Applied Value
Visit Website: www.appliedvaluegroup.com
Overview
Introduction
Applied Value is a management consulting and investment firm that is focused on enhancing clients’ financial value and delivering lean, expedient growth solutions. Management consulting has been the firm’s core business since inception, but they also invest in other companies and maintain a strong commitment to social impact work. The firm provides the tools and knowledge to empower communities to achieve sustainable prosperity.
Company Stats
Employer Type
Size
Featured Rankings
Vault Consulting 50...
Major Departments/Practice Areas
Management Consulting...
Major Office Locations
New York, NY (HQ)...
Employment Contact
Firsthand Findings
“Incredibly hard working with a very high bar set for individual and company performance,” is how one Applied Value insider described the firm’s culture. In reviewing responses to our annual consulting survey, we found this sentiment to embody the entrepreneurial mindset that permeates the firm at a cultural level. From Day One, AV newcomers receive exposure to numerous opportunities for growth and responsibility. Everybody pitches in here on virtually every aspect of the business, as another respondent told us: “everyone, from entry-level analysts to the senior partners play an active role in the sales process…junior employees are encouraged to run their own campaigns, attend sales meetings, etc.”
A startup culture isn’t unique in the world of consulting, ...
About the Company
Applied Value was founded in 1997 by Bruce Grant and Jan Stenbeck as an action-oriented management consultancy focused on enhancing clients’ financial value and delivering lean, expedient growth solutions. Established on a combination of entrepreneurship and cost & capital efficiency, Applied Value operates from the belief that clients should see the highest return on investment from their engagement with the firm.
“Tangible results” are a core value proposition of the firm. Applied Value only pursues projects where it can produce quantifiable outcomes. Management consulting has been the firm’s core business since inception, but the firm also invests in other companies and maintains a strong commitment to social impact work.
The Applied Value Way
Applied...
Employee Reviews
- “A commitment to firm culture, including twice a year off-sites with the whole firm for sole purpose of team bonding. The investment arm of our company creates a unique set of cross-over opportunities between consulting and private-equity.”
- “We are a company that values each individual and wants them to succeed. You will get significantly more client-facing and sales experience than anyone else at your same level at other firms. We don't just say we value a good culture- it is upheld from the top with open lines of communication to all staff and a very flat organization. We also prioritize social responsibility, having many monetary and strategic partnerships with non-profits all over the world. Finally, because we have offices all over the world, you have the opportunity to work internationally and form friendships and work relationships with people all across the globe.”
- “Outstanding leadership and early responsibility (external and internal) has led to a very steep learning curve and good career progression.”
- “If you have an entrepreneurial mentality and want to join a firm that works with high profile clients on amazing strategy projects, then applied value is the perfect spot for you.”
- “Incredibly hard-working with a very high bar set for individual and company performance - but everyone is extremely supportive and loves being part of the "AV Family." Significant responsibility very early on.”
- “If you want an international experience, a lot of client exposure and early responsibilities - Applied value is the perfect place for you. We are looking for hungry, ambitious individuals with a growth mindset.”
- “Hours can be challenging, but there is a high level of autonomy even for entry level staff to ensure each individual has some flexibility in how they achieve to accomplish their goals.”
- “During COVID we have not been traveling, and the firm has been flexible in everyone's WFH environment. As a new analyst, I cannot speak to the work life balance of travel. Taking time off is an easy approval process and encouraged when your project schedule allows.”
- “Best aspects: lots of autonomy and responsibility early on in your career, flexible travel on weekends, big focus on culture. Worst aspects: work hours are tough, limited support staff can be frustrating.”
- “Generous vacation time and required to take, ideally between projects. Vacation time is respected with minor disruptions/calls. Team is very willing to rally around you and pick up slack during vacation - we support one another's time off.”
- “As an entry level analyst, we receive 4 weeks of PTO and the firm encourages everyone to use all of their vacation time. While on PTO you are not expected to be online, and the firm encourages [you to] unplug while on vacation.”
- “There isn't any formal focus on health and wellness. We do receive AMAZING healthcare, and it's completely paid for by the firm. Informally, though, the team often will find time to work out together while at the client site [pre-Covid-19].”
- “Compensation package at Applied Value is very competitive with a much larger bonus than any of the other firms I have worked for. The upward mobility allows for junior employees to earn a salary that is at the very high end of industry standards.”
- “Really competitive compensation - also had access to a pension (how many firms can say that!) Generous matching policy and good bonus.”
- “Salary progression is significant across promotion levels, PTO is high compared to industry average, bonus and base salary are competitive, and health insurance is comprehensive. No signing bonus.”
- “Bonus percentage is very high. Pension on top of all compensation that vests over five years, can be quite significant. Salary progression is quick as promotions can be little as 1.5 years per role.”
- “Compensation includes generous bonus opportunities as well as a unique and highly advantageous pension plan.”
- “Best: competitive salary and bonus; bi-annual all expenses paid, offsite [events] in locations all around the world (Tanzania, Bogota, New Orleans, Mikonos); pension program (in lieu of 401k matching). Worst - No 401k matching.”
- “The flat nature of Applied Value allows every employee from the analyst to senior manager position to handle a great degree of responsibility and manage direct relationships with clients. Due to the flat nature, the ability to quickly get promoted as unmatched at any of the previous consulting firms I have worked for. While Applied Value is a boutique firm, the training program in place is extremely robust and ensures that all new AV employees hit the ground running and feel extremely supported when starting at the firm.”
- “Extremely flat organization with a supporting, driven and fun culture. Early exposure to investments arm of the organization. High profile cases and projects with a lot of early responsibility given to high performers…No red tape and very entrepreneurial [mindset]…A lot of travel can dissuade some, but seen as huge perk for most.”
- “Robust reviews process including multiple points of downward and upward feedback in addition to self-assessment. Significant opportunities for mentorship (informal and formal). Opportunity to work on the Social Responsibility or Investments side of the business further strengthens Consulting performance and advances learning. Criteria for promotions are transparent and set a high bar.”
- “Best: upward mobility and the ability to get involved in any area of the business that you are interested in, the ability to own client relationships and deliverables is unlike anywhere else in the industry. Informal training/mentorship is amazing. Worst: additional responsibility can sometimes mean that work life balance is not always even. With the startup mentality and ability to get involved in many different areas, individuals can sometimes spread themselves too thin.”
- “Being a boutique firm, our consultants are given a lot of responsibilities early on. Both in terms of project delivery, sales, and internal business development. Being a smaller firm we don't always have the same support staff and resources as the big firms so we get to do a lot of admin ourselves. On the other hand, we practice what we preach by being a very lean organization.”
- “Extensive knowledge of different industries; [you get] get to know business operations and work closely with client staff, [and a] steep learning curve.”
- “We have a very equality-pushing working environment with established processes for maintaining gender balance and well-being between various genders, ethnicities, and religions.”
- “Not much female representation currently in management levels, but a large hiring push of women and other minorities.”
- “We have a standard compensation scale for all levels, so there is no gap between male/female employees - promotion timelines are also standardized and based on performance on a defined scorecard.”
- “Massive focus on diversity and inclusion over the last few years.”
- “[It feels] like a very fair merit based work environment.”
- “Inclusive and diversified company culture.”
- “Very positive outlook as we have both very stable long term clients as well as new clients being signed, which had resulted in n a good and diverse client portfolio. A lot of ongoing expansion initiatives are ongoing.”
- “We are hiring while others in the industry are laying off people. We are growing into investments and social responsibility areas. Expanding [our] office footprint.”
- “While other firms may be furloughing or freezing hiring, Applied Value is rapidly adding new employees which speaks to the financial health of the firm's pipeline as well as the quality of work we are providing. Leadership and all employees are seeing the current environment as a very unique opportunity for Applied Value to set ourselves apart from our competitors.”
- “Terrific long-term clients, industry and diverse projects, high employee morale, recent positive leadership changes”
- “Employee morale is extremely high as we are in a significant growth phase, but overall performance heavily tied to one particular client.”
- “A boutique firm with a strong international outlook.”
Getting Hired Here
- “AV wants curious, entrepreneurial candidates who truly care about the work because they love solving hard problems and being part of a team. The firm has done an outstanding job hiring talented and compatible candidates, and people will know during the process whether this is the place for them.”
- “Ideal candidate is someone more entrepreneurial and have a "hustler" mentality, meaning he or she can find an answer in an ambiguous situation. The person has to be excellent inter personally, since the firm is doing a great job at selling based on relationships.
- “Interview process consists of initial interview, math test, and a final interview with a case. Ideal candidate is well spoken, analytical and has a very entrepreneurial attitude.”
- “Looking for someone with a passion to win, and goes above and beyond. We are a small firm and we want leaders who would be able to thrive in unknown territories.”
- “Resume screen, numeracy test, phone screen, on-campus behavioral/typical consulting cases, final round cases / PE cases. The ideal candidate is sharp, comfortable and confident, and curious.”
- “Tell us about yourself, your past experiences, and give specific examples of how you achieved certain attributes (leadership, problem-solving, teamwork, etc.). Typical case interview questions: P&L, growth strategy, identify opportunities to reduce cost, capacity cases, build a quick model on Excel.”
- “Difficult math test to screen talent prior to cases. Typical Case-in-point style case interviews.”
- “Profitability cases, M&A, (often using actual cases as bases) and logic (IW) tests.”
- “Profitability cases, personal fit questions, business sense-gauging questions.”
- “Resume screen, numeracy test, phone screen, on-campus behavioral/typical consulting cases, and final-round cases/PE cases.”
- “Case questions are very old school - we are moving towards giving people information to synthesize and present to our leadership.”
Perks & Benefits
