Calder & Finch · Strategy practice · Hiring manager: demo reviewer
Associate Consultant, workday simulation
Consulting case · simulated client workday · about 60 minutes ·client: Wrenfield Home
A 60-minute case simulation shortens the first case round (two one-hour interviews today). Later interviews and all decisions stay with people.
Hiring goal
3 Associate Consultants· 2 proceeding · 1 to go
2 of 3 filled by candidates you've marked Proceed
Core task
Generated draft from company contextIdentical for every candidate on this case, so runs stay comparable. Case setup shows the company context behind it.
| Task | Workspace | Minutes |
|---|---|---|
Wrenfield Profit Bridge a home goods retailer A compressed client day: exhibits, a team chat, emails, an AI research assistant with one stale claim, and a recommendation due to em by 2:00 PM (simulated clock). | Simulated client workday | 15 |
Project docs
- Exhibit 1: P&L summary ($M)Wrenfield finance, FY26 close pack
- Exhibit 2: Revenue by channel ($M)Wrenfield merchandising data pull
- Exhibit 3: Spring Sale promotionWrenfield marketing calendar
- Exhibit 4: Operating expenses ($M)Wrenfield finance, FY26 close pack
- Exhibit 5: Store baseWrenfield real estate team
People and what only they know
- Maya Okafor · Engagement Manager, Retail Strategy, Calder & Finch1 private fact, shared only if asked
- Tom Becker · Head of Store Operations, Wrenfield Home2 private facts, shared only if asked
- Sam Ortiz · Finance Analyst, Wrenfield Home2 private facts, shared only if asked
- Leo Park · Research Analyst, Retail Strategy, Calder & Finch1 private fact, shared only if asked · holds a wrong belief
- Helen Ward · Chief Financial Officer, Wrenfield Home2 private facts, shared only if asked · holds a wrong belief
Planted AI error
“Store rent rose ~20% (≈ +$6M) and is the main driver” Contradicted by Exhibit 4: Operating expenses ($M) (Store rent: 30 → 31).
Manager's challenge
“Before you finalise - Helen says free shipping is locked in with a marketing partner until Q3, and merchandising insists on at least a 4-week Spring Sale next year. Don't start over; fold that into the recommendation you already have. What exactly do you recommend inside those constraints, and roughly how much of the profit gap does it close?”