This book is not fair

According to the author McKinsey is responsible for all the known world problems. There are things one criticize the Firm for but lack the values probably not the right one. Having spent a decade in McK don’t think this book is fair
Have we always been right? Of course not
Have we made mistakes? Of course yes
Have we been wrong and should never repeat some mistakes again? Definitely!
Impossible to avoid mistakes if you are solving difficult problems

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Overly agenda driven

I was hoping this would be a credible source of learnings, but it’s clearly written through a myopic, questionable lens.

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Superb topic, poor execution

McKinsey was one of the firms I wished I worked for when I was younger. Now I don’t regret that I didn’t.

However, there is nothing new that the authors describe: cost cutting, right-sizing, getting contracts improperly, providing pro bono work to obtain information which could be monetised in other contracts or even helping dictators. All of this could be described in the introduction. It would make a better book if the authors limited the scope and went deeper.

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An excellent book - must read!

"When McKinsey Comes to Town" is thoroughly researched and expertly written. It is an important read for anyone looking to understand the firm's influence and its role in society.

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Shows systemic problems in McKinsey's culture

The assembled investigations show a pattern of systemic problems with the firm. Conflicts of interest (e.g. Consulting to both regulators and regulated companies) and a broken governance model (local partner's power to chase profit) are two.

Contrary to some reviews posted here, cost cutting was a small focus of the book. The opiod debacle, Joule vaping, tobacco, ICE, the role in exposing Saudi dissidents that lead to the execution of Khashogi, the corrupt sale of work in South Africa and NHS work all feature.

Perhaps the best feature of the book is the access the authors gained to client and billing records allowing them to illustrate the depth of client conflicts of interest.

McK has pursued growth at huge costs. The firm is virtually unrecognizable from the values and persona of Marvin Bower.

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Money make more no matter the co$t to society

Whether it was coaching the Sackler family owners of Purdue Pharma and exporting their schemes to other companies while the death toll mushroomed or helping China while they imprisoned a whole minority population the lack of a moral compass is astounding. The curtain has been finally lifted on their EVIL.

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I had to stop reading it

At first I was intrigued, however half way through the book I realized the author had an agenda and a bias. Every company in this country exists to make a profit. Did McKenzie work for companies that f focused on earnings? Yes, however it’s not the consultant that’s at fault, it’s the company that hired them. If your going to write a business book, I suggest removing cognitive visas, or at least let us know early enough you have a political and biased stance so we
Know what we are walking into. I can count on one hand how many books I regret purchasing, and this one is in that collection. I fave it two stars because I really liked the preface. I would probably try to find another job vs writing books is my advice to the author.

Amazing!

This is a must read. I had no idea that this is the way a firm like McKinsey operated and operates. Great book!

Gaurd yourselves they are probably not the only ones.

Great book. “The emperor’s new clothes” “maintenance perceived is maintenance achieved”. Interesting how people pay the strangers from afar.

Fascinating Insight into Consulting Hegemon

Author clearly did his research, and succinctly made his case against the consulting giant. Written from the perspective of someone on the left without becoming overwhelmingly political. Good read overall, but remember this is a telling of some of McKinsey's worst moments. As stated in the epilogue, the company has done some good as well.