Thought Leadership Academy
An expert brand that brings clients, not just followers
You know you should be more visible. In the Thought Leadership Academy, you spend a year learning to publish regularly in your own voice and to turn visibility into leads, invitations and new opportunities – with coaches and a peer group behind you.
12 months, two courses
Coaching sessions online
A close-knit peer group
From €3,900 + VAT
Limited places – we keep the group small!
The secret to thought leadership
Your expertise stays invisible until you show it
You know more than many of the people speaking up in your field. Yet the publish button feels heavy: what if the post isn't ready, what will colleagues think, where will you find the time? Many experts see the value of a personal brand, but getting started is hard.
The Thought Leadership Academy is a year-long programme for leaders, experts and entrepreneurs. You get goal-oriented guidance, practical tools and a group that keeps you moving even when your own motivation dips.
You want to grow your own visibility and build an expert brand that brings work and opportunities.
Your company wants to test the model with one or a few people before a wider ambassador programme.
The programme is based on Thought Leadership – Towards People-Fronted Corporate Influence, written by Vapa's experts, and on the same methods we have used to coach experts at Telia, Avaus and Efima, among others.
Your coaches practice what they preach
The Academy is led by the book's authors, Ida Hakola and Jasmiina Parta. Nina Hirvensalo joins as guest coach in the spring. Other guest speakers come from leading Finnish brands.
Ida Hakola
Founder & CEO, Vapa Media
Founded Vapa in 2010 and has spent more than ten years building thought leadership for major B2B brands. Named Finland's Young Entrepreneur of the Year.
Jasmiina Paarta
COO & Client Director, Vapa Media
Co-author of Thought Leadership. Leads Vapa's client work, including corporate ambassador programmes.
Nina Hirvensalo
Communications Director, OP Häme, Guest coach
Previously led social media at OP Pohjola and coached teams to become employee ambassadors. Also talks about personal branding and LinkedIn on podcasts.
Choose your scope
Basic course: Fundamentals of Expert Branding
Spring 2027, online: Thursdays 18 Feb, 18 Mar and 15 Apr, 9:00–11:30
(Finnish time)
For experts, leaders and entrepreneurs who want to start publishing and lay a strong foundation for their personal brand.
€3,900 + VAT
- 3 online coaching sessions, 7.5 hours in total
- 2 one-to-one coaching sessions
- Coached by Ida Hakola, Jasmiina Parta and guest coach Nina Hirvensalo
- Starting-point assessment and personal goals
- Channel-specific guides
- Peer group throughout the spring
1. Find your voice, 18th February
Why thought leadership matters now, tackling the common fears, mapping your own voice, and how LinkedIn reads you before you ever post. Assignment: a one-line value statement and an updated profile.
2. LinkedIn as your expert toolkit, 18th March
Your role and goals, your ideal audience and positioning statement, content formats that work, and a short look at social selling. Assignment: an AI-assisted review of your profile.
3. Your content engine, 15th April
Big Rock thinking, content mining, using AI to understand your ideal audience, connection messages, and making publishing a habit. Assignment: three scheduled posts.
Choose your scope
Advanced course: Toolkit for a Goal-Oriented Personal Brand
Autumn 2027
For those who have completed the basic course, or who already publish and want more impact. A good fit for communications professionals, for example.
€3,900 + VAT
Requires the basic course or equivalent experience
- 3 coaching sessions
- 2 one-to-one coaching sessions
- Guest speakers
- Video and public-speaking practice
- Peer group throughout the autumn
- Results review and final gala
4. B2B influence and social selling
Conversations that build relationships, buying signals, and turning network activity into a pipeline you can track.
5. Video and public speaking
Expert videos shot on your phone, and speaking at events, on panels and on podcasts.
6. From visibility to business
Turning visibility into leads and opportunities, measuring results, and the final gala.
Secure your spot at the Thought Leadership Academy!
Registration Form
Please enter your contact information below and indicate in the message field whether you would like to enroll
A) The basic course (spring 2027)
B) The advanced course (fall 2027)
C) Both courses
After you register, we’ll send you detailed information and an invoice covering 50% of the course fee.
Secure your spot at the Thought Leadership Academy!
Experts we've coached
We've already helped experts and leaders at companies like Avaus, YIT and Efima build the confidence and skills to become recognised voices in their field. The Academy brings that same approach to individuals.
Talk to us
Talk to us about Thought Leadership Academy
We'll walk you through how the engagement works, what good looks like and whether it's the right starting point for you.