Day 4: Navos PR

We spent almost a full work day at Navos today, doing a crisis communication project. 

When we arrived, they briefed us on a case (a case study from America, not one of their projects, because they didn't have one ready for us to brainstorm).

We then split up into three groups and had about four hours to do a situation analysis, SWOT analysis and create a presentation for a client.

The case study we looked at was the Domino's Pizza food contamination videos which went viral on YouTube in 2009. 

(If you don't remember hearing about this crisis, check out this link.)


I've participated in situational and SWOT analyses before, but this was a pretty unique experience, working with students who were not all public relations majors and may not have ever done this kind of analysis and planning before.

My group wrapped up our analysis before lunch, so we came back with about an hour and a half to prepare a presentation.

We wanted to be more memorable than just talking about our plans in a powerpoint, so I pulled out my PR writing memories and we put together a media release and a media advisory (for our planned press conference) to accompany the presentation we created.

Navos interns also joined our groups, so we could have a German participant and get another perspective on the crisis and our analysis of it.

This was a really cool way of incorporating the study abroad aspect of our trip with this assignment, as we talked back and forth about how Americans and Germans view, remember, and expect a variety of things.

We presented our results to some of the Navos consultants who work with international and crisis communications.

Receiving feedback from these experts was great; they obviously have insight into the fields they're working in, while also adding coming at the same issue from entirely different cultural backgrounds from experts in the United States.

After our presentations, some of the Navos group took us to a rooftop, garden bar, where we hung out and talked more about our different experiences, lives, goals, interests, educational systems, etc.

I'm glad this trip includes several days of exploring Berlin and drinking in the culture and experiences, but I honestly would be more than happy to stay at Navos for a couple weeks to interact with these fascinating and friendly people who have a lot of insight into the field I'm entering soon.

Interacting with the people at Navos was a great experience.


Full from eating at the Burgermeister under Schleisisches Tor station.
The Purple Writer

Day 3: Presentation

Today was our first day at Navos - Public Dialogue Consultants.

I wasn't sure what to expect from this German, award-winning, PR firm, but everyone at Navos was great.

They were friendly and excited to talk about PR and international communication and what they do in their firm.

Before coming to Germany, I read a book about German people and customs, and it kept emphasizing their tendency to be direct, critical, very focused, deadline oriented, monotone speakers, who don't smile or use hand gestures. 

I think that portrayal was a bit dramatic. While I'm sure most of those aspects are often true of many Germans, the Navos consultants were all very friendly and relaxed, smiling and laughing along with us boisterous Americans.

The Navos group presented a few case studies and my group gave a presentation on U.S. immigration policy (and Donald Trump).

This study abroad class of undergraduate and graduate students were split into three different groups. Two of the groups will present on renewable energy to Edelman PR next week while my group presented today.

(Want to check out our slides? Click here)

Our presentation went pretty well, and now we can relax and really enjoy the rest of our two weeks here in Berlin, while the other groups will be preparing for their presentation for the next week. 

It was a little stressful to present on our first full day of the program, and we didn't get much sleep last night, but we did a great job and it's all finished now.

A Navos case study that really stood out to me was their work for Tennant and the use of "info-markets."

These info-markets were held in multiple towns to engage local residents involved in the planning of  a very large grid which would carry energy from the north shores of Germany down to Bavaria. 

We were told that large numbers of the German populace may agree with a project but will organize large protests to keep these projects out of their backyard. 

By asking for opinions and genuinely considering the advice received from local residents, who may actually have ideas that would work better in the long run, these info-markets help answer questions, calm fears, get people invested, and hopefully reduce the number of protest groups in the future. 

I thought this was a brilliant idea because it not only requires transparency and engagement from the company but it also considers the culture of the German people and addresses potential issues before they form or become crises. 

Alright, I'm going to sleep now to make up for two hours of sleep last night,
The Purple Writer