Mynewsday 2020 - Authentic communication - how to build a community in a filtered world

At Mynewsday, Sofia Kacim talks about how they built the community HER Global Network from a dinner session at a restaurant to what it is today. Now, the global app connects women from all over the world to share their experiences.

Sofia Kacim co-founded HER Global Network back in 2014, with the main purpose to connect women and create a new norm of collaboration instead of competition. She is the rhetoric expert in ”Tidningen Chef”, the largest leadership magazine in the Nordics. A well-known speaker about millennials and their digital behaviors, she is also television jury member of Retorikmatchen, Sweden's largest public-speaking challenge for children. She was the speaker coach of TEDx Stockholm as well. In 2017, Sofia was named one of Sweden's 101 talents by ”Veckans affärer" and in 2018, one of Sweden's most influential communicators of "Resumé”.

Your topic is “Authentic communication - how to build a community in a filtered world”, why did you choose to talk about that?
- Now more than ever, we have the chance to examine old structures and ask ourselves which world we want to live in after this pandemic. For many years, I have been lecturing on the purpose-driven generation of millennials, and also on Generation Z. The later generation values the authenticity of brands and employers, and they learn to see beyond filtered messages. However, it’s easy to get lost when you are tossed between trends, buzzwords and the desire to stand out in the crowd with your communication. Therefore we need to talk about authentic communication, what it means and how it appeals to tomorrow’s employees.

Give us your best tips for those who want to start something new?
- Start small and surround yourself with smart people to consult. Invite them to lunch and be specific with what you want to soundboard or need help with. Also, remember to think through what you give back in knowledge.

What will this year’s participants learn from you?
- What the next generations of employees value in brands and employers and how you, with small means can create an environment where people dare to be themselves fully, both on a personal and professional level.

What do you think the coming year will look like for the digital PR and communication industry? What is important to remember?
- To be authentic and know your trust capital. For example, just taking a stand on issues is not enough today, you must act and preferably have acted before speaking about it.

Person/Company in the industry that inspires you
- There are a lot of people who inspire me right now, especially those who managed to be creative when the pandemic overturned all structures and plans.

Mynewsday is on November 5 and the event is held in English. Sign up for free here.