Your Marketing Team Is Working Too Hard
In the corporate environment, we see over and over again that instead of striving to use laser-focused marketing strategies to cause real business outcomes, team/department cultures are built around production quantity and busy-ness.
Value-Driven Marketing
For a decade, people have been shouting the virtues of 'data-driven marketing' from the rooftops. And marketers have felt a nagging feeling of ineptitude, because they assumed they had to invest in the latest enterprise release of Salesforce, or hire the Archimedes of marketing analysts. I know because I was one of them.
How To Choose a Social Media Management Tool
By using the strategic approach outlined below, you can find a solution that fits your needs and spend your energy using the tool to create efficiencies in your day-to-day workflow.
How can Marketing Managers take charge of digital marketing?
So, you're a manager of marketing. Nice! Whether you're new to the job, or are an industry veteran, you may find yourself asking "now that I'm responsible for digital strategy, what the heck do I do?!" In my experience, new marketing managers face unique challenges when it comes to digital marketing because they are often seen as "the new hope" for a company to execute digital marketing well. No pressure, right?
What to Avoid When Writing Your Digital Marketing Strategy
A digital marketing strategy is, at its core, a marketing strategy. But one that focuses primarily on utilizing digital tools and innovation to achieve your business goals.
Why you should never outsource strategy
Let me just start by acknowledging the irony in a strategy consulting firm writing an article about why you shouldn't outsource your strategy. But hang with me for a bit, and hopefully it'll actually make sense!
Tips for Small Business Digital Marketing
We need to make every dollar count, and can’t afford programs that don’t provide obvious value.Here are 4 proven tips that will get your small business’s marketing program back on track.
10 of the most common digital marketing problems that businesses face
In helping companies with digital marketing and strategy over the years, I've noticed some recurring themes. And while every client's situation is unique, the vast majority of work that I've done can ultimately be grouped into a fairly finite list of topics.
Ditch Marketing Objectives and Replace Them With Expectations
There are valid reasons to talk about campaign/department goals and objectives. But what I’m recommending today is that we all start talking more about “Expectations” and less about goals and objectives. Here’s why…
Marketing Managers: Do You Have a Skills Matrix For Your Team
A skills matrix is exactly what it sounds like: A spreadsheet that outlines all of the skills needed for the team, and how each team member stacks up in each area. (Hang with me, I promise it’s not as boring as it sounds).
Why You Keep Failing At Salesforce
If there is one piece of ‘must have’ software in the marketing industry, it’s Salesforce — at least that’s what can be assumed based on the fact that companies are dumping 10s and 100s of thousands of dollars into licensing the tool every year. But what we’ve found over and over again is that despite the huge price tag, very few companies are actually confident in their use of the tool.
Choosing a Grand Rapids Digital Marketing Firm
Choosing a marketing firm can be tough -- especially in a market like Grand Rapids, where you don't find many "big name" agencies. We're not the home to Razorfish, Ogilvy, JWT, Vaynermedia or any of the other agencies that have reached the national stage for their work. Rather, what you find are smaller, lesser-known, but potentially just as effective agencies of about 1-50 total employees.
Your Team Charter Is Your Most Powerful Management Tool
A team charter is a cornerstone document that outlines key aspects about your digital marketing team -- why you exist, what you're tasked to do, how you will operate, what roles exist on the team, and other defining characteristics.
The Role of a Strategy Consultant
Good consultants don't simply prescribe cookie-cutter solutions for their clients. They invest in research and problem-solving frameworks to uncover the root problem, and then (yes, based on their experience working with other clients) devise the exact custom recommendation for you.
Digital Consulting -- Where does it fit in your marketing team?
Some organizations have no need for external help; some organizations need directional guidance, but no tactical support; some organizations need an external consultant to come in and fully run the show.
Agency vs. Consultancy – What’s the difference and which is right for you?
Having worked on the client side, we’ve seen firsthand how confusing and opaque the agency side can be, and how it can feel like playing roulette when it comes to choosing the right partner.