HIDDEN CHAMPIONS SOUTH AFRICA - THE TV SERIES

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The term Hidden Champions was coined by German business professor Hermann Simon, author of the book Hidden Champions: Lessons from 500 of the World's Best Unknown Companies. 

According to Simon, Hidden Champions are relatively small, highly successful companies that are global market leaders in their industries but remain largely unknown to the general public.

Simon identifies three main criteria for a company to be considered a Hidden Champion:

1. Market Leadership: They are leaders in their market, typically being among the top 3 globally or number 1 on their continent in their niche.
2. Small to Medium Size: These companies usually have annual revenues below €5 billion, though many are much smaller, often operating in highly specialized industries.
3. Low Public Awareness: Despite their market leadership, they tend to be little-known outside their industry or immediate business environment. They avoid the limelight and tend to focus on long-term growth rather than publicity.

These companies often achieve their success by focusing on innovation, deep specialization, high-quality products, and a strong customer-centric approach. They also tend to be highly export-oriented, thriving in international markets despite being smaller than large multinational corporations. 

Simon's research shows that Hidden Champions are key drivers of employment and economic stability in their respective regions.

Here are the detailed criteria used to identify Hidden Champions according to Hermann Simon:

• Global Leader: The company must be among the top three in its niche market globally, or at least the leader in its home continent.
• They operate in highly specialized industries with a deep focus on a narrow market.

• Typically small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) with revenues usually below €5 billion.
• Often have fewer than 1,000 employees but still dominate their niche markets.

• These firms remain largely unknown to the general public despite their success.
• They do not invest heavily in public relations or branding aimed at mass consumer recognition.

• These companies often focus intensely on innovation, quality, and specialization.
• They prioritize long-term goals over short-term profits, leading to sustainable, exponential growth.

• Though small, Hidden Champions typically have a high degree of internationalization, with a large portion of their revenues coming from exports.
• Their products are often essential components for other industries or businesses, contributing to their strong global presence despite low visibility.

• These companies show sustained, above-average growth and financial performance over time.
• They are characterized by robust management strategies, typically family-owned or privately managed, which allows for long-term planning and stability.

These firms represent a unique blend of market dominance in niche areas, innovation, and sustainable growth, while often remaining off the radar of the general public. Simon’s research shows that they play a critical role in economic development, often being highly export-oriented and resilient in times of crisis.

1. Concept Development and Research
   
   • Define the concept of "Hidden Champions" and finalize the criteria for selecting businesses.
   • Conduct thorough research to identify potential companies to feature.
   • Develop a list of interview questions and key topics to cover for each episode.

1. Budgeting and Planning
   
   • Allocate budget resources for filming equipment, crew, travel, and production expenses.
   • Create a detailed budget spreadsheet outlining estimated costs and contingencies.
   • Establish timelines for financial approvals and fund disbursement.

1. Storyboarding and Scriptwriting
   
   • Create a storyboard or visual outline for each episode, detailing scenes and shots.
   • Write scripts or outlines for host introductions, interviews, and narrative segments.
   • Finalize episode titles and summaries for promotional purposes.

1. Logistics and Scheduling
   
   • Coordinate travel arrangements for filming locations, considering COVID-19 protocols if applicable.
   • Schedule interviews with company executives and key personnel.
   • Secure filming permits and permissions for each location.

1. Crew Hiring and Training
   
   • Recruit production crew, including camera operators, sound technicians, and production assistants.
   • Conduct crew training sessions on filming techniques, safety protocols, and equipment usage.
   • Assign roles and responsibilities, establishing clear communication channels.

1. Filming
   
   • Begin filming on location at selected businesses, capturing B-roll footage and interviews.
   • Follow the prepared storyboard and script, adjusting for unexpected developments.
   • Conduct multiple takes as necessary to ensure quality footage and sound.

1. Interviews and Footage Collection
   
   • Conduct in-depth interviews with CEOs, founders, and employees.
   • Capture footage of company operations, products, and unique processes.
   • Ensure consistency in lighting, sound quality, and visual aesthetics across all shots.

1. Review and Feedback
   
   • Conduct daily review sessions to assess filmed footage and interviews.
   • Gather feedback from the production team and make adjustments as needed.
   • Maintain detailed logs of footage and interviews for post-production reference.

1. Editing and Assembly
   
   • Transfer filmed footage to editing suites and begin the assembly process.
   • Edit interviews, B-roll footage, and narrative segments into cohesive episodes.
   • Incorporate graphics, music, and animations as per the series style guide.

1. Sound Design and Mixing
   
   • Enhance audio clarity and quality through sound editing and mixing.
   • Incorporate background music and sound effects to complement visuals.
   • Ensure balanced audio levels and seamless transitions between scenes.

1. Finalization and Review
   
   • Produce rough cuts for internal review and feedback.
   • Refine edits based on feedback, ensuring narrative coherence and visual appeal.
   • Finalize color grading, titles, and subtitles for broadcast standards.

1. Distribution and Marketing
   
   • Prepare promotional materials, including trailers, teasers, and social media content.
   • Coordinate with broadcasting partners or platforms for series distribution.
   • Launch marketing campaigns to build anticipation and attract viewership.

1. Archiving and Documentation
   
   • Archive project files, including raw footage, final edits, and promotional assets.
   • Create a project report summarizing production challenges, successes, and lessons learned.
   • Conduct a debriefing session with the production team to gather feedback and insights.

1. Evaluation and Feedback
   
   • Evaluate viewer feedback and ratings to gauge audience reception.
   • Assess the series' impact on brand awareness and audience engagement.
   • Plan for potential follow-up episodes or related content based on viewer interest.

The research on Hidden Champions and their evaluation criteria comes primarily from Hermann Simon's seminal works, including:

1. "Hidden Champions: Lessons from 500 of the World's Best Unknown Companies" (1996) – This book first introduced the concept of Hidden Champions, exploring their traits and global market leadership strategies.
2. "Hidden Champions of the 21st Century: Success Strategies of Unknown World Market Leaders" (2009) – This book expands on Simon's original research, examining how these companies have adapted to globalization and technological changes.
3. Academic studies and surveys, such as those conducted by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), have also contributed to understanding the sustained growth and innovation among these companies​(SpringerLink).

For further details on Simon’s methodology, you can refer to these books and sources like Springer’s research publications.