Clarity first. Then execution. Then real market reactions.
Five phases — from diagnosis to the evaluation of real market signals. Before them comes phase 0: the fit check. No phase starts until the previous one has answered its questions.
Five phases, each with a clear outcome.
The list starts at zero on purpose: first we check the fit, then the work begins. What follows is not an abstract three-step diagram but a clear sequence of decisions and work steps — you can see at any time where the project stands and what comes next.
Check the fit
Before anything starts, we find out whether working together makes sense — for both sides.
- A 20–30 minute initial conversation or a structured inquiry
- Understanding of product, situation, goal, urgency, and budget
- An honest decision: continue, a smaller diagnostic step — or a different path
- No commitments before the fundamentals have been reviewed
Diagnosis
We look at what's actually there: product, numbers, customers, competition — and separate assumptions from facts.
- Kickoff with the owner or management
- Access to materials, numbers, and existing analytics
- Product and business interview
- Research on the category, competition, and customers
- List of assumptions and data gaps
- Decision workshop
Focus
The findings become a decision: one segment, one offer, one channel — and an agreed production scope.
- One prioritized segment
- Value proposition and message hierarchy
- Offer architecture
- Channel hypothesis
- Success criteria
- Agreed production scope
Production
Now we build what sales needs — in short loops, with versioning and clear sign-offs.
- Copy, art direction, visuals, video, website, B2B materials
- Short review loops with clear approvals
- Versioning of all states
- Checklist for business and legal sign-off
- Production-ready exports and handover
Activation
The work goes out to real target customers. From here on, market reactions count — not internal opinions.
- Setup of the prioritized channel
- Launch of the campaign or outreach
- Agreement on handover and handling of inquiries
- Quality checks
- First market signals, documented
Learning
We take a sober look at what comes back: what works, what doesn't — and what follows.
- Review of metrics and feedback
- Distinguishing between a signal, a one-off, and a solid conclusion
- Decision: keep, adjust, or stop
- The next 30/60/90-day plan
Who is responsible for what.
Clear responsibilities from the start: the studio leads the method and production, you make the decisions about your business — and where specialist questions come up, experts review them.
On narrow screens, the table can be scrolled sideways.
| Area | Studio | Client | External specialist |
|---|---|---|---|
| Research & strategy | leads and documents | contributes knowledge, data, decisions | optional industry research |
| Product facts | structures the communication | confirms accuracy and completeness | optional lab / certification |
| Prices & margins | models scenarios | provides costs and decides | tax advisor checks specialist questions |
| Legal claims | flags what needs review | approves | legal counsel reviews |
| Content & assets | designs and produces | checks product fidelity | optional photo/video specialists |
| Lead generation | builds the process and campaigns | responds fast and sells | optional media/CRM partners |
This division is not fine print — it is the working basis: it makes visible before the start what the studio takes on, which decisions stay with you, and where external experts come in.
The typical rhythm.
Reference values from project planning — meant as orientation, not as a promise.
- Diagnostic
- approx. 1 week
- Positioning Sprint
- approx. 2–4 weeks
- Lead Research Sprint
- approx. 1 week
- Trade Fair Sprint
- approx. 2–3 weeks, in good time before the fair
- Asset Sprint
- approx. 2–3 weeks
- Foundation
- approx. 6–10 weeks
- Growth Partner
- ongoing, monthly cycles after a Foundation or a sprint
The exact timeframe depends on the number of products, the available data, feedback speed, languages, and production volume.
The first step is deliberately small.
Phase 0 is a 20 to 30 minute conversation: check the fit, clarify open questions, decide honestly whether and how to continue. No preparation, no obligation.