If Stairway was a superhero, which one would it be?
If a Stairway were to be portrayed as a superhero, it could ideally be compared to Spider-Man. Here’s why:
- Agility and adaptability: Spider-Man is known for his agility and ability to adapt quickly to different situations. Similarly, a digital marketing agency needs to be agile and adaptable in the ever-changing landscape of online marketing. They need to keep abreast of the latest trends, technologies and algorithms to stay ahead of the competition.
- Web-slinging expertise: Spider-Man uses his web-slinging skills to move around town quickly, just as a digital marketing agency uses various online platforms and channels to reach their target audience. They excel at using the power of the internet, social media, search engines and other digital tools to effectively connect businesses with their customers.
- Problem-solving ability: Spider-Man is known for his problem-solving skills. He uses his intelligence, creativity and quick thinking skills to overcome challenges. Similarly, a digital marketing agency should have a strategic mindset and be adept at solving marketing problems. They analyse data, conduct market research and develop innovative solutions to help companies achieve their marketing goals.
- Balancing between two identities: Spider-Man, in his civilian life as Peter Parker, juggles his responsibilities as a superhero and his personal life. Similarly, a digital marketing agency often acts as an extension of a company, seamlessly integrating with their brand and representing them online. They balance between their own identity as a marketing agency and working closely with their clients to effectively promote their brand.
- Helping others succeed: Spider-Man is known for his commitment to protecting innocents and making the world a better place. Similarly, a digital marketing agency aims to help businesses succeed by increasing their online visibility, driving traffic to their websites, generating leads and ultimately increasing sales and revenue. They are dedicated to supporting their clients’ growth and helping them prosper in the digital realm.
You have been CEO of Stairway since 2016. How have you experienced the development since then? And why the next step towards Malaga?
This new step arose from a combination of factors that convinced us to expand our reach and further strengthen our team.
One of the main reasons is that we saw a great opportunity to recruit a new employee with an excellent profile. However, this person preferred to work partly remotely, which got us thinking. Instead of passing up this opportunity, we decided to become active in Malaga as well, offering the chance for someone to use their second home as well. With our new team member in Malaga, we can now better meet the needs of our customers in both Belgium and Spain.
With this expansion, we believe we can accelerate our growth and continue to adapt to the changing needs of the modern working environment.
What is the best thing about your job?
As the business manager of a digital marketing agency, there are several aspects of my job that I really enjoy. One of the highlights is definitely working with people. Building a team of talented professionals and collaborating on projects is both inspiring and enriching. I enjoy the dynamics of working with diverse individuals, their ideas and perspectives, and creating a positive and stimulating working environment.
Another aspect that gives me great satisfaction is achieving results for our clients. It is great to see how our digital marketing strategies and campaigns bear fruit and contribute to the success and growth of the companies we support. It gives me a sense of satisfaction to know that we are having a positive impact on our clients’ business success.
As an independent entrepreneur, I also appreciate the flexibility and work-life balance that running a digital marketing agency brings. Although it is hard work and there are challenges, I have the freedom to set my own work schedule and priorities. This allows me to combine my professional responsibilities with my personal life and spend time on the things that are important to me.
Perhaps the most satisfying aspect of my role as business manager is the ability to set my own vision and direction. I can set the company’s direction, implement new strategies and ideas and innovate constantly. This gives me a sense of empowerment and creative freedom, which is very stimulating.
What has been the biggest challenge so far?
As the business manager of a digital marketing agency, one of the biggest challenges I constantly face is improving myself as a leader. While working with people is definitely the most enjoyable aspect of my job, it is also not the easiest. It brings a complexity because you have to deal with different personalities, both in your own team and with your clients.
Working with people in my team is a source of inspiration and joy. I enjoy interacting with my employees and guiding and motivating them to do their best work. I believe that building a strong team is crucial to the success of our business. By bringing together individuals with diverse skills and expertise, we can create a powerful synergy and together achieve results beyond what we could achieve individually.
However, working with different personalities can also be challenging. Each individual on my team has their own unique way of communicating, expectations and background. It requires a good understanding of their strengths, weaknesses and motivations so that I can lead and support them effectively. It requires empathy, listening skills and flexibility to match each individual’s needs and ensure harmonious collaboration.
Different personalities also emerge among our clients. Each company and individual has specific goals, challenges and expectations. It is my responsibility to understand what they need and develop a tailor-made strategy that matches their goals. This requires not only a deep understanding of digital marketing, but also the ability to communicate effectively and build relationships with people from different backgrounds and industries.
Despite the challenges of working with people, I am convinced it is worth it. It helps me grow as a leader and as a person. It forces me to improve my communication skills, increase my empathy and adapt my leadership style to the needs of my team and clients. It is a continuous learning process that challenges me to keep developing and evolving myself.
What has been the biggest success story?
We are writing about that day in and day out. Just like in top sport, there is a succession of matches we play, with successes and losses. Of course, we always prefer to win, but many valuable lessons are also gained from losses.
What core values will determine Stairway ES’ strategy?
They will be the same as for Belgium: committed, top of class, always a step ahead
Where do you see Stairway ES in five years’ time?
Looking to the future, I see Stairway ES, our digital marketing agency in Malaga, flourishing in five years’ time and becoming an established name in the Spanish market. I strongly believe in Spain’s potential as a booming market for digital marketing, and I am determined to play a significant role in it.
One of our goals is to recruit local staff and build a strong team known for its expertise and excellence in digital marketing. By attracting talent with a deep understanding of the local market and culture, we can offer our clients in Spain tailor-made strategies and solutions to suit their specific needs. This enables us to gain a deeper understanding of the Spanish consumer and take the country’s online marketing standards to the next level.
In addition, our ambition is to establish partnerships with Belgian entrepreneurs in Spain, local companies and organisations, in order to build a wide network of collaborations. By working closely with other players in the Spanish market, we can exchange knowledge, share best practices and grow together. This allows us to have a broader impact and play a leading role in advancing the digital marketing industry in Spain.
In terms of technology, we will constantly adapt to the rapidly changing digital landscapes and embrace new trends and technologies. We want to stay ahead and provide our clients with the most innovative and effective solutions. This can range from implementing advanced data analytics tools to exploring emerging areas such as artificial intelligence.
With our strong team, local expertise and continued focus on innovation, I see Stairway ES as a respected and influential digital marketing agency in Spain in five years’ time. We will be proud of our contribution to raising the standard of online marketing in the country and supporting companies to optimise their digital presence. We want to be the partner of choice for Spanish companies striving for growth and success in the digital age.
