agency for
communication and strategy
one step beyond ist a consulting agency
specialising in strategic communication.
We support progressive organisations, businesses, and experts in enhancing the clarity, reach, and impact of their communicaiton.
our approach
puts people and shared values at the heart of your communication.
is consistently results-driven - designed to help you build broader, active support for your purpose and work.
fosters strategic thinking within your organisation.
draws on methods from strategic communication, public relations and public campaigning.
uses compelling narratives and effective storytelling in implementation.
provides a sustainable drive for your organisation’s impact strategy
Hope-Based is an innovative concept that draws on insights from neuroscience and cognitive linguistics. In addition to addressing challenges, it focuses on making ideas, solutions, and constructive alternatives visible to the public.
We use Hope-Based Communications to develop new narratives and communication strategies, as well as in our tailored communication trainings for leaders and public-facing professionals.
services
We support civil society actors, businesses, progressive organisations, companies and institutions across all sectors in moments of change and opportunity.
Driving impactful strategies, building strong support, and creating communication that works.
Developing powerful narratives that define who you are and amplify your ideas.
Designing winning campaign strategies and growing a strong, active supporter base.
Leading practical, interactive training, workshops, and capacity building for teams and individuals
We offer practical, interactive trainings and workshops for teams and individuals.
Our sessions combine theoretical input with real-world examples and hands-on exercises, enabling participants to apply what they learn directly to their own context.
Each training is tailored to the content and needs of our clients. Together, we create outcomes that can be immediately applied to future work.
our clients
& partners
One Step Beyond developed and delivered a high-quality communications session for the ODIHR's 2022 Advocacy School on Gender and Politics training which targeted civil society representatives from the OSCE region. It was a great pleasure to work with Philip on this session!
Sara Haapalainen
Gender Adviser, OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR)
What others say about us
I know Gesine and Philip from my time at Amnesty International, when they were responsible for some of the most innovative communications campaigns in the whole Amnesty movement. I consider them key allies to my own hopes of building a strong cohort of narrative leaders in Europe, and can see them becoming really important and influential figures in the European progressive scene.
Thomas Coombes
Founder Hope-Based Communications
Many thanks for this fantastic training with Gesine and Philip!
It was incredibly helpful and inspiring, and I learned so much. Keep up the great work!
Yeb Sano
Executive Director, Greenpeace Southeast Asia
about us
We, Gesine Schmidt-Schmiedbauer and Philip Doyle, are communication strategists and share a common purpose rooted in human rights. This drives us to support leaders and organisations in effectively communicating what they stand for, with the aim of making a positive impact on people and the planet.
We founded one step beyond in 2022 to help organisations elevate their communication and campaigning efforts to a more impactful and strategic level. At the same time, we support purpose-led businesses that benefit from engaging narratives, movement thinking and a campaigning mindset.
As part of a global network of certified hope-based communication specialists, we are dedicated to advancing the field of narrative practice across Europe and globally.
