Authenticity, the key to successful communication

It is not just the volume that determines whether and how we are truly heard and understood. It depends much more on whether we appear authentic to our conversation partner. But what does this grandiose word “authenticity” mean?

Day-to-day business

Difficult to define, it is commonly used as a synonym for genuineness, truth, truthfulness or honesty. For ESSENCE RELATIONS, authenticity means approaching our tasks and challenges with passion and joy. Only those who embrace their individual uniqueness and live it with verve can communicate credibly. And now the good news: Just as unconsciously and subtly as we communicate in everyday life, so too can this communication be consciously and clearly adapted to our work life.

Communication, but please: holistically

If you want sustainable corporate communication that is heard and understood by stakeholders at all levels, it is essential to implement it throughout the company and across the entire entrepreneurial process.

This is where ESSENCE RELATIONS’ holistic consulting concept comes in. Identity, credibility, network and reputation are developed together with the client. These four components are necessary to establish an authentic and relevant communication for stakeholders — because only those who know their strengths and communicate them passionately will appear authentic. Only those who live their passion can stand out from rest in the infinite universe of communication.

The four elements of successful communication

ESSENCE RELATIONS’ approach makes stories come alive and ensures that they are not only heard but also understood. There are four key elements to achieving this:

Identity

A strong identity arises from building on strengths. Strengths motivate us, while weaknesses prevent us from approaching tasks with joy. It is this rare mix of strengths that makes us unique and ultimately authentic. Andri Silberschmidt is an interested, engaged and passionate politician. It was the sum of his strengths — his identity — and the #zämemitDir campaign by ESSENCE RELATIONS that brought him to the Federal Parliament as the youngest newly elected member of the National Council.

«ESSENCE RELATIONS has developed and overseen the strategy for my National Council election campaign. The consulting company supported me in highlighting my strengths. Together, we established strategic pillars that were crucial for the implementation. The broad and exclusive network of Essence Relations provided me with decisive support and contributed to the fundraising of the campaign.»

Andri Silberschmidt, National Council, Canton of Zurich

Credibility

Trust in a product leads us to prefer it over other products and to recommend it — even if we can’t find it in the shop around the corner. This trust is what creates the critical added value for clients. ESSENCE RELATIONS has been supporting the NOMIS Foundation since 2015 and has, through the implementation of the foundation’s annual award ceremony, strengthened the trust and thus the credibility of NOMIS Foundation. Yes, building trust takes time. But it’s worth it!

«Nathaly Bachmann has significantly contributed to the growth and success of the NOMIS Foundation for more than three years. As a differentiated and highly competent partner in professional communication, she reflects the vision of NOMIS and is an excellent ambassador for us in every respect. From long-term strategic planning to the effective implementation of measures, such as the awarding of the NOMIS Distinguished Scientist Award, Nathaly pays attention to every detail and ensures that we build and continually develop the right stakeholder network both in Switzerland and internationally.»

Markus Reinhard, Managing Director NOMIS Foundation

Network

There is almost nothing as important today as a strong network. This is one reason why LinkedIn, the professional network platform, has grown so much in recent years. With the right messages, valuable long-term relationships can be consciously established at all levels.

The StrategieDialog21 Foundation is committed to an open, innovative, courageous and free Switzerland across all communities and parties. A strong network is necessary for an honest dialogue. ESSENCE RELATIONS develops this network specifically for the foundation, successfully linking politics, culture, media, science and business.

«Nathaly Bachmann excels at connecting people, identifying topics, and professionally and appropriately advising and positioning organizations.»

Jobst Wagner, Board of Directors Rehau AG and Initiant StrategieDialog21

Reputation

How are we perceived by our stakeholders? This view from the outside does not necessarily have to match our self-image. It is therefore essential to change your perspective to define a course of action. Accordingly, ESSENCE RELATIONS supported CHOCOLAT AMMANN, a company with a long tradition, in communicating about a successful change of ownership. New meets traditional — a combination that makes CHOCOLAT AMMANN unique.

«As a former lawyer and notary, entering the world of food production meant a significant personal change. Nathaly Bachmann and her team supported me prudently. They assisted me in communicating with my employees and were responsible for media work, continuous monitoring, and the analysis of reporting.»

Eric von Graffenried, Managing Director CHOCOLAT AMMANN AG

Nathaly Bachmann explains the holistic consulting concept for companies and foundations in the video. And if you want to know how strong your company’s identity is or how authentically your foundation communicates: Take ESSENCE RELATIONS’ self-test for an initial assessment and find out where there may be untapped potential.

Finally, authenticity cannot simply be commanded. “Be authentic!” is as impossible to do on a whim as “Be interesting!” Nevertheless, with the right tools, authenticity can be strategically implemented. If successful, those around us will also perceive the genuine joy we have in doing what we do.

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Further articles and papers on the subject:

• A deeper insight into the topic of authenticity and how to make it happen, as explained by Gerhard Härle in his article.
• Why shouldn’t influencers be underestimated when it comes to authenticity and what opportunities do they offer for companies? Read the research by Martin Faltl and Julian Freese.
• The research paper by Achim Saupe also provides information on how the notions of authenticity have changed in an evolving society and explains what “economic phase” the concept of the “authentic” is in.
• When social media is doomed: Individual complaints from users can quickly become a problem for SMEs. Two articles in the NZZ explain how companies can deal with criticism on social media and, with the right communication, minimize the damage. NZZ complaints on social media.
• Greta Thunberg and Donald Trump are not so different on one point: They are both perceived as authentic and for this reason have a large fan base. Eric Gujer asks in an NZZ article what makes them so authentic. NZZ authenticity at the WEF.