Vi har netop oprettet en ny praktikstilling i 2013 i forbindelse med udgivelse af "The Authentic Company" i udlandet:

Få et stærkt internationalt netværk i forlagsbranchen
Har du læst marketing, kommunikation og sprog, og har du lyst til at være i kontakt med oversættere og internationale business-forlag? Vær med til at drive den internationale udgivelse af Nikolaj Stagis bog “Den autentiske virksomhed” i England, USA, Tyskland og Norden.
Prøv dine teoretiske færdigheder af i praksis i et praktikforløb, som fokuserer på opbygning af netværk i forlagsbranchen.

Dine opgaver vil bl.a. omfatte følgende:

• Research om udenlandske forlag samt kontakt til dem
• Deltagelse i research og udviklingen af den engelske version af bogen
• Udvikling af præsentations- og pressemateriale
• Skrive tekster til website og blog samt sociale medier
• Udvikling af PR-aktiviteter i forbindelse med udgivelsen
• Evt. planlægning af begivenheder vedr. lancering

Stagis søger to praktikanter til efteråret 2013 med følgende profiler:

• Corporate branding, kommunikation og kampagner
• PR, kommunikation og sociale medier

CORPORATE BRANDING, KOMMUNIKATION OG KAMPAGNER

Har du behov for praktisk erfaring med corporate branding, kommunikation og kampagner? Savner du et solidt indspark til din teoretiske læring? Ønsker du et praktikforløb, som fokuserer på opbygning af corporate brands? Dette praktikforløb hos Stagis handler primært om at arbejde med praktisk gennemførelse af kommunikations- og corporate brandingprojekter, hvor du som praktikant skal assistere vores projektleder. Du kommer desuden til at deltage aktivt i den daglige drift af virksomheden, og afhængigt af dine ønsker og kompetencer skaber vi et forløb, hvor du indgår i projekter, der matcher dine interesser. Opgaverne spænder vidt, men tager udgangspunkt i virksomheders behov for at kommunikere identitet.

FOKUSOMRÅDER:

Deltagelse i udvikling af begivenheder, oplevelser og events - Kundemøder, kortlægning af projekter og konceptudvikling - Projektkoordinering og planlægning af begivenheder og kundeprojekter - Skrive tekster til web og tryk, fx artikler til nyhedsbreve og blog - Assistance for konsulenter og projektledere på kundeprojekter

PR, KOMMUNIKATION OG SOCIALE MEDIER

Vil du prøve din teoretiske læring af i praksis? Ønsker du at udvikle dig gennem et praktikforløb, som fokuserer på PR og opbygning af corporate image?

Dette praktikforløb handler primært om at arbejde med den praktiske gennemførelse af kommunikations- og PR-projekter for både Stagis og vores kunder. Som praktikant kommer du til at assistere vores projektleder ved at arbejde med pressemeddelelser, nyhedsbreve, kontakt til redaktioner og strukturering af kilder og medier. Du vil fra første arbejdsdag blive inddraget i arbejdsopgaverne og få ansvar for specifikke håndteringer af opgaver. Du vil også indgå som medhjælp i flere andre projekter i forbindelse med kortlægning og udvikling af vore kunders identiteter og design.

FOKUSOMRÅDER:

Kommunikation (intern og ekstern) for både Stagis og kunder - Mediehåndtering på baggrund af vores projekter for kunder - Stagis' egen profil på sociale medier og blog - Håndtering af administrative opgaver ift projekter i huset- Udvikling og formidling af projekter for organisationer.

FOR BEGGE PRAKTIKFORLØB GÆLDER

ANSVAR OG AKTIV LÆRING

Vi forventer, at du deltager i hverdagen på lige fod med os andre. Både du og vi får det største udbytte gennem aktiv deltagelse – ved at du ikke kun ”ser med”, men også selv laver fejl og succes’er. Du bliver tilknyttet to medarbejdere i Stagis og vi udbetaler praktikløn.

For at komme i betragtning til disse praktikpladser skal du være i gang med en overbygningsuddannelse på et universitet eller en handelshøjskole, hvor du studerer kommunikation, markedsføring eller branding. Du skal have interesse for branding, kommunikation og PR – og kunne arbejde både selvstændigt og i et team. Vi forventer, at du taler og skriver korrekt dansk.

PRAKTIKANT I STAGIS

Hvis du vil være praktikant hos Stagis i efteråret 2013, så send din ansøgning og CV til

praktikant@stagis.dk. Fristen for ansøgning er 10. maj 2013. I dit CV må du gerne inkludere al din arbejdserfaring, også selvom det ikke har relation til kommunikation eller markedsføring. Find information om Stagis A/S her.

Vi glæder os til at høre fra dig!

Yesterday evening Nikolaj Stagis appeared as a guest in the TV-programme Deadline on DR2 for a debate on authenticity. Together with lifestyle expert Christine Feldthaus and anthropologist Karen Lisa Salamon he discussed the nature of authenticity in the context of lifestyle and consumption. A relevant context indeed, however the outcome of the discussion was left in a blur as the concept of authenticity was never really discussed on an informed basis. Nikolaj tried to set the stage by defining that being authentic means finding and using your inner strengths in everything you do. Nevertheless, the definition was quickly angled in a way that explained authenticity through baking spelt bread and celebrating an old-fashioned way of life. A bit of a shame, if you ask me. 

Personally, I would have preferred that the discussion had concentrated on why and how we can become authentic and the value this will lead to. A person might reach happiness, harmony, self-esteem or inner peace for instance. Things that are difficult to measure, but makes quite a difference in life. 

In terms of giving the debate substance beyond spelt bread Nikolaj pointed out that authenticity is all about passion and "who you are" - not necessearily nostalgia, romance and "doing things the old-fashioned way". There are many ways for a person to become authentic. Being an entrepreneur for instance is a way to self-realization and doing what you are passionate about. 

Although the theme of the debate was focused on the individual, authenticity has the potential to make a similar difference for companies. And while the gain of an authentic lifestyle for the individual is mainly found in intangible values such as happiness and harmony, the benefits for the authentic company can be measured financially. LEGO is an outstanding example on how mobilising inner strengths can cause a radical turn-around. After years of trying to expand their product portfolio – e.g. into the textile and game industry – business was beginning to struggle from these new ventures. Only when the company went back to focus on their inner strengths - LEGO bricks – things started to improve rapidly. 

That angle would have taken the debate to a whole new level. Well, in my opinion anyway. But what do you think? Is dedication to spelt bread, paleo diet and living in the countryside the same as being authentic, or does the concept entail a wider definition?

Watch the debate on Deadline

Since 2006 Stagis has helped Master of Management Development (MMD) – an executive master programme at Copenhagen Business School – with marketing and public relations. After a year off, we are now happy to announce that the co-operation has started again. For the next year or maybe more Stagis will advise MMD about marketing, public relations, video podcasts etc.

In 2010 Stagis arranged the conference “Be the change” at The National museum of Denmark with the participation of over 140 leaders and a variety of speakers.

The latest work in 2011 was the production of several video podcasts with many of the teachers and professors at MMD e.g. Majken Schultz, Allan Holmgren and Ole Fogh Kirkeby.

Last week 35 curious students started on their two years executive master programme at MMD. And the intention is that even more will start in 2015. Focus for the coming year will mainly be on marketing, public relations, an inspiring conference in the autumn 2013 and a marketing campaign with i.e. Google Adwords.

We will be looking forward to working with MMD and CBS in 2013.

I have 87 apps on my Smartphone. Believe me, I counted them. For some this might seem like an abnormal amount, but I use them all. These apps give me instant and often very well structured access to news, weather, sports, search engines, social media networks, cloud-services, photo-apps, games and much more. I also have access to my email accounts. My phone is my digital tool of choice, and my computer is now mostly used for work related tasks, and not for random browsing online. 

This development in preference is trending not only with me. A 2012 report done by the market research agency Nielsen shows that the U.S. market (which is comparable to the European market) has experienced a huge growth in users connecting to the Internet through mobile devices. While the amount of unique users connected to the Internet with a PC is down 4 % compared to 2011, the amount of unique users connected via mobile web is up 82 % and connections made through mobile apps is up 85 % (Nielsen, 2012). This is evidence of a shift in user preferences and a result of a growing Smartphone and tablet market. Companies and organizations alike should therefore pay close attention to this trend turned tendency. 

Going mobile is going where your audience is. This is by no means a bold statement considering the market research mentioned above. Further research done by e.g. Mobile Marketing Association suggests that companies on average stands to gain an 85 % increase in consumer engagement as a result of adapting their website to mobile usage or creating an app. Additionally, the research claims that companies benefits from added consumer engagement seen as an increase in sales. 

The evidence is all pointing in the same direction. Companies must start, if they haven’t already, to adapt websites to mobile usage or even create apps to service their customers. I am a firm believer that all companies must surrender to at least adapting their website to mobile use. This is a question of usability. If your users have easy, well structured access to your site no matter the device used, they will stay longer and more often than not repeat their visit. Apps are on the other hand not an equally important channel of communication for all companies to utilize. Based on observation, an app should be created only by having identified a specific consumer demand for a key service, or as a branding campaign. An example of a service app is mobile banking. Here users are able to check accounts, transfer money on the go etc. In terms of campaigns, Nike has on of the most succesful mobile apps out there with Nike+. The app engages users to compete with each other on fitness achievements. Another succesful campaign is Coinoffers by McDonalds in Denmark, which gives users the opportunity to collect coins through QR codes and recorded sound bites, that can be exchange for free burgers at one of the company’s restaurants. Both campaigns embrace gamification as a tool of deliverance and both are designed to inspire play, fun and feelings of community when using them. Gamification is not right for every company considering services offered, but giving the users a sense of community and added brand value is. 

The point is that your consumers, the users of mobile sites and apps, are growing in numbers, and they are waiting for you to go mobile. Whether creating an app, adapting your site to be optimal for mobile use, or both, going mobile is a tool for companies to ensure future brand engagement.

On December 10th Nikolaj, Esben and I were in Kolding, presenting the vision for the town council. I was exited to learn if the town council of Kolding would pass the new vision, which Stagis has been working at over the last couple of months. You might already have read about it in earlier blog posts, if not, check them out:

-       A new vision for the city of Kolding part 2. A vision forum involving over 500 people from Kolding, working with three possible new visions.  

-       A new vision for the city of Kolding. Find out more about our vision seminary where almost 100 people were joined, selecting three out of four possible visions for the citizens to work with at the vision forum

After having discussed the vision, a unanimously town council of Kolding passed the new vision which is both bold and ambitious. Through the authentic strengths of the city of Kolding, the vision is going to ensure entrepreneurship and growth in the municipality. And there are already a number of ideas on how to make this possible. There are initiatives to create an award for entrepreneurship and a theme week on all schools in Kolding with focus on design and entrepreneurship. Also, Kolding is focusing at an annual design festival. Their goal is to become the World Design Capital in 2018. This year Helsinki became the World Design Capital.

Kolding also wishes to create a ‘Living Design Lab’, for experimenting with the development of society and new social forms, for the benefit of the municipality of Kolding and the rest of the world.

This is the new vision for Kolding:

“Together we design potentials for a better life through entrepreneurship, social development and education.

With a passion to explore and to use design, Kolding is known as the European design city abroad, and as a place where entrepreneurship, social development and education together form a proud municipality of growth.

Kolding serves as a model for entrepreneurship and the viable concerns of growth attracts investors. We develop knowledge starting from design. Kolding is an attractive place to live where many citizens become inventive entrepreneurs in the innovative companies of Kolding, and in social projects”.    

Take a look at some of the articles (in Danish) written about the new vision.

With the new vision, Kolding’s ambition is to become an inspiration for all municipalities in Denmark and an international beacon for the good life.

But our work in Kolding is not over yet. Right now I am working at an external communications strategy for the municipality of Kolding. This will help them achieve their goals and I am looking forward to seeing the strategy in action, making the municipality of Kolding known in Denmark as well as abroad.

Interested in finding out more? Stay tuned…

Corporate branding, projektledelse og kampagner

Har du behov for praktisk erfaring med corporate branding, kommunikation og kampagner? Savner du et solidt indspark til din teoretiske læring? Ønsker du et praktikforløb, som fokuserer på opbygning af corporate brands? 

Dette praktikforløb hos Stagis handler primært om at arbejde med praktisk gennemførelse af kommunikations- og corporate branding-projekter, hvor du som praktikant skal assistere vores projektleder. Du kommer desuden til at deltage aktivt i den daglige drift af virksomheden, og afhængigt af dine ønsker og kompetencer skaber vi et forløb, hvor du indgår i projekter, der matcher dine interesser. Opgaverne spænder vidt, men tager udgangspunkt i virksomheders behov for at kommunikere identitet. 

Fokusområder

• Deltagelse i udvikling af begivenheder, oplevelser og events
• Kundemøder, kortlægning af projekter og konceptudvikling
• Projektkoordinering og planlægning af begivenheder og kundeprojekter
• Skrive tekster til web og tryk, fx artikler til nyhedsbreve
• Assistance for konsulenter og projektledere på kundeprojekter

The municipality of Thisted in Denmark has a lot to offer, and the citizens are realizing the potential of hosting a World Cup for Windsurfers.

”While a number of municipalities in Denmark engages with expensive - and often ineffective - advertising, Thisted municipality and the other partners in the project are so lucky to have a resource in a bunch of dedicated surfing enthusiasts” - Nikolaj Stagis explains to the local newspaper Nordjyske.dk.

An intiative called Cold Hawaii is the organization behind the yearly World Cup for Windsurfers and as the name indicates, the wind is ideal and the temperature is…shall we say ”refreshing”?

The success was founded with "Cold Hawaii Masterplan" in 2006 and 2007, and has proven to be an invaluable investment for the parties involved in the project over the past year. The excellent results achieved in 2010 - 2012, suggest not only that the area's strengths has been defined and translated into relevant, distinct activities, culminating in Cold Hawaii PWA World Cup. They also suggest that here is a cluster of dedicated enthusiasts and partners who have managed to take the long haul. Both to serve their own dreams, but also to serve the area's image and growth. Too many branding and image campaigns are too vaguely based on the municipalities and organizations who aim to succeed. Often, the campaigns and projects get redefined, altered or simply forgotten, and the organizations are left with a wondering of why money was wasted and the effect did not materialize. 

In Thy it has worked out differently. The project to promote and market Thisted Municipality as "Cold Hawaii" exudes that there is a partnership between the municipality, community organizations and local enthusiasts who are passionate about surf sports, to nature and to attract a world championship in windsurfing. These are the enthusiasts who make the project heartfelt and authentic - and which enables the humble fishing village of Klitmøller to make an impact on a much larger scale than we are used to seeing. The trick, of course, is to realize the value in the development that has already taken place, and ensure that it continues and becomes even greater. The more the municipality grow their authentic identity, the greater synergies, credibility and garnering between all the parties involved.

Click on the links above and read more about the initiative that puts Thisted and Thy on the world map while creating a strong incentive for the whole municipality to take part and identify with the activities that surrounds the World Cup. Read Nikolaj Stagis' blog on the success of Thy here (in Danish!).

Need more information on how to discover and realize authenticity in your organization? Go to www.nikolajstagis.dk or read more about other cases here.

The city of Kolding is about to undertake a great journey towards a new vision, in order to put the city on the map and make the city more attractive to future newcomers. We are proud to say that we will help Kolding reach their goal.

Recently we hosted a seminar in Kolding for one hundred of the city's politicians, business leaders and leaders of important institutions in Kolding, in order to define the authentic strengths that Kolding should be known for now and in the years to come.

The participants at the seminar discussed scenarios based upon an anthropological study conducted earlier in the year. The study had found a number of strengths particular to Kolding. These were articulated into the following scenarios then discussed at the seminar:

1) The enterprising design city

2) The knowledgeable design city

3) The voluntary design city

4) The cultural design city

From our previous mapping of Kolding, we found that design was a well-rooted strength, and that it would be impossible to make a new vision for Kolding without it. Therefore the term ‘design city’ is repeated in all scenarios.

The participants were divided into 15 groups where they eagerly discussed each of the different scenarios in groups, and if one of these scenarios were to become the new vision of Kolding. The groups were then asked to appoint a spokesperson that were given the task to imagine themself as mayor of Kolding and speak of the effects a possible new vision would have for Kolding in the year of 2022. Every speech was remarkable in its own way, and highlighted the results of the group work. As a special feature, everyone who gave a speech carried the Mayor of Kolding’s chain.

At the end of the day the participants commented on the seminar. Everyone had had an inspiring day filled with laughter and interesting discussions. The politicians and the Mayor of Kolding took with them many new exciting ideas and inspiration, promising that this seminar would lead to real action soon.

The next step in the process will be the civic forum held in Kolding on the 21st of November with 900 citizens partaking. 

Nikolaj recently spoke at an alumni event at ESADE, the leading Spanish Business School in MBA and Executive Education in Barcelona, Spain. 

See video teaser to the event here 

(Nikolaj's presentation on video coming soon)

Nikolaj speaks about the need for brands to embrace authenticity as a value creating management tool. He explains how acting upon insights into the different aspects of authenticity i.e. historic, reflexive and expressive authenticity can help a company to practice an appropriate management of identity, and how to inspire passion in employees and consumers, evidently gaining trust from all stakeholders and a sustainable business.

The event was arranged by ESADEs Alumni department, who had invited Nikolaj to speak by virtue of his membership of the non-profit think tank The Medinge Group, an initiative started by branding experts in 2000, who aim to influence and encourage businesses to become more human and more humane.

Read more about the event here, or enjoy the slideshow.