This is the moment you step out from behind the corporate veil, find the partner who will help you build something extraordinary.

Imagine this...

You’re standing at the precipice of a new life. After years of climbing the corporate ladder, working 12+ hour days, being constantly on call, and barely having enough time to be with your family. After years of feeling scared that you will be laid off, seeing your friends losing their jobs, and always having this fear in your chest that you will be next. Feeling exhausted from having to navigate never-ending behind-the-doors politics, something you never mastered or don't truly care to get good at, you’re now quietly, finally, laying the groundwork to step out and launch something of your own.

And finally, be free.

The prospect of freedom and of being able to do the work you want to do is exhilarating.

But it’s also scary.

As any seasoned leader knows, no great business is built alone. And most new businesses fail pretty quickly.

You feel you need a partner. Someone to share the load when things get tough or if you need a sick day. Someone to challenge your ideas and bring theirs to the table. Someone to see your blind spots and not let you carry on for too long in the wrong direction.

Someone to help bring your vision to life.

But how do you find THE ONE?

Not just any business partner but the right business partner.

The one who will complement your strengths. The one who will not drain a business savings account over the weekend to escape the country. The one who will fill the gaps in your skill set and stand by your side when you are going through a rough patch.

The one who will have not only their best interests at heart, but also yours.

Finding a business partner is about far more than drafting an agreement or splitting equity. It’s about your ability to pick the right person and do your part to build the relationships.

The most successful partnerships aren’t born from convenience.

The most successful relationships are forged through shared values, trust, and having each other's best interests at heart.

In this program, we’ll guide you through the process of finding your business partner. You’ll discover what makes a successful partnership and the pitfalls to avoid. And, most importantly, "the place" where most long-term great business partners are found.

If going on your own is something you are planning and plotting, beyond the strategy and logic, there's something deeper driving you to go on your own.

A yearning to finally be free.

Free from the confines of the corporate world that, despite its rewards, has mostly left you with a feeling that you are NOT in the right place, with the right people, doing the right work. 

You want to finally build a life that allows you to do the work you want to do and be with people you want to be with and be at a place you want to be at 80% of the time, not 20% of the time.

Where every decision is an expression of you.

Where you don't have to make choices and decisions that make you sick to your stomach because this is what is expected or this is what your boss wants you to do.

Where finally, THERE IS NO BOSS.
 

There is just you, your work, your contribution.

A life where you mostly work on projects that fill you with energy, instead of draining it. A life where your work and who you are finally align.

This is the start of an adventure.

A high-stakes quest, where the prize is not just a successful business but the key to your personal freedom and to finally feeling that you are doing what you came here to do.

This is YOUR moment.

And we’re here to help you find the partner who will help you make that dream a reality.

---

If you're a Legacy member, Parts 1, 2, and 3 are now available in your account on StrategyTraining.com.

Not a Legacy member yet? Enroll here: www.strategytraining.com (scroll to membership options).

We’re committed to your success and are here to support you. Feel free to reach out with questions at team@firmsconsulting.com.

Thank you for being part of the StrategyTraining community.

Access New Program (Legacy Members)

We have just started the release of a new book, 251 Case Interview Quizzes: Test Your Readiness for McKinsey, BCG, Bain et al. (416 PAGES), exclusively available in the Strategy Control Room, Advanced Level. Part 1 of 3 was released.
 

***
 

How do you know if you are ready for a McKinsey, BCG, Bain et al. case interview?

Preparing for management consulting case interviews with McKinsey & Co, Bain & Co, The Boston Consulting Group, Deloitte S&O, EY-Parthenon, PWC Strategy&, and the like, is a long and difficult process. The advice in this book applies across all management consulting firms, with a particular focus on the major strategy firms.

Why did we write this book? Practicing just one case with a good practice partner can take up to 90 minutes, with 45 minutes for each applicant to solve a case and receive feedback. This often becomes tiring when this is usually the only way to test your case skills. Applicants can often burnout from practicing, trying to find good practice partners and scheduling practice sessions. In our experience, it helps to have case interview quizzes to self-test yourself. 

There are 251 quizzes in this book. Each quiz introduces a case or interview situation, and either presents options or multiple choice answers for the readers. The quizzes are divided into 3 parts and they should be completed in the order presented.

Part 1: Readiness Quiz: Take this quiz before you start practicing cases or submit your application. The quiz tests how well you know the industry, application process and case interviews. If you do poorly, it means you are not ready to reach out to the firms. In other words, if you reach out you may hurt your chances. Yet, don’t worry. Just relax and know that everyone starts from a weak base. With dedicated effort and careful planning, you will improve.

Part 2: Preparation Quizzes: Take these quizzes after you have started learning about case interviews and have practiced a few cases with case partners (or worked through the first few cases within The Consulting Offer, Season 1, with Felix). Though, you have not yet mastered cases and have time to fix problems. It’s easier to appreciate the advice in these quizzes once you have started practicing. Therefore, make sure you have started practicing before diving into these quizzes. These quizzes explain best practices for case interview preparation, which you can incorporate into your regimen. 

Part 3: Practice Quizzes: Take these quizzes when you believe you are ready to interview. In other words, you believe you have mastered cases. They are designed to push you to a higher level, explain advanced skills and introduce elegant solutions and frameworks that impress interviewers. These quizzes offer a realistic feel for cases, especially final-round cases with senior partners. Most final-round interviews are done by partners who will make the final decision. So it’s best to prepare for interviews with partners. It’s fine to celebrate passing the first or second round, but you must be ready for the partner round.

HOW TO FIND 251 CASE INTERVIEW QUIZZES: TEST YOUR READINESS FOR MCKINSEY, BCG, BAIN ET AL. (416 PAGES):

1. Log in to The Strategy Control Room, Advanced Level, membership area.
2. Click on the 3 dots in the upper-right corner.
3. Click on the "STRATEGY MANUALS" button.
4. Find and select "251 Case Interview Quizzes: Test Your Readiness for McKinsey, BCG, Bain et al. (416 PAGES)"

If you are The Strategy Control Room, Advanced Level, member, here is the direct link to these particular update.

If you joined an Advanced Level of the Strategy Control Room today, you would find the most powerful strategy, problem-solving, consulting, and results-oriented leadership reading library in the world. The resources include:

• Michael's explanation slides for selected programs on StrategyTraining.com

• 12 full engagements

• Change Management Influence & Persuasion Center of Excellence 

• Detailed Business Case Methodology Center of Excellence 

• Encyclopedia of Strategy Analyses Center of Excellence 

• Corporate Training Center of Excellence

• One-Week Immersion: Consulting Onboarding / Consulting Mastery Center of Excellence

• 31 proposals

• Flipcharts

• Layout guides

• 17 strategy and problem-solving books which we do not make available anywhere else

• 2 brand new strategy and problem-solving books just released and not available anywhere else

• 11 book drafts never before available and not available anywhere else

• Case interview materials for Felix, Rafik, Samantha, and Sanjeev, case interview exhibits, case interview solutions

• The evolution of corporate strategy

• The business case toolkit

• Implementation and operation toolkit

• Corporate strategy toolkit

• Strategy maps

• And more 

Enroll as a Strategy Control Room Member

And if you are not yet an Insider or Legacy member and want to gain access to video and audio advanced programs on StrategyTraining.com we invite you to explore membership options (scroll down). We recommend to start with Insider or Legacy membership as a base membership and add the Strategy Control Room (Advanced Level) as an add-on when the time is right for you.

Take this opportunity to invest in yourself and your future. StrategyTraining.com resources can be transformative for your career, but it's up to you to make time to study the resources and focus on quick integration. If you have any questions or need further assistance, please don't hesitate to reach out to us at team@firmsconsulting.com.

This is how the transition to self-employment needs to happen...
With Paying Clients in Hand

Imagine this moment...

You’re flying over the Andes, en route to Santiago and beyond, when an unexpected LinkedIn message pings in. Someone found your chapter in a book you co-published with us, and they want more. They’re asking to follow your content, engage in conversation, and now, you’ve got a Zoom call scheduled for next week. This isn’t just idle chatter. This could be your first paid coaching client.

One of our clients found themselves in a situation like this. They followed the strategy we teach (leveraging their chapter), even without posting content. Suddenly, someone reached out. They hadn’t even started building an audience yet, and now, here was a real opportunity knocking.

Their mind raced: What should I ask on the call? How do I turn this conversation into something meaningful, maybe even a coaching relationship? How much should I charge in case of a coaching relationship? 

You can probably feel the excitement and the tension. This is the exact moment where your corporate knowledge, your unique expertise, and our publishing strategy converge into something powerful. You haven’t left your job yet, but opportunities are already lining up.

It’s the moment where you’re not just writing a chapter. You’re laying the groundwork for a new career, one where clients come to you, and they’re ready to pay to work with you because you have already demonstrated your expertise and the value you can deliver.

So, what happens next?

This is the precise process we’ve designed: to help you create real-world opportunities, to have those calls with prospective clients scheduled, and to not start from zero when you make the leap to self-employment. No guesswork. No ‘starting from scratch.’

Instead, you can have paying clients in hand before you even walk out the door of your current role.

We’ve done this. We’ve seen it happen time and time again. And now, it’s your turn.

In this 3 part Legacy program, we focus on signing your first client when moving to self-employment, including:

- What protects you from burnout (Episode 1, 6:00)
- Conditions that must be met before you know if you are focusing on the right market (Episode 1, 9:00)
- Being stuck in a green card process example (Episode 1, 9:30)
- Crucial criterion when selecting the market (Episode 1, 11:40)
- Dangers of intoxicating freedom and how to avoid a mistake many new business owners make (Episode 1, 13:15)
- Questions to ask yourself to determine what you should focus on (Episode 1, 17:00)
- The foundation of how to help people (Episode 2, 0:50)
- Key distinction of why people come to you (Episode 2, 2:00)
- What many mentors don't do, but they must (Episode 2, 6:30)
- A tell where you know a client is heading in the wrong direction (Episode 2, 9:50)
- The key thing to do to prevent large losses (Episode 2, 12:00)
- A formula to use with clients (Episode 2, 14:30)
- How to structure the conversation with a potential client (Episode 3, 1:30)
- The approach to use to collect the information you need to advise the client (Episode 3, 2:50)
- A powerful technique we use with clients to get the data needed to provide informed guidance and coaching (Episode 3, 4:50)
- Structuring the coaching program with a client (Episode 3, 7:20)
- Why session-by-session coaching is not effective and how you can explain it to a client (Episode 3, 9:20)
- Something you must never do when agreeing to coaching engagement (Episode 3, 10:50)
- Technology to use (Episode 3, 12:30)
- What people think helps but actually hurts the effectiveness of coaching sessions (Episode 3, 13:15)
- What adds value to coaching (Episode 3, 14:00) 

---

If you're a Legacy member, the full program (Parts 1, 2 and 3) is now available in your account on StrategyTraining.com.

Not a Legacy member yet? Enroll here: www.strategytraining.com (scroll to membership options).

And if you want to be a co-author in the next book we are putting together with some of our outstanding senior clients, you can learn more and apply here. This is the type of book that this client was a part of. Our signature books with selected senior clients. 

We’re committed to your success and are here to support you. Feel free to reach out with questions at team@firmsconsulting.com.

Thank you for being part of the StrategyTraining community.

Access New Program (Legacy Members)

P.S. If you are an Insider, you can upgrade to Legacy and come back to Insider WITHOUT losing Insider status. To upgrade, you can go to the Legacy section on StrategyTraining.com, the system will offer an option to upgrade. The system will also automatically use any credit you have associated with your Insider account towards Legacy membership. As a Legacy member, you will not only unlock additional programs within the Legacy membership area but will be able to submit 2 questions per month and receive tailored input from Michael or me, taking into account the specifics you shared of your unique situation. That alone is worth a lot more than the cost of the upgrade. You can get personalized guidance twice a month. If, down the road, you want to switch back from Legacy to Insider, please email team@firmsconsulting.com so we can ensure your Insider status is retained (provided there are no gaps in membership).

The MasterPlan Advanced: new episodes

We just released new episodes of The MasterPlan Advanced, bringing the total to 26 episodes. Over the past seven years, we have introduced three transformative programs within The MasterPlan series.

Core Programs

• The MasterPlan (available to Insiders and Legacy members)

• Implementing the MasterPlan (available to Insiders and Legacy members)

• A MidLife Strategy Update (exclusive to Legacy members)

New Additions

We are now introducing two significant new additions to the MasterPlan universe:

• The MasterPlan Advanced (for Insiders & Legacy members)

• The MasterPlan: Next Level (members-only book exclusive to the SCR (A) members)

Disclaimer: Please note that we are not licensed financial planners or advisors. We share information based on our own experiences and the insights we've gained from working with clients all over the world. We strongly recommend consulting with qualified professionals before making any investment decisions or significant life choices.

In these new episodes, we dive into the following:
- Spouses having compatible careers (Episode 25 2:50)
- Combining having a family and managing a successful career (Episode 25 5:00)
- Building long-term relationships (Episode 25 6:15)
- Managing a personal crisis (Episode 25 7:00)
- Dealing with a demanding spouse while having a stressful career (Episode 25 9:40)
- Setting boundaries: implementing the red line (Episode 25 10:50)
- Crossing the line (Episode 25 12:25)
- Spiraling down (Episode 25 13:10)
- Facing personal ruin while managing a demanding career and being responsible for a 3-year-old child (Episode 25 14:00)
- How identities are shaped and shifted (Episode 25 15:10)
- A common mistake clients who immigrate to the US make (Episode 26 1:10)
- Something that is not really a choice (Episode 26 3:00)
- What causes identity shifts (Episode 26 4:50)
- How often identity shifts happen (Episode 26 5:30)
- When identity shift often happens for clients who immigrate from Asia to the US (Episode 26 6:00)
- Why we decided identity shift was necessary (Episode 26 9:00)
- Strategy that resulted in getting a coveted US20 million government loan (Episode 26 15:00)
- Counterintuitive things we have done to close the $20 million deal (Episode 26 21:11)
- And more

Program Distinctions

These programs serve distinct purposes, building upon each other to provide a comprehensive MasterPlan development and implementation path.

• The MasterPlan and Implementing the MasterPlan are the foundational programs that introduce core concepts and strategies for personal and professional growth, setting the stage for further exploration and application.

• The Midlife Strategy Update provides a detailed case study of developing and implementing The MasterPlan during midlife (around age 45).

• The MasterPlan: Next Level is a members-only book exclusively available to the Strategy Control Room (Advanced Level) members. It significantly updates and refines the concepts from the original program, serving as a bridge to The MasterPlan Advanced. It includes robust exercises designed to baseline your life, providing a practical framework for assessing and planning your growth.

• The MasterPlan Advanced can help you bring your MasterPlan to the next level. It is designed for those seeking a more in-depth understanding and ready to apply advanced strategies to their personal and professional lives.

The MasterPlan Program Impact and Evolution

The original MasterPlan and Implementing the MasterPlan have consistently been the most viewed programs on StrategyTraining.com, receiving outstanding feedback for their transformative impact on our members' professional journeys and life strategies. A MidLife Strategy Update holds the record for the most viewed among Legacy offerings. The MasterPlan Advanced was born from the experiences Michael and I have had over the last two years while updating our own MasterPlans for the next few decades and working with executive clients through the same process.

The MasterPlan Advanced introduces powerful new concepts around investing, relationships, building a strong family unit, and more. It is a full new program being released in parallel with "The MasterPlan: Next Level" (SCR (A) members-only book).

Don't Want to Work on This Alone?

In addition to these programs, there is also The MasterPlan Acceleration executive coaching program, where you can work personally with Michael and me as you develop your MasterPlan. This allows you to receive our mentorship and coaching on each aspect of your MasterPlan, taking into account your unique set of assets, your life's purpose (including helping you figure out what your life's purpose is), and your unique situation. The program is designed to allow clients to see the opportunities and risks they may otherwise miss, and develop new powerful ways of thinking and making decisions.

I often hear from members of the FC community that they did not apply for executive coaching with us because they are not as successful as some of our clients. I personally encourage you to apply. If you know my story and if you know us, it will not be a surprise to you that what we are looking for when selecting clients is not your level of success but the kind of person you are and what your intentions are as it relates to using the power and influence once you get it.

If you take a look at our 1-year long executive coaching program, where we work very closely with each client (1:1 in very small groups) as we progress from week to week towards particular goals, each client within a 1-year program is a prior coaching client. And some of those clients started with us while at university and we had the honor of being their guide throughout their entire career journey. Apply here.

Get Started

If you are a member, access the new episodes here or click the button below.

The MasterPlan Advanced (Insiders & Legacy Members)

If you are joining as a new member, start with:

• The MasterPlan 

• Then Implementing the MasterPlan

• A MidLife Strategy Update (if you are a Legacy member)

• Then, The MasterPlan: Next Level (if you are a SCR (A) member)

• And The MasterPlan Advanced to make the most of this seminal program

To access The MasterPlan Advanced, enroll below (scroll down to membership options and select Insider or Legacy).

www.strategytraining.com

As we approach the last 4 months of the year, it's wise to reflect on our progress and make adjustments if needed. Continuing with the same approach and expecting different results will not work. 

The MasterPlan series provides a comprehensive framework for personal and professional growth. It offers a structured approach to developing a cohesive career and life plan, refining your decision-making process, and identifying your unique strengths and advantages. By following The MasterPlan, you can gain clarity and direction, enabling you to make the most of the remaining year and beyond.

Take this opportunity to invest in yourself and your future. The MasterPlan can be transformative, but it's up to you to take action. If you have any questions or need further assistance, please don't hesitate to reach out to us at team@firmsconsulting.com.

We have just released the second part of Executive Update 1 for the Corporate Strategy for Asset/Wealth Management Study in the Strategy Control Room, Advanced Level.
 

***
 

Every so often, we release a study that is so powerful, so fundamental, that if you take the time to read it multiple times and really understand what it was teaching and how it was teaching it, it will teach you a primary/core skill that will change your ability to operate as a seasoned professional with a deeply analytical mind.

This is one of those studies.

The study focuses on asset management within financial services, an area that is becoming increasingly important worldwide as income levels rise. In this study, we are going to analyze an asset manager that is growing at a slower rate than competitors in one of the most dynamic markets in the world. And because it is growing at a slower rate, it's ultimately losing market share.

In this study, we will present a way to analyze the distribution of a financial services product, which, with a few tweaks and changes, could be applied to the distribution of any financial services product, even though our primary focus here is on investment products for wealth management.

This is a study that we encourage everyone to read. Take the time to work through it. Think about how you could apply this thinking to your own sector, which may not be in financial services. It teaches a fundamental skill: how to analyze a market across all elements, all the way from asset management to distribution and administration. Whether or not you are in financial services or asset management, you are in an industry that produces something that you distribute.

The study is particularly interesting because it takes a very complicated subject and analyzes it in a sophisticated yet simple way to draw out very important analyses. It uses highly sophisticated frameworks developed for the client, and it pulls it apart in a way we have not yet applied in other studies.

This is one of those anchor studies like our study on Competition, the LAB Study, the Power Sector study, and the Tech M&A study. These are anchor studies because they teach foundational skills that we want our clients to master.

In this study, we tackle something incredibly sophisticated in an area where many people tend to be a little bit afraid. While most people are afraid of math and finance, when you analyze finances within the financial services sector, people tend to get even more intimidated. However, this is a topic that has become more important globally as the middle class has risen in most countries and the number of millionaires has increased.

So, this is a foundational study that we will be referring to for years to come. It teaches something so fundamental that every member should work through it. It teaches a skill of how to analyze a complex sector in a way that is easy to follow, even if you do not have a background in the sector.

Corporate Strategy for Asset/Wealth Management consists of 3 executive updates. Some of the topics we covered in this update included:

• Economic Model

  • Generating insights into profitability

  • Discussing profitability by product

  • Discussing profitability by type of business

  • Outlining the broader issues raised

HOW TO FIND THE CORPORATE STRATEGY FOR ASSET/WEALTH MANAGEMENT:

1. Log in to The Strategy Control Room, Advanced Level, membership area.
2. See the "FULL ENGAGEMENTS" dropdown. 
3. Select "Corporate Strategy for Asset/Wealth Management."
4. The Corporate Strategy for Asset/Wealth Management consists of 52 slides for the first and second part of Executive Update 1.

If you are The Strategy Control Room, Advanced Level, member, here is the direct link to these particular update.

If you joined an Advanced Level of the Strategy Control Room today, you would find the most powerful strategy, problem-solving, consulting, and results-oriented leadership reading library in the world. The resources include:

• Michael's explanation slides for selected programs on StrategyTraining.com

• 12 full engagements

• Change Management Influence & Persuasion Center of Excellence 

• Detailed Business Case Methodology Center of Excellence 

• Encyclopedia of Strategy Analyses Center of Excellence 

• Corporate Training Center of Excellence

• One-Week Immersion: Consulting Onboarding / Consulting Mastery Center of Excellence

• 31 proposals

• Flipcharts

• Layout guides

• 17 strategy and problem-solving books which we do not make available anywhere else

• 2 brand new strategy and problem-solving books just released and not available anywhere else

• 11 book drafts never before available and not available anywhere else

• Case interview materials for Felix, Rafik, Samantha, and Sanjeev, case interview exhibits, case interview solutions

• The evolution of corporate strategy

• The business case toolkit

• Implementation and operation toolkit

• Corporate strategy toolkit

• Strategy maps

• And more 

Enroll as a Strategy Control Room Member

And if you are not yet an Insider or Legacy member and want to gain access to video and audio advanced programs on StrategyTraining.com we invite you to explore membership options (scroll down). We recommend to start with Insider or Legacy membership as a base membership and add the Strategy Control Room (Advanced Level) as an add-on when the time is right for you.

Take this opportunity to invest in yourself and your future. StrategyTraining.com resources can be transformative for your career, but it's up to you to make time to study the resources and focus on quick integration. If you have any questions or need further assistance, please don't hesitate to reach out to us at team@firmsconsulting.com.

Do you risk your relationship with the only family member who has always been on your side to...

Make a Stand for Your Truth

Imagine this... you're a corporate leader, used to making tough decisions, managing people, and balancing priorities. But what happens when the real test of your leadership comes not from the boardroom, but from the one place you least expect, your family?

One of our Legacy members faced such a dilemma, and it’s the kind of situation that stops you in your tracks and clouds your judgment.

After years of personal struggle, living a double life to keep the peace in a deeply conservative family, Josh (name changed to protect privacy) finally started to see a light.

Slowly, doors opened, bridges mended.

But just as things seemed to be improving, an unexpected challenge hit. One that shattered Josh's hopes for true acceptance.

Josh's brother is getting married, which is generally a joyous occasion. But there's one glaring problem. The invitation, addressed only to Josh, excludes Josh's life partner of 13 years, the person with whom Josh shares every part of his life.

The reason?

A secret that could tear the family apart if revealed.

The stakes couldn’t be higher. Should he attend the wedding alone, once again hiding a critical part of who he is?

Or refuse the invitation, risking a final rift that could cut ties with his family forever?

Now, here’s the twist... 

The brother who has always stood by Josh, the only true ally in the family, supports this decision to keep things quiet.

The brother who convinced Josh's parents to reconnect with Josh after years of estrangement is asking for silence, all for the sake of keeping the peace on his wedding day.

So, what do you do?

Do you risk your relationship with the only family member who has always been on your side to stand for what you believe in?

Or do you stay silent and protect the fragile peace that has only just begun to form and hope that things will improve over time?

It’s not just a personal dilemma. It’s a test of leadership, values, and strategy.

The same qualities that make great leaders successful are at play here. And in this program, we will explore these questions and more, helping you steer not only the challenges of your career but the personal battles that shape your life.

Are you ready to tackle the most difficult questions you may ever face?

---

If you're a Legacy member, Part 1 of the exclusive 2-Part program is now available in your account on StrategyTraining.com.

Not a Legacy member yet? Enroll here: www.strategytraining.com (scroll to membership options).

We’re committed to your success and are here to support you. Feel free to reach out with questions at team@firmsconsulting.com.

Thank you for being part of the StrategyTraining community.

Access New Program (Legacy Members)

P.S. If you are an Insider, you can upgrade to Legacy and come back to Insider WITHOUT losing Insider status. To upgrade, you can go to the Legacy section on StrategyTraining.com, the system will offer an option to upgrade. The system will also automatically use any credit you have associated with your Insider account towards Legacy membership. As a Legacy member, you will not only unlock additional programs within the Legacy membership area but will be able to submit 2 questions per month and receive tailored input from Michael or me, taking into account the specifics you shared of your unique situation. That alone is worth a lot more than the cost of the upgrade. You can get personalized guidance twice a month. If, down the road, you want to switch back from Legacy to Insider, please email team@firmsconsulting.com so we can ensure your Insider status is retained (provided there are no gaps in membership).

Over the weekend, we released the first part of Executive Update 1 for the Corporate Strategy for Asset/Wealth Management Study in the Strategy Control Room, Advanced Level.
 

***
 

Every so often, we release a study that is so powerful, so fundamental, that if you take the time to read it multiple times and really understand what it was teaching and how it was teaching it, it will teach you a primary/core skill that will change your ability to operate as a seasoned professional with a deeply analytical mind.

This is one of those studies.

The study focuses on asset management within financial services, an area that is becoming increasingly important worldwide as income levels rise. In this study, we are going to analyze an asset manager that is growing at a slower rate than competitors in one of the most dynamic markets in the world. And because it is growing at a slower rate, it's ultimately losing market share.

In this study, we will present a way to analyze the distribution of a financial services product, which, with a few tweaks and changes, could be applied to the distribution of any financial services product, even though our primary focus here is on investment products for wealth management.

This is a study that we encourage everyone to read. Take the time to work through it. Think about how you could apply this thinking to your own sector, which may not be in financial services. It teaches a fundamental skill: how to analyze a market across all elements, all the way from asset management to distribution and administration. Whether or not you are in financial services or asset management, you are in an industry that produces something that you distribute.

The study is particularly interesting because it takes a very complicated subject and analyzes it in a sophisticated yet simple way to draw out very important analyses. It uses highly sophisticated frameworks developed for the client, and it pulls it apart in a way we have not yet applied in other studies.

This is one of those anchor studies like our study on Competition, the LAB Study, the Power Sector study, and the Tech M&A study. These are anchor studies because they teach foundational skills that we want our clients to master.

In this study, we tackle something incredibly sophisticated in an area where many people tend to be a little bit afraid. While most people are afraid of math and finance, when you analyze finances within the financial services sector, people tend to get even more intimidated. However, this is a topic that has become more important globally as the middle class has risen in most countries and the number of millionaires has increased.

So, this is a foundational study that we will be referring to for years to come. It teaches something so fundamental that every member should work through it. It teaches a skill of how to analyze a complex sector in a way that is easy to follow, even if you do not have a background in the sector.

Corporate Strategy for Asset/Wealth Management consists of 3 executive updates. Some of the topics we covered in this update included:

• Charting the Future of Country 1’s Unit Trust Business

  • the company's state of business

  • generating insights into profitability

  • building momentum and quick wins

  • the 'As-Is" model

  • the competition 

HOW TO FIND THE CORPORATE STRATEGY FOR ASSET/WEALTH MANAGEMENT:

1. Log in to The Strategy Control Room, Advanced Level, membership area.
2. See the "FULL ENGAGEMENTS" dropdown. 
3. Select "Corporate Strategy for Asset/Wealth Management."
4. The Corporate Strategy for Asset/Wealth Management consists of 24 slides for the first part of Executive Update 1.

If you are The Strategy Control Room, Advanced Level, member, here is the direct link to these particular update.

If you joined an Advanced Level of the Strategy Control Room today, you would find the most powerful strategy, problem-solving, consulting, and results-oriented leadership reading library in the world. The resources include:

• Michael's explanation slides for selected programs on StrategyTraining.com

• 12 full engagements

• Change Management Influence & Persuasion Center of Excellence 

• Detailed Business Case Methodology Center of Excellence 

• Encyclopedia of Strategy Analyses Center of Excellence 

• Corporate Training Center of Excellence

• One-Week Immersion: Consulting Onboarding / Consulting Mastery Center of Excellence

• 31 proposals

• Flipcharts

• Layout guides

• 17 strategy and problem-solving books which we do not make available anywhere else

• 2 brand new strategy and problem-solving books just released and not available anywhere else

• 11 book drafts never before available and not available anywhere else

• Case interview materials for Felix, Rafik, Samantha, and Sanjeev, case interview exhibits, case interview solutions

• The evolution of corporate strategy

• The business case toolkit

• Implementation and operation toolkit

• Corporate strategy toolkit

• Strategy maps

• And more 

Enroll as a Strategy Control Room Member

The MasterPlan Advanced: new episodes

We just released new episodes of The MasterPlan Advanced, bringing the total to 24 episodes. Over the past seven years, we have introduced three transformative programs within The MasterPlan series.

Core Programs

• The MasterPlan (available to Insiders and Legacy members)

• Implementing the MasterPlan (available to Insiders and Legacy members)

• A MidLife Strategy Update (exclusive to Legacy members)

New Additions

We are now introducing two significant new additions to the MasterPlan universe:

• The MasterPlan Advanced (for Insiders & Legacy members)

• The MasterPlan: Next Level (members-only book exclusive to the SCR (A) members)

Disclaimer: Please note that we are not licensed financial planners or advisors. We share information based on our own experiences and the insights we've gained from working with clients all over the world. We strongly recommend consulting with qualified professionals before making any investment decisions or significant life choices.

In the previous part of this program, we did one major exercise to look at your investment portfolio to show you:

- A lot of the things that you think are your assets
- And that your most important assets may not be as important as you think
- And that we often leave out the things that can create the most value for us 

In this part of the program, we're going to discuss the pleasant part of retirement planning. We are going to go through a scary part of retirement planning very soon as well. And it is a part almost nobody thinks about and plans for. But it gets all of us eventually, and it gets some of us much earlier, in our 50s and 40s.

In these new episodes, we dive into the following:

- How you sustain your wealth once you create it (Episode 23 1:50)
- What kind of investing is more likely to generate the highest return (Episode 23 2:00)
- Skills you have to invest in as part of your investment strategy (Episode 23 3:00)
- Where to get disposable income from (Episode 23 4:30)
- What many people don't fully realize when hiring a wealth management advisor (Episode 23 4:50)
- The best way to manage your investments, in our experience (Episode 23 5:10)
- Determining the returns required and important distinction to make here (Episode 23 5:20)
- Finding investments with returns you need (Episode 23 7:00)
- Understanding risk levels (Episode 23 7:40)
- The MasterPlan PENTAD (Episode 23 9:00)
- Things you don't think about when earning a salary (Episode 23 10:20)
- Important point most people don't understand (Episode 23 11:30)
- Focusing on the entire PENTAD (Episode 23 12:30)
- Taking control of your life using the MasterPlan approach (Episode 23 13:00)
- Minimizing paying people who don't deserve it (Episode 23 13:30)
- The MasterPlan critical path (Episode 23 14:10)
- Picking the right path for yourself (Episode 24 1:20)
- Planning starts with this one thing (Episode 24 1:40)
- Hitting upper echelons of your business model in life (Episode 24 2:10)
- A business model in life with the lowest returns (Episode 24 2:40)
- In life, there are only four business models to create wealth, no matter what you do (Episode 24 2:50)
- Definition of life business model (Episode 24 3:00)
- The first life business model and its implications (Episode 24 3:20)
- The highest taxed model (Episode 24 4:00)
- The second life business model and its implications (Episode 24 4:00)
- The third life business model and its implications (Episode 24 4:50)
- The fourth life business model and its implications (Episode 24 5:30)
- Never let your life business model choose you (Episode 24 5:40)
- Most people get shocked when they make this calculation (Episode 24 6:30)
- A classic mistake clients make (Episode 24 6:45)
- A painful consequence of this mistake (Episode 24 7:10)
- The reason this mistake occurs (Episode 24 7:40)
- Useful lens you can apply (Episode 24 8:10)
- Creating a wealth engine (Episode 24 8:50)
- Hitting milestones (bronze, silver, gold, platinum, diamond, and how do you know when you hit a particular milestone) (Episode 24 9:00)
- Breaking out of the least attractive life business model (Episode 24 11:40)
- Creating financial freedom to have an impact you want to have (Episode 24 12:20)
- One thing that must be done (Episode 24 12:50)
- Choosing whether you want to make the changes that are required (Episode 24 13:00)
- And more

Program Distinctions

These programs serve distinct purposes, building upon each other to provide a comprehensive MasterPlan development and implementation path.

• The MasterPlan and Implementing the MasterPlan are the foundational programs that introduce core concepts and strategies for personal and professional growth, setting the stage for further exploration and application.

• The Midlife Strategy Update provides a detailed case study of developing and implementing The MasterPlan during midlife (around age 45).

• The MasterPlan: Next Level is a members-only book exclusively available to the Strategy Control Room (Advanced Level) members. It significantly updates and refines the concepts from the original program, serving as a bridge to The MasterPlan Advanced. It includes robust exercises designed to baseline your life, providing a practical framework for assessing and planning your growth.

• The MasterPlan Advanced can help you bring your MasterPlan to the next level. It is designed for those seeking a more in-depth understanding and ready to apply advanced strategies to their personal and professional lives.

The MasterPlan Program Impact and Evolution

The original MasterPlan and Implementing the MasterPlan have consistently been the most viewed programs on StrategyTraining.com, receiving outstanding feedback for their transformative impact on our members' professional journeys and life strategies. A MidLife Strategy Update holds the record for the most viewed among Legacy offerings. The MasterPlan Advanced was born from the experiences Michael and I have had over the last two years while updating our own MasterPlans for the next few decades and working with executive clients through the same process.

The MasterPlan Advanced introduces powerful new concepts around investing, relationships, building a strong family unit, and more. It is a full new program being released in parallel with "The MasterPlan: Next Level" (SCR (A) members-only book).

Don't Want to Work on This Alone?

In addition to these programs, there is also The MasterPlan Acceleration executive coaching program, where you can work personally with Michael and me as you develop your MasterPlan. This allows you to receive our mentorship and coaching on each aspect of your MasterPlan, taking into account your unique set of assets, your life's purpose (including helping you figure out what your life's purpose is), and your unique situation. The program is designed to allow clients to see the opportunities and risks they may otherwise miss, and develop new powerful ways of thinking and making decisions.

I often hear from members of the FC community that they did not apply for executive coaching with us because they are not as successful as some of our clients. I personally encourage you to apply. If you know my story and if you know us, it will not be a surprise to you that what we are looking for when selecting clients is not your level of success but the kind of person you are and what your intentions are as it relates to using the power and influence once you get it.

If you take a look at our 1-year long executive coaching program, where we work very closely with each client (1:1 in very small groups) as we progress from week to week towards particular goals, each client within a 1-year program is a prior coaching client. And some of those clients started with us while at university and we had the honor of being their guide throughout their entire career journey. Apply here.

Get Started

If you are a member, access the new episodes here or click the button below.

The MasterPlan Advanced (Insiders & Legacy Members)

If you are joining as a new member, start with:

• The MasterPlan 

• Then Implementing the MasterPlan

• A MidLife Strategy Update (if you are a Legacy member)

• Then, The MasterPlan: Next Level (if you are a SCR (A) member)

• And The MasterPlan Advanced to make the most of this seminal program

To access The MasterPlan Advanced, enroll below (scroll down to membership options and select Insider or Legacy).

www.strategytraining.com

As we approach the last 4 months of the year, it's wise to reflect on our progress and make adjustments if needed. Continuing with the same approach and expecting different results will not work. 

The MasterPlan series provides a comprehensive framework for personal and professional growth. It offers a structured approach to developing a cohesive career and life plan, refining your decision-making process, and identifying your unique strengths and advantages. By following The MasterPlan, you can gain clarity and direction, enabling you to make the most of the remaining year and beyond.

Take this opportunity to invest in yourself and your future. The MasterPlan can be transformative, but it's up to you to take action. If you have any questions or need further assistance, please don't hesitate to reach out to us at team@firmsconsulting.com.

The question is: 
Will You Rise to the Occasion?

In this new Legacy program, we cover a critical mindset shift required to be considered CEO material within your organization. It's based on the work Michael and I have been doing with clients worldwide at a senior level, and even at not-so-senior levels, and across cultures.

---

Imagine you're standing on the precipice of a mission that could alter the course of history. One so secret, so dangerous, that only a select few even know it exists.

It's 1944, and the world is in the grip of a brutal war. On one side, the Allies are making a bold push into Normandy, a campaign that will become immortalized in history. But beneath the surface, in the shadows, a far more precarious and pivotal mission is unfolding.

This isn't the story of D-Day or the dramatic storming of beaches. This is the untold tale of a desperate gamble—a race against time to stop the unimaginable.

As the clock ticks towards dawn, a six-man British Special Operations team is preparing to undertake a mission that will test every ounce of their courage, skill, and loyalty.

Their objective?

Infiltrate a heavily guarded German facility where a lone scientist holds the key to unlocking nuclear destruction.

The mission is fraught with peril: an 18-mile trek through hostile territory, a narrow two-hour window to complete the task, and no backup if things go wrong.

Failure is not an option. The stakes are nothing less than the future of the free world.

But here's the twist—this isn't just their mission.

It's yours.

You are part of this elite team, entrusted with a role so critical that the entire operation hinges on your success.

As the sun begins to rise, you'll have to make split-second decisions that could determine whether this mission ends in triumph or tragedy.

Are you ready to accept this challenge?

Are you prepared to put the mission—and your team—first, knowing that any misstep could destroy not just yourselves but millions of lives?

In this program, we'll cover the strategies, the split-second decisions, and the intense preparation required for such high-stakes missions.

But more importantly, we'll explore how the lessons learned from these historic moment can be applied to your professional life today.

Because just like those soldiers, you face missions of your own—missions that require you to put your team first, to understand your role, and to execute flawlessly under pressure.

The question is: Will you rise to the occasion?

---

In this Legacy program, we cover:

- What many people don't know about WW2 but should (2:00)
- Michael gives you a hypothetical tough spy mission and a set of decisions you need to make to drive home the main learning points from this program (5:00)
- A common mistake professionals and executives make (9:00)
- Impact of different circumstances on career strategy (10:00)
- What causes the mission to fail (11:30)
- A common way people damage their reputation, not realizing it (13:00)
- An easy way to lose the trust and respect of your mentor (13.30)
- The right approach to training and what you need to know to design a training path for yourself (14:00)
- Who is a part of your team (16:00)
- How should you see your career (16:15)
- What is the goal (16:30)
- Which capabilities you should build on and protect (17:00)
- How to figure out which capabilities you need to develop (17:15)
- How does this apply to your personal life (17:40)
- The mission will never succeed if this criterion is not met (18:10)
- Getting a new perspective that will open your eyes to things you currently may not see, even though they are under your nose (19:00)
- What is your life (20:15)
- Preparing for a mission (20:25)
- Preparing for consulting engagements (20:30)
- Preserving your health (21:00)
- Withdrawing from an incomplete mission (21:30)

If you are a Legacy member, you can access the "Mission First. Team First" program in your account on StrategyTraining.com. And if you are not a member, you can enroll as a Legacy member here (scroll down to membership options):

www.strategytraining.com

Thank you for being a part of the StrategyTraining.com community. Your growth and success are important to us, and we are here to support you. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to email us at team@firmsconsulting.com.

Access New Program (Legacy Members)

P.S. If you are an Insider, you can upgrade to Legacy and come back to Insider WITHOUT losing Insider status. To upgrade, you can go to the Legacy section on StrategyTraining.com, the system will offer an option to upgrade. The system will also automatically use any credit you have associated with your Insider account towards Legacy membership. As a Legacy member, you will not only unlock additional programs within the Legacy membership area but will be able to submit 2 questions per month and receive tailored input from Michael/me, taking into account the specifics you shared of your unique situation. That alone is worth a lot more than the cost of the upgrade. You can get personalized guidance twice a month. If, down the road, you want to switch back from Legacy to Insider, please email team@firmsconsulting.com so we can ensure your Insider status is retained (provided there are no gaps in membership).

“Build an investment portfolio that supports your unique goals and purpose in life.”
- The MasterPlan. Next Level

The 8th chapter of our new members-only book, "The MasterPlan. Next Level," has been released. It's available exclusively within the Strategy Control Room (Advanced Level).

Our entire life is a race to put in place the financial foundation for our retirement. It may not seem this way at times, but if we think of the decisions we make from the time we are teenagers, for most of us, it's about wealth building and sustaining that wealth. We try to make that journey enjoyable with friends, family, and experiences, but we have a clear goal in mind to be financially secure. 

Some of us may not be as talented at achieving this goal. We often give up in frustration. We usually kick it to the future, hoping our children or grandchildren will handle it. However, someone at some time will need to confront this problem. I know how it feels. I had to take control of my wealth planning because, as you will likely discover for yourself, in my experience, the wealth management industry does not make you wealthy. It finds already wealthy people and charges them a fee. 

In this chapter, we explore:
- Important retirement planning exercise (page 112)
- Listing the costs associated with retirement, including some costs most people fail to think about (page 115)
- Our entire life is a race to achieve this (page 117)
- A wealth model (page 117)
- Another definition of retirement planning (page 118)
- Can you retire happy? (page 118)
- The first big calculation error many people make when they calculate how much money they need for retirement (page 119)
- The second big calculation error many people make when they calculate how much money they need for retirement (page 119)
- The third big calculation error many people make when they calculate how much money they need for retirement (page 120)
- MasterPlan Life’s Purpose Wealth Model™ (page 121)
- MasterPlan™ Pentad (page 123)
- Four options you have within The MasterPlan Life Business Model™ (page 125)
- The lowest taxed life business model (page 126)
- Four levels to building the wealth model (page 128)
---

"The MasterPlan. Next Level" updates and refines the concepts from the original program. It's a significant update on the program.

• Fresh and more impactful examples

• Four robust exercises designed to baseline your life and set a new standard for personal evaluation

• This iteration acts as a pivotal bridge to the more advanced concepts explored in The MasterPlan Advanced

• Concepts are introduced via experiences from my life, and explained with case studies from clients

Each stage of the MasterPlan series is intentionally designed to build on the last, ensuring a seamless and powerful enhancement of your capabilities to develop and implement a grand MasterPlan for your career and life.

The MasterPlan Universe:

"The MasterPlan. Next Level" is a crucial expansion that builds upon The MasterPlan program and integrates aspects from The MasterPlan Advanced. For those navigating through our comprehensive MasterPlan content, we recommend the following progression:

• The MasterPlan (Insider and Legacy)

• Implementing the MasterPlan (Insider and Legacy)

• A Midlife Strategy Update (Legacy)

• "The MasterPlan. Next Level" (Strategy Control Room. Advanced)

• The MasterPlan Advanced (Insider and Legacy)

• The MasterPlan Acceleration (Executive coaching program with personalized guidance from Michael and myself)

Engaging with any of these programs individually offers significant benefits, but collectively, they encompass the entire MasterPlan universe. 

HOW TO FIND THE MASTERPLAN. NEXT LEVEL (126 PAGES):

1. Log in to The Strategy Control Room, Advanced Level, membership area.
2. Click on the 3 dots in the upper-right corner.
3. Click on the "STRATEGY MANUALS" button.
4. Select "The MasterPlan. Next Level."

If you are The Strategy Control Room, Advanced Level, member, here is the direct link to this particular update.

If you joined an Advanced Level of the Strategy Control Room today, you would find the most powerful strategy, problem-solving, consulting, and results-oriented leadership reading library in the world. The resources include:

• Michael's explanation slides for selected programs on StrategyTraining.com

• 12 full engagements, including Operations Strategy Study, Competitive Strategy Study, Digital & IT Study, Banking Market Entry, Wealth Management Study, Investor Relations Strategy Study

• Change Management Influence & Gravitas Center of Excellence 

• Detailed Business Case Methodology Center of Excellence 

• Encyclopedia of Strategy Analyses Center of Excellence 

• One-Week Immersion: Consulting Onboarding / Consulting Mastery Center of Excellence

• Corporate Training Center of Excellence 

• 31 proposals

• Flipcharts

• Layout guides

• 17 strategy and problem-solving books which we do not make available anywhere else

• 3 brand new strategy and problem-solving books just released and not available anywhere else

• 11 book drafts never before available and not available anywhere else

• Case interview materials for Felix, Rafik, Samantha, and Sanjeev, case interview exhibits, case interview solutions

• The evolution of corporate strategy

• The business case toolkit

• Implementation and operation toolkit

• Corporate strategy toolkit

• Strategy maps

• And more 

Enroll as a Strategy Control Room Member