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Break out
In 1973, Bain's founders set out to build an innovative consulting firm with an emphasis on long-term client relationships, competitive strategy, and measurable impact. Bain's approach-working with clients to develop proprietary strategies that help them beat their competition-is unique in the market. The firm is a small start-up, originally based in Bill's Beacon Hill apartment, but the early emphasis on 'results, not reports' will remain the core value. -
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On a Mission
Bain's results-oriented business model spreads rapidly across the industry. The team spells out the firm's guiding principles in the Bain Mission Statement and begins to systematically measure Bain's effect on client's stock prices. A culture of fun and energy develops in the ranks, as a cultural icons like Associate Consultant Training and Bain Band appear. Bain partners start Bain Capital, applying the same results approach to private equity. -
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Too Hot to Handle
Outstanding client success stories, increased market share, and great talent combine to make Bain the industry's hot player. aines never discuss their clients and acquire a reputation for secrecy, prompting the media to call Bain 'the KGB of consulting.' This elite image, combined with an innovative Associate Consultant program, enhances the firm's on-campus reputation and helps to recruit the best and brightest directly out of colleges and universities. -
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Partnering for survival
A difficult economic environment, along with a new debt-laden ownership structure, contributes to a financial crisis for Bain. Media and industry consensus is that the Bain model has failed. But rumors of Bain's demise and premature, and the partner team locks arms an pledges to save the firm. With deep commitment to one another and a new team of leaders, the partnership orchestrates a spectacular financial turnaround. -
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Reaching for the Stars
The focused Bain partnership strengthens the firm, laying many of todays institutional foundations, while also launching new offices across the globe and piloting new innovative business models. This is an era of experimentation and pioneering for Bain. The firm grows at unprecedented rates. -
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Invest in the Core
After the dot-com crash and the tragedy of 9/11, Bains begins a period of disciplined investment in its core capabilities and industry practices. Following their own recommendations to clients, the partners 'lean in' through the economic downturn, hiring aggressively and investing to retain and protect the existing team. This courageous strategy allows Bain to take share from competitors and emerge from the slowdown with momentum, further accelerating firm growth. -
Results Acceleration
For over 35 years, Bain has delivered outstanding client results. The firm has emphasizing transfers of skills and talent among its offices around the world to best serve global clients. Bain continues to innovate in ways that drive results. Moreover, Bain continues to maintain its commitment tot its people-the asset that clients, recruits, and industry pundits all say is Bain's primary differentiator in the strategy consulting ind
