ESSENCE RELATIONS GmbH – a boutique strategic communications consultancy.

Every day we think about how messages are understood. How messages become actions. How messages truly create value.

Urgent questions of our time and the role of communication.

We live in an age of disorientation. Democracies are in danger the world over. There is great distrust of political institutions and the economy. WIdespread fear is being propagated. The whole concept of our social fabric is at risk. We live in the age of the cult of personality. Leaders are under pressure. Individualization is in vogue – thanks to social media. Today, it’s all about publicity-seeking, rather than governing. Leading media outlets are disappearing and it is increasingly difficult to judge the importance of information.

We live in the age of options. And, in spite of the aforementioned megatrends, this fact is essential. Individuals can make a big difference today. Research is at a peak level. A convincing argument can be made with cold facts. It is a matter of taking responsibility and seizing opportunities – despite the blinders.

Discussing solutions and celebrating our anniversary.

And this was the motivation for choosing”Working in the Age of the Blinders” as the theme of our anniversary event. In the wonderful Hirschengraben school building, probably the most beautiful educational institution in Zurich, we discussed with Helene Aecherli (editor of Annablle), Jacques Pitteloud (graduate and Director of Resources EDA) and Kaspar Wenger (VRP HolcimLafarge Switzerland) how individual responsibility can be assumed. Our guests, like our customers, are young and old and come from business, science, education, culture, media and politics.

A solution to the core question cannot be reached in just 50 minutes of debate. But the audience‘s responses and the lively discussion show that there is a great need for guidance. We will continue to actively pursue this issue. The key message from the the top-class panel discussion is to constantly seek dialogue and overcome boundaries. At the heart of it is doing what you love. This is the only way to ensure credibility and revive trust. Authenticity is the key.

We conducted the panel discussion in a worthy atmosphere, in the auditorium and above the rooftops of Zurich. In the Märlihalle of the Schulhaus we spoiled our guests with culinary delights. There was plenty of room for individual conversations. Digitalisation brings many advantages; personal interactions remain irreplaceable.