Think Like A Strategy Consultant by Paul Millerd

StrategyU

Think Like A Strategy Consultant


An Online Course To Teach You The Tools, Mindsets, & Principles of Top-Tier Strategy Consultants
Here's a secret no one will tell you:
It's easier to hire former strategy consultants to run your company than promote from within


Why?
Consulting firms train people to think like CEOs. Every piece of information is tested against the question, "why does this matter for the company?"

So What?
When former consultants join companies in various industries they are playing a different game than everyone else. They understand the bigger picture and don't get stuck in their careers.


I want to teach you the tools, frameworks and secrets of strategy consulting so you can:
Escape Middle Management

Don't get lost staying busy instead of getting promoted. I want to help you learn the skills to stand out as the go-to person on the team
Influence & Persuade Senior Leaders

The highest levels of the organization need to know what they are looking at, why it matters, and what to do next. I'll help you learn this language.
Develop A Process For Doing Great Work

Companies prioritize getting things done, not your growth. I will teach you a "process" for approaching your work so that you are always getting better.
I Built This Course To Help People Learn These Skills & Apply Them Immediately

(and so you don't need to go work 80-hour weeks in the industry)
This Course Is For:


Strategy, Financial & Analytics Leaders: Who work with data are actively helping to shape the direction of their company, solving complex problems and giving executive-level presentations


Senior Executives: Who want to learn how to develop a strategy, communicate to senior leaders & Boards, and want to have more confidence in developing a vision


Freelance Consultants: Who never worked at a top consulting firm but do data-intensive or information-heavy work with clients.


Students or New Grads: Who want to improve their corporate communications and problem solving (this is not a good fit for case practice)




"This course helped me get promoted! It provides a framework to communicate complex business problems in a clear and concise manner. I wish I knew about MECE sooner."

Andrew K., Sales Strategy Consultant
How Do Consulting Firms Charge $500k+ A Month?
It starts with simple (but hard to master) principles...


Pyramid Principle


Learn how to structure your thinking to make compelling arguments
MECE


Learn how to simplify ideas to make them more memorable & persuasive
PowerPoint Storytelling


Learn how to make PowerPoints that don't put people to sleep


Indra Nooyi On How Consulting Helped Her Become CEO of Pepsi

“I don’t think I could have gotten here without a strategy consultant background because it taught me inductive thinking. It taught me how to think of the problem in micro terms but also to zoom out and put the problem in the context of its broader environment and then zoom back in to solve the problem"
Course Structure
A Four-Week Learning Journey With Challenging Weekly Assignments

Week 1 - Introduction & Mindset

 Module #1 - Consulting Mindset: Introduction to the basic consulting mindsets, mental models & consulting process


Week 2 - Synthesize & Structure
 Module #2 - MECE Mind: The powerful framework to help you sharpen your thinking

 Module #3 - From Information To Insight: Introduction to the pyramid principle and synthesizing & organizing complex information

 Assignment: Consulting services MECE assignment & mock chief of staff research assignment


Week 3 - Real-World Problem Solving

Module #4 - Real World Problem Solving: Using MECE, Pyramid Principle and hypothesis tools to break down real-world problems into problems that can be solved

 Assignment: Using SCQA & issue tress in a real-life Facebook strategy case study


Week 4 - Kick-Ass Presentations & Storytelling

 Module #5 - Kick-Ass Presentations: Learn the PowerPoint secrets of strategy consultants, master flow & understand how to craft your message to different audiences

 Module #6 - Beyond Consulting Presentations: Creating Memorable & Persuasive Content: Implement tools from cognitive neuroscience and other disciplines to create memorable messages
 Assignment: You'll be given an incomplete 19-page presentation which will have missing information. Fill in the information, titles and other missing content and develop a clear storyline based on the lessons
Four Challenging Assignments

With each week you will receive an assignment as well as suggested answers. These will take you 1-2 hours or more each week and you'll get the most out of the course if you take these seriously. (Personalized feedback available, see below)

MECE Assignment: Redesign a consulting firms service offerings to ensure that they are using the MECE principle

CEO Pitch Exercise: Synthesize interviews, research, and survey findings in your role as Chief of Staff for an upcoming meeting with your CEO

Facebook Case Problem Statement & Issue Tree: Develop a hypothesis Issue Tree for a Facebook case study

PowerPoint Pitch: Complete an unfinished PowerPoint presentation for a business case competition


"I highly recommend this course as a useful start to thinking more critically about what and how you want to communicate to your audiences. Full of relevant tools and case studies, this course is sure to help you create, sharp, engaging and more persuasive presentations."


Amita, Director, United Nations






Preview The Course Content:
Meet Paul & The Core Concepts!

    Meet Paul: My Story & Why I Spent 250+ Hours Creating This Course (2:27)

Overview of The Five Modules (1:06)
Bonus Content! (1:03)
Getting Started - Resources & Suggested Schedule For The Course

    Welcome To Course & Suggested Course Schedule

 Bonus Content

    100+ Consulting Slide Templates

14 PowerPoint Hacks
 Downloadable & Printable Checklist: Apply The Concepts In This Course
"The StrategyU toolkit is one of the main reasons I have a job in consulting. This course will teach you about everything you need to know not only to succeed in interviews, but also on the job as well. From understanding the Pyramid Principal to making sure my analysis is MECE, I have used these principles in my jobs in consulting and finance"


Jeff, Consultant, Bain & Company
45+ Lectures Designed To Be Memorable & Actionable


Lectures are continuously adding and adjusting content based on student questions and are designed to optimize for learning. I focus on quality over quantity and length.
In-Depth Interviews With Former Consultants (Adding More Soon)


I go into detail with former consultants about what they learned in consulting, how they apply the skills in their current jobs and what they wish more people knew.
"I enrolled in the Partner version of the course which gave me access to 1-on-1 coaching with Paul. In addition to what I learned in the course I was able to use the coaching session to fine tune an upcoming CEO-level presentation."


Sid, Tech Executive
PARTNER Version: Detailed Feedback On Assignments
For each of the weekly assignments, Paull will offer unlimited asynchronous feedback on the assignments


Note: Self-paced version includes example solutions, without coaching


Convince Your Company To Pay...


I've created a customized template that you can use to make the case to your manager that this course will help you improve. It's been used successfully by several people.

Download it here.
Choose Your Package
Self-Paced Digital Edition
Consultant Version
The self-paced digital version. Includes suggested schedule, automated weekly reminders, example assignment solutions, and lifetime access. Does not assignment feedback or coaching.
  Lifetime Access To The Course
  Four-Week Automated Schedule
  Challenging Assignments + Solutions
  Printable Checklists To Apply The Skills
  100+ Consulting PowerPoint Templates
  Expert Interviews
  Lifetime Access & Updates
$497
Enroll Now
Recommended
Partner Version
Want to get feedback and hands-on coaching from a former strategy consultant? This tier gives you everything in the Consultant edition plus unlimited feedback on the assignments and a 45 minute coaching session with Paul.
  Everything in The Consultant Version
  Asynchronous feedback on weekly assignments via Loom
  45-Minute One-On-One Coaching Session With Paul (Can be focused on course content or broader presentation or career coaching)
  Lifetime Access + Updates
$997
Enroll Now
For 3x Payment Plan Click Here.
Executive Coaching
Managing Director
Customized coaching and corporate packages for Senior Executives, Board Members, Founders, and Teams.
  Everything in The Consultant Version
  Everything in The Partner Edition
  Additional Individual & Team Coaching Sessions
  In-person coaching and training (if available)
  Priority E-Mail Response
  Application Only

$2,250+
Learn More
Hi, I’m Paul, Founder of StrategyU


I created this course after several years of facilitating workshops for corporate clients and student consulting groups.

It is built on what I have learned from over ten years years working as a consultant including time at McKinsey & Company and Boston Consulting Group and as a freelance consultant for the past several years.

I run this as a solo venture and love helping people learn these skills. If you have questions before you sign up just send me a note and I'll get back to you ASAP.
Choose a Pricing Option
$497
CONSULTANT - Self-Paced (Lifetime Access)

This gives you lifetime access to the course, access to feedback on the mini assignments (pyramid principle and problem statement assignments), and course updates within this period.


Does not include deeper feedback on weekly assignments (however, you will have access to suggested answers).
$997
PARTER - Coaching + Detailed Assignment Feedback (+Lifetime Access)
3 payments of $175/month
CONSULTANT - 3 Payments
3 payments of $333/month
PARTNER - 3x Payments
Common Questions

StrategyU

Think Like A Strategy Consultant


An Online Course To Teach You The Tools, Mindsets, & Principles of Top-Tier Strategy Consultants
Here's a secret no one will tell you:
It's easier to hire former strategy consultants to run your company than promote from within


Why?
Consulting firms train people to think like CEOs. Every piece of information is tested against the question, "why does this matter for the company?"

So What?
When former consultants join companies in various industries they are playing a different game than everyone else. They understand the bigger picture and don't get stuck in their careers.


I want to teach you the tools, frameworks and secrets of strategy consulting so you can:
Escape Middle Management

Don't get lost staying busy instead of getting promoted. I want to help you learn the skills to stand out as the go-to person on the team
Influence & Persuade Senior Leaders

The highest levels of the organization need to know what they are looking at, why it matters, and what to do next. I'll help you learn this language.
Develop A Process For Doing Great Work

Companies prioritize getting things done, not your growth. I will teach you a "process" for approaching your work so that you are always getting better.
I Built This Course To Help People Learn These Skills & Apply Them Immediately

(and so you don't need to go work 80-hour weeks in the industry)
This Course Is For:


Strategy, Financial & Analytics Leaders: Who work with data are actively helping to shape the direction of their company, solving complex problems and giving executive-level presentations


Senior Executives: Who want to learn how to develop a strategy, communicate to senior leaders & Boards, and want to have more confidence in developing a vision


Freelance Consultants: Who never worked at a top consulting firm but do data-intensive or information-heavy work with clients.


Students or New Grads: Who want to improve their corporate communications and problem solving (this is not a good fit for case practice)




"This course helped me get promoted! It provides a framework to communicate complex business problems in a clear and concise manner. I wish I knew about MECE sooner."

Andrew K., Sales Strategy Consultant
How Do Consulting Firms Charge $500k+ A Month?
It starts with simple (but hard to master) principles...


Pyramid Principle


Learn how to structure your thinking to make compelling arguments
MECE


Learn how to simplify ideas to make them more memorable & persuasive
PowerPoint Storytelling


Learn how to make PowerPoints that don't put people to sleep


Indra Nooyi On How Consulting Helped Her Become CEO of Pepsi

“I don’t think I could have gotten here without a strategy consultant background because it taught me inductive thinking. It taught me how to think of the problem in micro terms but also to zoom out and put the problem in the context of its broader environment and then zoom back in to solve the problem"
Course Structure
A Four-Week Learning Journey With Challenging Weekly Assignments

Week 1 - Introduction & Mindset

 Module #1 - Consulting Mindset: Introduction to the basic consulting mindsets, mental models & consulting process


Week 2 - Synthesize & Structure
 Module #2 - MECE Mind: The powerful framework to help you sharpen your thinking

 Module #3 - From Information To Insight: Introduction to the pyramid principle and synthesizing & organizing complex information

 Assignment: Consulting services MECE assignment & mock chief of staff research assignment


Week 3 - Real-World Problem Solving

Module #4 - Real World Problem Solving: Using MECE, Pyramid Principle and hypothesis tools to break down real-world problems into problems that can be solved

 Assignment: Using SCQA & issue tress in a real-life Facebook strategy case study


Week 4 - Kick-Ass Presentations & Storytelling

 Module #5 - Kick-Ass Presentations: Learn the PowerPoint secrets of strategy consultants, master flow & understand how to craft your message to different audiences

 Module #6 - Beyond Consulting Presentations: Creating Memorable & Persuasive Content: Implement tools from cognitive neuroscience and other disciplines to create memorable messages
 Assignment: You'll be given an incomplete 19-page presentation which will have missing information. Fill in the information, titles and other missing content and develop a clear storyline based on the lessons
Four Challenging Assignments

With each week you will receive an assignment as well as suggested answers. These will take you 1-2 hours or more each week and you'll get the most out of the course if you take these seriously. (Personalized feedback available, see below)

MECE Assignment: Redesign a consulting firms service offerings to ensure that they are using the MECE principle

CEO Pitch Exercise: Synthesize interviews, research, and survey findings in your role as Chief of Staff for an upcoming meeting with your CEO

Facebook Case Problem Statement & Issue Tree: Develop a hypothesis Issue Tree for a Facebook case study

PowerPoint Pitch: Complete an unfinished PowerPoint presentation for a business case competition


"I highly recommend this course as a useful start to thinking more critically about what and how you want to communicate to your audiences. Full of relevant tools and case studies, this course is sure to help you create, sharp, engaging and more persuasive presentations."


Amita, Director, United Nations






Preview The Course Content:
Meet Paul & The Core Concepts!

    Meet Paul: My Story & Why I Spent 250+ Hours Creating This Course (2:27)

Overview of The Five Modules (1:06)
Bonus Content! (1:03)
Getting Started - Resources & Suggested Schedule For The Course

    Welcome To Course & Suggested Course Schedule

 Bonus Content

    100+ Consulting Slide Templates

14 PowerPoint Hacks
 Downloadable & Printable Checklist: Apply The Concepts In This Course
"The StrategyU toolkit is one of the main reasons I have a job in consulting. This course will teach you about everything you need to know not only to succeed in interviews, but also on the job as well. From understanding the Pyramid Principal to making sure my analysis is MECE, I have used these principles in my jobs in consulting and finance"


Jeff, Consultant, Bain & Company
45+ Lectures Designed To Be Memorable & Actionable


Lectures are continuously adding and adjusting content based on student questions and are designed to optimize for learning. I focus on quality over quantity and length.
In-Depth Interviews With Former Consultants (Adding More Soon)


I go into detail with former consultants about what they learned in consulting, how they apply the skills in their current jobs and what they wish more people knew.
"I enrolled in the Partner version of the course which gave me access to 1-on-1 coaching with Paul. In addition to what I learned in the course I was able to use the coaching session to fine tune an upcoming CEO-level presentation."


Sid, Tech Executive
PARTNER Version: Detailed Feedback On Assignments
For each of the weekly assignments, Paull will offer unlimited asynchronous feedback on the assignments


Note: Self-paced version includes example solutions, without coaching


Convince Your Company To Pay...


I've created a customized template that you can use to make the case to your manager that this course will help you improve. It's been used successfully by several people.

Download it here.
Choose Your Package
Self-Paced Digital Edition
Consultant Version
The self-paced digital version. Includes suggested schedule, automated weekly reminders, example assignment solutions, and lifetime access. Does not assignment feedback or coaching.
  Lifetime Access To The Course
  Four-Week Automated Schedule
  Challenging Assignments + Solutions
  Printable Checklists To Apply The Skills
  100+ Consulting PowerPoint Templates
  Expert Interviews
  Lifetime Access & Updates
$497
Enroll Now
Recommended
Partner Version
Want to get feedback and hands-on coaching from a former strategy consultant? This tier gives you everything in the Consultant edition plus unlimited feedback on the assignments and a 45 minute coaching session with Paul.
  Everything in The Consultant Version
  Asynchronous feedback on weekly assignments via Loom
  45-Minute One-On-One Coaching Session With Paul (Can be focused on course content or broader presentation or career coaching)
  Lifetime Access + Updates
$997
Enroll Now
For 3x Payment Plan Click Here.
Executive Coaching
Managing Director
Customized coaching and corporate packages for Senior Executives, Board Members, Founders, and Teams.
  Everything in The Consultant Version
  Everything in The Partner Edition
  Additional Individual & Team Coaching Sessions
  In-person coaching and training (if available)
  Priority E-Mail Response
  Application Only

$2,250+
Learn More
Hi, I’m Paul, Founder of StrategyU


I created this course after several years of facilitating workshops for corporate clients and student consulting groups.

It is built on what I have learned from over ten years years working as a consultant including time at McKinsey & Company and Boston Consulting Group and as a freelance consultant for the past several years.

I run this as a solo venture and love helping people learn these skills. If you have questions before you sign up just send me a note and I'll get back to you ASAP.
Choose a Pricing Option
$497
CONSULTANT - Self-Paced (Lifetime Access)

This gives you lifetime access to the course, access to feedback on the mini assignments (pyramid principle and problem statement assignments), and course updates within this period.


Does not include deeper feedback on weekly assignments (however, you will have access to suggested answers).
$997
PARTER - Coaching + Detailed Assignment Feedback (+Lifetime Access)
3 payments of $175/month
CONSULTANT - 3 Payments
3 payments of $333/month
PARTNER - 3x Payments
Common Questions