Big Three (management consultancies)

world's three largest strategy consulting firms

MBB, or alternatively the Big Three when used in relation to the consulting industry, refers to the three major strategic consulting companies. They are considered to be the most prestigious firms in the management consulting industry.[1]

These three firms have stood out from other competitors and have consolidated as the top-tier of management consulting business.

Firm Total assets
(US$ billion)
United StatesMcKinsey 5.300
United StatesBoston Consulting Group 3.100
United StatesBain 2.100

Fundamental differences against other consultancies include:

  • Above average revenue per capita and consulting staff compensation.
  • An accumulated experience serving Fortune 500 companies.
  • Focus on strategic management issues at C-level management.

Fundamental differences among the three include:

  • Bain is said to be the more fun one, using a more pragmatic, results-driven approach.
  • BCG is regarded as more academic and theoretical, developing complex analytics to reach solutions.
  • McKinsey has the reputation for being the most uptight of all three and using one-size-fits-all model.

These firms have had a significant impact in the development of modern-day business world and education, notably for the development of new intelligence, such as the Net Promoter Score and the BCG Matrix.

References change

  1. "The Big Three: meet the world's top consulting firms | Consulting on The Gateway". web.archive.org. 2014-09-04. Archived from the original on 2014-09-04. Retrieved 2023-12-17.
  2. "Bain & Company | Company Overview & News". Forbes. Retrieved 2023-12-17.
  3. "BCG (Boston Consulting Group) | Company Overview & News". Forbes. Retrieved 2023-12-17.
  4. "MBB (McKinsey, BCG, Bain): Which is the Top Consulting Firm?". Hacking the Case Interview. Retrieved 2022-09-09.