Burda Principal Investments’ Post

🎙Elena Kirova: “We try to measure our successes by the real benefits for the business, thus motivating ourselves for more and discovering new horizons. We develop the skills to “see” the possibilities and stay always open to proposals and discussions, there are no forbidden topics. More and more colleagues come up with their ideas, which we develop and implement together, which is a clear signal that our efforts are paying off. We believe in “we” instead of “I” and big thanks to all colleagues for our team achievements”. ♥️ How innovations reveal new opportunities for the continuous development of our business - read in the interview with our Digital & Technology Platform Director in the new issue of Economy magazine.📖

They Say Change is the Only Constant - We Took It to Heart! 😎 As of January 2024, we went from project of innovation in education at Community for Learning & Innovation - Erasmus University Rotterdam to impact centre, or how we love to call ourselves, academic start-up under ERBS - Erasmus Research & Business Support! Why is this moment so special? It's an opportunity for us to expand and try to tap new markets outside the student market at Erasmus University Rotterdam, while still being able to provide our free courses at EUR. What do these changes mean for us? 1️⃣ A Space That Inspires! – We also got our first office! (No more taking over Matt's desk at Risbo, Erasmus Universiteit Rotterdam). You can now find us at NT01 at the Erasmus Enterprise building (we still have to decide on office hours, but you can always shoot us a message before you come by). 2️⃣ A Growing Team - Matt, Bianca and Laura are still around, as well as our team of 20 trainers, but in order to grow as a business, we needed more hands (and more brain power) 🧠 . We decided to hire two interns because honestly, after their interviews, we could not decide: Van Dinh and Alejandra Fernández-Cid Aguirre, both Rotterdam School of Management, Erasmus University students with a lot of energy and interest in the skill-training industry, eager to learn, and, of course, LifeVersity alumni. Why does this matter? Because behind every successful project, there's a team that believes in their work and an environment that supports their growth. We are really excited for the adventures that lie ahead. Here's to new beginnings, endless possibilities, and the magic that happens when passionate people come together in a place that feels like home. 👉 Your Thoughts? - How has your work environment or team impacted your professional journey? We want to hear your thoughts! 🔄 Feeling inspired? Share this post with others who appreciate the magic of new beginnings and the power of teamwork. Thank you for being part of our story. 🌟 P.S. A sneak peek into our new office and introductions to our amazing team members are coming soon. Stay tuned!

Bringing together different perspectives, disciplines, and generations is key to future-proofing our business. That's why Niddal Salah-Eldin, Executive Board member for Talent and Culture, met with thirteen colleagues from the Talent Community for a Talent Lunch, where they exchanged ideas and discussed global talent and culture topics. Meeting with employees in an informal setup on a regular basis is a priority for our Board, as it serves as a platform for staying connected, addressing questions, receiving direct feedback, and fostering cross-unit exchange. The discussions covered a wide range of topics, including the Culture Health Check, enhancing our focus on global career mobility, our plans for the new corporate office in the US, and Niddal's personal journey, while also highlighting the significance of data and KPIs in People & Culture and their connection to HR and business matters. Can Balyos, Management & Tech Trainee at Axel Springer, emphasizes: “The talent lunch with Niddal was a great opportunity to discuss with people outside the usual working environment. That goes along with my key takeaway – it's more important than ever to bridge the gap. Be it between disciplines, but also between our portfolio companies and our geographical business locations. There is an enormous potential yet to be unleashed by strengthening the Axel Springer network.” Thanks to everyone who participated – we are excited to hear more from you! ____ #axelspringer #asallstars #peopleofaxelspringer #peopleandculture

Learning about #cadooz from the 'inside' offered a unique perspective, allowing me to see and understand the company in a way that constantly evolved and grew. Reflecting on my career, the evolution of our growth strategy has been both dynamic and eye-opening. Being the Managing Director put me at the center of action, giving me firsthand insights into every facet of the company. Thanks to my close proximity to Sales ✌ , my team and I were usually first to spot a subtle yet significant market shift. This underscored the value of being in the "thick of things", where even the slightest ripples can be felt and acted upon. Internal sales was a unique challenge, requiring careful consideration of how we presented new initiatives. It was about aligning these projects with our larger company vision and working together towards common goals. We always tried to ensure that the company's vision and overarching goals were clearly communicated and understood across all departments. This common understanding was crucial for aligning any new initiative. Also, when introducing new initiatives, we explicitly described how they would contribute to the company’s long-term vision and goals, making the connection as direct and clear as possible. Growth for the company is not just the result of individual efforts or isolated strategies. Instead, it is the product of effective teamwork and the alignment of shared goals across the organization. 💪 💪 💪 This implies that collaboration, unity of purpose, and collective effort are crucial for the successful growth and progress of the company. Does an insider perspective often help to inspire you? Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments. #strategy #sales #growth #companygrowth #leadership #internalsales

Hello, my connections! Last week, we were honoured to receive a visit from the Founder & CEO of Plaza Premium Group, Mr. Song Hoi See. He took the time to visit each department in our office, attentively listening to our concerns and checking in on us. As an intern, I was deeply impressed by his approach. I was fortunate to listen to his insightful words, and even though his messages were primarily directed at managers, there's always something valuable to be gained from them. His message struck a chord and I believe it's worth sharing. 🌟 Embracing Innovation and Inclusivity 🌟 👨🏫 Innovation Keeps Us Fresh: Avoiding a monotonous routine is important. Mr. Song encouraged managers to keep their eyes open for opportunities to innovate. If something isn't working, take action, and don't be afraid to bring new ideas to the table. It's through these fresh ideas that we can thrive. Hence, we strive to keep things fresh and exciting by embracing innovation. 👨🏫Inclusivity and Wisdom: Inclusivity is not just a policy; it's a way of life. Mr. Song spoke of the beauty of embracing differences and making inclusivity a part of our hearts. Differences are what make us unique, and wisdom lies in accepting and learning from them. As he put it, "Hold their hand and teach them." 👨🏫Self-Discipline for Success: Mr. Song reminded us that self-discipline is the cornerstone of all this. To drive innovation and foster inclusivity, we need the self-discipline to consistently work toward these goals. It's the commitment to our values that will ultimately lead to success. Let's take these words to heart and move forward 🚀💼 #Innovation #Inclusivity #SelfDiscipline #PlazaPremiumGroup #Wisdom #Diversity

Global organizations face unique challenges such as maintaining common values and goals and ensuring consistent quality across diverse countries and cultures. ' On the flip side, these organizations can harness their global reach to have a broad impact and at scale. Their ability to draw on diverse resources and expertise also provides greater opportunity for innovation and growth. Successfully navigating these dynamics is critical to the success of global organizations in an ever-changing world. What are your thoughts on these challenges and opportunities? #GlobalInsights #ChallengesAndOpportunities #InternationalExperience

We're slowly saying goodbye to an incredible year, so it's time for a #recap. Here are my professional highlights for 2023 🌟 🚀 Media campaigns for B2C and B2B customers: Over the course of the year, we created and executed several campaigns for the Mercedes-Benz Store. Our aim was to increase awareness for the #MercedesBenz Store as an online sales channel and to boost sales by promoting our products. Depending on the objective, we chose different marketing channels such as #socialmedia, #programmatic, #homepagetakeover, #print, etc. 📧 Email Marketing: We have taken the first steps towards regular #emailmarketing campaigns to address our existing customers with targeted content that puts the Mercedes-Benz Store in the spotlight and drives sales. 🛍️ Optimization of the customer journey: Through customized content and other activities, we try to constantly improve the #customerjourney in the Mercedes-Benz Store and offer our customers a personalized online shopping experience. 🚀 Guiding Tomorrow's Talent: Over the past few months, I have taken on the supervision of our intern in the team - a task that I really enjoy. My responsibilities include recruiting, selecting and onboarding of new interns as well as supporting and mentoring our current intern. 🚗 Various Test Drives: Nothing beats hands-on experience! I got behind the wheel several times to experience our products to the fullest. I loved discovering and testing all the features of the cars, and sometimes I felt like I had transformed into a product manager. It was a blast! 🌐 IAA Mobility adventure: I had the opportunity to experience the latest mobility innovations first-hand at the IAA Mobility in Munich. The event not only broadened my perspective on mobility, but also served as a fantastic team-building opportunity. 👥 Team spirit: Alongside the professional milestones and achievements of 2023, teamwork was a major highlight. Over the year, I have worked with a group of wonderful people who have also become friends across professional boundaries. When I look back on the milestones achieved and the insights gained, I am incredibly proud of what we have achieved together. Thanks to my colleagues Inga Steindl, Denise Amelung, Theresa Mense, Philipp Kierstein, Jan H., Tom Schumacher, Martin Unger, Philipp T. Retzlow, Jessica Maaß, Nele Eidner, Nicolas Gerasch, Carmen Neumann, and external partners Thorben Schürings, Alex Stolz, Cornelia Heinz-Furkert, Kristina Maschke, Christian Kloppenburg. Here's to an even more successful 2024! 🚀🎉

The best innovations come from the best ideas, which in turn come from a culture where the best ideas win. When the organization is optimized for innovation, good ideas surface easily and circulate quickly within it. Great ideas can come from anywhere—the CEO, division leader, summer intern, or end consumer. In our consulting work, some of the best ideas come from people at lower levels or new to the organization. This idea source is not surprising. Newer employees aren’t tied to the past and are often closer to the end customer, so they can readily spot problems and potential solutions. Here’s the issue: Many improvement ideas only surface during one-on-one interviews, and only after we guarantee confidentiality. New employees can be hesitant to speak out, especially when suggesting new ways of doing things, for fear of repercussions. Promoting a culture where the best ideas win means encouraging all team members to challenge conventional thinking without fear. Everyone’s thoughts should be heard, with the best ideas rewarded. Learn all 5 of the Core Innovation Values in Chapter 7 of Upstream Marketing for FREE here: https://ow.ly/qkCS50PwEKh #growthstrategy, #marketingstrategy #managementconsulting #upstreammarketing #marketingbooks #equibrandconsulting