https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dx0a_L8ECNM
Joining us on the couch at Rocket Internet HQ is Volker Knauer, the head of the media department for the German Bank Organisation (Bundesverband deutscher Banken). His conversation with RCKT. founder Andreas Winiarski touches on topics such as why young communication managers should be more active in professional organisations, troubles banks face communicating with one another and the importance of representing both personal and professional interests with transparency. The conversation was in German, but we have the translation below.
Andreas Winiarski: Hello, joining us today on the RCKT. blog is Volker Knauer. Volker is chairman on the German organisation of Press Speakers here in Berlin. A small delegation of approximately 30 press speakers were recently guests of ours [here at Rocket Internet] and Volker, what is the German organisation of Press Speakers exactly?
Volker Knauer: It’s the largest German professional organization for press speakers. We’ve organized nearly 5,000 press speakers across Germany, and here in Berlin there’s around 800 across a variety of industries and ages groups, ranging from young entry-level guys to old, experienced pros.
Andreas: We’re excited to share a lot of same interests and that you’re here [visiting in Berlin]. I did that on purpose because I feel there’s not enough startup communication [pros] participating in this organization. Do you share that opinion? Or is it time to start writing the obituary.
Volker: I think there’s a lot of potential for both sides to profit. On one hand, there’s the network that the press speaker organisation offers and then from the new ideas that startup communications bring to the organisation. It’s a classic win-win situation, and I would be excited if we could stay in touch more often.
Andreas: Yes, I feel that way too. So, you’re primarily employed as a banker. Would one be allowed to call you a banker?
Volker: Of course! I don’t a problem being called a banker. There’s the beautiful classic term Bankier which is nice to hear. It all depends on what situation one finds themselves in. I also don’t have a problem being called a lobbyist. After all that’s what we are. I think it’s legitimate for one to represent his interests or the interests of his industry. If you do that with fair rules and transparency, who is the recipient, what’s the message, it shouldn’t be diluted or unclear. Transparency is an important virtue in communication and also in lobbyism.
Andreas: What are the top 3 biggest communication challenges that the banks in Berlin are facing at the moment?
Volker: Banks don’t operate solely in local markets anymore. Banking is at the very least national and is becoming a more international, European and global business. This is also how we have to observe the markets. If there’s a problem with a bank in New York, it’s a communication challenge for us here in Berlin. Overall, we are dealing with one major subject matter which is trust. And our daily challenge is to promote that.
Andreas: Of course. I have to ask a question now from a RCKT.-perspective. What do you think about our founding a new communications agency?
Volker: It’s an exciting young company, especially given the history. Coming from Rocket Internet, a big company, an enterprise, which recently went public … I’m looking forward to seeing RCKT. develop. You’re already growing fast and have a promising future ahead, but in the end you will have to prove that you’re in for the long haul.
Andreas: Yes! That’s why we want many of your friends from Frankfurt as clients. And we can be bought, of course. Just like any other agency. But now we’re going to have pizza with many other Rocket communicators and I’m looking forward to it. Thank you very much for your visit, I wish you all the best and I hope to see you again soon.
Volker: Thanks for having me.
Andreas: My pleasure!