{"id":42576,"date":"2023-06-01T09:12:15","date_gmt":"2023-06-01T08:12:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.elixirr.com\/?p=42576"},"modified":"2025-10-31T10:29:17","modified_gmt":"2025-10-31T10:29:17","slug":"challenger-consultancies-challenger-nations","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.elixirr.com\/en-gb\/challenger-consultancies-challenger-nations\/","title":{"rendered":"Challenger consultancies & challenger nations \u2013 the parallels of business and elite sport"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Creating a vision and developing the strategy. Forming a plan and implementing the processes. Working with a group of like-minded people to achieve one goal. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

At its core, these three sentences can describe both a business and a sports team. Whilst the day-to-day successes of a sports team are of public interest, the inner workings of a company are not often discussed \u2013 it\u2019s all about the finished product. However, when the brand-new iPhone turns up on your doorstep and a free-kick is scored by your favourite football player on the weekend, these are both the product of thousands of hours of research and development. Whilst drawing a comparison between sport and business is a path well-trodden, read on for a more nuanced, first-hand take on the parallels of working for a challenger consultancy whilst playing sport internationally for a challenger country \u2013 both causing ripples that are making the big players take notice. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Challenger<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The business challenge<\/strong> <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The concept of challenger brands has been widely documented in legacy industries disrupted by innovation; think of the competition faced by high-street banks and news outlets, in a landscape where consumer sophistication and expectations are constantly rising. Providing a bespoke product or service, aimed entirely at the needs of the customer, is enabling new businesses to alter the existing landscape and shake up the status quo. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Elixirr\u2019s \u201crags to riches\u201d story has earned them that status of a \u2018challenger consultancy\u2019, a badge worn with pride and very much at the heart of the firm\u2019s growth ambitions for the future. Founded only in 2009, Elixirr achieved the title of \u2018Best New Consultancy\u2019 within 5 years; was named one of the UK\u2019s leading management consultants within 9 years; and became publicly listed<\/a> just 3 years later in 2020. \u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There are many challenges that come with being the challenger. The early days littered with doubt, imposter syndrome and the battle to steer a ship through waters where onlookers are certain the chance of wreckage is actually more of an inevitability. It isn\u2019t easy going up against the household brands \u2013 consultancies with over 100 years of credentials behind their name and finances to swallow up any mistakes made, whether that\u2019s in recruitment, delivery or negative PR. Whilst building a challenger, you cannot afford to make these mistakes \u2013 the margins for error are so small if you want a seat at the table. And as the door is automatically open for the big players, the challenger is expected to prove why they deserve a seat time and time again. This is achieved by overdelivering for clients, developing meaningful relationships and instigating real change \u2013 an effort that requires a firm of entrepreneurial minds who welcome the challenge. Until finally, others stop asking who you are, and your relatively short history of excellence allows for that door to creep open slightly more each day. That\u2019s when the challenger brand is here to stay. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The sporting challenge<\/strong> <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Team sports: where the team\u2019s success is a product of the inputs and effort of the individual, applied collectively. Rallying around a vision, strategy and goal can catapult you up the world rankings, but only so far \u2013 sport is dominated by money, look at the big 6 in the English football premier league. Money is everything, and without it, you will always hit a ceiling on how far you can go \u2013 and that ceiling is not made of glass.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Jamaica, a well-renowned sporting nation, is famous for its world-class sprinters, football players and cricketers alike. Considered to be small but mighty, it\u2019s a third world country with only 2.8 million people yet continues to punch well above its weight in global competitions, on what would be considered a shoe-string budget alongside the titans of the sporting world. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Having chosen to represent Jamaica at Rugby 7s in 2013, I joined a programme that was yet to benefit from the impacts of playing at the top level. With only one international tournament a year and coming 9th<\/sup> in the region, the opportunity for growth was essentially non-existent. However, since that day, Jamaica Rugby has found itself on a trajectory that only a small group could envisage into reality. This vision, held by like-minded individuals took us from that 9th<\/sup> place to consistently coming 1st<\/sup> in the region and leading to a multitude of history-making appearances for the nation; like becoming the first Caribbean nation to appear at a Rugby World Cup before re-qualifying again four years later, as the only Jamaican men\u2019s team sport in history to appear in two World Cups.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Going from playing one regional tournament a year to up to 10 annually across the globe has required a major upheaval in the core pillars of culture, processes and talent acquisition. It\u2019s a drastic transition from getting that first \u2018seat\u2019 at the table and frequently hearing \u201cJamaica have a rugby team?\u201d, to consistently being compared to the famous Jamaican bobsleigh story \u2018Cool Runnings\u2019, to competing at the top level against Tier 1 nations \u2013 some of which have the biggest global brands as their main sponsors.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Whilst these inequalities continue to widen the gap between the challengers and the Tier 1 nations, attempts are being made to turn the aforementioned ceiling to glass. The efforts, growth and success of the challengers has forced world rugby to create a new competition \u2013 the quite aptly named World Rugby Challenger<\/em> Series<\/em> \u2013 which gifts the winner a way onto the top table, providing hope for that door to creep open slightly more each day. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pillars of success<\/strong> <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In being part of both a challenger business and a challenger sports team, I\u2019ve learnt that success is built on shared vital foundations, and with the same core pillars maintained. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A collective goal, individual targets<\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Focus a group of people on a particular goal, which is supported by robust planning, implementation and execution strategies. Whilst it is important to rally around a shared goal, businesses and sports teams are a product of the individuals within. Setting individual targets and maintaining a people-first mantra is crucial to long-term success. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Culture<\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Building and sustaining an enviable culture is at the core of becoming a successful challenger. Talent is one thing, but individuals have to believe in what you are doing and ultimately buy into showing up with their best self every day. Whether that is to training or to the office, culture is what keeps people motivated to delivering on the collective goal. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ways of working<\/strong>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Repeatable processes and agile feedback loops form a system whereby continuous improvement provide the foundations for success. To compete with the best, you need to lean into your super strengths whilst making incremental changes, to learn from past experiences and become 1% better every day. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Talent acquisition & development<\/strong>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

When building out the team, each person should serve a distinct, valuable role to contribute to the greater goal \u2013 bringing their own talent, experience and perspective to ensure the highest level of performance collectively. But each should also come with the hunger to continually develop both themselves and those around them \u2013 and it\u2019s critical to put measures in place to support this. Both a business and a team are only as strong as their weakest link \u2013 so a relentless focus on maintaining standards, despite growth or perceived challenges, is crucial to keeping that quality bar high and continued success. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is by maintaining these pillars that challengers of both sport and business make the noise necessary to force the dominant players to sit down and truly listen. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

For more on the synergies between sports and business: <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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sizes=\"(max-width: 2400px) 100vw, 2400px\" \/> <div class=\"wp-component-card__preview-icon\">\n <span class='edwp-svg '><svg width=\"47\" height=\"47\" viewBox=\"0 0 47 47\" fill=\"none\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\">\n<g>\n<path d=\"M23.4141 0.539062C36.1232 0.539183 46.4258 10.8416 46.4258 23.5508C46.4257 36.2599 36.1231 46.5624 23.4141 46.5625C10.7049 46.5625 0.402465 36.2599 0.402344 23.5508C0.402344 10.8415 10.7048 0.539062 23.4141 0.539062ZM23.4141 1.68945C11.3606 1.68945 1.55273 11.4974 1.55273 23.5508C1.55286 35.6041 11.3607 45.4111 23.4141 45.4111C35.4673 45.411 45.2743 35.604 45.2744 23.5508C45.2744 11.4974 35.4674 1.68957 23.4141 1.68945Z\" fill=\"currentColor\"\/>\n<path d=\"M19.2841 33.6992C18.9579 33.6986 18.6374 33.6111 18.3543 33.4454C17.7167 33.0759 17.3203 32.3585 17.3203 31.5797V15.8189C17.3203 15.0379 17.7167 14.3227 18.3543 13.9531C18.6442 13.7827 18.9735 13.6951 19.3078 13.6994C19.6421 13.7037 19.9692 13.7998 20.2548 13.9776L33.4237 22.0406C33.6981 22.2166 33.9244 22.461 34.0812 22.751C34.238 23.0409 34.3203 23.3668 34.3203 23.6982C34.3203 24.0295 34.238 24.3555 34.0812 24.6454C33.9244 24.9353 33.6981 25.1798 33.4237 25.3558L20.2527 33.421C19.9604 33.6017 19.6256 33.6979 19.2841 33.6992Z\" fill=\"currentColor\"\/>\n<\/g>\n<\/svg>\n<\/span> <\/div>\n <\/figure>\n <div class=\"wp-component-card__content edwp-row-load\">\n <p class=\"wp-component-card__eyebrow\">\n Articles <\/p>\n <a href='https:\/\/www.elixirr.com\/en-gb\/challenger-consultancies-challenger-nations\/' class='wp-component-card__title'>\n <h2>\n Challenger consultancies & challenger nations \u2013 the parallels of business and elite sport\n <\/h2>\n <\/a> <div class=\"wp-component-card__description\">\n Creating a vision and developing the strategy. Forming a plan and implementing the processes. Working with a group of like-minded people to achieve one goal.  At its core, these three… <\/div>\n <div class=\"wp-component-card__meta\">\n <p class=\"wp-component-card__date\">\n 01 June 2023 <\/p>\n <div class=\"wp-component-card__terms\">\n <div class=\"wp-component-tags edwp-component\">\n <div class=\"wp-component-tags__tag\">\n Sports <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <div class=\"wp-component-card__button-wrapper\">\n <button class=\"btn btn--link arrow wp-component-card__button\">\n Read more <span class='edwp-svg '><svg width=\"20\" height=\"20\" viewBox=\"0 0 20 20\" fill=\"none\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\">\n<g id=\"Lg\">\n<path id=\"Vector\" d=\"M1.12509 9.50162H15.8648L9.43259 3.06941C9.374 3.0113 9.3275 2.94216 9.29576 2.86599C9.26403 2.78981 9.24769 2.70811 9.24769 2.62559C9.24769 2.54307 9.26403 2.46137 9.29576 2.38519C9.3275 2.30902 9.374 2.23988 9.43259 2.18177C9.54971 2.06535 9.70814 2 9.87328 2C10.0384 2 10.1969 2.06535 10.314 2.18177L17.8151 9.6829C17.8737 9.74101 17.9202 9.81014 17.9519 9.88632C17.9837 9.96249 18 10.0442 18 10.1267C18 10.2092 17.9837 10.2909 17.9519 10.3671C17.9202 10.4433 17.8737 10.5124 17.8151 10.5705L10.314 18.0717C10.1975 18.1871 10.0404 18.2522 9.87641 18.2529C9.79414 18.2534 9.71259 18.2376 9.63643 18.2065C9.56027 18.1754 9.491 18.1296 9.43259 18.0717C9.374 18.0135 9.3275 17.9444 9.29576 17.8682C9.26403 17.7921 9.24769 17.7104 9.24769 17.6278C9.24769 17.5453 9.26403 17.4636 9.29576 17.3874C9.3275 17.3113 9.374 17.2421 9.43259 17.184L15.8711 10.7518H1.12509C0.959309 10.7518 0.800312 10.686 0.683084 10.5687C0.565857 10.4515 0.5 10.2925 0.5 10.1267C0.5 9.96093 0.565857 9.80193 0.683084 9.68471C0.800312 9.56748 0.959309 9.50162 1.12509 9.50162Z\" fill=\"#1D0F25\"\/>\n<\/g>\n<\/svg>\n<\/span> <\/button>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/article>\n","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.elixirr.com\/en-gb\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/42576","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.elixirr.com\/en-gb\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.elixirr.com\/en-gb\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.elixirr.com\/en-gb\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.elixirr.com\/en-gb\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=42576"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.elixirr.com\/en-gb\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/42576\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":57466,"href":"https:\/\/www.elixirr.com\/en-gb\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/42576\/revisions\/57466"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.elixirr.com\/en-gb\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/42822"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.elixirr.com\/en-gb\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=42576"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.elixirr.com\/en-gb\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=42576"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.elixirr.com\/en-gb\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=42576"},{"taxonomy":"related_service","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.elixirr.com\/en-gb\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/related_service?post=42576"},{"taxonomy":"related_industry","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.elixirr.com\/en-gb\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/related_industry?post=42576"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}