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12 Days of Christmas GMAT Competition - Day 3: Strategy Consultant

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Bunuel

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12 Days of Christmas 2024 - 2025 Competition with $40,000 of Prizes

Strategy Consultant: Company X has a lower percentage of employees working remotely than any other company of comparable size in the industry. Generally, companies with more remote employees have lower overall productivity than companies with fewer remote employees. Therefore, the primary reason Company X has higher productivity than any other company of comparable size in the industry must be its low percentage of employees working remotely.

Which of the following, if true, would most strengthen the strategy consultant’s argument?

A. Company X’s remote employees are more productive than the remote employees of any other company of comparable size in the industry.
B. The percentage of employees working on-site is higher in Company X than in any other company of comparable size in the industry.
C. Nationwide, companies without remote employees typically are less profitable than companies with a high percentage of remote employees.
D. In Company X, a lower proportion of employees work remotely than in any other company of comparable size in the industry.
E. Company X’s on-site employees have productivity rates no higher than the productivity rates of on-site employees at other companies of comparable size in the industry.

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Bunuel

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Bunuel

12 Days of Christmas 2024 - 2025 Competition with $30,000 of Prizes

Strategy Consultant: Company X has a lower percentage of employees working remotely than any other company of comparable size in the industry. Generally, companies with more remote employees have lower overall productivity than companies with fewer remote employees. Therefore, the primary reason Company X has higher productivity than any other company of comparable size in the industry must be its low percentage of employees working remotely.

Which of the following, if true, would most strengthen the strategy consultant’s argument?

A. Company X’s remote employees are more productive than the remote employees of any other company of comparable size in the industry.
B. The percentage of employees working on-site is higher in Company X than in any other company of comparable size in the industry.
C. Nationwide, companies without remote employees typically are less profitable than companies with a high percentage of remote employees.
D. In Company X, a lower proportion of employees work remotely than in any other company of comparable size in the industry.
E. Company X’s on-site employees have productivity rates no higher than the productivity rates of on-site employees at other companies of comparable size in the industry.

GMAT Club's Official Explanation:

A. Incorrect. This statement does not really help us to strengthen our argument, perhaps the opposite, it weakens the argument, though largely irrelevant.

B. Incorrect. This statement tells us what we already know - that company X has more people working in the office vs. remotely. Thus, we can eliminate it as not helpful.

C. Incorrect. The statement of profitability is not relevant to the argument. We are talking about productivity, which may or may not be correlated to profitability. Thus we can safely rule this choice out.

D. Incorrect. This option simply restates a part of the premise and does not offer any new information that strengthens the strategy consultant’s argument regarding the reasons behind Company X’s higher productivity.

E. Correct Answer. This is a tricky one but it is the only strengthen statement actually. If the Company X on-site employees are no more productive than on-site employees at other companies, that would mean their higher productivity would be not because they had super-productive on-site employees but because there are fewer remote employees who are clearly less productive, so they don’t have super-stars on-site who make the company shine, but they just have fewer remote folks, thus strengthening the conclusion that it is indeed the lower number of remote employees that is the reason for higher productivity.

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A. This comparison is irrelevant as it does not tell about onsite employees. - Incorrect.

B. Restated fact from the argument in other words. - Incorrect.

C. Profitability is out of scope. - Incorrect.

D. Already stated fact. - Incorrect.

E. If on-site employees are no more productive than those of other company on-site employees than we can say that higher productivity is due to higher on-site employees only. - Correct.

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IMO E

The strategy consultant's argument is that Company X's higher productivity is primarily due to its low percentage of employees working remotely. To strengthen this argument, we need to find an option that supports the idea that having fewer remote employees is a significant factor in higher productivity.

Option (A): Company X’s remote employees are more productive than the remote employees of any other company of comparable size in the industry.

Analysis: This option focuses on the productivity of remote employees rather than the impact of having fewer remote employees. It does not directly support the argument that having fewer remote employees is the primary reason for higher overall productivity.
Option (B): The percentage of employees working on-site is higher in Company X than in any other company of comparable size in the industry.

Analysis: This option restates part of the premise but does not provide additional evidence that having more on-site employees (and thus fewer remote employees) is the primary reason for higher productivity.
Option (C): Nationwide, companies without remote employees typically are less profitable than companies with a high percentage of remote employees.

Analysis: This option introduces a general trend that contradicts the consultant's argument, suggesting that having more remote employees might be beneficial for profitability, which does not support the claim about productivity.
Option (D): In Company X, a lower proportion of employees work remotely than in any other company of comparable size in the industry.

Analysis: This option reiterates the premise but does not provide new information that strengthens the causal link between fewer remote employees and higher productivity.
Option (E): Company X’s on-site employees have productivity rates no higher than the productivity rates of on-site employees at other companies of comparable size in the industry.

Analysis: This option supports the argument by suggesting that the productivity advantage of Company X is not due to its on-site employees being more productive than those at other companies. Instead, it implies that the higher overall productivity must be due to the lower percentage of remote employees. This strengthens the argument that having fewer remote employees is a significant factor in Company X's higher productivity.

The correct answer is (E) because it directly supports the strategy consultant’s argument by indicating that the higher productivity of Company X cannot be attributed to the productivity of on-site employees alone. This implies that the lower percentage of remote employees is a key factor in the higher overall productivity, thereby strengthening the argument.

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The answer is option B.

Because option B points out that people working on-site or people who come into office in the company is higher compared to other companies which strengthens the argument directly.

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Ans. is E.

Note that the conclusion is the primary reason Company X has higher productivity than any other company of comparable size in the industry must be its low percentage of employees working remotely.

A) Company X’s remote employees are more productive than the remote employees of any other company of comparable size in the industry. - out of scope so irrelevant.

B) The percentage of employees working on-site is higher in Company X than in any other company of comparable size in the industry. - information is given as a fact in the argument.

C) Nationwide, companies without remote employees typically are less profitable than companies with a high percentage of remote employees - out of scope so irrelevant.

D) In Company X, a lower proportion of employees work remotely than in any other company of comparable size in the industry. - Already mentioned in the argument

E) Company X’s on-site employees have productivity rates no higher than the productivity rates of on-site employees at other companies of comparable size in the industry. - explains why less number of employees working remotely is the 'primary' reason for the higher productivity of the company.

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Conclusion: the primary reason Company X has higher productivity than any other company of comparable size in the industry must be its low percentage of employees working remotely.

Premises : Company X has a lower percentage of employees working remotely than any other company of comparable size in the industry. Generally, companies with more remote employees have lower overall productivity than companies with fewer remote employees.

A) This weaken the argument by suggesting the company X's remote employee are exceptionally productive, implying that remote work isn't the cause of lower productivity

B) this restates information already given in the premises and doesn't add new supporting information

C) This weaken the argument by suggesting the compaines with more remote employees might be more profitable, contradicting the conclusion

D) this restates information already given in the premises and doesn't add new supporting information

E) this strengthen the argumnet. If company X's on site employees are not more productive than those at other companies , it suggests that the higher overall productivity must be due to having fewer remote employees, supporting the conclusion

therefore the correct answer is E. By eleminating other potential reasons to Company X's higher productivity this option strengthen the consultant's argument that the low % of remote worker is the primary reason for the company's higher productivity

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A. This focuses on the productivity of remote employees but does not strengthen the claim that Company X’s low percentage of remote employees is the primary reason for its higher overall productivity. Does not strengthen. INCORRECT

B. This reinforces that Company X’s low percentage of remote employees corresponds to a high percentage of on-site employees, which is a factor linked to productivity in the argument. This strengthens the argument by emphasizing the contrast in work environments. CORRECT

C. The argument is about productivity, not profitability. This introduces information unrelated to the productivity claim for Company X. INCORRECT

D. This merely repeats part of the premise: that Company X has fewer remote employees. However, it does not strengthen the connection between having fewer remote employees and higher productivity. INCORRECT

E. This weakens the argument by suggesting that the high productivity of Company X cannot be attributed to its on-site employees, undermining the consultant’s conclusion. INCORRECT

Answer B.

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Bunuel

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(A): Focuses on remote employees' productivity, not overall productivity. Doesn't strengthen.
(B): Highlights more on-site employees but doesn’t link this to higher productivity. Partially strengthens.
(C): Suggests fewer remote employees may reduce profitability. Weakens.
(D): Restates the premise without linking it to productivity. Doesn’t strengthen.
(E): Shows on-site employees are not more productive than peers, leaving fewer remote employees as the key factor for higher productivity. Strongly strengthens.

Hence E is the perfect choice. IMO E

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E
To strengthen the argument we need to find the proof of the argument in the below options
(A)
The argument is about the number of remote workers in the company and how productivity is affected by it, he doesn not talk about the productivity of the remote workers any different from the remote workers in other companies
(B)
This statement just re states the reason of the Strategy consultant, doesnot make the reason stronger
(C)
This statement clearly weakens the consultant's reason
(D)
This statement also is just again the same statement given by the consultant, this doesnt help strengthen the reason.
(E)
Here, the productivity is same of all the workers, on site. Then more the number of on site workers more the productivity, this is exactly what the consultant based his reason on. So this stands as a dependency to the reason the consultant stated

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Bunuel

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To strengthen the strategy consultant’s argument, we need to establish a stronger link between Company X’s lower percentage of remote employees and its higher productivity compared to similar companies. The correct option should directly support the idea that having fewer remote employees is the main factor contributing to higher productivity. Let’s evaluate each option:
[hr]
Option Analysis:
(A) Company X’s remote employees are more productive than the remote employees of any other company of comparable size in the industry.

This focuses on remote employees' productivity, which could weaken the argument by suggesting that higher productivity in Company X is due to its remote employees, not because of fewer employees working remotely.
Eliminate.

(B) The percentage of employees working on-site is higher in Company X than in any other company of comparable size in the industry.

This supports the argument by showing that on-site work is unique to Company X, aligning with the claim that fewer remote employees lead to higher productivity.
Keep.

(C) Nationwide, companies without remote employees typically are less profitable than companies with a high percentage of remote employees.

This introduces information about profitability nationwide, which is unrelated to the argument about productivity in companies of comparable size in the same industry.
Eliminate.

(D) In Company X, a lower proportion of employees work remotely than in any other company of comparable size in the industry.

This merely restates the premise of the argument. It does not add new evidence to support the link between low remote work and high productivity.
Eliminate.

(E) Company X’s on-site employees have productivity rates no higher than the productivity rates of on-site employees at other companies of comparable size in the industry.

This weakens the argument. If on-site employees are not more productive, it suggests that higher productivity is not due to lower remote work but something else entirely.
Eliminate.

[hr]
Final Answer: (B)

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C: "Primary" reason of high productivity must be low percentage of remote employees
P: 'generally' low % of remote means higher productivity.

Argument is establishing causal relationship.

Option E) Employees are not more productive than in other companies. i.e. it is not bcoz the employees are more productive. it eliminates an alternate reason. Hence correct strengthener.

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SC: X has lower (Percentage) employees working remotely, than any other company of comparable size in industry
C: X's High Profitability's reason is it has lower employees working remotely.

We need to Strengthen the conclusion

Comparable Size would not mean to have equal employees

2 cases

1st case
In Company X
In office = 4000 Employees
5% working Remotely
Remote = 100 Employees

In other
In office = 1000 employees
10% Working Remotely
Remote = 100 Employees

2nd Case

In X
X = 1000 employees
5% Working Remotely
Remote = 50 Employees

In Other
X = 1000 employees
10% Working Remotely
Remote = 100 Employees

For Strengthen we need to prove the 2nd case only

So option D Says,

In Company X, a lower proportion of employees work remotely than in any other company of comparable size in the industry.

Remote(InX)/Total << Remote(In other)/Total
50/1000 << 100/1000

yes, it strengthen the Case

A. It is not Strengthening the Argument, as it is weaking by telling us another reason why productivity is high in X
B. Weaking, as it is the more employees working onsite being the reason for high productivity
C. Weaking the Argument (Out of Score
D. Answer
E. what is Employees are more in other organization, so overall productivity will be high in

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Strategy Consultant: Company X has a lower percentage of employees working remotely than any other company of comparable size in the industry. Generally, companies with more remote employees have lower overall productivity than companies with fewer remote employees.

Therefore, the primary reason Company X has higher productivity than any other company of comparable size in the industry must be its low percentage of employees working remotely.

Overall productivity = Percentage of remote employee * Productivity of remote employees + Percentage of on-site employees * Productivity of on-site employees

Which of the following, if true, would most strengthen the strategy consultant’s argument?

A. Company X’s remote employees are more productive than the remote employees of any other company of comparable size in the industry.
Weakens the argument since Company X’s remote employees are more productive than the remote employees of any other company of comparable size in the industry, therefore, higher percentage of remote employees will increase overall productivity.
Incorrect

B. The percentage of employees working on-site is higher in Company X than in any other company of comparable size in the industry.
No additional information is provided since the percentage of employees working on-site is 100% - percentage of employees working remotely
Incorrect

C. Nationwide, companies without remote employees typically are less profitable than companies with a high percentage of remote employees.
The argument is NOT about profitability of companies but about overall productivity of companies.
Incorrect

D. In Company X, a lower proportion of employees work remotely than in any other company of comparable size in the industry.
No additional information is provided since it is already mentioned that Company X has a lower percentage of employees working remotely than any other company of comparable size in the industry.
Incorrect

E. Company X’s on-site employees have productivity rates no higher than the productivity rates of on-site employees at other companies of comparable size in the industry.
Company X’s on-site employees have productivity rates no higher than the productivity rates of on-site employees at other companies of comparable size in the industry. Therefore, the primary reason behind higher overall productivity of Company X is low percentage of employees working remotely
Correct

IMO E

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Bunuel

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Lower percentage of employees work remotely = higher percentage of employee work onsite

A) It does not reflect higher percentage of employee work onsite (x)
B) It exactly showing percentage working on-site is higher (v)
C) Less profit not relevant to percentage of employee work onsite (x)
D) It reflect what the question ask = lower proportion of employee (x)
E) It does not reflect the percentage of employee work onsite (x)

Therefore B is the correct answer

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The consultant argues that X's higher productivity is because of its lower percentage of remote workers.

A. This weakens the argument. If X's remote workers are highly productive, it suggests that a low percentage of remote workers isn't the main reason for X's overall high productivity.

B. This is just a restatement of the premise and doesn't add any new information.

C. This introduces information about profit, which is irrelevant to the argument about productivity.

D. This is also a restatement of a premise and doesn't strengthen the argument.

E. This is the correct answer.
If X's on-site employees are no more productive than those at other companies, and yet X has higher overall productivity, this strongly suggests the low percentage of remote workers (and thus the high percentage of on-site workers) is the crucial factor driving X's higher overall productivity.
It eliminates the possibility that X's on-site employees are simply individually more productive.

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A - No information
B - Strengthens the argument
C - Weakener
D - Known information
E - Weakener

IMO - Option B is the correct answer

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Answer is E.

Argument: The primary reason Company X has higher productivity than any other company of comparable size in the industry must be its low percentage of employees working remotely.

A. Incorrect - contradicts argument because if their remote employees were more productive than average, they would probably want a higher percentage of remote employees rather than low percentage
B. Incorrect - restates premise
C. Incorrect - restates premise
D. Incorrect - restates premise
E. Correct - strengthens argument by showing that Company X's higher productivity is not due to their on-site employees being more productive on average, but rather due to their having a higher percentage of on-site employees than average

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A. Company X’s remote employees are more productive than the remote employees of any other company of comparable size in the industry.
What does this mean?
This statement suggests that remote employees at Company X are more productive than those at other companies.
How does this affect the argument?
If remote employees at Company X are more productive, this contradicts the consultant’s argument that remote employees are less productive. It weakens the idea that fewer remote employees is the reason for higher productivity.
So, this weakens the argument.

B. The percentage of employees working on-site is higher in Company X than in any other company of comparable size in the industry.
What does this mean?
This statement tells us that Company X has a higher percentage of on-site employees compared to its competitors.
How does this affect the argument?
This could strengthen the consultant's argument because it supports the idea that having more on-site employees (and fewer remote employees) might lead to higher productivity. However, it doesn't directly address whether fewer remote employees is the reason for higher productivity, as it doesn't say anything about the productivity of remote employees themselves.
It supports the argument but is not as strong as E. Its also a repetition

C. Nationwide, companies without remote employees typically are less profitable than companies with a high percentage of remote employees.
What does this mean?
This suggests that companies without remote employees are less profitable than companies with a high percentage of remote employees.
How does this affect the argument?
This contradicts the consultant's argument, which assumes that fewer remote employees leads to higher productivity. If companies without remote employees are less profitable, it suggests that having fewer remote employees might not necessarily lead to better performance.
This weakens the argument because it introduces an alternative perspective that challenges the consultant’s reasoning.

D. In Company X, a lower proportion of employees work remotely than in any other company of comparable size in the industry.
What does this mean?
This statement confirms that Company X has the lowest proportion of remote employees compared to other companies.
How does this affect the argument?
This supports the consultant’s argument by emphasizing that fewer remote employees might be a key factor in Company X’s higher productivity. It suggests that Company X's lower remote employee percentage is indeed an important factor in its higher productivity.
This supports the argument, but it doesn't directly address whether the low percentage of remote employees is the primary reason for higher productivity.

E. Company X’s on-site employees have productivity rates no higher than the productivity rates of on-site employees at other companies of comparable size in the industry.
What does this mean?
This tells us that on-site employees at Company X are no more productive than those at other companies.
How does this affect the argument?
This statement eliminates the possibility that higher productivity at Company X is due to the superior productivity of on-site employees. If the on-site employees at Company X are equally productive as those at other companies, then the higher productivity at Company X must be coming from somewhere else.
Since the consultant's argument is based on the assumption that fewer remote employees leads to higher productivity, E strengthens the argument by removing an alternative explanation (that the on-site employees are more productive).
E strengthens the argument because it forces us to conclude that the higher productivity must be due to the lower percentage of remote employees, which is exactly what the consultant is arguing.
Conclusion:
A weakens the argument because it suggests remote employees at Company X are more productive than those at other companies.
B supports the argument but doesn't directly address the core of the consultant's reasoning.
C weakens the argument by suggesting that companies without remote employees are less profitable, which contradicts the consultant’s assumption.
D supports the argument by confirming that Company X has the lowest proportion of remote employees, but doesn't directly address productivity.
E strengthens the argument by eliminating an alternative cause for the higher productivity, thus confirming that the lower percentage of remote employees is likely the reason for Company X's higher productivity.
Therefore, the correct answer is E.

Ans E

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18 Dec 2024, 11:52

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Which of the following, if true, would most strengthen the strategy consultant’s argument?

A. Company X’s remote employees are more productive than the remote employees of any other company of comparable size in the industry. This weakens the argument by stating the better productivity of remote employees leading to better overall productivity rather than the percentage of remote employees impacting the productivity.
B. The percentage of employees working on-site is higher in Company X than in any other company of comparable size in the industry. This restates what information was already given in the argument and fails to give any better knowledge relating company's productivity to remote employees.
C. Nationwide, companies without remote employees typically are less profitable than companies with a high percentage of remote employees. Irrelevant as talks about profitability instead of productivity.
D. In Company X, a lower proportion of employees work remotely than in any other company of comparable size in the industry. Restates what was already given in the argument so has no overall impact.
E. Company X’s on-site employees have productivity rates no higher than the productivity rates of on-site employees at other companies of comparable size in the industry. This is an assumption on negation of which the argument breaks apart and hence indirectly strengthens the argument by removing the skill level of employees being the contributing factor in high overall productivity rather emphasizes on the importance of more on-site employees with average productivity leading to higher overall productivity.