The one-woman show

What does your working day look like?

The early bird... I start between seven and eight o'clock, check my emails, take a look at the current status of the online shop and devote myself to the latest developments on our social media channels - in other words: what is the community discussing? This is followed by meetings with the sales department and the various project groups, currently those for our new product segment, label papers. And then I work on all the projects that are currently pending in marketing. From coordinating the content of blog posts to photo shoots in the factory, my working day is extremely varied and different every time.

Head of Marketing and E-Business - what does this position mean at Steinbeis Papier?

I don't attach any importance to the title. And yes, it is a senior position that I hold in middle management. But ultimately I run marketing as a one-woman show and am responsible for marketing for Steinbeis Papier and increasingly also for the Steinbeis Group. Starting with Steinbeis Papier, for example, we were able to establish a standardised corporate design across the Group.

What is your area of responsibility?

Everything that concerns the company's public image comes under my remit: marketing includes all forms of media - from the sales folder to the Steinbeis-branded gummy bear bag, but also the press area and adverts through to our trade fair appearances. Our local sponsorship is also important. As the largest employer in Glückstadt, we support the schools and sports clubs in the region. Online marketing has developed into one of our most important pillars. This includes the websites of all Steinbeis Group companies, newsletters and, of course, our blog. This is complemented by our social media activities and community management in the various channels.

How much of your job is creative and how much is bureaucratic?

Of course, there is also a bureaucratic part to my work so that the exciting projects can be realised. There's the budget planning, which takes place every autumn. That's when we decide where we want to focus our thematic priorities and how much we want to spend on them. I plan in great detail here because it allows me to tackle and realise the creative projects in a well-structured way, with a clear focus and a high level of transparency.

What are your most important experiences in marketing in recent years?

i started working in marketing here in 2015, and our Managing Director Ulrich Feuersinger - who was also very new in this position at the time - practically dropped the task in my lap. And we've tried out a lot since then: The packaging design has already been changed for the second time and most recently even the company logo has been brought up to date. The blog, social media and online shop have all been launched in recent years and are now an integral part of Steinbeis Papier's corporate communications. Of course, it takes a lot of work and time to bring about these changes, but it's also a lot of fun.

What challenges do you see for Steinbeis Papier in the near future?

Many people associate our products with a certain necessity - nobody really wants to deal with the paper in the printer. But when it's not there, a small world collapses. Ergo: There is no such thing as a paperless office. It is a challenge to present such a highly functional mass product in a sexy way. But the issue of sustainability, which we have been pursuing here for more than 40 years, is helping us right now so that we can credibly ride the wave of trends and stay very far ahead. Nevertheless, we have to drive our topics ourselves - recycled paper will always need to be explained, which is why educational work is essential. Brand development and brand awareness take centre stage. Steinbeis Papier should be established as a brand in such a way that it is directly associated with the term and meaning of recycled paper in the consumer's mind.

Briefly describe your career at Steinbeis Papier.

I started here straight after leaving school and trained as an industrial clerk, business assistant and business economist B.A. at the Business Academy. This was followed by an extra-occupational business studies degree. After four years in sales management, I took a break from the paper industry in 1999. I then spent ten years with various employers, gaining a lot of experience in sales and marketing, travelling a lot and climbing the career ladder. As a mother, this was no longer possible, so I went back to my roots and returned to Steinbeis Papier. It was a feeling of coming home. After several intermediate steps, I ended up in marketing in 2015.

What makes the company so special for you?

I'm impressed by the corporate philosophy and the products - Steinbeis Papier does a lot of things right. And I always want to work for a company whose products I stand behind. If you want to ignite, you have to be passionate about a product. And that's exactly what I can say about Steinbeis Papier. I appreciate the family atmosphere and, ultimately, the proximity - I can simply cycle to work in the summer, although I could also manage the journey on foot.

What advice would you give newcomers?

Steinbeis Papier offers young people excellent training. And quite independently of Steinbeis Papier, I would always say - don't just look for a profession, but something that becomes your vocation. You spend a large part of your life at work and with your colleagues. Then it also has to be fun.