Over the past decade the Chief Marketing Officer, otherwise known as the CMO, has been the darling of the c-suite. And for good reason – anyone with experience in marketing understands how dynamic the field can be.
Marketing continues to evolve so rapidly that the ideas and channels it encompasses today were barely fathomable a decade ago. This rapid pace of change creates a challenging environment for any CMO. CMOs who are equipped to meet these challenges personify adaptability, adopt a customer-centric focus, and have the ability to work well with all levels of leadership within their organization.
Adaptability
Responsive decision-makers are an asset in an industry like marketing, which is in constant flux. To be adaptable, a CMO needs a foundation of in-depth knowledge of the organization’s mission, its products and/or services, and technological tools that he or she can wield to craft success.
Fortunately, CMOs today have the advantage of access to market research, big data, and analytics, elements that have revolutionized the entire marketing world. With the insights gleaned from the information they provide, the CMO can react to, anticipate, and even control the marketing environment for the best customer experience outcomes.
Customer-Centric
A CMO’s role is easily one of the most customer-centric within any organization. Every decision he or she makes is part of a strategy to engage existing and potential clients, and to win the perpetual battle for hearts, minds, and wallets.
Evolving trends that affect customer behavior are just part of the picture. A good CMO must contend with the rise of Generation Z and Millennials – and the unique marketing opportunities and challenges that they bring to the table. After all, these unique demographic groups continue to represent a larger market share every year. Engaging with them means planning a bigger role for company CSR, an agile approach to advertising, and micro-communication with customers.
Collaboration
CMOs are increasingly taking a proactive approach to collaboration within their organizations. They invite input from departments like IT and customer service to create holistic customer engagement processes that deliver exponential results. Collaborative CMOs also frequently
adopt the role of a mentor, fostering a marketing team aligned in its purpose and resolute in its commitment.
A new world of opportunities and possibilities make today an exciting time to be involved in marketing. A CMO who can leverage the tools and technology at their disposal will deliver results far beyond what they could have imagined at the start of their careers. Contact me today learn more.
