We sat down with Marcus Bransholm to hear about his first year at Simon-Kucher, from his early days as an intern to becoming a full-time senior consultant.
Marcus Bransholm, a senior consultant in our Copenhagen office, speaks with us about the support he has received, his first big “aha” moment in project work, and what a typical day looks like in the office. Along the way, he shares his best tips for new joiners and what makes working in the Nordics so unique. For Marcus, consulting (much like a good smørrebrød) is all about building from a solid foundation and layering thoughtfully on top.
What support did you receive during your first few months, and what made the biggest difference in helping you settle in?
Marcus: During my first months, both as an intern and later as a full-time employee, I was lucky to have incredibly friendly and supportive colleagues who helped me get up to speed. I still remember one of the directors challenging me to a game of pool during a break in my first week, which made me feel really welcome. As a full-time hire, the 4-day STEPS onboarding program also made a big difference, giving me a solid introduction and helping me build a network with new starters from across the firm.
Do you remember your first big consulting “aha” moment?
Marcus: My first big “aha” moment was realizing that even as an intern or early-career consultant, you can play a crucial role in shaping the final project deliverables. If you make time to dive into interview notes, client data, and external research, you will become the go-to person for certain parts of the analysis. So, what starts as simple tasks like taking notes can quickly evolve into having real ownership and a voice in the team’s thinking.
What does a typical workday look like for you?
Marcus: There’s no “typical” day in terms of the work itself – it changes depending on the project and the phase we’re in. That said, my day usually starts around 9 a.m. in the Copenhagen office with a team check-in to align on priorities. After that, I grab a coffee and dive into the day’s tasks, which can range from reading materials and building slides to crunching data in Python. We break for lunch in the canteen around 11:30, which is a nice time to catch up with colleagues. Afternoons vary – some days are focused work blocks, while others include client check-ins or team problem-solving sessions. Workdays can be longer before big presentations, but there’s usually a good balance over time.
What's the best PowerPoint hack you've learned so far?
Marcus: The best PowerPoint hack I’ve learned is making full use of the Simon-Kucher add-in. It can really save a lot of time. Good slides often come down to small things like perfect alignment or consistent formatting, and Simon-Kucher has tools to make that super easy. I constantly use simple features like swapping positions of shapes or copying shape positions. Also, since I am colorblind, the standard Eyedropper function is probably one of the functions I use the most.
What do you think makes working in the Nordics unique compared to other regions?
Marcus: What makes working in the Nordics unique, at least from my Danish perspective, is that most people come into the office regularly, and that we have a canteen where we sit for lunch together. Seeing my colleagues almost daily means that I get to really know the other people in the office, which creates a great atmosphere. Having lunch together is also a nice way to take a break and catch up with others outside your project team. In my experience, these two things really contribute to a unique work environment.
If your consulting career were a Nordic dish, what would it be and why?
Marcus: If my consulting career were a Nordic dish, it would be smørrebrød. On the surface, it looks simple: a slice of rye bread. But there’s a lot of thought, preparation, and layering behind each piece. Just like in consulting, you start with a solid foundation and build up with different elements depending on the project - while simplicity often is key. It’s also highly customizable, which reflects how varied and dynamic the work can be.
If you could sum up your first year at Simon-Kucher in three words, what would they be?
Marcus: Challenging, collaborative, rewarding. There is a steep learning curve, but that also means you grow a lot. Personal development comes both from the work you do yourself and from observing other team members who oftentimes have many years of work experience.
If you could give one piece of advice to someone starting as a consultant at Simon-Kucher, what would it be?
Marcus: My advice would be to embrace the learning process and not be afraid to ask questions. Consulting can be challenging, especially when you are exposed to new topics, but it's all about facing the challenge and growing through it. At the same time, leverage the expertise of colleagues and take every opportunity to learn. The more you engage and contribute, the faster you'll gain confidence and experience.