Niclas storz

E&M: Given that I am a philosophy graduate, speak multiple languages, travelled the world and I am, taken altogether, highly versatile - what could drive me to work for BCG?

Niclas Storz: BCG consultants get to know completely different industries and company functions within few years. The learning curve is extremely steep. Today you are accompanying the introduction of a new distribution concept for a German sports equipment manufacturer, in a few months you will be developing the growth strategy for a bank in Dubai. Later you will specialize and become an expert. We work together in interdisciplinary teams and in close cooperation with client employees from all organizational layers, from product managers to members of the board. As BCG advises international corporations in the first place, our decisions often influence whole markets and industries. A BCG consultant has the opportunity to really make a difference.

An entry into consulting is the start of a long-term career, be it with the aim of becoming managing director and partner at BCG one day, or with the aim of taking over a responsible position within the industry.

E&M: What does BCG offer young, talented people? What attracts them?

Niclas Storz: As individual continuing education of all consultants is highly important to us, we offer our employees an all-encompassing training program which is subdivided into three areas: To learn the fundamental tools of a consultant, our consultants complete trainings of several days on each career level which basically orientate themselves on the specific career level requirements. Further, we offer individual trainings as well as personal coaching and assure a continuing, topic-specific training within the individual practice groups. These trainings are offered in regular intervals - but also very short dated if it is necessary for a specific project.

On an average of ten training days per year, consultants are offered the opportunity to specifically improve themselves. Consultants wishing to take a doctoral degree are released from work for one to two years and supported financially. Whoever wishes to pass an MBA is released from work and, in case of excellent achievements, sponsored by BCG.

Additionally, we offer our employees the opportunity to have a sabbatical of several months on each career level - whether they wish to care intensively about their families or want to go on a longer journey. BCG consultants also have the opportunity to gain valuable international experience: within their project work, but also in case of longer stays abroad, for example as participant of our Ambassador program which enables our employees to be transferred to another BCG office abroad for a year.

Of course, the necessary equipment for an own home office, a rental career, pension fund and different insurances are provided. Women who want to arrange the demanding consulting job with their families are also supported. For example, an agency helps looking for an adequate child care. And, if suddenly and unexpected meeting with the client is appointed, BCG organizes and pays an emergency babysitter.

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If you want to get there, better learn to be fast!

E&M: What personalities are demanded? Are people with "straight" curricula vitae preferred? Only best in class? If so, why? What are the specific requirements of consulting?

Niclas Storz: Our clients impose high intellectual demands on BCG consultants. Consultants become regularly acquainted with new topics, get in touch with clients quickly and take over leading responsibilities within few years only. In order to meet these demands, future consultants should belong to the best five to ten percent of a cohort and have made relevant practical and foreign experience prior to their entry at BCG. In addition, an above average interest in economical issues, excellent analytical and communication skills as well as the ability to cooperate closely with colleagues are required. After all, BCG consultants always work in teams on their projects. We further expect from our future employees to think outside their one box - whether they teach pupils in Guatemala within their semester vacations, play the trumpet within an orchestra or score goals for their handball team in the regional league. In contrast, the field of studies does not play a role: half of all BCG consultants are economists, around twenty percent studied scientific subjects, another twenty percent are engineers and ten percent have humanistic degrees. The reason: our experience shows that truly new and extraordinary ideas are only developed if people from completely different subject-specific and personal backgrounds work together.

E&M: How long will I be trained as a newcomer? In which area?

Niclas Storz: Whoever comes to BCG without any previous knowledge of economics will participate in a mini MBA program of several weeks. In a further training of several weeks, all newcomers will learn the fundamentals of their future profession. Finally, you will directly work on client projects and, from scratch on, take over responsibilities for your own scope of tasks. Of course, you will be supported by experienced colleagues. Through such an on-the-job-traninig, newcomers will learn a lot within a short time.

E&M: How will my entry at BCG look like? I will not start as a project leader. But preparing coffee and copying will neither be part of my tasks. 

Niclas Storz: From scratch on, newcomers take over own responsibilities which are increasingly challenging and responsible the more experience is gained. For example, your first task could involve a market analysis. Using studies, press articles and expert interviews, you would estimate the share of a market, examine the degree of competition and deal with current developments. Together with your team, you would then evaluate how your client could entry into this market.

E&M:  Am I supposed to apply in my home country? In doing so, do I have higher chances? Or can I apply straight away in a foreign office if I would like to work abroad.

Niclas Storz: An applicant should be proficient in the language of that country in which he or she is applying. Whoever applies in Berlin, should be proficient in the German language. Whoever applies in the Paris BCG office, needs to be proficient in French. If you master both languages, you will have high chances in both offices.

E&M: What are potential advantages of international teams?

Niclas Storz: We place high emphasis on diversity regarding discipline, personality or nationality, especially since diverse teams are most often the most successful. Further, our teams are at all times composed under the aspect that they advise our clients optimally. For example, if we accompanied a merger between an Italian and a German company, it would be useful to compose the team from employees of our Italian offices as well as consultants from Germany. If an expert relating to that particular subject is located in the US, he is integrated into the team, of course.

E&M: How high is the share of foreign employees?

Niclas Storz: For us, nationality does not play a role. That is why I do not know the share of foreign employees. In my office in Düsseldorf, for example, I have colleagues from France, Greece, Poland, Turkey, Vietnam, Russia, India and several other countries.

E&M: Have you experienced any "cultural clash"? If so, which measures are taken to counteract?

Niclas Storz: BCG is an international company with 66 offices in 38 countries. Our clients are also mostly international corporations. For us, internationality is an all-day-business. We do not know any cultural clash.

Niclas Storz was interviewed by Hanna Pilawa and Christian Krekel.
Cover photo: Vladimirs Guculaks, www.youthphotos.eu