Welcome to Petershagen Kommunikation, your business consultancy for identity-based communication.
We are convinced that identity is the actual source of power of a company. Because in its identity, it unites the meaningful purpose of the company as well as its values, its mission, and its vision. The more this identity is visible and the more it can be experienced, the more authentic and thereby believable the company is perceived to be. Based on this foundation and with a consulting approach that unites empathy, experience, and creativity, we develop goal-oriented strategies and effective measures that reach people because they are true and deeply human.
Let’s talk! We find answers that make visible what is special about your company and what is therefore making you particularly successful.
vigilius mountain resort.
Making the special location an experience in a special way.
Our service portfolio.
As comprehensive as our consulting approach.
Jens Petershagen.
Consulting
Identity is decisive.
Who are you? And where do you want to be tomorrow?
What constitutes the identity of a company? Which role do values, mission, vision, and attitudes play for how the company is perceived? And which relevance does the business purpose have?
Petershagen Kommunikation considers a company’s identity to be an important source of power for it its success. Our holistic consulting approach does therefore start with the identity and derives all measures from it.
More than 20 years of experience in the most diverse activities in the communications sector, profound expertise in the relevant communications disciplines, as well as our integrated systematic perspective ensure that business objectives, on the one hand, and the expectations and interests of the stakeholders, on the other, are brought into unison.
Based on an identity-based strategy, we develop communications measure that emotionally touch and move people and tie them to your company. This way, an authentic perception of your company is created that is believable and as sustainable long-term.
"Yesterday’s Success is Not Tomorrow’s Success."
A conversation with Ulrich Ladurner about entrepreneurial spirit, the future, and the 100th anniversary of the Dr. Schär brand.
How does it feel to have built a company which is now a global leader in its market?
“The predominant feeling is a sense of gratitude. I’m grateful to the people who embarked on this adventure with me back at the time, and also to those who continue using their commitment, their ideas and their skills to drive forward the history of Dr. Schär, both now and in the future. By this I mean not only our staff and employees but also our consumers, our business partners and the scientists who have all shaped and continue to shape the development of Dr. Schär. Yesterday’s success is not tomorrow’s success. And for that reason gratitude also includes the feeling of responsibility to continue successfully shaping the future of the company.”
Is there one success factor that hasn’t changed in all the years?
“A company won’t be successful if it only strives for size, turnover and market share – success requires a fundamental idea, a mission. The clearer that idea, the greater the success. Looking back at it all, I can say that the idea of improving the lives of people with special dietary needs was definitely the formative factor. This single thought has power and it inspires and motivates – in the past, now and in the future.”
What role does communication play in the success of Dr. Schär?
“It’s essential! When you’re active in such a sensitive market you need the consumers’ trust in the brand, and communication makes trust possible. However, trust only grows if we are consistently honest, if we communicate truthfully. In our case there’s also another crucial dimension: we present our products in a positive light. We don’t talk about illness but about special needs that we can fulfil particularly well. That makes a difference in people’s thoughts. Communication though is also important internally, within the company. For the staff communication means leadership, and communication transports the culture of the company, its character. That, in turn, provides orientation.”
What part does the Dr. Schär name have in the company’s success?
“In 1922 the Meran doctor Dr. Anton Schär developed his “Kindergries”, which was a semolina for children, a product that helped reduce infant mortality in South Tyrol. At the time and due to malnutrition, children were exposed to high risks in their development. Dr Anton Schär recognised this situation and improved the childrens’ lives. Everything we produce today is designed to improve the lives of people with special nutritional needs. In essence, the name is so credible because it is authentic.”
How do you future-proof a company?
“It’s certainly a mandatory prerequisite to use resources responsibly. By this I mean the financial resources, the workforce, the capacity for innovation and much more. That alone though isn’t enough. A company becomes sufficiently future-proof when it has a tangible core, and this core is our identity. It’s a matter of preserving it and developing it at the same time. That then leads us into the future.”
Ulrich Ladurner, born in Meran, South Tyrol in 1949, founded the Dr. Schär company in 1980 after taking over the family-run chemist’s shop. With around 1,500 employees and 18 locations in Europe, North and South America, the company is now the global leader in the market for gluten-free nutrition with a turnover of over 400 million euros. The name of the company goes back to the Meran community doctor Dr. Anton Schär who improved the nutrition of infants in South Tyrol in 1922 with “Dr. Schär’s Kindergries”. Ulrich Ladurner acquired the trademark rights to Dr. Schär in 1979.
Petershagen Kommunikation has been active for Dr. Schär since 2015. Based on the results of an identity process, Jens Petershagen and his team advised the company on defining its mission statement, vision and values. This was also the basis for identity-based communication measures such as the film portrait of Ulrich Ladurner, a publication on corporate culture and the book “Improving Lives. Our Vision since 1922” on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the Dr. Schär brand.
Dr. Schär
EEW Energy from Waste
EEW Energy from Waste Sustainability communication
Druckhaus Kaufmann
Systalen
vigilius mountain resort
hww hermann wienberg wilhelm
PMG
Our service portfolio.
As comprehensive as our consulting approach.
A new business strategy, a generational change at a family company, a change in management, an acquisition or merger, or also a restructuring phase – all these are typical situations in which targeted communications are critical to success. With all target groups, regardless of whether they are managers, employees, customers, the media, business partners, or other stakeholders.
Our service portfolio covers all instruments for developing and realising communications measures that sustainably support the achievement of the business objectives: from the communications strategy via the conceptualisation of emotionally involving central themes and the development of convincing messages all the way to the realisation of concrete measures. In addition, we are offering – upon request – an integrated communications management which we often handle in the form of an interim activity in-house directly at your company – including corresponding evaluation tools for the individual communications measures.
The company’s identity always is the central point of reference for our whole service portfolio. Depending on the task and the individual status quo, the cooperation with our customers does therefore quite often start with a custom tailored identity workshop.
Talk with us about our services for identity-based communications with your target groups.
Identifying the core and turning it into an experience.
We consider a company’s identity to be the most important source of power for its success. But what constitutes the identity of a company? And: How does it become an experience? The answers to these questions form the basis for the development of believable communications measures.
We are creating this foundation in two steps: First, we develop – jointly with the responsible parties at the company – the characteristic components of the identity in a workshop tailored to your situation and your company. This includes the business purpose, mission, vision, values, and central attitudes based thereupon. During this day-long workshop, our customers primarily do the work – we steer, take notes, and inquire. Subsequently, in a second step, we handle the comprehensive processing of the results as well as the translation into a suitable creative format: The identity becomes palpable, visible, and can be experienced in words and images.
The result: First, a surprising, highly emotional look in the mirror. At the same time, the foundation for future communications and business development.
Identifying opportunities and increasing potentials.
Successful communications are the sum of many factors that precisely interlock with one another. Therefore, we start the implementation of communications projects with the development of an integrated communications strategy. Said strategy does not only include a look at the expectations of stakeholders critical to success – internally and externally –, but also juxtaposes them with core messages derived from the identity.
The benefit: The communications strategy is not only a binding planning document in terms of content and organisation but also serves entrepreneurs, the board and/or executive management for creating awareness: Who are we today? And who do we want to be tomorrow? In addition: Once the strategy has been discussed and coordinated, future communications meetings will be shorter, more efficient, and lead to the expected results more quickly.
Convincing ideas and effective solutions.
Communications ideas that emotionally touch and involve people have the power to move brands and markets. Especially if they are derived from a company’s identity. Because then they have substance.
Creation is one of the pillars of Petershagen Kommunikation and already is involved in the development of identity. Through the combination of ratio (strategy) and intuition (creation), the unmistakable identity of a company becomes visible as a whole – both in terms of content as well as in the fitting tonality.
The identity and the messages defined in the communications strategy are the ideal springboard for the conceptualisation of a creative central theme that captures people and takes a hold in the market. On the one hand, because it is palpably true and therefore believable. But also, and that is decisive as well, because it is relevant.
Communications that are based on a central theme are particularly effective because they generate a concise, holistic business and/or brand image on all communications channels. An important contribution in order to be perceived in any context in a way that corresponds to the identity.
Moving people and achieving objectives.
Every one of us is confronted with innumerable messages and pieces of information every day. An in order to pleasantly stand out in the immense media flood, you need extraordinary communications measure that actually interest and emotionally involve people. Each and every contact should have an impact!
Decisive for the receptiveness are the correct place, the suitable point in time and, of course, the relevance of the messages. It is absolutely necessary to intensely deal with the target group and to consider the occasion for the communications from its point of view. With this understanding, we develop emotionally involving measure that take a hold and that interlock with one another, based on the creative central theme and the communications strategy. For this, we cater – jointly with our community of experienced professionals – to the whole spectrum of modern online and offline communications.
Welcome to a customer journey that turns people into friends and ambassadors of your company.
Integrated control and targeted planning.
You achieve objectives by not losing sight of them at any point in time in the complex work process and day-to-day work. At Petershagen Kommunikation, an integrated communications management ensures the integrated control and planning of all communications tasks. Quite often, we also handle the communications management directly on-site at our clients’ in interim functions for a fixed period of time defined in advance.
The advantage is obvious: When the strategic planning, the strategic conceptualisation of the measures, and the integrated control of the communications is carried out across all disciplines from a single source, maximum efficiency arises due to fewer interfaces and high flexibility.
Acting prudently and purposefully.
Talking about success is fun. But what to do when companies are confronted with serious problems due to a hacker attack, an alleged scandal or an incident ?
Crises can have the most diverse causes. But one thing is essential in this situation: quick, decisive and targeted communication.
We approach crises with a clear concept: a complete analysis of the situation is followed by a communicative assessment. Now, it must be decided what is to be said when and where by whom. Here is where speed is quintessential, quite often measured in hours.
This way, it is possible to meet the expectations of all target groups in a pressing situation. Of those who are directly affected, and of those who only hear of it and build an opinion.
However, the crisis can ultimately also be an opportunity, and this is something we experience time and again: those who openly acknowledge the problem, plausibly explain what caused it, and state what others would rather sweep under the carpet enjoy a high reputation and can emerge from the situation stronger than before.
Measuring success and adjusting measures.
Control is good since it provides for certainty and creates trust. In cooperation with experienced partners, we guarantee a continuous evaluation that is individually attuned to the needs of our customers.
Depending on the task and objective, we often recommend an assessment of the status quo at the beginning of the cooperation. This way, the self-image and external image of the company can be determined and analysed, for example. This way, it becomes explicitly clear which gaps exist between the current and the target state.
Subsequent to the implementation of relevant communications measures, regular success controls are a matter of course for us. This way we receive a highly accurate picture of what worked particularly well, where there is a need for adjustment, and we can – with respect to the strived for further development, make adjustments as well as develop new measures, where applicable.
The evaluation instruments that are utilised for this are directly dependent on the target groups and on the measures that we are developing. We have had good experiences with online surveys – because they often provide for considerable efficiency advantages. We are working for your success and you are quite welcome to measure us against it.
Empathy is a key competency of this century.
And it is decisive for a successful cooperation.
We consider empathy to be a key competency of this century. Petershagen Kommunikation is positioned perfectly to enable content-driven work with a high degree of empathy. In the cooperation with our customer, but also within our teams, we take a humanistic view as the basis which does not only have a positive impact on the atmosphere of the cooperation but also directly on the results.
At the same time, our organisational form provides for maximum flexibility in order to tend to the most diverse communications tasks and projects of different orders of magnitude in a tailored fashion.
The point of contact for our customers is Jens Petershagen, jointly with a team of experienced consultants and project managers. For each mandate, for each customer, we assemble a team of consultants and top creative people that is particularly well suited for the specific task due to their experiences, competencies, and strengths. For this, we access a community of partners of the most diverse competencies that has grown over many years and which works successfully based upon the foundation of a joint, firmly defined canon of values.
This timely and efficient form of cooperation is a win for all parties involved. As customer, you profit from competencies being provided exclusively for your specific requirements. At the same time it is ensured that each partner in our competency network can work in the environment and rhythm that is ideal for them. This highly motivated work method is also reflected in excellent results. Work that is fun leads to solutions that are a pleasure.
Christin Kaiser
Consulting
“To me, convincing consulting means to be thinking already today about what will be important tomorrow. This also means to see even the smallest of details.”
Dagmar König
Concept & text
“To develop concepts and ideas that touch people because they are true and believable that is my claim. And, if I may say so, the most beautiful job in the world.”
David Becker
Project management
“The prerequisite for creativity? Precision and structure in project management.”
Dominik Wolff
New Business & Consulting
“You are only really credible if you are convinced of the quality of your services.”
Florian-Ulrich Werg
Strategic consulting
“I support companies when it comes to leading their brands strategically and to turning them into drivers of interaction and behaviour. To this effect, I shuttle between the bridge and the engine room.”
Hauke Brekenfeld
Strategic consulting
“As a strategic communications consultant, I am working primarily with social entrepreneurs, social organisations, and sustainably operating companies. This entails questions of identity, market development, and sustainability topics.”
Jens Petershagen
“Communication is believable when it is authentic. In this, people do not differ from companies.”
Karin Greisner
Graphic design
“Corporate design, editorial design and multimedia design. That is my passion. Every day.”
Maria Klein
Concept & design
“I love having ideas. And implementing them thereafter. Be it print, film, BTL or Online any medium is playable. Because a good idea has an impact everywhere.”
Markus Püttmann
Photographer, coach and facilitator
“I make visible what’s buried beneath the surface. And this way encourage the other party to take position: their own. Thus, expressive and aesthetic portraits are created. And solutions for pending topics.”
Markus Stolz
Innovation consulting and market research
“What’s missing in the beginning is missing twice in the end” – my conclusion from more than 25 years of knowledge and research work in brand, business and product development. And prerogative for a holistic innovation consulting and effective market research.”
Matthias Wetzel
Concept & text
“With more than 25 years of experience and a systematic perspective, I develop communication in all varieties, nowadays with a clear focus on internal communication. Starting with the creative central theme all the way to the emotional and media-compatible implementation.”
Max Petershagen
Research & inspiration
“Parallel to my studies I’m learning the ropes of a communications consultancy and, via research and inspiration, I’m supporting with my Gen Z perspective.”
Melinda Schafstein
Project management
“There’s a good soul behind every project!”
Natalie Opatz
Concept & text
“Extracting the essence, taking a matching point of view, and putting this into good words that is how I get those people hooked who are to be addressed. Preferably intelligently, gladly differently, but above all on target.”
Noni Mars
Research & inspiration
“Parallel to my studies I’m learning the ropes of a communications consultancy and, via research and inspiration, I’m supporting with my Gen Z perspective.”
Norbert Dietsche
Image editing
“As image editor, you are a Photoshop artist, a digital retoucher, a composer, an optimiser, and, in case of portraits, at times even a cosmetic surgeon. Changing very good pictures to be the best that’s my job.”
Otilia Vakej
Concept & design
“Combining ideas that generate interest with concepts that achieve relevance – communication design is quite simple when you think about it.”
Peter Hirrlinger
Concept & text
Good communication is like a good flirt: the chance of scoring increases significantly when you come up with something special.
Stefanie Reeb
Concept & design
“As a designer, my focus is on understanding the essence of the company and visually implementing it. This deep immersion leads to tailored results that attract attention and are lasting.”
Christin Kaiser
Consulting
“To me, convincing consulting means to be thinking already today about what will be important tomorrow. This also means to see even the smallest of details.”
Dagmar König
Concept & text
“To develop concepts and ideas that touch people because they are true and believable that is my claim. And, if I may say so, the most beautiful job in the world.”
David Becker
Project Management
“The prerequisite for creativity? Precision and structure in project management.”
Dominik Wolff
New Business & Consulting
“You are only really credible if you are convinced of the quality of your services.”
Florian-Ulrich Werg
Strategic consulting
“I support companies when it comes to leading their brands strategically and to turning them into drivers of interaction and behaviour. To this effect, I shuttle between the bridge and the engine room.”
Hauke Brekenfeld
Strategic consulting
“As a strategic communications consultant, I am working primarily with social entrepreneurs, social organisations, and sustainably operating companies. This entails questions of identity, market development, and sustainability topics.”
Jens Petershagen
“Communication is believable when it is authentic. In this, people do not differ from companies.”
Karin Greisner
Graphic design
“Corporate design, editorial design and multimedia design. That is my passion. Every day.”
Maria Klein
Concept & design
“I love having ideas. And implementing them thereafter. Be it print, film, BTL or Online any medium is playable. Because a good idea has an impact everywhere.”
Markus Püttmann
Photographer, coach and facilitator
“I make visible what’s buried beneath the surface. And this way encourage the other party to take position: their own. Thus, expressive and aesthetic portraits are created. And solutions for pending topics.”
Markus Stolz
Innovation consulting and market research
“What’s missing in the beginning is missing twice in the end” – my conclusion from more than 25 years of knowledge and research work in brand, business and product development. And prerogative for a holistic innovation consulting and effective market research.”
Matthias Wetzel
Concept & text
“With more than 25 years of experience and a systematic perspective, I develop communication in all varieties, nowadays with a clear focus on internal communication. Starting with the creative central theme all the way to the emotional and media-compatible implementation.”
Max Petershagen
research & inspiration
“Parallel to my studies I’m learning the ropes of a communications consultancy and, via research and inspiration, I’m supporting with my Gen Z perspective.”
Melinda Schafstein
project management
“There’s a good soul behind every project!”
Natalie Opatz
Concept & text
“Extracting the essence, taking a matching point of view, and putting this into good words that is how I get those people hooked who are to be addressed. Preferably intelligently, gladly differently, but above all on target.”
Noni Mars
research & inspiration
“Parallel to my studies I’m learning the ropes of a communications consultancy and, via research and inspiration, I’m supporting with my Gen Z perspective.”
Norbert Dietsche
Image editing
“As image editor, you are a Photoshop artist, a digital retoucher, a composer, an optimiser, and, in case of portraits, at times even a cosmetic surgeon. Changing very good pictures to be the best that’s my job.”
Otilia Vakej
Concept & design
“Combining ideas that generate interest with concepts that achieve relevance – communication design is quite simple when you think about it.”
Peter Hirrlinger
Concept & text
Good communication is like a good flirt: the chance of scoring increases significantly when you come up with something special.
Stefanie Reeb
Concept & design
“As a designer, my focus is on understanding the essence of the company and visually implementing it. This deep immersion leads to tailored results that attract attention and are lasting.”
„Communication is believable when it is authentic. In this, people do not differ from companies.“
Jens Petershagen
Jens Petershagen advises entrepreneurs, corporate boards, and managing directors in all questions of identity-based communication. In this, he uses a communications approach as foundation that is based on models of economic and linguistic science, supplemented by a systematic perspective.
More than 20 years of experience as consultant, entrepreneur, communications and marketing manager as well as in other positions of responsibility on the company and agency side form a solid foundation for his current activity.
Jens Petershagen has been working as a freelancer since 2006, since 2008 as managing partner of Petershagen Kommunikation GmbH. Before that, Jens Petershagen worked since the 90s for companies such as Daimler, German Telekom and several companies of the RWE Group as well as for agencies such as Springer & Jacoby and BBDO.
Jens Petershagen obtains his know-how from participating in regular continuing education in the most diverse areas, including a multi-stage systematic education. He completed university studies of economic sciences, linguistic sciences, and business management / marketing in Stuttgart-Hohenheim and Cologne, respectively.
Contact:
Petershagen Kommunikation GmbH
Ehrenstraße 41
50672 Köln
Deutschland