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Rider pay rises: the so what in one sentence

You run the case. Read the prompt, answer questions from the notes below, and share data only when the candidate asks for it or gets stuck. Score at the end.

Case timer

00:00

Target length:

1. Read the prompt aloud

Read it slowly, then pause. Let the candidate ask questions before they structure.

Rider pay at an Indian quick commerce company rises from INR 45 to INR 54 an order. Using the table, write the so what in one sentence.

The prompt refers to Exhibit 1. After reading it, say: "Open Exhibit 1 now."

2. Answers to clarifying questions

This case has no scripted clarifying answers. Answer from the prompt, and say "assume what you think is reasonable" if the prompt does not cover it.

3. A model structure

Compare the candidate's structure with this one. A different split can be just as good if it is clean and fits the problem.

From the number to the action
- The number: the rise per order
- The comparison: against today's contribution per order
- The meaning: how much less each order earns
- The action: what wins it back

Exhibit 1

The prompt uses this exhibit, so the candidate opens it right after you read the prompt ("Show exhibit 1" on their screen).

One quick commerce order in India, today and after the rider pay rise(INR per order)

One quick commerce order in India, today and after the rider pay rise
Line	Today	After the rise
What the company keeps from the order	141	141
Rider to deliver the order	45	54
Packaging	7	7
Payment fees	9	9
Discounts and coupons	20	20
Contribution per order	60	51

Illustrative figures from the e-commerce and quick commerce industry brief; the rider pay rise is invented for this example.

4. The working, step by step

Each step shows how a strong candidate works it out. Share a new fact from it only when the candidate asks or is stuck, and let them do the math: the result in the dark box is what they should reach.

Step 1: The rise
What a strong candidate does: New rider pay minus old rider pay.
Rise per order (INR): 54 - 45 = 9
Step 2: New contribution
What a strong candidate does: Every extra rupee of cost comes straight off contribution.
Contribution after the rise (INR): 60 - 9 = 51
Step 3: The meaning
What a strong candidate does: The rise as a share of today's contribution.
Fall in contribution (percent): 9 ÷ 60 × 100 = 15
Step 4: The other way to win it back
What a strong candidate does: If the fee does not change, how many more orders keep total contribution flat? Today's contribution divided by the new one, minus one.
More orders needed (percent): (60 ÷ 51 - 1) × 100 = 17.65

The recommendation to listen for

At the end, say: "The CEO walks in. What is your recommendation?"

Contribution falls 15 percent, from INR 60 to INR 51 an order, so raise the delivery fee by INR 9 before the rider pay rise lands. Without it, the company would need about 18 percent more orders just to earn the same. The risk is that a higher fee loses customers, so test it in one city first.

Strong versus weak

A strong answer

"Contribution falls 15 percent, from INR 60 to INR 51 an order, so raise the delivery fee by INR 9." Meaning, number and action in one sentence.

A weak answer

"Rider pay goes up from INR 45 to INR 54." True, but it only repeats the table. The reader still has to work out what it means.

Score the candidate

Score each criterion from 1 to 5. A 2 or a 4 sits between the descriptions.

Structuring

1: No clear structure, or a memorized framework that does not fit the problem.
3: A sensible structure, but with some overlap, a gap, or no clear priority.
5: A structure built for this problem, with no overlap and no gaps, a stated hypothesis, and a clear first step.

Math

1: Frequent errors, no units, or needed heavy help to finish.
3: Right answers but slow or messy working, or one error caught late.
5: Accurate and clearly narrated, with units, a sense check, and what the number means.

Exhibit reading

1: Read the chart aloud without finding the number that matters.
3: Found the key number but gave only part of the so-what.
5: Pulled the right number quickly and said what it means for the case.

Synthesis

1: Summarized what was done, with no clear answer.
3: Gave an answer, but with weak reasons or no next step.
5: Answer first, then two or three reasons with numbers, the main risk, and next steps.

Communication

1: Hard to follow: long silences, no signposting.
3: Clear most of the time, with some rambling.
5: Calm and concise, signposted each step, and checked in with the interviewer.

Total

0 out of 25

Score all five criteria to see the band and the feedback template.