests how well you know the industry, application process and case interviews. If you do poorly, it means you are not ready to reach out to the firms. In other words, if you reach out you may hurt your chances. Yet, don’t worry. Just relax and know that everyone starts from a weak base. With dedicated effort and careful planning, you will improve.

Part 2: Preparation Quizzes: Take these quizzes after you have started learning about case interviews and have practiced a few cases with case partners (or worked through the first few cases within The Consulting Offer, Season 1, with Felix). Though, you have not yet mastered cases and have time to fix problems. It’s easier to appreciate the advice in these quizzes once you have started practicing. Therefore, make sure you have started practicing before diving into these quizzes. These quizzes explain best practices for case interview preparation, which you can incorporate into your regimen. 

Part 3: Practice Quizzes: Take these quizzes when you believe you are ready to interview. In other words, you believe you have mastered cases. They are designed to push you to a higher level, explain advanced skills and introduce elegant solutions and frameworks that impress interviewers. These quizzes offer a realistic feel for cases, especially final-round cases with senior partners. Most final-round interviews are done by partners who will make the final decision. So it’s best to prepare for interviews with partners. It’s fine to celebrate passing the first or second round, but you must be ready for the partner round.

HOW TO FIND 251 CASE INTERVIEW QUIZZES: TEST YOUR READINESS FOR MCKINSEY, BCG, BAIN ET AL. (432 PAGES):

1. Log in to The Strategy Control Room, Advanced Level, membership area.
2. Click on the 3 dots in the upper-right corner.
3. Click on the "STRATEGY MANUALS" button.
4. Find and select "251 Case Interview Quizzes: Test Your Readiness for McKinsey, BCG, Bain et al. (432 PAGES)"

If you are The Strategy Control Room, Advanced Level, member, here is the direct link to these particular update.

If you joined an Advanced Level of the Strategy Control Room today, you would find the most powerful (as per clients' feedback) strategy, problem-solving, consulting, and results-oriented leadership reading library in the world. The resources include:

  • Michael's explanation slides for selected programs on StrategyTraining.com

  • 12 full engagements

  • Change Management Influence & Persuasion Center of Excellence 

  • Detailed Business Case Methodology Center of Excellence 

  • Encyclopedia of Strategy Analyses Center of Excellence 

  • Corporate Training Center of Excellence

  • One-Week Immersion: Consulting Onboarding / Consulting Mastery Center of Excellence

  • 31 proposals

  • Flipcharts

  • Layout guides

  • 17 strategy and problem-solving books which we do not make available anywhere else

  • 2 brand new strategy and problem-solving books just released and not available anywhere else

  • 11 book drafts never before available and not available anywhere else

  • Case interview materials for Felix, Rafik, Samantha, and Sanjeev, case interview exhibits, case interview solutions

  • The evolution of corporate strategy

  • The business case toolkit

  • Implementation and operation toolkit

  • Corporate strategy toolkit

  • Strategy maps

  • And more 

Enroll as a Strategy Control Room Member

And if you are not yet an Insider or Legacy member and want to gain access to video and audio advanced programs on StrategyTraining.com we invite you to explore membership options (scroll down). We recommend to start with Insider or Legacy membership as a base membership and add the Strategy Control Room (Advanced Level) as an add-on when the time is right for you.

Take this opportunity to invest in yourself and your future. StrategyTraining.com resources can be transformative for your career, but it's up to you to make time to study the resources and focus on quick integration. If you have any questions or need further assistance, please don't hesitate to reach out to us at team@firmsconsulting.com.

Posted

Nov 04 at 04:31 AM

We have just released Part 4 of Executive Update 1 for the Corporate Strategy for Asset/Wealth Management Study in the Strategy Control Room, Advanced Level.
 

***
 

Every so often, we release a study that is so powerful, so fundamental, that if you take the time to read it multiple times and really understand what it was teaching and how it was teaching it, it will teach you a primary/core skill that will change your ability to operate as a seasoned professional with a deeply analytical mind.

This is one of those studies.


The study focuses on asset management within financial services, an area that is becoming increasingly important worldwide as income levels rise. In this study, we are going to analyze an asset manager that is growing at a slower rate than competitors in one of the most dynamic markets in the world. And because it is growing at a slower rate, it's ultimately losing market share.

In this study, we will present a way to analyze the distribution of a financial services product, which, with a few tweaks and changes, could be applied to the distribution of any financial services product, even though our primary focus here is on investment products for wealth management.

This is a study that we encourage everyone to read. Take the time to work through it. Think about how you could apply this thinking to your own sector, which may not be in financial services. It teaches a fundamental skill: how to analyze a market across all elements, all the way from asset management to distribution and administration. Whether or not you are in financial services or asset management, you are in an industry that produces something that you distribute.

The study is particularly interesting because it takes a very complicated subject and analyzes it in a sophisticated yet simple way to draw out very important analyses. It uses highly sophisticated frameworks developed for the client, and it pulls it apart in a way we have not yet applied in other studies.

This is one of those anchor studies like our study on Competition, the LAB Study, the Power Sector study, and the Tech M&A study. These are anchor studies because they teach foundational skills that we want our clients to master.

In this study, we tackle something incredibly sophisticated in an area where many people tend to be a little bit afraid. While most people are afraid of math and finance, when you analyze finances within the financial services sector, people tend to get even more intimidated. However, this is a topic that has become more important globally as the middle class has risen in most countries and the number of millionaires has increased.

So, this is a foundational study that we will be referring to for years to come. It teaches something so fundamental that every member should work through it. It teaches a skill of how to analyze a complex sector in a way that is easy to follow, even if you do not have a background in the sector.


Corporate Strategy for Asset/Wealth Management consists of 3 executive updates. 

HOW TO FIND THE CORPORATE STRATEGY FOR ASSET/WEALTH MANAGEMENT:

1. Log in to The Strategy Control Room, Advanced Level, membership area.
2. See the "FULL ENGAGEMENTS" dropdown. 
3. Select "Corporate Strategy for Asset/Wealth Management."
4. The Corporate Strategy for Asset/Wealth Management consists of 115 slides for the first to fourth part of Executive Update 1.

If you are The Strategy Control Room, Advanced Level, member, here is the direct link to these particular update.

If you joined an Advanced Level of the Strategy Control Room today, you would find the most powerful strategy, problem-solving, consulting, and results-oriented leadership reading library in the world. The resources include:

  • Michael's explanation slides for selected programs on StrategyTraining.com

  • 12 full engagements

  • Change Management Influence & Persuasion Center of Excellence 

  • Detailed Business Case Methodology Center of Excellence 

  • Encyclopedia of Strategy Analyses Center of Excellence 

  • Corporate Training Center of Excellence

  • One-Week Immersion: Consulting Onboarding / Consulting Mastery Center of Excellence

  • 31 proposals

  • Flipcharts

  • Layout guides

  • 17 strategy and problem-solving books which we do not make available anywhere else

  • 2 brand new strategy and problem-solving books just released and not available anywhere else

  • 11 book drafts never before available and not available anywhere else

  • Case interview materials for Felix, Rafik, Samantha, and Sanjeev, case interview exhibits, case interview solutions

  • The evolution of corporate strategy

  • The business case toolkit

  • Implementation and operation toolkit

  • Corporate strategy toolkit

  • Strategy maps

  • And more 

Enroll as a Strategy Control Room Member

And if you are not yet an Insider or Legacy member and want to gain access to video and audio advanced programs on StrategyTraining.com we invite you to explore membership options (scroll down). We recommend to start with Insider or Legacy membership as a base membership and add the Strategy Control Room (Advanced Level) as an add-on when the time is right for you.

Take this opportunity to invest in yourself and your future. StrategyTraining.com resources can be transformative for your career, but it's up to you to make time to study the resources and focus on quick integration. If you have any questions or need further assistance, please don't hesitate to reach out to us at team@firmsconsulting.com.

Posted

Oct 29 at 05:58 AM

The Trust Ladder...Inverts At The Top

Imagine a Ferrari showroom. You can't just stroll in and buy their top model, not even with cash in hand. Ferrari chooses its buyers. Only their most loyal, trusted clients get access to the rarest models.

It’s about building long-term relationships with clients who truly value what Ferrari offers.

Building trust is the foundation of every enduring client relationship. 

In this 3-part program, we focus on how trust ladders work and why they’re more critical than any product ladder. 

  • The Power of the Trust Ladder
    Ferrari didn’t create lower-cost models like the Roma to "cheapen" the brand. They did it to reach a broader audience while preserving their brand's prestige. It’s about a tiered relationship with clients, where trust grows over time, transforming first-time buyers into lifelong clients.

  • Why Clients Shouldn’t Start at the Top
    Think of BMW’s lineup, from the 1 Series to the flagship 8 Series. A new buyer might start with a 3 Series, but as their trust grows, so does their commitment and investment in BMW. This gradual climb is not just a pricing strategy. It’s a trust strategy. For clients, it feels like a possibility to “join the family,” one step at a time.

  • The Inverted Trust Ladder
    Here’s the surprising twist: at the highest level, it’s no longer just about the client trusting us. It’s about
    us trusting them.

The Trust Ladder is about mutual success. And you don’t have to be Ferrari or BMW to apply it. Each client touchpoint is a rung on the ladder.

Imagine a client relationship so unshakable that when stakes are high and tensions are thicker than steel, you’re the one they turn to for answers.

We once advised a client, a global conglomerate poised to enter a region with near-zero institutional stability. No police, no hospitals, not even a school system. It was chaos, and the mission was not just to launch, but to thrive in this challenging terrain.

From Day One, every interaction hinged on trust. With billions on the line, our every move faced scrutiny. Our competition was fierce, promising higher royalties but fewer long-term commitments. Our edge? A vision to build hospitals, schools, and more to prove, not just say, that we were invested in this nation’s future.

Now, if you are a new business owner, you may not be building hospitals. But if you're trying to secure that first critical client, the path is the same: how do you prove to them that their investment in you is safe, worthwhile, and will bring the best of you to the table?

Welcome to The Trust Ladder, a new Legacy program that focuses on helping you build a client base from scratch. And it all starts with a powerful truth: the traditional “product ladder” that many entrepreneurs follow is, frankly, the wrong thing to focus on.

Clients don’t start by buying. They start by trusting. In The Trust Ladder, we’ll flip the narrative, showing you how to build genuine connections and why every single “rung” matters.

Why should you tune in?

Because trust doesn’t just happen. It’s earned, painstakingly. Every step you take toward earning trust transforms your relationship, inviting your clients to believe in you just as much as you believe in your mission.

This 3-Part program we cover:

  • Why “selling” products should come after establishing trust.

  • How to build a client journey that feels (and genuinely is) invaluable.

  • When and how to make the transition from “trusted advisor” to an exclusive, mutually beneficial partnership.

  • And more...

Our approach is simple: as clients climb the trust ladder with us, they not only gain access to higher-value services, but we, too, gain a trusted relationship that lets us share our most impactful ideas. And when you’re at the top, it’s not about selling to clients. It’s about choosing the clients you trust.

It’s time to win your clients' hearts before you win their business. Ready to reframe your client relationships and start building your own trust ladder?

---

If you're a Legacy member, this program is now available in your account on StrategyTraining.com.

Not a Legacy member yet? Enroll here:
www.strategytraining.com (scroll to membership options).

We care about your success and are here to support you. Feel free to reach out with questions at
team@firmsconsulting.com.

Thank you for being part of the StrategyTraining community.

Access New Program (Legacy Members)

1

Posted

Oct 11 at 10:15 PM

Do you risk your relationship with the only family member who has always been on your side to...

Make a Stand for Your Truth

The second and final part of the new Legacy program, Why We Often Punish Our Greatest Supporter in Life, has been released, exclusively available to Legacy members on StrategyTraining.com.

Imagine this... you're a corporate leader, used to making tough decisions, managing people, and balancing priorities. But what happens when the real test of your leadership comes not from the boardroom but from the one place you least expect, your family?

One of our Legacy members faced such a dilemma, and it’s the kind of situation that stops you in your tracks and clouds your judgment.

After years of personal struggle, living a double life to keep the peace in a deeply conservative family, Josh (name changed to protect privacy) finally started to see a light.

Slowly, doors opened, bridges mended.

But just as things seemed to be improving, an unexpected challenge hit. One that shattered Josh's hopes for finally being accepted.

Josh's brother is getting married, which is generally a joyous occasion. But there's one glaring problem. The invitation, addressed only to Josh, excludes Josh's life partner of 13 years, the person with whom Josh shares every part of his life.

The reason?

A secret that could tear the family apart if revealed.

The stakes are high. Should he attend the wedding alone, once again hiding a critical part of who he is?

Or refuse the invitation, risking a final rift that could cut ties with his family forever?

Now, here’s the twist... 

The brother who has always stood by Josh, the only true ally in the family, supports this decision to keep things quiet.

The brother who convinced Josh's parents to reconnect with Josh after years of estrangement is asking for silence, all for the sake of keeping the peace on his wedding day.

So, what do you do?

Do you risk your relationship with the only family member who has always been on your side to stand for what you believe in?

Or do you stay silent and protect the fragile peace that has only just begun to form and hope that things will improve over time?

The same qualities that make great leaders successful are needed to handle this situation. And in this program, we will explore these questions and more, helping you steer the challenges of your career and the personal battles that shape your life.

Are you ready to tackle the most difficult questions you may ever face?

---

If you're a Legacy member, this program is now available in your account on StrategyTraining.com.

Not a Legacy member yet? Enroll here:
www.strategytraining.com (scroll to membership options).

We care about your success and are here to support you. Feel free to reach out with questions at
team@firmsconsulting.com.

Thank you for being part of the StrategyTraining community.

Access New Program (Legacy Members)

P.S. If you are an Insider, you can upgrade to Legacy without losing your Insider status. Simply visit the Legacy section on StrategyTraining.com, where any credits on your account will automatically apply to the upgrade. As a Legacy member, you'll unlock additional programs and can receive personalized guidance twice a month from Michael or me, tailored to your unique situation. If you ever wish to return to Insider, just email us to retain your status, provided your membership remains continuous.

Posted

Oct 06 at 06:09 PM

This is the moment you step out from behind the corporate veil, find the partner who will help you build something extraordinary.

Imagine this...

You’re standing at the precipice of a new life. After years of climbing the corporate ladder, working 12+ hour days, being constantly on call, and barely having enough time to be with your family. After years of feeling scared that you will be laid off, seeing your friends losing their jobs, and always having this fear in your chest that you will be next. Feeling exhausted from having to navigate never-ending behind-the-doors politics, something you never mastered or don't truly care to get good at, you’re now quietly, finally, laying the groundwork to step out and launch something of your own.

And finally, be free.

The prospect of freedom and of being able to do the work you want to do is exhilarating.

But it’s also scary.

As any seasoned leader knows, no great business is built alone. And most new businesses fail pretty quickly.

You feel you need a partner. Someone to share the load when things get tough or if you need a sick day. Someone to challenge your ideas and bring theirs to the table. Someone to see your blind spots and not let you carry on for too long in the wrong direction.

Someone to help bring your vision to life.

But how do you find THE ONE?

Not just any business partner but the right business partner.

The one who will complement your strengths. The one who will not drain a business savings account over the weekend to escape the country. The one who will fill the gaps in your skill set and stand by your side when you are going through a rough patch.

The one who will have not only their best interests at heart, but also yours.

Finding a business partner is about far more than drafting an agreement or splitting equity. It’s about your ability to pick the right person and do your part to build the relationships.

The most successful partnerships aren’t born from convenience.

The most successful relationships are forged through shared values, trust, and having each other's best interests at heart.

In this program, we’ll guide you through the process of finding your business partner. You’ll discover what makes a successful partnership and the pitfalls to avoid. And, most importantly, "the place" where most long-term great business partners are found.

If going on your own is something you are planning and plotting, beyond the strategy and logic, there's something deeper driving you to go on your own.

A yearning to finally be free.

Free from the confines of the corporate world that, despite its rewards, has mostly left you with a feeling that you are NOT in the right place, with the right people, doing the right work. 

You want to finally build a life that allows you to do the work you want to do and be with people you want to be with and be at a place you want to be at 80% of the time, not 20% of the time.

Where every decision is an expression of you.

Where you don't have to make choices and decisions that make you sick to your stomach because this is what is expected or this is what your boss wants you to do.

Where finally, THERE IS NO BOSS.

 

There is just you, your work, your contribution.


A life where you mostly work on projects that fill you with energy, instead of draining it. A life where your work and who you are finally align.

This is the start of an adventure.

A high-stakes quest, where the prize is not just a successful business but the key to your personal freedom and to finally feeling that you are doing what you came here to do.

This is YOUR moment.

And we’re here to help you find the partner who will help you make that dream a reality.

---

If you're a Legacy member, Parts 1, 2, and 3 are now available in your account on StrategyTraining.com.

Not a Legacy member yet? Enroll here:
www.strategytraining.com (scroll to membership options).

We’re committed to your success and are here to support you. Feel free to reach out with questions at
team@firmsconsulting.com.

Thank you for being part of the StrategyTraining community.

Access New Program (Legacy Members)

Posted

Sep 28 at 06:21 AM

We have just started the release of a new book, 251 Case Interview Quizzes: Test Your Readiness for McKinsey, BCG, Bain et al. (416 PAGES), exclusively available in the Strategy Control Room, Advanced Level. Part 1 of 3 was released.
 

***
 

How do you know if you are ready for a McKinsey, BCG, Bain et al. case interview?

Preparing for management consulting case interviews with McKinsey & Co, Bain & Co, The Boston Consulting Group, Deloitte S&O, EY-Parthenon, PWC Strategy&, and the like, is a long and difficult process. The advice in this book applies across all management consulting firms, with a particular focus on the major strategy firms.

Why did we write this book? Practicing just one case with a good practice partner can take up to 90 minutes, with 45 minutes for each applicant to solve a case and receive feedback. This often becomes tiring when this is usually the only way to test your case skills. Applicants can often burnout from practicing, trying to find good practice partners and scheduling practice sessions. In our experience, it helps to have case interview quizzes to self-test yourself. 

There are 251 quizzes in this book. Each quiz introduces a case or interview situation, and either presents options or multiple choice answers for the readers. The quizzes are divided into 3 parts and they should be completed in the order presented.

Part 1: Readiness Quiz: Take this quiz before you start practicing cases or submit your application. The quiz tests how well you know the industry, application process and case interviews. If you do poorly, it means you are not ready to reach out to the firms. In other words, if you reach out you may hurt your chances. Yet, don’t worry. Just relax and know that everyone starts from a weak base. With dedicated effort and careful planning, you will improve.

Part 2: Preparation Quizzes: Take these quizzes after you have started learning about case interviews and have practiced a few cases with case partners (or worked through the first few cases within The Consulting Offer, Season 1, with Felix). Though, you have not yet mastered cases and have time to fix problems. It’s easier to appreciate the advice in these quizzes once you have started practicing. Therefore, make sure you have started practicing before diving into these quizzes. These quizzes explain best practices for case interview preparation, which you can incorporate into your regimen. 

Part 3: Practice Quizzes: Take these quizzes when you believe you are ready to interview. In other words, you believe you have mastered cases. They are designed to push you to a higher level, explain advanced skills and introduce elegant solutions and frameworks that impress interviewers. These quizzes offer a realistic feel for cases, especially final-round cases with senior partners. Most final-round interviews are done by partners who will make the final decision. So it’s best to prepare for interviews with partners. It’s fine to celebrate passing the first or second round, but you must be ready for the partner round.

HOW TO FIND 251 CASE INTERVIEW QUIZZES: TEST YOUR READINESS FOR MCKINSEY, BCG, BAIN ET AL. (416 PAGES):

1. Log in to The Strategy Control Room, Advanced Level, membership area.
2. Click on the 3 dots in the upper-right corner.
3. Click on the "STRATEGY MANUALS" button.
4. Find and select "251 Case Interview Quizzes: Test Your Readiness for McKinsey, BCG, Bain et al. (416 PAGES)"

If you are The Strategy Control Room, Advanced Level, member, here is the direct link to these particular update.

If you joined an Advanced Level of the Strategy Control Room today, you would find the most powerful strategy, problem-solving, consulting, and results-oriented leadership reading library in the world. The resources include:

  • Michael's explanation slides for selected programs on StrategyTraining.com

  • 12 full engagements

  • Change Management Influence & Persuasion Center of Excellence 

  • Detailed Business Case Methodology Center of Excellence 

  • Encyclopedia of Strategy Analyses Center of Excellence 

  • Corporate Training Center of Excellence

  • One-Week Immersion: Consulting Onboarding / Consulting Mastery Center of Excellence

  • 31 proposals

  • Flipcharts

  • Layout guides

  • 17 strategy and problem-solving books which we do not make available anywhere else

  • 2 brand new strategy and problem-solving books just released and not available anywhere else

  • 11 book drafts never before available and not available anywhere else

  • Case interview materials for Felix, Rafik, Samantha, and Sanjeev, case interview exhibits, case interview solutions

  • The evolution of corporate strategy

  • The business case toolkit

  • Implementation and operation toolkit

  • Corporate strategy toolkit

  • Strategy maps

  • And more 

Enroll as a Strategy Control Room Member

And if you are not yet an Insider or Legacy member and want to gain access to video and audio advanced programs on StrategyTraining.com we invite you to explore membership options (scroll down). We recommend to start with Insider or Legacy membership as a base membership and add the Strategy Control Room (Advanced Level) as an add-on when the time is right for you.

Take this opportunity to invest in yourself and your future. StrategyTraining.com resources can be transformative for your career, but it's up to you to make time to study the resources and focus on quick integration. If you have any questions or need further assistance, please don't hesitate to reach out to us at team@firmsconsulting.com.

Posted

Sep 24 at 06:12 AM

This is how the transition to self-employment needs to happen...
With Paying Clients in Hand

Imagine this moment...

You’re flying over the Andes, en route to Santiago and beyond, when an unexpected LinkedIn message pings in. Someone found your chapter in a book you co-published with us, and they want more. They’re asking to follow your content, engage in conversation, and now, you’ve got a Zoom call scheduled for next week. This isn’t just idle chatter. This could be your first paid coaching client.

One of our clients found themselves in a situation like this. They followed the strategy we teach (leveraging their chapter), even without posting content. Suddenly, someone reached out. They hadn’t even started building an audience yet, and now, here was a real opportunity knocking.

Their mind raced: What should I ask on the call? How do I turn this conversation into something meaningful, maybe even a coaching relationship? How much should I charge in case of a coaching relationship? 

You can probably feel the excitement and the tension. This is the exact moment where your corporate knowledge, your unique expertise, and our publishing strategy converge into something powerful. You haven’t left your job yet, but opportunities are already lining up.

It’s the moment where you’re not just writing a chapter. You’re laying the groundwork for a new career, one where clients come to you, and they’re ready to pay to work with you because you have already demonstrated your expertise and the value you can deliver.

So, what happens next?

This is the precise process we’ve designed: to help you create real-world opportunities, to have those calls with prospective clients scheduled, and to not start from zero when you make the leap to self-employment. No guesswork. No ‘starting from scratch.’

Instead, you can have paying clients in hand before you even walk out the door of your current role.

We’ve done this. We’ve seen it happen time and time again. And now, it’s your turn.

In this 3 part Legacy program, we focus on signing your first client when moving to self-employment, including:

- What protects you from burnout (Episode 1, 6:00)
- Conditions that must be met before you know if you are focusing on the right market (Episode 1, 9:00)
- Being stuck in a green card process example (Episode 1, 9:30)
- Crucial criterion when selecting the market (Episode 1, 11:40)
- Dangers of intoxicating freedom and how to avoid a mistake many new business owners make (Episode 1, 13:15)
- Questions to ask yourself to determine what you should focus on (Episode 1, 17:00)
- The foundation of how to help people (Episode 2, 0:50)
- Key distinction of why people come to you (Episode 2, 2:00)
- What many mentors don't do, but they must (Episode 2, 6:30)
- A tell where you know a client is heading in the wrong direction (Episode 2, 9:50)
- The key thing to do to prevent large losses (Episode 2, 12:00)
- A formula to use with clients (Episode 2, 14:30)
- How to structure the conversation with a potential client (Episode 3, 1:30)
- The approach to use to collect the information you need to advise the client (Episode 3, 2:50)
- A powerful technique we use with clients to get the data needed to provide informed guidance and coaching (Episode 3, 4:50)
- Structuring the coaching program with a client (Episode 3, 7:20)
- Why session-by-session coaching is not effective and how you can explain it to a client (Episode 3, 9:20)
- Something you must never do when agreeing to coaching engagement (Episode 3, 10:50)
- Technology to use (Episode 3, 12:30)
- What people think helps but actually hurts the effectiveness of coaching sessions (Episode 3, 13:15)
- What adds value to coaching (Episode 3, 14:00) 

---

If you're a Legacy member, the full program (Parts 1, 2 and 3) is now available in your account on StrategyTraining.com.

Not a Legacy member yet? Enroll here:
www.strategytraining.com (scroll to membership options).

And if you want to be a co-author in the next book we are putting together with some of our outstanding senior clients, you can learn more and apply
here. This is the type of book that this client was a part of. Our signature books with selected senior clients. 

We’re committed to your success and are here to support you. Feel free to reach out with questions at
team@firmsconsulting.com.

Thank you for being part of the StrategyTraining community.

Access New Program (Legacy Members)

P.S. If you are an Insider, you can upgrade to Legacy and come back to Insider WITHOUT losing Insider status. To upgrade, you can go to the Legacy section on StrategyTraining.com, the system will offer an option to upgrade. The system will also automatically use any credit you have associated with your Insider account towards Legacy membership. As a Legacy member, you will not only unlock additional programs within the Legacy membership area but will be able to submit 2 questions per month and receive tailored input from Michael or me, taking into account the specifics you shared of your unique situation. That alone is worth a lot more than the cost of the upgrade. You can get personalized guidance twice a month. If, down the road, you want to switch back from Legacy to Insider, please email team@firmsconsulting.com so we can ensure your Insider status is retained (provided there are no gaps in membership).