Game of Consultants
Our newest initiative yet, Game of Consultants, tests your consulting knowledge & analytical eye to the fullest. Attempt it and see how good you are! We add new ones every week
NOVICE
The Price of Protectionism
The article provides an in-depth analysis of the 2025 US-China trade war, where both nations have reignited tariff battles targeting critical sectors like semiconductors, EV batteries, agriculture, and luxury goods. It explains how this renewed conflict is disrupting global supply chains, pushing major companies to shift manufacturing to countries like India, Vietnam, Mexico, and Thailand. The article also highlights China’s growing trade alliances with Africa and Latin America, the expansion of regional trade blocs like RCEP and IPEF, and the increasing push towards de-dollarization through yuan-based trade settlements and BRICS-led payment systems.
Check out this article by Divyanshu Jha as he emphasizes that sustainable global growth now depends on renewed multilateral cooperation, transparent trade practices, and a strategic shift from zero-sum competition to mutual interdependence.
The Business of Freebies
Free electricity, loan waivers, direct cash transfers — are these enablers of social justice or tactical vote banks?
In India’s evolving electoral landscape, the line between welfare and freebies is becoming increasingly blurred. This article dives deep into the economics, political incentives, and real-world consequences of the freebie culture, while offering global perspectives and actionable solutions for policymakers.
Can India chart a path that safeguards both social equity and economic sustainability? Check out this article by Daksh Kalra as he unpacks the political economy behind India’s rising freebie culture, its long-term impact on governance and fiscal health, and the global lessons it offers.
The Halo and Horn Effects: How One Trait Shapes Our Judgments
Our initial impressions often hold more power than we realise. A firm handshake, articulate speech, or a confident introduction can lead us to overestimate a person’s abilities. Conversely, a single misstep may unfairly overshadow their true potential. These cognitive shortcuts, known as the Halo and Horn effects, deeply influence our decisions in workplaces, classrooms, and even the marketplace.
Such biases can result in unfair hiring, skewed evaluations, and poor consumer choices. But with greater awareness and structured methods like blind assessments, rotational reviews, and self-reflection, we can reduce their impact and make more objective, evidence-based judgments.
In this piece, Chinmay Chirag explores how one trait can shape our entire perception of a person and shares clear, actionable ways to overcome these hidden biases in high-stakes environments.
The Paradox of Choice: Does More Freedom Make Us Less Happy?
The Paradox of Choice: Is Too Much Freedom Making Us Unhappy?
We live in a world overflowing with options: internships, career paths, products, even identities. While this abundance promises freedom, it often leads to decision fatigue, anxiety, and second-guessing.
Psychologist Barry Schwartz calls this the Paradox of Choice: when having too many options makes us less happy, not more.
But what if the answer lies in thinking like a consultant? By using structured tools, frameworks and constraints, we can cut through the noise, make better choices and feel more confident.
Check out Aditya Duggal’s article as he delves deep into the Paradox of Choice and explores how applying consulting principles to everyday life can help navigate complexity and bring clarity.
Is Smartphone Innovation Dead?
Smartphone innovation isn’t what it used to be. While foldables, AI tools, and high-megapixel cameras may seem exciting, most of today’s upgrades feel more like tweaks than true transformations.
With users holding on to their devices longer and annual launches becoming increasingly predictable, a question arises is real smartphone innovation fading? What defines meaningful innovation in today’s mobile era? Are we nearing the end of the smartphone’s dominance, or on the verge of something entirely new?
Explore these pressing questions in Aryan Maheshwari’s article as he examines the stagnation in smartphone evolution and the emerging promise of smart wearables and multimodal AI could this be the beginning of a new tech era?
Industrial Metaverse: The Latest Game-Changer for Businesses?
The Industrial Metaverse is no longer a buzzword, it’s a real, transformative force in global business. As Industry 4.0 evolves, companies like Siemens, BMW, and FIAT are leveraging digital twins, AR/VR, and real-time simulations to redesign everything from production floors to customer interactions.
What sets the industrial metaverse apart from the consumer metaverse? What technologies are enabling this shift, and how close are we to a fully immersive industrial future?
Discover the diverse use cases, strategies, and technologies shaping the Industrial Metaverse landscape. Check out Aditya Dalmia’s article as he explores how innovations like smart factories, digital twins, and real-time simulations are impacting businesses and their potential to transform operations and drive growth across industries.