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Coach
What’s the worst that can happen? You get the experience and find yourself back at your old firm or one like it? Or that you doubted yourself and live with the regret of never trying?
Life is short! Go explore!
Coach
Do it but be aware - finding good people for delivery will be tough as they won’t want to work for an outsider and be ready to “unlearn” bad habits and work routines
You will find that success is more difficult than you anticipated.
That's why I'm considering the scenario where I fail. Even in that situation, I still think that I come out ahead of my current path. Looking to see if there are flaws in that argument
I think you are underestimating the perception that will follow you if you don’t make it there. MBB brand won’t mean much at your level if your profile screams “managed out” when one looks at a jump to MBB that lasts 2 years.
Are you after more money? I hope it’s not marginally better brand recognition. I would start there with an introspection on understanding what I am not getting in my current place that I think I can get in the new place. Plus, you will be an unknown quantity there whom few will want to work with, so risks are substantial. Proceed with caution and be ready to take a step back by a few years in the worst case scenario. If you are still excited, then perhaps it’s a sign you need this change.
I know ~10 partners that went to M. Only 1 lasted after 3 years. 10 went to BCG, half made it. Everyone (6) that went to Bain made it.
Either way, you will be better for it.
Most returned to T2/3 firms. A small set went to industry.
Mentor
So much pessimism and “risk” aversion. They are recruiting you for a reason! Go get it!
💯 McK. The easiest and most irresponsible thing to do is to say “go for it! You live once!” without much understanding.
I have done it a couple times successfully. The only reason it worked is I brought a solid book of business and a delivery team and didn’t depend on anyone else to sell and deliver. My internal reputation as someone to respect got built on my early commercial success and I was given a leadership role etc shortly after. I can’t imagine going to a new place as a solo especially when those in the new place are likely to look down on me coming from a lower tier. I am at a point in my life and career to reap the benefits of my work, not to try to prove myself to a bunch of internal strangers.
Good luck OP whatever you decide.
If you’re a successful partner where you are now there’s not much upside and a lot of downside in making this move.
The only way this move works is if all of the following are true:
1. You’re a true expert in your niche that is recognized in the (client) market
2. Your book of business is portable enough that you will be able to hit your financial targets at your new firm without “help” from others
3. The new firm is subscale in your niche and actively investing to grow there (beyond just hiring you)
The downside risk is bigger than you are seeing. If it doesn’t work out you’ll be out in about 2 years and it will be very clear to everyone who sees your resume that you “failed” at MBB even if the reality was more complex. That will put you in a worse position than you are now, or if you stay where you are for a few years. If your goal is to go to industry a brief MBB stint won’t help at your level. If your goal is to stay in consulting the most likely outcome is in a few years you’ll be at a lower tier firm than where you are now, without the network, reputation, and intangibles you have today.
I made the jump to BCG and it’s been a fantastic move - success/culture varies practice to practice but there is a lot more upside than many T2 or B4 shops. If you have a niche then it can be a a great option. If you don’t have a reason for folks to call you then they will default to BCG lifers.
Go for it. You will do great !
Congrats on the offers and wish you best of luck. Agree with others on this chain and you got nothing to lose just exp
To gain. Negotiate those guarantees tho
Another set of data points for your consideration - 5 partners from my firm went to M, all 5 are still there; one made it to senior partner.
Not saying the other data points are not valid; just pointing out that there are success stories as well.
My examples are all NA, other geographies may be different
I had 26 Partners leave us over time for McB,LEK, OY, and RB - though mostly to Bain and BCG. Last summer all of them were still there - many closing on 5 -6 years (big exodus was 2019).
They were all B+ to A+ players - Bain and BCG in particular seem to know exactly which partners to hire. Those of the appropriate age / Tenure are all making Sr Partner equivalencies at Bain and BCG last year and this.
We had a very talented group so they ported over not only clients but capability.
Also, if you have a rough landing leaving McB as a partner that is 100% on you! The Brand, the learning, the network acceleration are absolutely insane.
Mentor
This!
Go for it. I’ve seen many leave and make it from K. Usually our top performers. Even if you don’t for whatever reason, there’s always optionality to go to other T2s or smaller, or exit consulting completely. Hopefully your nest egg is already set.