The Pattern We Couldn't Ignore
After a decade of working with over 5000 consulting candidates and training professionals at every level within top consulting firms in Japan, we noticed something striking: the candidates who succeeded weren't always the most technically brilliant. They were the ones who could communicate their thinking with clarity, confidence, and structure—especially in business English.
This wasn't just an occasional observation—it was a clear pattern across McKinsey, BCG, Accenture, Bain, and other leading firms.
The Double Challenge: Mastering Consulting and Business English Simultaneously
For many ambitious professionals in Asia, the path to top consulting firms presents a unique hurdle that most preparation programs completely ignore: the need to master both complex consulting concepts AND professional business English at the same time.
We've seen countless brilliant candidates with exceptional technical abilities and impressive credentials struggle in interviews—not because they lacked analytical skills or consulting potential, but because they couldn't articulate their thinking effectively.
As one former candidate told us:
"I knew exactly how to solve the case in my native language. The frameworks and concepts were clear in my mind. But translating that into professional English during a high-pressure interview was an entirely different challenge."
This dual challenge creates a particular kind of stress and cognitive load that can derail even the most prepared candidates.
The Real Challenge Facing Candidates
Most aspiring consultants focus their preparation almost exclusively on case frameworks and technical knowledge. They solve scores of practice cases, memorize frameworks, and study business concepts. But when they step into the interview room and must perform in English, something unexpected happens: they struggle to articulate their thinking process in a way that resonates with interviewers.
The truth is harsh but important: your analytical abilities are of little value if you cannot communicate your reasoning and conclusions effectively and in a structured way.
We saw this play out repeatedly:
- Brilliant candidates with a perfect academic record stumbling through English explanations
- Technical experts unable to structure their thoughts on the spot when speaking in English
- MBA graduates with impressive resumes failing to connect with interviewers due to language barriers
While not all consulting interviews are in English— it depends on the firm and the position—preparing in English has a double benefit: it readies candidates for the interview and improves their language skills. Even if the interview is in their native language, the concepts taught in class remain highly applicable and easily transferable.
What Top Firms Actually Look For
Through our partnerships with the People Development teams at leading global consulting firms in Japan, we gained unprecedented insights into what really happens behind closed doors during candidate evaluations.
Consulting partners aren't just evaluating your answer—they're evaluating how you would perform in front of their English-speaking clients. They're asking themselves:
- Can this person think clearly under pressure while communicating in English?
- Do they have the English fluency and executive presence needed for client interactions?
- Would I feel confident putting them in front of my most important international client?
As one McKinsey partner told us privately: "I can teach someone a framework, but it is not my job to teach them how to think on their feet and communicate clearly in English. When working with international clients, that's what I'm really looking for."
The Birth of Breakthrough
This realization was the genesis of Breakthrough. For years, we'd been helping consultants at all levels—from new analysts to partners—master the communication patterns and English language skills that drive success in consulting.
We asked ourselves: What if we could take everything we've learned about how successful consultants communicate in English and create a program specifically designed for candidates looking to break into the industry?
The result is Breakthrough—a comprehensive program designed to address the critical communication gap often overlooked by other preparation programs. Many other programs are one-size-fits-all, overly theoretical, lack live practice with real coaches, or focus too narrowly on one specific firm or approach. Breakthrough pays special attention to the unique needs of professionals using English as a second language, making it suitable for learners at any level.
Unlike traditional case prep, Breakthrough focuses on:
- Structured Communication: Learning to organize thoughts quickly and present them with clarity in English
- Business English Fluency: Developing the specific vocabulary and language patterns used in consulting
- Executive Presence: Building the confidence to communicate professionally in English under pressure
- Thinking Aloud in English: Mastering the art of sharing your analytical process in a compelling way
- Adaptive Response: Handling unexpected questions and scenarios without losing fluency
- Networking and Rapport Building: Developing the ability to connect with colleagues and clients through natural, purposeful conversations
The Evidence Behind Our Approach
The results speak for themselves. Candidates who completed our program reported significant improvements in both their English communication skills and interview performance, with many receiving offers from top firms.
What's more, they found that the skills they developed continued to serve them well beyond the interview process. As one successful McKinsey associate told us:
"The English communication patterns I learned were invaluable. While most prep focuses on frameworks, Breakthrough helped me articulate my thinking clearly and confidently in English through consistent, live practice with my coach. This made all the difference in my interviews—and continues to help me in my day-to-day client work."
Our Commitment to You
After a decade of success in Japan, we're excited to bring Breakthrough to ambitious professionals in Taiwan and beyond. We understand the unique challenges facing professionals who need to demonstrate their consulting potential in English.
Whether you're just beginning to explore consulting or preparing for final-round interviews, we're committed to introducing you to consulting concepts, teaching you best practice approaches to consulting work and helping you master the English communication skills that truly set successful consultants apart.
The journey into consulting is challenging enough without language barriers. Through Breakthrough, we're offering you the insights, methodologies, and language support that have helped thousands of candidates transform their interview performance and launch successful consulting careers.
Ready to address the real communication gap in your consulting preparation? Explore our program options or book a free strategy session to get started.
