From technological advantage to an industry agenda

Initial situation / need for action

An internationally active industrial company had developed a technological solution to a significant sustainability challenge within global supply chains. The challenge was to turn a technical innovation into an issue of social, economic and political relevance.

The central questions were: How can a complex sustainability topic be made visible? How can different stakeholders be mobilized around a shared transformation? And how can a technical solution evolve into an industry-wide movement?

Objective of the mandate

Development of an integrated communications and stakeholder strategy designed to raise awareness of the issue, connect relevant stakeholders, take political and economic dynamics into account, and create the conditions for the long-term transformation of an industrial sector.

Our contribution

  • Analysis of the regulatory and societal environment
  • Development of a strategic guiding idea
  • Creation of a multi-stakeholder communications architecture
  • Definition of target groups, influencing factors and key leverage points
  • Development of an international communications and activation strategy
  • Concept development for a digital thought leadership platform
  • Development of a multi-stage rollout concept

Strategic approach

At the heart of the approach was the recognition that industry transformation is not achieved by communicating with a single target group, but through the coordinated activation of an entire ecosystem.

A multi-track approach was therefore developed to address the public, policymakers, NGOs, retailers, industry and other key multipliers in parallel. The objective was to develop a shared vision for the future and a communications platform that could engage a broad range of stakeholders.

Result

The outcome was a comprehensive strategic concept for an international communications initiative, including a clear guiding idea, a defined stakeholder architecture, an international communications model, phased planning across several stages of development, and a platform approach for thought leadership and industry mobilization.

The concept provides the foundation for the operational implementation of the program.

Positioning within the impact model

Strategy

  • Topic positioning
  • Thought leadership
  • Stakeholder management

Communication

  • Agenda setting
  • Public affairs
  • Sustainability communications

Transformation

  • Industry development
  • Network building
  • Mobilization of key multipliers

Turning your topic into an industry agenda

You have a solution with real relevance – but no movement behind it yet? We develop integrated stakeholder and communications strategies that bring policymakers, business, media and society together around a shared agenda for the future.

Steffen Ruess

Steffen Ruess

Managing Partner
Ruess Group