Rejected my offer from Bain to join a startup 6 years ago - best decision in hindsight

Was just reading The Ken’s article they posted today around what went behind Bain’s recent layoffs - made me think a lot. More so because I rejected my offer from Bain in college to go join a startup.

Bain is a titan in the consulting world, what made it stumble so hard in India? By now, all of us know Bain let go 15-20% of its workforce, a shocking move that reveals deep problems.

What went wrong? 1/ Putting all eggs in one basket: Bain's excessive dependence on Tiger Global (60-70% of PE consulting revenue) proved catastrophic when Tiger faltered. When Tiger faltered, Bain was left scrambling. 2/ Overconfidence led to overhiring: The 2022 hiring spree, nearly doubling B-school intake, reveals a dangerous disconnect between market realities and internal optimism. Now, with less work, those hires became a burden. 3/ Reputation at Risk: Layoffs may solve immediate financial woes, but the long-term damage to Bain's employer brand could prove costly in an industry that thrives on top talent. 4/ Others learn from Bain's mistakes: While Bain stumbled, rival BCG played it safer and is now in a stronger position. 5/ Growth isn't everything: Bain's fall shows that in consulting, steady relationships and smart hiring matter more than just getting bigger.

So thankful for not joining consulting post college 🙏🏼