At Manchester Digital, we like to interview our members to find out a bit more about what they do and their work in the Greater Manchester digital and technology sphere. This week, we're speaking with UK Managing Director, Malcolm Seagrave from Hedgehog Lab.
Please introduce yourself
With nearly two decades of industry-leading expertise, hedgehog lab is digital product consultancy, renowned for being ‘masters of our craft’. From unearthing new opportunities to crafting unforgettable customer experiences and tackling complex tech challenges, hedgehog lab empowers ambitious companies to achieve iconic heights.
Operating from key locations in the UK, US and Bulgaria, our consultancy combines laser-sharp focus to craft sustainable solutions-always with precision, always the right way!
What are the key metrics you use to measure success and evaluate your client partnerships?
In terms of metrics, we ensure NPS is a key focus (currently 9.4). One of our core values is ‘Turning Customers into Fans’ - we act in the best interest of our customers at all times. We care about our clients and their clients and we strive constantly to exceed all expectations.
We believe exceptional customer service is a competitive advantage and a core part of doing business and being a true partner. This is evident on our Clutch profile where clients submit their feedback based on their experience with working with us and the Overall Review Rating is 4.8 out of 5 based on 80 reviews.
How does Hedgehog Lab ensure the project scope aligns with the client's business objectives throughout the development process?
We collaborate closely with our partners to understand their challenges and help them achieve their ambitions. At the same time, we follow a Dual Track Agile Process, which requires adopting a continuous discovery process which ensures we are always focussing on our customers and the desired outcomes.
Again, another one of our core values is ‘Build What People Love’ - we take pride in our work and strive for perfection. Our passion for technology is seen in every product we create and each service we provide.
How does Hedgehog Lab stay ahead of emerging trends in mobile, web app development, and the broader digital product landscape?
The clue is in our name, the Lab is constantly evolving to be at the forefront of technological change and innovation. We ensure our people and our business are constantly evolving with respect to technological advancements by attending and speaking at conferences and workshops while fostering a community of testing new tech internally and experimenting with emerging trends. A significant part of our work is focussed around innovation and driving this change for our customers.
How does Hedgehog Lab ensure that clients are actively involved throughout the digital product development process?
Our dual track agile process ensures a very human-centred approach and collaboration is a central pillar to this. The governance wrap around the process includes numerous touchpoints and constant check ins with the customer fully in control of priorities and direction.
How do you approach working with large, established companies that may have complex legacy systems or strict compliance requirements?
We work with many of the world’s biggest and most ambitious brands. We are constantly recognised as a leader globally in our field so it is essential that we are equipped to not only build exceptional greenfield products but also modernise and refactor existing products and platforms. Our processes differ slightly to accommodate the best approach for each. We are also a leader in Financial Services so are very adept at working with strict compliance arrangements. We also lead in ensuring inclusivity, accessibility and sustainability in all we offer. We are very distinct in this regard and have a firm belief there is so much unlocked potential for value in this approach for both ourselves and our partners.
How do you foster a supportive and inclusive work environment?
The clue is in the name...hedgehog lab. The hedgehog is an insectivore, essential for the ecosystem - we are no different. We have the most amazing culture which is without doubt our superpower but we extend this beyond our people to our partners, our customers and the communities in which we operate. We operate a ‘Social Value Fund’ which is used to ensure we add value to each of these groups and are constantly looking to be great for our ecosystem. We’ve been Flexa-certified as a flexible workplace for three years now because we know balance matters and we are currently on the journey to B-Corp also to ensure we live and breathe this every day.
Thank you, Malcolm. Learn more about Hedgehog Lab here.
