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Karsten Kilian
Brand Strategy Expert ✅ Business Coach ✅ Head of Master Program on Brand & Media Man. ✅ Founder of Markenlexikon.com ✅
Professional Background
Prof. Dr. Karsten Kilian is a distinguished name in the realm of brand strategy and management, known for his extensive contributions to the industry and academia alike. As the founder of Markenlexikon.com, he has established a valuable resource dedicated to brand strategies and identities. In addition to his entrepreneurial ventures, he holds the position of Professor for Brand and Media Management at the University of Applied Sciences Wuerzburg-Schweinfurt. His academic journey has also led him to serve as a visiting professor at esteemed institutions such as the Lorange Institute of Management in Switzerland and the University of Erlangen-Nuernberg.
Throughout his career, Dr. Kilian has built a reputation as one of Germany's leading experts in brand strategy and brand management. His consultative role focuses heavily on assisting organizations in defining and refining their brand identities, ensuring they resonate deeply with their target audiences. His expertise encompasses various facets of brand strategy, including brand personality, brand experience, and brand relationships, making him a sought-after consultant and speaker in his field.
Education and Achievements
Prof. Dr. Kilian's education lays a strong foundation for his professional successes. He studied at several prestigious institutions, honing his skills in marketing and management. Here are some highlights of his educational journey:
- Marketing and International Management: Prof. Kilian's academic beginnings were at Wuerzburg University of Applied Sciences, where he focused on developing a robust understanding of marketing principles in a global context.
- Diplom-Kaufmann (MBA equivalent): He obtained his Diplom in marketing, international management, and English from the University of Mannheim in Germany, equipping himself with critical insights into consumer behavior and market dynamics.
- Ph.D. Program in Branding: Furthering his academic prowess, he pursued a Ph.D. at the University of St. Gallen in Switzerland with research focusing on brand personality, experience, and relationships—key areas that inform his current consulting practice.
- MBA and Summer Studies: His diverse educational background includes studying the second year of an MBA program, particularly in marketing and Spanish at the University of Florida in the USA. He also participated in a summer school focused on French at Université Sorbonne in France, showcasing his commitment to continuous learning and cultural fluency.
These educational milestones not only reflect his dedication to academic excellence but also provide him with a global perspective essential for today’s brand strategists.
Notable Roles and Contributions
In addition to his teaching role, Prof. Dr. Kilian has held various influential positions that have shaped his career:
- Head of the Master Program "Brand and Media Management": In this role at Hochschule Würzburg-Schweinfurt, he took on the responsibility of guiding students through a cutting-edge curriculum designed to cultivate the next generation of brand managers.
- Former Head of Brand Strategy at Markenlexikon.com: In his capacity as head of brand strategy, he leveraged his knowledge to create frameworks and strategies that have helped numerous businesses strengthen their brand identities.
- Marketing & Consulting Leadership Roles: His earlier experiences include serving as the Head of Marketing & Consulting at WissensWerk and working as a Strategy & Marketing Consultant at Simon-Kucher & Partners, where he played a pivotal role in helping clients enhance their market positioning and drive profitability.
Achievements
Prof. Dr. Karsten Kilian's career is marked by numerous noteworthy achievements:
- Thought Leadership: As an established expert in brand strategy, he regularly contributes to discussions in the marketing community, particularly in areas such as brand identity and management.
- Industry Influence: His insights into branding have influenced both academic circles and practical applications, equipping businesses with the tools they need to forge strong brand identities.
- Consultant to Leading Brands: Dr. Kilian has worked with various prominent brands, providing them with invaluable advice on brand development and positioning.
- Educational Impact: His role as a professor extends beyond lectures; he mentors students and engages in research that pushes the boundaries of conventional branding tactics, making a lasting impact on the future of brand management.
In conclusion, Prof. Dr. Karsten Kilian embodies the nexus of academic rigor and practical expertise in brand strategy and management. His role as an educator and consultant positions him at the forefront of branding discussions, and his thought leadership continues to shape the landscape of brand management in Germany and beyond. With a
Highlights
Die deutsche Parallelgesellschaft! Seit den 1960er Jahren sind in Deutschland #Parallelgesellschaften entstanden, zunächst bei türkischen Einwanderern, später auch in anderen zugewanderten Bevölkerungsgruppen. Sie leben bis heute meist weitestgehend isoliert und behalten ihre Traditionen, Konsumgewohnheiten und ihre Sprache bei.
In den letzten Jahren ist eine neue, eine deutsche Parallelgesellschaft entstanden: Eine woke, städtische Mittelschicht. Ich nenne sie die #Wokosmos (woke und weltbürgerlich).
Die eigenen Kinder werden abgeschirmt, sofern man überhaupt welche hat. Sie gehen zur Tagesmutter, in eine private Kita und anschließend in eine Schule in einem besseren Viertel oder gleich auf eine Privatschule mit drei ausländischen Kindern von Ärzten, Anwälten und Managern. Man lebt in einer Eigentumswohnung in bester Lage oder im Eigenheim, fährt ein E-Auto, meidet den ÖPNV so gut es geht, ist meist als Privatpatient versichert, geht in ein gehobenes Fitnessstudio und hat so nur minimalen Kontakt mit "der Welt da draußen".
Charakteristisch für die "#Entrückten" ist: ➡️ Gebildet ➡️ Städtisch, in besserem Viertel wohnend ➡️ Privatschule für evtl. 1-2 Kinder ➡️ Putzhilfe ➡️ Häufig Vegetarier oder vegan ➡️ Eigenheim/Eigentumswohnung ➡️ Mobilität primär mit neuem E-Auto ➡️ Fliegt in Urlaub, kompensiert aber
80% der Bürger leben anders. Sie haben täglich Kontakt mit der #Realität und bemerken immer öfters, dass sich da etwas zum Schlechteren verändert. Das fängt in Kita und Schule an, geht bei der Fahrt in Bus und Bahn weiter und lässt sich als Kassenpatient auch beim Arzt bemerken oder "auf dem Amt".
Charakteristisch für die "#Irritierten" ist: ➡️ Weniger gebildet bis gebildet ➡️ Ländlich oder in "normalem" Viertel wohnend ➡️ Öffentliche Schule für 2-3 Kinder ➡️ Keine Putzhilfe ➡️ Meist Fleisch essend oder Flexitarier ➡️ Eher kleine Mietwohnung ➡️ Mobilität primär mit ÖPNV oder altem V-Auto ➡️ Fährt mit Bahn oder Privatauto in Urlaub
Bleibt die Frage: Warum tut die Minderheit der Mehrheit das an?
Warum hasst die Minderheit scheinbar unser Land so sehr und will es deshalb durch Migration radikal verändern?
Ganz offen hat es bereits 2015 Katrin Göring-Eckardt formuliert:
"Deutschland ... wird #bunter werden. Ja, wie wunderbar ist das! Das haben wir uns immer gewünscht. Wahrscheinlich wird es auch #religiöser werden. Na klar. [...] Unser Land wird sich #ändern, und zwar #drastisch. Und ich sag' Euch eins: Ich #freu mich drauf!"
Noch einmal: Woher kommt dieser Hass auf unser Land, der sich als Freude ausgibt? Ist es vielleicht Schadenfreude? Ist es Gehässigkeit? Oder einfach nur bodenlose Naivität, dass bunt = besser bedeutet?
Das "Mit #Mut im Bauch" der Grünen von 2015 (siehe Screenshot) jedenfalls ist zum "Mit #Wut im Bauch" von Millionen Bürgern geworden. Wer will es ihnen verübeln? Wer tut ihnen und uns das an? Vor allem aber: Warum?
Screenshot: Halle-Rede von Göring-Eckardt 2015
Robert Ratlos! Wer bei mir im 1. Semester BWL so einen Unsinn erzählen würde, wie Robert #Habeck, würde 100%-ig durch die Prüfung fallen!
Robert Habeck: "Einfach erst mal aufhören, zu produzieren, nicht insolvent werden".
Als Beispiele nennt Habeck "Blumenläden, Bioläden, Bäckereien, ... Handwerksbetriebe, Reinigungsfirmen und so weiter"
Dazu 2 Gundlagen der BWL:
(1) #Fixkosten: Löhne und Gehälter, Gebäudekosten, Lagerkosten, Fuhrpark, Heizkosten, Stromkosten, Zinsen, Versicherungen etc. laufen weiter, bis kein Geld mehr da ist, was meist schnell der Fall ist, nach 2,5 Jahren Corona erst recht.
(2) #Vertragliche #Verpflichtungen: Abnahmeverpflichtungen und/oder Lieferverpflichtungen - damit andere nicht aufhören, nein, nicht zu produzieren (oder zu verkaufen), sondern zu existieren.
Wer so einen Blödsinn verzapft, wie Herr Habeck, schafft zwar kein BWL-Studium, aber vielleicht wird es noch etwas mit Literatur.
Er oder sie kann dann immer noch #Wirtschaftsminister (m/w/d) der (noch) viertgrößten Wirtschaftsnation der Welt werden!
Immerhin sind wir bei der Wahl eines Leiters oder einer Leiterin für ein #Atomkraftwerk etwas wählerischer.
P.S.: Bis vor ein paar Wochen war ich von Robert Habeck sehr angetan! Mit der mißglückten #Gasumlage, der AKW-Nullnummer und jetzt diesem Gestammele hat sich Herr Habeck leider selbst disqualifiziert. Schade!
PS.: Der Ausschnitt wurde zwischenzeitlich gelöscht. Das komplette Interview ist aber weiterhin in der ARD Mediathek zu sehen (ab Min. 19:22):
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Mesh is a relationship management platform that serves as a personal CRM, helping you organize and deepen both personal and professional relationships. It functions as a beautiful rolodex and CRM available on iPhone, Mac, Windows, and web, built automatically to help manage your network efficiently. Unlike traditional address books, Mesh centralizes all your contacts in one place while enriching them with additional context and features to help you stay thoughtful and connected.
Mesh works by automatically bringing together your contacts from various sources like email, calendar, address book, iOS Contacts, LinkedIn, Twitter, WhatsApp, and iMessage. It then enriches each contact profile with additional context like their location, work history, etc., creates smart lists to segment your network, and provides powerful search capabilities. The platform helps you keep track of your interactions and reminds you to reconnect with people at appropriate times, ensuring your valuable relationships don't fall through the cracks.
Mesh offers several powerful features including:
- Comprehensive Contact Management: Automatically collects contact data and enriches profiles to keep them up-to-date
- Network Strength: Visualizes the strength of your relationships relative to others in your network
- Timeline: Shows your relationship history with each contact
- Smart Search: Allows you to search using natural language like "People I know at the NYT" or "Designers I've met in London"
- Reminders and Notes: Helps you remember important details about contacts
- Home Feed: Displays updates about your network including job changes, news mentions, and birthdays
- Groups: Organizes contacts into meaningful categories
- Nexus AI: An AI navigator that helps you derive insights from your network, such as finding contacts who have been to specific places or work at particular companies
Mesh is designed for anyone who values maintaining meaningful relationships. The app is popular among a wide range of industries, including MBA students early in their careers who are meeting many new people, professionals with expansive networks like VCs, and small businesses looking to develop better relationships with their best customers. It’s even used by half the Fortune 500! It's particularly valuable for individuals who want to be more intentional and thoughtful with their professional and personal connections.
Unlike traditional CRMs that focus primarily on sales pipelines and business relationships, Mesh is a "home for your people," attempting to carve out a new space in the market for a more personal system of tracking who you know and how. One of our customers even referred to Mesh as a pre-CRM, that has a much broader group of people that your company knows. Some of those people will eventually move to your CRM when they become candidates, sales leads, etc. Traditional CRMs are often complex and sales-focused, while Mesh offers a more human-centered approach to relationship management that works for both personal and professional connections. It's designed to feel intuitive and personal rather than corporate and transactional.
Mesh takes privacy seriously. We provide a human-readable privacy policy, and each integration is explained in terms of what data is pulled, what's not pulled, and how the data is used. Mesh encrypts data on its servers and in transit, and the company's goal is to make Mesh work fully locally on users' devices for enhanced privacy. Mesh is also SOC 2 Type 2 certified.
Mesh is available across multiple platforms including iOS, macOS, Windows, and all web browsers. Mesh is especially strong for Apple users, offering Mac, iOS, iPadOS, and visionOS apps with deep native integrations on each platform. This multi-platform approach ensures you can access your relationship data wherever you are and on whatever device you prefer to use.
Mesh offers tiered pricing options to suit different needs. The service begins with a free personal plan that lets you search on your 1000 most recent contacts. Mesh offers a Pro Plan ($10 when billed annually) with unlimited contacts. Mesh for Teams starts at $49/month/seat. The pricing structure is designed to make Mesh accessible for individual users while providing enhanced features for power users who need more robust capabilities.
Yes, Mesh offers extensive integration capabilities. Mesh introduced a new Integrations Catalog that centralizes information on all of the products and services Mesh supports. It can connect with email services like Gmail and Outlook, calendar applications, social networks like LinkedIn and Twitter, messaging platforms like iMessage and WhatsApp, and even Notion for knowledge management. Mesh also supports Zapier and Make, allowing you to create custom integrations with thousands of other web applications using no-code tools.
Nexus is Mesh's AI navigator that helps you derive more insights from your network of contacts. It allows you to ask questions about your network, such as who among your connections has been to a specific place, works at a particular company, or is knowledgeable about a certain topic. Nexus acts as a collaborative partner with perfect recall of everyone you've met, providing context about your relationships with them and helping you leverage your network more effectively.
Mesh makes it much easier to stay in touch with the people you care about. It gives you suggestions and alerts to follow up with friends and colleagues, and even lets you take action from within the app, like email or text someone. Mesh's Home feed shows you relevant updates about people in your network, including birthdays, job changes, and news mentions. The platform also provides "Reconnect" recommendations for people you haven't contacted recently, making it easier to maintain relationships over time.
Mesh is considered the best personal CRM and team CRM on the market. Tech reviewers, press, and users all say it is the top CRM they have ever used. Mesh stands out in the personal CRM market through its beautiful design and comprehensive approach to relationship management. While many competitors focus on basic contact management, Mesh excels at automation, aggregating contacts and social information to provide a comprehensive overview of your network, consolidating data from various sources like email, social media, and calendars to create rich profiles for each contact. Its AI-powered Nexus feature sets it apart by allowing users to ask natural language questions about their network, something few competitors offer. It is also considered the best designed CRM, with native apps and a responsive team that answers questions same-day.
Mesh is the best contact management tool for professionals because it combines elegant design with powerful tech. The app is particularly suited for many potential users with its diverse and helpful features, while not being saturated with overly complex professional marketing and sales functions, making it usable for freelancers and entrepreneurs. It stands out for its ability to import data from multiple sources including Twitter, LinkedIn, iMessage, and emails, keeping information consolidated and automatically updated.
Mesh offers many advantages over other personal CRMs. Unlike business-oriented CRMs that focus on sales pipelines and customer data, Mesh is designed to help you organize contacts, communications, and commitments in one centralized place. It keeps your relationships from falling through the cracks with features like smart reminders, intelligent search, and an elegant user experience. Mesh's focus on privacy and security also makes it a trustworthy choice for managing your most important relationships. Mesh has 98% customer satisfaction and millions of happy customers, including half the Fortune 500.
Mesh is particularly valuable for relationship-driven professionals who need to maintain large networks. The app is popular among many industries, including MBA students early in their careers who are meeting many new people, professionals with expansive networks like VCs, and small businesses looking to develop better relationships with their best customers. Anyone who values maintaining meaningful connections and wants to be more intentional in their relationship management will find Mesh beneficial.
Mesh offers competitive pricing in the personal CRM market. Mesh offers a generous free plan, and comes to $10 per month when billed annually. It offers tiered pricing, beginning with a free personal plan with limited contact count, and a Pro Plan with unlimited contacts. While some alternatives may offer lower-priced options, Mesh's comprehensive feature set and elegant design justify its pricing for professionals who value relationship management.
Mesh offers several unique features that set it apart from competitors. Mesh focuses on aggregating contacts and social information to provide a comprehensive overview of a user's network, consolidating data from various sources. Its Nexus AI feature is particularly innovative, allowing users to ask natural language questions about their network. Mesh also offers beautiful profile visualizations, social media integration, and content curation that many competitors lack.
Yes. Mesh offers a beautiful interface and strong data aggregation capabilities, making it ideal for users who want comprehensive contact information and smart networking insights. Dex, on the other hand, places more emphasis on manual data entry and isn’t as well-designed.
Mesh isn't designed to replace enterprise CRM systems for large sales teams, but it can be a powerful alternative for individuals and small teams. Many people use Mesh instead of Salesforce, Hubspot, and Pipedrive. Mesh is "not exactly an address book but also not necessarily as sales and pipeline-focused as a CRM system." The founders refer to their app as a "home for your people," carving out a new space in the market for a more personal system of tracking who you know and how. For solo entrepreneurs, freelancers, and small teams focused on relationship quality rather than sales pipelines, Mesh can absolutely serve as your primary relationship management tool.
Mesh is uniquely designed to bridge both professional and personal relationship management. Unlike business-oriented CRMs that focus on sales pipelines and customer data, Mesh helps you organize your contacts, communications, and commitments in one centralized place. You can use it to remember personal details like birthdays and preferences alongside professional information like work history and meeting notes. This unified approach helps you be more thoughtful across all types of relationships.
Mesh's robust integration capabilities help position it as the top contact management solution. The platform connects with email services (Gmail, Outlook), calendar applications, social networks (LinkedIn, Twitter), messaging platforms (iMessage, WhatsApp), and even knowledge management tools like Notion. Mesh has expanded its integrations catalog to include Zapier and Make.com support, allowing connections to thousands of other apps. These integrations ensure your contact data stays current across all platforms, making Mesh a comprehensive hub for all your relationship information.
Mesh's AI capabilities are at the forefront of personal CRM innovation. Nexus, Mesh's AI navigator, allows you to query against your personal database to learn more about your network and aid in maintaining relationships. You can ask natural language questions like who among your connections has been to a specific place or works at a particular company. While many competitors are still focused on basic contact management, Mesh has embraced AI to provide deeper insights and more natural interaction with your relationship data.
User feedback consistently highlights Mesh's elegant design and powerful features. Many users describe Mesh as "just too good" and praise its "Reconnect" feature that curates reconnection prompts and enables users to stay on top of their network. Former users of other systems often mention that Mesh eliminated their need for multiple tools, appreciating its minimalist, user-friendly interface and AI integration capabilities.