Putting people first
Strategy and communication are two sides of the same coin – one cannot succeed without the other. Whether bringing about change, implementing new structures and processes, or simply managing effectively and with conviction.
But every decision in a company is only secondarily a strategic, operational or tactical one.
All business decisions are taken by people and, in turn, affect other people – often far beyond regional or national borders.
That is why the key to success lies in the way we see people and their needs. This holds true, no matter what role a person plays – whether as a manager, an employee, a service provider, or customer.
The success or failure of a company is not decided by technology, by the strategy or the product – it is decided by the people involved. People can breathe life into technology, implement strategies, and sell products – but people can also stand in the way.
By putting people first, I want to reach your goals – for you and with you.
ABOUT ME
Always with a keen eye for what matters.
When I began studying Economics at the start of the 90s, I was already interested in how companies handle responsibility and how this impacts society. Back then, and right up to the present day, people and their needs have always been central in what I do.
After graduating, I worked in various communication agencies and, in 1997, founded my own agency. I was already frequently being asked questions about corporate strategy at that time, above all in connection with internal communication and management issues. At the same time, topics like CSR and sustainability were becoming increasingly important and this led me back to the interests I had while studying.
In the meantime, I came to deal with these topics in more depth at academic level and I developed the teaching course in CSR Communication at Steinbeis University as a blended learning programme.
2010 saw the publication of my first book by the publishing house Gabler-Springer Verlag titled Verantwortliche Unternehmensführung überzeugend kommunizieren (Communicating responsible corporate leadership). A piece I wrote for an international anthology on the topic was commended by an international jury from Emerald Publishing as an “Outstanding Authorship Contribution”. Working as a lecturer at the HTW University of Applied Sciences and at the Media Design University of Applied Sciences Berlin allows me to pass on my know-how and take part in an ongoing exchange of information and ideas with students.
In addition to my academic activities, I was once again looking to work more closely in the area of professional praxis. In 2007, this led to a cooperation as a freelance trainer and coach for media, communications and crisis training for management. The seminars provided me with profound insights into very different companies and into the diverse perspectives of people in leadership positions. Furthermore, we implemented numerous strategic projects, mainly dealing with the topics of strategy adaptation, changes and innovations. This fruitful cooperation has proved its value right up to the present day.
Parallel to this, I came to specialize as a free and independent consultant in the areas of corporate strategy and communication – with a special interest in how they interact with one another. Since then I have been working with a reliable network of excellent specialists worldwide who are not location bound.
My customers, most of whom have been with me for many years, appreciate not only my experience but also my ability to grasp situations quickly and to find solutions with the necessary tact and sensitivity.
For me personally, open-mindedness, reliability and honesty together with absolute discretion are vital prerequisites for successful cooperation.
Awards / certificates
PUBLICATIONS
Let yourself be inspired
How do companies manage to communicate their social commitment in a way that is convincing and believable? I have expressed my opinions on these and other questions that I encounter often in my day-to-day work intensely in my publications. An opinion is always something controversial and at the same time an invitation to enter into a more in- depth examination of a topic. That is why I am only too happy to receive your comments, ideas and criticism.
05/2017 “Change Management and CSR Communication”
Book contribution in: CSR und interne Kommunikation by Wagner R., Roschker N., Moutchnik A. (ed.), Springer Gabler, Berlin, pp. 103-114
02/2014 “Corporate Social Responsibility Communication: Towards a Phase Model of Strategic Planning”
Book contribution in: Communicating Corporate Social Responsibility: Perspectives and Practice Critical Studies on Corporate Responsibility, Governance and Sustainability by R. Tench, W. Sun, B. Jones, Volume 6, pp. 59-79, Emerald Group Publishing
This contribution was named the “Outstanding Author Contribution” as part of the 2015 Emerald Literati Network Awards for Excellence: “The chapter was chosen as a winner as it is one of the most impressive pieces of work the team has seen throughout 2014.“
10/2012 “Does Corporate Social Responsibility really contribute to reputation?”
Contribution/speech as part of the International Reputation Management Conference
17-19 October 2012 at Kadir Has University in Istanbul, Turkey
02/2012 “Communication of Corporate Social Responsibility: Challenges and Opportunities”
Article published in UmweltWirtschaftsForum (UWF), Volume 19, Numbers 3-4, pp. 143- 147, Springer Gabler Verlag, DOI:10.1007/s00550-011-0219-7
08/2010 “Effectively Communicating Responsible Corporate Management”
Textbook, Springer Gabler Verlag, ISBN: 9783834924353
Also available as an ebook, ibook and summary at getAbstract.com.
Article referring to the book on Glocalist: Requirements for the Communication of Responsible Company Management
>> getAbstract commented: “A well-founded, inspiring book for entrepreneurs and managers who would like to openly communicate their social commitment to the public.“
12/2008 “The Dilemma with Credibility” (1,11MB)
Essay published in Ökologisches Wirtschaften, a publication by the Institute for Ecological Economy Research (IÖW/VÖW)
08/2008 “Giving a Face to Corporate Responsibility” (54KB)
Essay published in PR-Journal, LOHAS.de
05/2008 “Reputation – Communicating Responsibility” (420KB)
Essay published in Medianet (Austria)
02/2008 Alles Logo?! – Logo! (326KB)
Essay published in Fundraiser, Stiftungen & Sponsoring, Medianet
11/2007 “Profit or Win-Win? Do you Have to be Good to do Good?” (136KB)
Essay published in changeX – Online magazine on change in business and society, Medianet (Austria)
11/2005 “Codes of Conduct of the Global Corporations: Intercultural Claim with Pitfalls” (306KB)
Book contribution in Public Affairs Manager published by the German Institute for Public Affairs, Potsdam
01/2003 “Commitment in Foundations – The “Image Transfer” Factor” (116KB)
Book contribution in Stiftungen fördern mit Gewinn published by Banken Verlag, Cologne
Videos
Speech: Does Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Really Contribute to Reputation?
International Reputation Management Conference October 17-19, 2012 at Kadir Has University in Istanbul, Turkey.
Videos of the Blended Learning Master Program on CSR Communication:
UNIVERSITY LECTURING
Learn what is important.
As a certified university lecturer and tutor, I have been giving seminars, lectures and workshops in higher education for more than a decade. In this capacity, the challenge is to bring together my practical knowledge with the newest academic and scientific findings in order to communicate these to promote understanding. With success, as my students assure me.
Current teaching positions with consultancy activities at universities:
- University of Applied Sciences (HTW) Berlin Business Communications Department
- Course: Business Management and Communication
- Course: Business Management and Communication
- Media Design University of Applied Sciences (MD.H) Berlin Media Management Department
- Course: Strategic Communication Planning
- Course: CSR, Sustainability and Globalization
- Course: Strategic Communication Planning
Apart from internal corporate events, I also worked at the following further education institutes and universities, among others:
- Akademie für Kultur und Bildung (Academy for Culture and Education)
- Deutscher Tourismusverband (German Tourism Association)
- Fundraising Akademie (Fundraising Academy)
- Institut für Marketing und Kommunikation (Institute for Marketing and Communication)
- Humboldt University Berlin
- Quadriga Academy Berlin
- SRH University Heidelberg
- Steinbeis University Berlin
- Institute Corporate Responsibility Management (ICRM)
- Zurich University of the Arts