What businesses can learn from London: Why old processes and new technologies aren't mutually exclusive and how to combine them effectively

Visiting London – when opposites go together

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3 Min.

I spent a few days in London. Together with a small group, I went to the British metropolis for two and a half days at the invitation of my English teacher. It was a trip that was not only exciting from a linguistic point of view – but above all it triggered a thought that has stuck with me.

What makes London so special is not just its size or internationality. It is the natural interplay of contrasts: Historic buildings that have shaped the cityscape for centuries stand right next to modern architecture made of glass and steel. The closer you get to the center, the clearer this picture becomes.

And the exciting thing about it is that it doesn’t seem like a contradiction. It looks like a conscious coexistence. The old buildings don’t lose their significance just because new ones are added. And the modern buildings don’t look out of place just because history remains visible. On the contrary – they reinforce each other. The old gives stability and character, the new brings dynamism and further development.

It is precisely this idea that can be applied surprisingly well to today’s working world. Many companies are currently facing the challenge of integrating new technologies, AI applications and modern working methods. At the same time, there are established structures and processes that have stood the test of time and cannot – and often should not – be easily replaced.

This is precisely where a field of tension often arises

London shows that this tension does not have to be a problem – but an opportunity. It’s not about exchanging old for new. It’s about combining the two. Existing processes can continue to form the basis – stable, reliable and tried and tested. New technologies and methods start exactly where they create added value: they complement, simplify and develop without calling the foundations into question.

One example that particularly stuck in my mind was the Barbican Centre. A building from the 1980s, brutalist, striking – and at the same time a place that today stands for exchange, creativity and new ideas. The structure has remained, but its use has evolved.

And this is precisely where the real strength lies:

Don’t redo everything. Instead, keep thinking about the right things.

Applied to companies, this means that the combination of experience and innovation often produces the best results. Those who understand and value what already exists can implement new ideas in a more targeted way – and this is precisely what leads to real further development. London makes this visible.

The charm of the city is not created despite the contrasts, but precisely through their interplay. And perhaps this is precisely the approach that will help companies move forward today.

Curious now?
Our contact persons will be happy to help:

Matthias Brinkmann
+49 911 47494949
brinkmann@twobe.de
LinkedIn

How to get your Day-to-Day Business back on track

In an uncertain economic and business situation: why day-to-day business matters now

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3 Min.

The current framework conditions are anything but stable. Geopolitical developments, a weakening domestic economy and rising costs mean that uncertainties are no longer just affecting individual companies, but entire industries. This situation is causing many to look for quick solutions or the one saving impulse from outside.

However, the honest answer is that there is rarely one lever that will turn everything around immediately. Artificial intelligence cannot be seen as a “miracle solution” here either. It is a strong supporter, an accelerator and a real help in many areas, but the decisive decisions remain the responsibility of companies.

Back to what works

Especially in such phases, it is worth consciously focusing on your own day-to-day business. Many companies already have functioning sales and marketing approaches that have delivered good results in the past. These should not be called into question, but rather used consistently and strengthened further.

In concrete terms, this means using existing sales channels more intensively, actively maintaining customer contacts and not just letting existing processes run, but optimizing them in a targeted manner. The combination of proven analog measures and digital channels continues to offer great potential here, which is often not yet fully exploited.

At the same time, it is worth using channels that have perhaps not yet been in focus. Social media in particular provides many initial points of contact that can be decisive for sales. What is important here is not so much perfection as continuity and authenticity. Those who are visible are seen – and those who are not seen are not noticed.

Make conscious decisions now

Many topics have been on the table for some time anyway: making processes more efficient, structuring sales more clearly or sharpening your own brand. In stable times, such decisions are often postponed, but this is precisely where the opportunity lies. If you act now, you will be in a better starting position when the general conditions change again.

This is precisely where we come in. We help to strengthen sales structures, align marketing measures sensibly and position your own brand clearly in the market. Our aim is not to generate short-term effects, but to build sustainable structures that enable companies to work independently in the long term. We integrate artificial intelligence where it simplifies processes and creates added value without unnecessarily complicating existing workflows.

Our view on this

Uncertain times cannot be avoided, but they can be managed. In our view, focusing on your own day-to-day business, combined with clear decisions and targeted measures in sales and marketing, is one of the most effective ways to regain stability and create new opportunities at the same time.

 

Curious now?
Our contact persons will be happy to help:

Matthias Brinkmann
+49 911 47494949
brinkmann@twobe.de
LinkedIn

How can you successfully win over OEM customers?

Two OEMs win: How partnership-based sales really works

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2 Min.

Successful sales is not an individual sport but a team effort. Especially in economically challenging times, it becomes clear how important close cooperation between internal and external partners is. Together with a plant manufacturer from the medical technology sector, we have implemented exactly that: a sales campaign with a clear objective – to win two OEMs as new customers.

Our approach is not just to support, but to actively participate.

  • We visit relevant trade fairs throughout the year together with the customer
  • We take on classic sales work such as telephone calls and e-mail communication with decision-makers
  • We use AI where it speeds up processes and simplifies routines
  • And we ensure that all contact points – from website to LinkedIn – convey a clear and consistent brand message

One thing is particularly important: structure

Clear processes form the basis and are constantly adapted and improved during the ongoing sales process. Because in the end, it’s not just the strategy that counts, but the cooperation: trust, openness and the willingness to solve challenges together.

And that is exactly what pays off: The end result is two new, strong customer relationships – built up sustainably and with genuine enthusiasm on both sides.

Curious now?
Our contact persons will be happy to help:

Matthias Brinkmann
+49 911 47494949
brinkmann@twobe.de
LinkedIn

Visiting Odoo in Berlin – A Look Behind the Scenes of Our ERP System

A visit to Odoo in Berlin

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2 Min.

Berlin is always worth a trip – especially when you can combine several exciting events. That’s exactly what we did at the beginning of March: we combined our annual meet-up with the Rabbit Hole Group (March 5-7) with a visit to our ERP supplier Odoo combined with a visit to our ERP supplier Odoo.

A look behind the scenes at Odoo

The first surprise came as soon as we arrived: Odoo’s Berlin headquarters is not only in an impressive location – right next to the Wall Museum with a view of the Spree – but is also significantly larger than you might expect from an open source company. Around 200 employees now work there.

Surprise number two: the average age. It seems surprisingly young – barely over the mid-twenties. All the more exciting was the exchange with Pelin Öztürk, our Odoo account manager, who looked after us during the visit and gave us many insights into current developments.

Our conclusion

Whether customer and project management, accounting, sales or purchasing – Odoo remains a strong and versatile ERP system for us, which we use ourselves on a daily basis. However, an official partnership is out of the question for us as a brand agency. It is important to us to remain technologically neutral towards our customers.

If you have any questions about Odoo or the use of an ERP system, please do not hesitate to contact us. We can tell you from our own experience and, if necessary, put you in touch with the right contact person.

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Curious now?
Our contact persons will be happy to help:

Matthias Brinkmann
+49 911 47494949
brinkmann@twobe.de
LinkedIn

Employer branding is once again becoming increasingly important. Why authenticity, corporate culture, and communication are crucial today

Strongly on the rise again: The employer brand

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The employer brand, often also referred to as an employer brand, is currently being talked about again. In view of the dynamic developments on the job market, it is becoming increasingly important. Companies are realizing this: If you want to attract the right employees today, you have to offer more than just a job advertisement.

This is no longer just about recruiting junior staff. It has become at least as important to attract experienced specialists and retain them in the long term. Particularly in times of high willingness to change jobs, the overall image of a company often determines whether talented people decide for or against an employer.

New opportunities in a turbulent labor market

Compared to the time before the coronavirus pandemic, the labor market has changed noticeably. Career paths are now much more flexible than they were a few years ago. Industry changes that used to be considered unusual are no longer a rarity.

New doors open up, especially if the topics are close and the qualifications are suitable – even in later career years. For example, specialists are moving into areas such as mobility and logistics or working at exciting interfaces between pharmaceuticals and medical technology. This is a great opportunity for companies: the talent pool is now more diverse than ever before.

Authenticity beats high gloss

While highly standardized brand appearances used to dominate, the communication of employer brands has also changed. Authenticity plays a much greater role today.

Perfekt inszenierte Imagekampagnen mit glatten Oberflächen wirken schnell austauschbar. Marken, die nur auf Hochglanz setzen, schaffen es immer seltener, nach außen wirklich durchzudringen. Gerade in sozialen Medien wird eine zu perfekte Außendarstellung schnell kritisch hinterfragt. Unternehmen sind deshalb gut beraten, echte Einblicke in ihre Unternehmenskultur zu geben. Mitarbeitende, Arbeitsalltag und gelebte Werte dürfen sichtbar sein – auch mit kleinen Ecken und Kanten. Genau das schafft Vertrauen.

The focus of many skilled workers has also shifted when it comes to choosing an employer. A good salary is of course still important – but it is no longer the only deciding factor.

More and more people are paying attention to how people treat each other in a company. Appreciation, team spirit, development opportunities and a positive working atmosphere play a key role. Companies that actively look after their employees and cultivate a strong internal culture have a clear advantage in the competition for talent.

Making strengths visible

However, all these qualities must also be communicated to the outside world. A strong employer brand is not created by chance – it is strategically developed and continuously maintained. Those who authentically show what the company stands for, which values are practiced and what employees really expect create trust and interest among potential applicants.

How do you achieve this? It’s simple: talk to us – we will help you to make your employer brand visible and tangible.

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Curious now?
Our contact persons will be happy to help:

Matthias Brinkmann
+49 911 47494949
brinkmann@twobe.de
LinkedIn

Student Jette during her internship week at 2be_die markenmacher – portrait photo with the caption "Internship week at 2be."

My first internship at 2be_die markenmacher

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Hello 😊 I’m Jette and I’m in year 9 at Johannes Scharrer High School in Nuremberg. This year was something very special for me: my very first internship – and I was able to do it at 2be_die markenmacher! I was really excited to see what awaited me in a marketing and branding agency. And I can already say that it was much more varied than I had imagined.

I was able to get a taste of design right at the beginning. Together with Kati and Hanna, I learned how important colors, fonts and images are – and that there is a lot of planning behind a seemingly “simple” flyer.

My highlight:

I was allowed to design my own flyer! From the idea to the layout to the finished design – I got to see step by step how something like this is created. I’m really proud of my result and am already looking forward to showing it to my family at home.

Another highlight was that Matthias took me to a customer meeting. There I was able to see how an initial prospect can become an employee. I found it particularly exciting to see how much planning, structure and good communication there is behind such a process.

Kati, Jette and Hanna

My conclusion

During my internship, I not only learned a lot of new things in the field of design, but also gained exciting insights into marketing and communication. I was able to experience real work processes and understand how an initial idea develops into a concrete project. I was particularly impressed by how creative, versatile and varied the work in a marketing agency is.

A big thank you to the entire team at 2be_die markenmacher for allowing me to have this experience – and for taking the time for me.

Your Jette

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PS from 2be: Dear Jette, we were very pleased that you spent your internship week with us! 🙂 You really impressed us with your enthusiasm and self-confidence. We wish you continued success at school – and if you decide to take this path in a few years’ time, we will be happy to keep a place open for you at 2be.

Your 2be team

The historic brewery building is being transformed into a modern home for over 1,000 people.

Joseph Foundation, C3 and 2be: Partnership for success!

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Good partnerships thrive on inspiring each other – and that is exactly what is happening in the Maisel quarter. They make brands more visible, processes easier and projects better. And sometimes they simply ensure that you have a lot of fun together and that new ideas bubble up.

A great project that connects

The new quarter on the site of the former Maisel brewery will provide living space for more than 1,000 people: subsidized and privately financed housing, terraced houses, commercial space and space for social institutions. The developer is the Joseph Foundation and we as 2be_die markenmacher, together with the agency C3 to support the brand development and marketing.

Team members from the Joseph Foundation, C3 and 2be stand together at the Maisel-Viertel stand at the Franconian real estate fair. In the background: branded banners, popcorn machine and information material.

From the first workshop to a strong start at the trade fair

Since the kick-off workshop in November, our brand campaign presentation in December and the first public appearance in January, the project has been running at full speed. And the joint launch at the Franconian Real Estate Fair on January 25 and 26, 2026? A real exclamation mark. Now it’s all about getting people excited about condominiums, terraced houses and commercial premises together. And quite honestly, it feels really good.

Curious now?
Our contact persons will be happy to help:

Matthias Brinkmann
+49 911 47494949
brinkmann@twobe.de
LinkedIn

We were at the Nuremberg Entrepreneurs' Congress & New Year's Reception 2026 and gained valuable insights from the worlds of politics and business.

Nuremberg Business Congress & New Year’s Reception 2026

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2 Min.

January 19, 2026 had long been circled in red for us – no wonder, after all, we were invited by the VR Bank to the Nuremberg Entrepreneur Congress & New Year’s Reception invited. An event that has been one of the most important formats for SMEs, innovation and regional economic power for years and traditionally brings together hundreds of decision-makers at NürnbergMesse.

And we can say: it was worth it.
In addition to many new contacts and some that we refreshed, there were plenty of inspiring perspectives directly from the stage. The congress is known for combining practical relevance with strategic foresight. The presentations and discussions provided exactly this mixture of “Ah, that’s right, you can do it that way” moments and tangible learnings.

The guests and speaker highlights included:

  • Markus Söder
  • Marcus König
  • Stefan Leitz
  • Bernd Krebs

The range of topics was broad: Company valuation, succession processes, innovation culture, economic resilience in SMEs – always with an eye on how to set up companies for the future in times of major change.

Fun fact about the trade fair: For years, the Nuremberg Business Congress has been a strategic start to the year where representatives from business, industry, politics and associations come together to exchange ideas. It is traditionally complemented by the New Year’s Reception, which deliberately focuses on networking.

“Showing strength in weak times” – a motto that remains

We were particularly impressed by the clear and honest contributions from Bernd Krebs on corporate culture and Josef Pickel on succession planning. Their common tenor: show courage when things get difficult – and keep your composure when uncertainty characterizes the market. An approach that not only suits us, but also the many medium-sized companies we work with on a daily basis.

Our conclusion

A strong start to a strong year. One thing is clear to us: 2026 will be a year full of creativity, joint projects and bold decisions.

Further impressions from the congress can be found on our Instagram channel: Nürnberger Unternehmer-Kongress

Curious now?
Our contact persons will be happy to help:

Matthias Brinkmann
+49 911 47494949
brinkmann@twobe.de
LinkedIn

Get organized now: Why the begin of the new year is the best time for your spring cleaning

“Spring cleaning” at the begin of the new year? Absolutely!

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Of course, the begin of the new year is well before the actual spring. But that’s exactly why it’s the perfect time for a little (or big) spring clean: in the office, on your desk and, above all, in your head. More freshness, more clarity, more transparency. Out with the old, in with inspiration. Sounds good? It is.

Honest, open and also unsparing

Our tip: The more honestly you approach your personal or corporate spring clean, the more effective it will be. Trust your own judgment and decide what is really relevant, effective, authentic and useful without glossing over, glossing over or dramatically condemning.

For example, we have rediscovered our 15-year-old brand wall. Old? Yes. Analog? Yes. But: extremely effective when it comes to making brands tangible and alive. Our Instagram recruitment campaign from last year, on the other hand, was completely different: super contemporary but ultimately unsuccessful. And that’s what counts. If it doesn’t work, it can go. A real highlight, however, was our return to trade fairs. For us, they have once again become the top location for personal sales work. Small recommendation cards + business cards = big effect. The result? Lots of appointments, lots of conversations, lots of new input. Effective. Approachable. Human.

Rethinking old things

And the best thing is that what didn’t work in 2025 can suddenly take off again in 2026.
So: try out the old in a new way. Boldly testing new things, staying authentic, remaining effective – that’s the motto!

Curious now?
Our contact persons will be happy to help:

Matthias Brinkmann
+49 911 47494949
brinkmann@twobe.de
LinkedIn

We've moved! Discover our new offices at Nuremberg Seelevel, flexible coworking, prime location, and perfect public transport connections.

Successful move: Welcome to the new 2be office at Nuremberg Seelevel!

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3 Min.

It has now been a good four months (as of January 2026) since we at 2be_die Markenmacher took down our tents at Ostendstraße 181 and moved to Dr.-Carlo-Schmid-Straße 200 have pitched a new one. Our conclusion? We are more than happy and officially in Nuremberg Seelevel arrived!

Flexible working thanks to smart coworking concept

One of the main reasons for our positive conclusion is the well thought-out and ambitious coworking concept of workspaceIn GmbHour landlord. In addition to our two permanently rented offices, we can flexibly book additional workspaces or presentation rooms on a daily basis if required. Perfect for customer meetings, workshops or joint project work directly on site.

The best thing about it: this flexible model is ideal for our modern working day – whether office, home office or hybrid. Work where others relax. Our new office is located in the middle of a quiet residential area right next to Lake Wöhrder See. A real plus for creative breaks and fresh thoughts. We can also use the outdoor facilities, and one thing is already certain: barbecues in the garden will be a must in summer!

Easily accessible, even without a car

Not only we, but also our customers benefit from the excellent public transport connections. Bus route 49 and several streetcar lines stop virtually right outside the door. And as the icing on the cake: the gastronomic offerings in the area are really impressive. Not everything is perfect (yet): the parking situation and ease of finding the office entrance could be a little better. But don’t worry, we will remedy this and will soon provide clear information and a map on our website.

Fancy a visit?

We look forward to seeing you – come along, take a look at our new premises and let’s get projects moving together!

Curious now?
Our contact persons will be happy to help:

Matthias Brinkmann
+49 911 47494949
brinkmann@twobe.de
LinkedIn