Avi

Business Analyst

Is McKinsey what you expected? What has been your biggest surprise here?

I expected- and got- a great network of support for my learning and development. My biggest, and most positive surprise has been the extent to which you are given licence to 'step up' beyond the conventional role of a Business Analyst. As soon as your team has confidence in you, you are encouraged to step outside your comfort zone and take new responsibilities, which really helps you to progress, both personally and professionally.

What have you gained from working at McKinsey?

A huge leap in my ability to manage my work and my time. I now get much more from every week, whether at work or outside. I have also had incredible learning opportunities. One great example was a workshop on how to make personal impact - relevant to almost any aspect of life. Furthermore, I have gained a broad and deep network of motivated individuals, who, I aspire to keep in touch and work with in the future, whether or not my career continues with McKinsey.

What are the three most important things to bear in mind to make sure that your recommendations have impact?

Firstly, what you are recommending needs to be clear, concise and structured such that your audience is able to readily absorb what you have to say. Secondly, your recommendations need to provide added value, whether in thought-provoking insight or in representational simplicity, that goes beyond what the client was expecting. Thirdly, ensuring you have taken the steps, both through syndicating with the client and building capabilities, to ensure your recommendations will be implemented when you have left.

What has been your greatest moment of satisfaction while at McKinsey?

Within months of joining, going from not knowing how I could contribute or speak up at a meeting with the client, to planning and leading a steering committee where I presented our work to the client.