Business Growth Strategies For CEOs: Top CMOs On Marketing Strategy Implementations

Sean Klunder

A specialist in transforming companies, products and marketing from “analog” to “digital,” Sean Klunder has gained a reputation for developing innovative growth strategies that disrupt markets and create more distance in competitive differentiation. Klunder has leveraged digital strategies that have married e-commerce, social media, SEM, SEO, mobile marketing and display advertising into both short-term visibility and long-term ROI. Klunder’s formula led to successes at Korn Ferry International, a recruiting and consulting organization; and World Book, a Berkshire Hathaway company. When not helping Chief Outsiders’ clients navigate their own change management programs, Klunder inspires the next generation of digital marketing experts as an instructor at the Lake Forest Graduate School of Management.

The CEO's Role as Champion of the Unified GTM Operating Model

Tue, May 26, 2026 | Posted by The Chief Outsider

Executive Takeaways

The CEO must be the architect and champion of the GTM model — not its operator.
Only the CEO has the cross-functional authority to make a unified GTM model stick.
If the model only works when you're in the room, it's not a system.
When it's working, your calendar proves it.

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3…2…1… We Are “Go” for Product Launch

Wed, Feb 8, 2017 — Part 1 – Gathering Strategic Insights B2B product companies have to move quickly to innovate and release new offerings to remain viable and sustain growth. All too often, B2B companies rely too heavily on their sales channels to launch their products. Because we are always connected to the Internet, your sales prospects have access to a wealth of information making the traditional sales journey less relevant. Your marketing team now has a greater responsibility than ever in driving success of a new product launch.

5 Ways to Drive Business Growth from the Outside

Mon, Dec 12, 2016 — There are two critical elements to achieving your business growth goals: One, you must successfully run your business from the inside. Two, you must monitor the external environment. While most CEOs know the inner workings of their businesses, they are less in touch with the outside factors that affect it. Case in point: In a recent webinar I hosted, “External Factors that Stall Growth and How to Combat Them,” I asked participants, “Do you have a system to identify and monitor external factors that affect your business?” One-hundred percent of participants responded, “No, but I do want to create a system.” The presentation then focused on helping to identify the external factors businesses should be monitoring and how to monitor them.

How to Survive the 5 Fatal Factors that Threaten Your Business

Fri, Nov 18, 2016 — Understanding the external factors that hinder your growth and survival The Bureau of Labor and Statistics in 2016 reports that only two-thirds of businesses will survive 2 years, half of all businesses will survive 5 years, and a mere one-third will survive 10 years or more. Most of us have heard these statistics, or at least a version of them. In the modern market, the success of a business depends on its growth. But why do some businesses successfully grow and survive while others become a failing statistic?

Growth Insights for CEOs