Transforming KCAP
Transforming KCAP
A Holistic Approach to Branding, Workflow, and Culture
Repositioning and revitalising its brand by renewing its identity, empowering its ecosystem and substantially improving its team's workflows, skills, and overall performances.
KCAP, the esteemed urban design, architectural, and landscape architecture firm founded in 1989 by Kees Christiaanse (RIBA International Fellowship), asked to assist in repositioning and revitalising its brand by renewing its identity, empowering its ecosystem and substantially improving its team's workflows, skills, and overall performances.
A Holistic Approach to Branding, Workflow, and Culture
KCAP, the esteemed urban design, architectural, and landscape architecture firm founded in 1989 by Kees Christiaanse (RIBA International Fellowship), asked to assist in repositioning and revitalising its brand by renewing its identity, empowering its ecosystem and substantially improving its team's workflows, skills, and overall performances.
Facing Challenges
Outdated brand, not reflecting innovative projects and values.
Siloed teams and hindered productivity.
Limited in fostering a culture of innovation,
Limited abilities to stay ahead of the competition.
Several unsuccessful attempts were made with brand agencies, experts, and stand-alone projects.
Results
25% increase in website traffic
20-30% reduction in workflow timelines
Upgraded visual identity
Empowered PR machine
Client
Location
Year & Position
Status
Role
Fields of Communication
Completed Projects
Collaborators
Client
Location
Year & Position
Status
Role
Fields of Communication
Completed Projects
Collaborators
Facing Challenges
Outdated brand, not reflecting innovative projects and values.
Siloed teams and hindered productivity.
Limited in fostering a culture of innovation,
Limited abilities to stay ahead of the competition.
Several unsuccessful attempts were made with brand agencies, experts, and stand-alone projects.
Results
25%increase in website traffic
20-30% reduction in workflow timelines
Upgraded visual identity
Empowered PR machine
Anouk Kuitenbrouwer
Partner at KCAP
"With a keen eye for aesthetics, he has developed powerful tools such as the website and corporate identity and implemented software critical to our efficiency."
Edward Schuurmans
Partner at KCAP
"I enjoyed his analyses and insights, which he always presented with playful ease. He moved us forward effectively, naturally, and pleasantly, even when perseverance was needed."
Xavier Blarichem
Partner at KCAP
"I am very thankful to Bastiaan for his profound engagement, professional guidance, and focus on results while using a very personal and human approach."
Jeroen Dirckx
Partner at KCAP
"He informed the decision-making strategy within the partner group, allowing us to reach this milestone result enthusiastically.”
Client
Location
Year & Position
Status
Role
Fields of Communication
Completed Projects
Collaborators
Holistic Approach
We took a holistic approach to KCAP's transformation, focusing on six key areas:
Holistic Growth Strategy Development, Performance and Workflow Optimisation, Branding, Communication and Customer Experience, Company Culture and Talent Development, and Innovation and Competitive Insights.
By doing so, we could analyse better, understand, and solve causes and reactions, as many of the challenges were connected.
Holistic Strategy
Performance and Workflow Optimisation
Brand Strategy
Communication and Customer Experience
Company Culture and Talent Development
Innovation and Competitive Insights
Disciplines
The Vital Role of Communication Throughout a Business
To thrive in your markets and talent recruitment and retention, it is important to focus on how you communicate with yourself, your team, and the world around you. To ensure that you do this effectively and cover the vital business areas, we focused on branding, Inbound Marketing, Public Relations, HR and corporate Anthropology, and Career and Personal Development.
Brand Strategy
We took a holistic approach to KCAP's transformation, focusing on six key areas:
Holistic Growth Strategy Development, Performance and Workflow Optimisation, Branding, Communication and Customer Experience, Company Culture and Talent Development, and Innovation and Competitive Insights.
By doing so, we could analyse better, understand, and solve causes and reactions, as many of the challenges were connected.
Holistic Strategy
Performance and Workflow Optimisation
Brand Strategy
Communication and Customer Experience
"We aimed to create a graphic language for KCAP that reflects their values and vision while being contemporary, adaptable, and versatile."
Joost Grootens / Graphic Designer
Digital Engagement
Branding is all about trust, credibility, awareness, and storytelling. Gathering content, creating content, and sharing content takes a huge amount of time, but there are many elements along the road which can be improved to gain speed and invest more time in upgrading quality.
Inbound marketing shows your work and fine-tunes the ecosystem and workflow at the back end. The less time people spend on preparation, the more proactive they can be in reaching better results.
Website: Developing an Identity
Website: From Formal to User-Centric
Website: Sitemap & Custom-Made CMS
Social Media: Gain Speed and Share Stories
Connect to Content
Add layers or components to make infinite auto-playing slideshows.
OLD WEBSITE
KCAP's AMBITION BEFORE COLLABORATION
MY PROPOSAL & FINAL RESULT
One of KCAP's key portfolio projects, the masterplan for the Zurich station area, saw its completion (the last remaining buildings and bridge were built). I developed a strategy with stakeholders and photographer/video maker Dimitri & Rene Durr to celebrate and capture this moment. We also redrew all plans, sections, and other materials supporting the project.
KCAP's projects are most known for their urban designs, which are next to architecture and landscape architecture. I proposed developing a video that primarily shows the atmosphere of these urban settings instead of the project itself. People first.
Together with video maker Ernie Buts, I created this introductory video.
Reputation Management
The new visual identity had elevated the quality level and demanded more consistency in brand expression. This included more focus on refining the tone of voice, enhancing photography and video content, and maintaining updated press contact lists.
Innovative Tools For Streamlined Workflow
Strive For High-End Publications
Implementing a Digital Press Room
Adding a Digital News Room
Improve Image Drawing Styles
Developing A New Photography Style
Developing A New Video Style
Company Culture & Internal Comms
Recruiting the best talent is a pivotal component of brand empowerment. After internal updates within the PR and Business Development teams, I suggested improving HR's workflow as part of the new brand positioning.
We integrated Recruitee, which transformed the recruitment process, reducing workflow inefficiencies by 30% and making applying by potential candidates much more effortless. Because of this, the HR departments of Rotterdam and Zurich have a better overview of each other’s work and possible improvements.
HR: Talent Recruitment: Automate Systems
HR: Identifying Stakeholder Needs
HR: Seamless Integration & Onboarding
CA: Bringing Difficult News
"A new HR recruitment process and improved workflows between teams increased my work efficiency by at least 25%."
Malena Gysin / HR Manager
Approach
You don't improve performance with a standard program. People and organisations are unique. The approach must, therefore, be personal and targeted. Personal skills, (self-)management, work environment, uncertainties, professional approach, and culture are many factors that influence performance.
The solution often lies in a smart selection of small, continuous improvements of 1%. These step-by-step changes together lead to significant growth overall. You see results quickly, and your enthusiasm stimulates you to go further and achieve more.
Who We Normally Collaborate With
Solo professionals and small to medium-sized companies (2-250 people) within the creative industries, such as artists, design studios, fashion brands, galleries, architecture firms, etc.
What We Will Focus On
Examples of how to move forward:
Empower your business ecosystem
Provide a holistic approach
Continuously search for 1% improvements
Be a partner-in-crime, day and night
Not only advise but also do hands-on actions
Tailor-made strategies for short- & long-term
Fueling your winner's mentality and get things done
Your Benefits
Examples of how to move forward:
Clarity in communication
Increased efficiency and productivity
Sustainable growth and long-term success
Stronger brand Identity and presence
Empowered teams and individuals
Empowered decision-making
Decrease waste of time, energy, emotions, etc.
