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AI Strategy for Financial Services CEOs: Why “Good Enough” is no Longer Enough
AI in financial services has moved from lofty claims about AI's use to being at the center of the growth conversation, shaping how you compete, run, and stay trusted. Margins are under pressure as customers benchmark you against their best digital experiences, whether they are opening a checking account, redeeming loyalty points, disputing a card charge, or seeking hardship help.
Shifting from a Founder-Led Business
Wed, Oct 30, 2024 — I recently sat down with Scott Alexander from Jairus Marketing for another insightful discussion about a topic that resonates deeply with both of us: shifting from a founder-led business to more sustainable business models. This is especially relevant for early-stage companies, particularly those in the healthcare sector where the CEO is vital as both the visionary and primary salesperson.
Avoiding Random Acts of Marketing: Five Essential Strategies
Wed, Mar 20, 2024 — Ever wonder why some marketing initiatives crash and burn despite leadership oversight? The culprit often lurks in one fatal flaw: random acts of marketing. In this article, we delve into five indispensable strategies for dodging these missteps and the dire consequences that follow when marketing lacks a solid game plan.
Forecasting the Best Impact on Your Marketing Dollars
Thu, Feb 8, 2024 — With the 2024 U.S. presidential election approaching, Americans are once again keenly interested in predicting outcomes. Techniques for forecasting election results using punch cards and early computers were developed in the late 1960s. Today, the use of AI has significantly improved our ability to predict election results and tabulate them accurately. Interestingly, the principles of forecasting elections and projecting the impact of marketing dollars in the business world share some similarities.
Harnessing Fear: The Catalyst for AI Strategy
Wed, Feb 7, 2024 — In business, it seems like artificial intelligence (AI) is painted as either the great white hope or the big bad wolf. There is very little middle ground. This polarization can contribute to inertia and paralysis when it comes to leveraging AI for business strategy development. Simply put, CEOs do not have a sense of urgency regarding AI, and this attitude is putting them behind the proverbial eight ball as competitors adopt AI as a strategic tool.
Mastering Your Market: A Guide to Competitive Insights
Wed, Jan 31, 2024 — With the economy continuing in a state of uncertainty, CEOs of mid-market companies are assessing options for growth in 2024. One thing is clear: Doing more of the same activities will not help businesses break through growth inertia. From mergers and acquisitions to R&D and capital investments, how does an organization decide the direction that will deliver success?
Four Ways that Fractional Leadership is Transforming a Resource-Starved World
Fri, Mar 24, 2023 — In a world where much is spoken about uncertainties, there still are many things that are as certain as ever. Despite the impact of a shaky global economy and a population still looking to shake off Covid’s impacts, hard work – and ingenuity – still rule the day. Individual efforts of unaffiliated workers comprise more nearly 60 percent of the U.S. workforce today, thanks to modern socio-economic values that embrace such flexibility. This also has given rise to a new trend -- building and leveraging common shared resources, especially at the upper tiers.
When to Hire a Fractional CMO, Part 3
Wed, Jul 21, 2021 — Find Your Fit: Five Qualities to Look For Of all the partnerships in our lives, few have the “break-up” potential of the full-time Chief Marketing Officer, and the company they’ve pledged their allegiance to. The most recent stats on the matter bear this out: Last year, the average tenure for a CMO was just 40 months – an 11-year low, according to headhunting firm Spencer Stuart. The survey also noted the lowest-ever median tenure (25.5 months in 2020) – a sign that could point to increasing pressure for quick results for newly-minted CMOs, or, like completing a puzzle, finding that piece that’s the right fit.
Winning the Job Seeker Sweepstakes: Use Marketing Strategies to Attract and Retain Employees
Thu, Jul 15, 2021 — There’s a new battle being waged today – one that is not being fought with elbows, firearms, or words. Instead, it’s a battle over human resources – an all-out war to attract employees, in one of the most robust “seller’s” markets we’ve experienced in our professional lifetimes. The implements being used in this skirmish – hiring bonuses, perks, and ever-swelling salaries.
When to Hire a Fractional CMO, Part 2
Wed, Jul 14, 2021 — Do I need a CMO, In-House Team, or Agency? For this blog, I am going to start with a very controversial statement: You may not need ANY marketing help. Though it may seem blasphemous for someone like me to make this statement - someone whose career has been built on marketing success - I would be remiss if I didn’t come clean about this fundamental truth.