How to Strengthen Your Case for Making Your Consulting Case (MYCC) Competition

November 15, 20250

by BE-EDGE team 

 

Submitting a consulting case for the 2026 MYCC (Making Your Consulting Case) annual competition is more than an academic exercise—it’s a chance to demonstrate real consulting capability. Your case becomes proof of how well you understand a client, analyze a market, and structure insights that lead to real decisions. In a job market where employers value problem-solvers, your MYCC case becomes a powerful element of your portfolio.

In her lecture, Dr. Julia Ivy clearly explains how to revise your consulting case so it builds trust, shows professional value, and aligns with the rubrics used by MYCC judges. Whether you’re entering the competition or simply learning to think like a consultant, understanding this structure will strengthen your work and your confidence.

Why Your Consulting Case Matters

Before beginning your revision, it helps to understand why MYCC requires a structured consulting case in the first place. Dr. Julia Ivy connects the process to a four-stage professional development journey:

  1. Elucidate Your Core – Understand what you bring to the market.

  2. Develop Trust – Write the company case to earn personal and professional trust.

  3. Generate Value – Conduct real analysis and produce solutions for the client.

  4. Excite the Market – Deliver a polished, clear case that shows you can create impact.

By completing MYCC, you gain:

  • A polished consulting case you can use in your portfolio

  • A deeper understanding of your target industry

  • Confidence in real problem-solving skills

  • A set of stories to use in networking and interviews

MYCC is co-run by BE-EDGE, the Western CaseWriters Association, and the Journal of Case Research and Inquiry, giving participants a credible stage to showcase their professional potential.

 

The Four-Stage Journey to Building a Strong Case

Dr. Julia Ivy outlines a journey that mirrors how real consultants approach strategic work.

1. Elucidate Your Core: Choose the Right Client and Case

Your case should match the direction you want for your career. Choosing the right client means selecting a business or industry that aligns with your long-term goals and market edge.

2. Develop Trust: Write the Company Case

Your writing should create two types of trust:

  • Personal trust: Does the client feel understood?

  • Professional trust: Does the industry recognize your credibility?

To achieve this, your case needs real data, clear structure, and strong context.

3. Generate Value: Build the Consulting Report

Once trust is established, it’s time to solve the problem. You analyze gaps, understand the environment, and propose recommendations grounded in logic and evidence.

4. Delivery: Submit and Leverage Your Work

Your case isn’t just for the judges. It becomes a valuable asset you can use in your resume, portfolio, interviews, and LinkedIn.

The Required MYCC Case Structure

A winning MYCC case includes five essential elements.

1. Challenge (Opening Hook)

The first paragraph is everything. It must clearly answer the Five Ws—who, what, where, when, and why. The protagonist (client decision-maker) should be the center of the story.

2. Background

Divided into three layers:

  • Company: history, strategy, performance

  • Industry: market size, competitors, trends

  • Local context: regional details that matter

This section builds professional trust, so data quality matters.

3. Situation

Describe the events immediately before the decision. Include what happened, who’s involved, and how they see the situation. Quotes and visuals humanize the story and build personal trust.

4. Decision to Make (Closing Hook)

The closing paragraph mirrors the opening. It summarizes the challenge, presents the decision questions, and creates urgency. A judge should know exactly what the protagonist must decide.

5. Visuals and Presentation

Tables, charts, and maps elevate professionalism and make your case easier to follow.

How MYCC Judges Score Your Case

The judging rubrics focus on three main areas:

  1. Focus – Clear challenge and clear decision questions

  2. Data Quality – Strong, relevant visuals and accurate evidence

  3. Presentation – Clean, professional structure

Judges want clarity, conciseness, and coherence—not long stories.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Dr. Julia Ivy highlights the most frequent pitfalls:

  • Starting with background instead of the challenge

  • Overfilling the case with irrelevant information

  • Overly dramatic or overly casual writing

  • Weak visuals or data

  • Ending without clear decision questions

Your goal is to keep the case focused, structured, and professional.

Why MYCC Builds Real Career Advantage

Completing MYCC proves you can:

  • Understand a real business context

  • Communicate like a consultant

  • Solve ambiguous and real-world problems

  • Build trust through evidence and clarity

  • Deliver work that blends insight, strategy, and storytelling

In a marketplace where automation and offshoring dominate operational roles, the ability to think, analyze, and recommend becomes your defining edge.

Next Step: Submit Your Case

Ready to put your work to the test? Submit your completed MYCC consulting case via email to julia.ivy@be-edge.com. Make sure your case follows the proper structure, includes all required visuals and analysis, and aligns with the MYCC rubrics. Don’t miss the chance to showcase your professional skills, build your portfolio, and gain recognition for your work!