Hult Magazine Issue 5 | Page 7

ELECTIVES Content Marketing 2.0 A recent survey of top marketing decision-makers by Econsultancy and Outbrain found that: • Over 90% of respondents believe that content marketing will  become more important over the next 12 months • Nearly three quarters (73%) of digital marketers agree that ‘brands  are becoming publishers’ • Less than half of companies have dedicated budgets (34%) or  individuals dedicated (46%) to content marketing • Increased engagement is the most commonly cited objective for  content marketers, with 52% of in-house marketers and 58% of agency marketers listing this as one of their top three business objectives “Content Is King” is an old buzz-phrase, whereas “Content Marketing” is newer. However, it's now time for brand owners to move to “Version 2.0”, whereby we are not only creating and/or 'curating' high-quality content but also leveraging and sharing it effectively as part of an integrated content marketing strategy. Few companies are, so far, doing this successfully but there are big ROI rewards for those who do. Join this class to learn more about the benefits of content marketing and how to take advantage of it in the professional sphere. Stakeholder Engagement and Strategic Communication With increasing societal demands, greater communication technology, and multiple, sometimes conflicting needs and motivations, the ability to engage stakeholders and communicate with them effectively is shaping up to be one of the core management competencies of the 21st century. This is becoming particularly evident in emerging markets, where the inability to create effective dialogue often results in failed strategies, damaged reputations, and lost economic value. Whether a corporation, institution, or entrepreneur, it has become a management imperative to understand who matters and why, and how to then engage them constructively in pursuit of shared goals. We will cover both internal and external communications, from employee engagement to investor relations, to addressing activists and changing consumer behavior in the developing world. Based on current best practices and using a team-teaching approach, we will look at how to align aspirations, needs, and motivations; consider effective ways of inspiring, involving, and informing; and understand some of the channels available to reach those critical to organizational goals. This course will help students develop both the mindset and the skills to address this very fundamental and strategic management issue. Adding Value through Sustainability This course focuses on the use of corporate sustainability as a part of a business strategy, linked to a firm's core business objectives and core competencies, leading to financial and socio-environmental return. Students will become familiar with the various underlying concepts of sustainability, their applications in organizational environments, and the related strategic contexts. The class goes beyond the awareness stage of sustainability and provides theories, frameworks, and tools that aim to create value across the organization. A range of carefully prepared lectures and selected case studies will demonstrate how sustainability nurtures organizational innovation and that there is a clear business case for sustainability leaders to create long-term organizational competitive advantage. The key aim of this course is to enable students to evaluate sustainable initiatives and to develop their critical and analytical thinking skills by having them exercise several concise strategic approaches in the various industries and organizational environments. If you haven't updated your details on our website in the last 12 months then make sure to do so now in order to ensure you receive details regarding registration: hult.edu/alumni hult.edu/alumni 7