McKinsey or…!: 10 Prompts That Replace $500/hr Consultants!
🚨 RIP McKinsey: 10 Prompts That Replace $500/hr Consultants!
For decades, elite consulting firms like McKinsey, EY, and BCG have charged eye-watering fees to deliver strategy decks, growth plans, and performance frameworks. But what if you could unlock 80% of that value—for a fraction of the cost?
Welcome to the new era of business intelligence: where smart prompts and AI-powered strategy can replace the first 100 hours of expensive consulting at just $150/hr.
Whether you're a founder, operator, or exec, these 10 prompts will help you think like a $500/hr consultant—without the invoice shock.
🧠 1. SWOT Analysis
Prompt: Act as a business strategist. Create a SWOT analysis for [INSERT BUSINESS] in the [INSERT INDUSTRY] using competitive landscape data and internal factors.
Why it works: Consultants love SWOTs—they're foundational. This prompt gives you a clear view of strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats, tailored to your market.
🚀 2. Growth Levers
Prompt: Identify 5 scalable growth levers for a [TYPE OF BUSINESS], focusing on revenue expansion, operational leverage, and brand amplification.
Why it works: Growth strategy is the bread and butter of consulting. This prompt helps you uncover hidden levers that drive scale.
📅 3. 30-60-90 Plan
Prompt: Create a 30-60-90 day performance plan for a new [INSERT ROLE] joining [COMPANY], including onboarding goals, KPIs, and early wins.
Why it works: Onboarding plans are often templated by consultants. This prompt gives you a custom roadmap for new hires.
💰 4. Revenue Model Canvas
Prompt: Build a lean revenue model for a business offering [PRODUCT/SERVICE], including ideal pricing, CAC, LTV, and monthly recurring revenue projection.
Why it works: Consultants charge thousands for financial modeling. This prompt helps you build a lean, actionable revenue engine.
🔁 5. Churn Fix
Prompt: Recommend 3 evidence-based strategies to reduce churn for a SaaS product serving [TARGET CUSTOMER], using customer behavior and feedback loops.
Why it works: Retention is king. This prompt helps you diagnose churn and implement proven fixes.
📊 6. KPI Dashboard Blueprint
Prompt: List the 7 most important KPIs for a [BUSINESS TYPE] to track across acquisition, retention, product usage, and financial health.
Why it works: Consultants love dashboards. This prompt helps you build one that actually drives decisions.
💸 7. Pricing Strategy
Prompt: Act as a pricing expert. Suggest 3 pricing strategies for [OFFER] targeting [SEGMENT], using value-based pricing, tiering, and competitive positioning.
Why it works: Pricing is a dark art. This prompt gives you clarity and options based on proven frameworks.
📣 8. Go-to-Market Plan
Prompt: Develop a go-to-market strategy for launching [PRODUCT] to [TARGET MARKET], covering positioning, channels, acquisition, and launch metrics.
Why it works: GTM plans are a consultant favorite. This prompt helps you launch with precision and impact.
🧩 9. Value Proposition
Prompt: Write a compelling value proposition for [BRAND or PRODUCT] that highlights customer pain, the solution, and key differentiators.
Why it works: Messaging matters. This prompt helps you craft a pitch that resonates and converts.
🔄 10. Pivot Ideas
Prompt: Suggest 3 smart pivot directions for a startup struggling with [SPECIFIC PROBLEM], including new customer segments, use cases, or product angles.
Why it works: When consultants say “strategic realignment,” they mean pivot. This prompt gives you fresh angles to explore.
💡 Final Thought
The future of strategy isn’t about replacing consultants entirely—it’s about democratizing their tools. With the right prompts and a bit of curiosity, you can unlock insights that used to cost tens of thousands.