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The big 6: How agile marketing drives operational success

The big 6: How agile marketing drives operational success

Our panel discussion with industry leaders uncovered six actionable ways marketing ops teams can deliver efficient, effective, and engaging campaigns

Driving operational efficiency while creating marketing that engages your audiences is no small feat. Marketing operations are the backbone of high-performing teams that drive efficiency, improve workflows, and boost effectiveness. Agile marketing is now crucial in transforming marketing operations, helping teams streamline processes, and enabling a culture of continuous improvement.

In our recent panel discussion hosted by Zoe Merchant, MD of Bright and agile marketing expert, Amanda Green, Marketing Operations Director at Stenn, and Lisa Sutton, CRO and marketing ops specialist, we focused on how agile marketing is transforming marketing operations. We’ve summarised the six key drivers for success here in this briefing note.

  1. Remove operational bottlenecks: Quick wins

To tackle bottlenecks Amanda, Lisa and Zoe recommended remaining agile and adaptable by establishing consistent and repeatable workflows and templates including:

  • Briefing templates: Standardise templates to ensure all necessary information is available at the start of a project, helping avoid delays and miscommunication.
  • Approval workflows: Simplify approval processes and use workflow management tools like Monday.com, Jira or Asana to automate and track them
  • Kanban boards: Visual tools like Trello, Miro or Microsoft Planner can help manage and prioritise tasks, providing a clear view of tasks in progress and those needing attention.

  1. Build a culture focused on growth and experimentation

For agile marketing to thrive, a culture that encourages experimentation is vital.

  • Education on experimentation: Zoe stressed the importance of educating teams on the benefits of experimentation to reduce fear of failure
  • Data-driven decisions: Without data and insights, experimentation is ineffective. Setting clear hypothesis, KPI and investing in reporting and tracking tools is essential to robustly test and learn from experiments, allowing your teams to iterate to drive continual improvement
  • Risk-managed experimentation: Zoe emphasised using experimentation frameworks to manage risk effectively and ensure experiments are valuable without exposing the organisation to unnecessary risks.

  1. Effective metrics for high-performing marketing ops

Data-driven decisions hinge on choosing the right metrics. Amanda and Lisa suggested focusing on:

  • Efficiency gains: Measure productivity improvements in marketing workflows and campaign delivery
  • Customer Lifetime Value (CLV): Understanding CLV in B2B marketing is key and tracking CAC (Customer Acquisition Cost) can help marketing operations teams make informed decisions that drive long-term value
  • Data quality: Accurate and reliable data is the backbone of successful marketing operations, as it ensures other metrics are dependable.

  1. Fostering collaboration and breaking down silos

Clear, open communication and cross-functional collaboration is essential in breaking down silos that hinder marketing effectiveness.

  • Regular cross-functional meetings: Amanda recommended clinics, forums, and collaborative meetings to facilitate better communication and understanding between teams
  • Knowledge hubs: Lisa suggested creating accessible knowledge hubs with key information, enabling teams to self-serve and access essential data without formal meetings. Bright frequently help clients establish centres of excellence to facilitate knowledge sharing to underpin marketing effectiveness.
  • Reward and recognition: Celebrating cross-functional successes can build trust and foster teamwork, breaking down organisational silos.

  1. AI and automation in marketing operations

The role of AI in marketing is growing, but it’s essential to approach it with clarity, including:

  • Targeted use cases: Rather than viewing AI as a catch-all solution, focus on specific use cases, such as data insights, campaign personalisation, and process automation and set out small scale tests to understand the value, before scaling
  • AI as an enabler: Lisa emphasised the importance of understanding the value AI can add rather than introducing it as just another tool and expecting marketers to figure out how to make best use of it
  • The AI sandwich approach: Zoe introduced the concept of the “AI Sandwich,” where the process begins and ends with human input (the bread!), ensuring that the AI outputs (the filling!) are curated, relevant and accurate.

  1. Preparing for future technologies in marketing operations

To make the most of new technologies, Lisa and Amanda advised:

  • Starting small: Implement small, low-risk pilot programs, using a tool such as the Bright AI activation framework to allow teams to familiarise themselves with new technology without disrupting operations
  • Stealth AI adoption: Both leaders acknowledged the need to manage “stealth AI” (AI tools adopted by individuals without formal approval) by setting guardrails, creating guidelines and offering training to maximise adoption benefits.

Ready to transform your marketing operations?

Agile marketing isn’t just a process—it’s a mindset that drives efficiency, collaboration, and customer-focused results. Start by fostering a growth mindset, tackling one workflow bottleneck, and piloting a small agile initiative.

With data-driven insights, collaboration, and smart use of AI, your marketing ops can thrive in today’s fast-changing environment.

Ready to secure greater marketing agility? Explore our Agile Marketing training and pilot campaigns. Get in touch to transform your operations.

 

November 21, 2024 Zoe Merchant ,
Zoe MerchantThe big 6: How agile marketing drives operational success
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Adapt or fall behind: How Agile Marketing powers marketing operations

Adapt or fall behind: How Agile Marketing powers marketing operations

Marketing operations are the powerhouse behind every successful marketing strategy. Our dynamic panel discussion features experts Lisa Sutton, CRO and marketing operations specialist and Amanda Green, experienced marketing operations leader.

During the session we explored how agile marketing drives operational improvement, creates a culture of continual learning, and boosts overall marketing effectiveness.

Watch the vide to gain insights and advice on:

  • Boosting effectiveness:  Real examples of how a test-and-learn mindset drives results
  • Agile marketing in action:  Quick wins to boost operational flow and remove bottlenecks
  • Measure what matters:  The key metrics driving high-performance marketing ops
  • Culture hacks:  Break silos and get your team collaborating and adapting to change
  • Future-proof ops:  AI, automation, and adopting what’s next in marketing innovation.

Check out the reading list for this webinar

Meet the speakers

Lisa Sutton

CRO and marketing operations specialist

Lisa is an experienced leader with a proven track record in growing businesses across multiple industries. She always focuses on a customer-centric approach and has a talent for identifying opportunities, removing barriers, and leading teams with strong adaptability and resilience.

Amanda Green

Director of Marketing Operations and Analytics, Stenn

Accomplished Operations senior leader with 22 years’ experience working with Sales, Marketing, Customer Success, Finance, legal and IT teams cross Media, SaaS and Event industries.

Zoë Merchant

Managing Director, Bright

Zoë is an agile marketing aficionado — a passionate believer in staying ahead of the competition with resilience, adaptability, and pace. After 20 years of delivering B2B marketing strategies. Using agile marketing to test, learn and build on success. Zoë leads the team in delivering results through continual and focused improvements to support clients’ business goals.

November 13, 2024 Alaina Roberts , ,
Alaina RobertsAdapt or fall behind: How Agile Marketing powers marketing operations
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Adapt or fall behind: How Agile Marketing powers marketing operations – Reading list

Adapt or fall behind: How Agile Marketing powers marketing operations – Reading list

Welcome to a curated collection of inspiring and insightful reads and podcasts to help you boost the effectiveness of the marketing operations within your organisation.

Books:

Atomic Habits by James Clear

Why it is useful: Emphasises the value of small, incremental changes that compound over time. It is ideal for those looking to build high-performing teams by embedding productive, habit-based routines into daily workflows.

Key Takeaways: Readers will learn how to foster a culture of continuous improvement through habit formation, helping their teams to stay consistent, disciplined, and focused on meaningful goals that support sustained growth.

Hacking Growth by Sean Ellis & Morgan Brown

Why it is useful: Perfect for marketers focused on data-driven strategies, this book dives into growth hacking, a method of rapid experimentation across marketing channels. It is ideal for companies wanting to drive quick, scalable growth through continuous testing.

Key Takeaways: Readers will learn how to implement growth hacking tactics within their marketing teams, focusing on optimisation, customer acquisition, and scaling results. 

Transforming the B2B Buyer Journey By Antonia Wade

Why it is useful: This book offers offers a new way of thinking that accommodates the many nuances in B2B buyer behaviour. It provides a step-by-step guide to mapping the buyer journey, aligning channels, metrics and tactics according to their needs at each stage.The framework shows how to get more value out of brand investments, choosing and using technology and how to gauge return on investment. It also shows how to develop marketing as a real lever for business growth and how to reengineer marketing’s relationship with sales.

Marketing Artificial Intelligence: AI, Marketing, and the Future of Business by Paul Roetzer 

Why it is useful: This book provides a roadmap for integrating AI into marketing operations, including how to use AI to streamline workflows and personalise marketing efforts at scale. 

Articles:

Using Data to Drive Your Marketing Strategy by McKinsey & Company – LINK 

This resource discusses how data can be leveraged to make marketing strategies more effective. It explains how businesses can gather insights from customer behaviour, optimise campaigns, and continuously improve performance through data-driven decisions.  

Why it is useful: In an age of big data, this guide is essential for businesses looking to make informed marketing decisions that directly impact ROI. 

The Future of Marketing Automation by Smart Insights – Link 
Why it is useful: Discusses emerging trends in marketing automation and how businesses can leverage AI and machine learning to create more efficient and future-proof marketing strategies. 

 

Bright’s Marketing Effectiveness blogs

Whitepaper:

Marketing ATOM (Agile Target Operating Model) whitepaper by Bright

Why it is useful: The Marketing ATOM (Agile Target Operating Model) whitepaper helps B2B teams to adapt and deliver and includes:

  • A blueprint to build your own Marketing ATOM
  • How to create a strong business case
  • A checklist for seamless set up
  • Tips to measure your ATOM’s impact

Podcasts:

The Global Agile Marketing Podcast by John Cass 

Why it is useful:This podcast dives into various agile marketing tactics, including practical steps that can remove roadblocks and improve efficiency. It is a go-to for marketing professionals seeking quick wins. 

Building High-Performing Teams by The Modern Manager Podcast

Why it is useful: This episode discusses strategies to build cross-functional teams that collaborate effectively, breaking silos and improving marketing operations in the process. 

Videos:

How AI is Revolutionizing Marketing by Salesforce 

Why it is useful: This video explains how AI is being used to personalize marketing efforts, automate workflows, and predict customer behaviour, making it crucial for businesses looking to future-proof their operations. 

November 5, 2024 Alaina Roberts ,
Alaina RobertsAdapt or fall behind: How Agile Marketing powers marketing operations – Reading list
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Key takeaways from the Marketing Leadership Dinner: AI Activation in B2B Marketing

Key takeaways from the Marketing Leadership Dinner: AI Activation in B2B Marketing

The Bright B2B Marketing Leaders Dinner served as a platform for senior marketing professionals to explore AI adoption in complex B2B environments. Discussions took place under Chatham House Rules, fostering open dialogue about the opportunities and challenges AI presents to agile marketing teams. This briefing summarises the core themes from the event.

Key themes and insights:

  1. Embedding AI into agile marketing and ways of working

AI adoption in B2B marketing requires more than just technology; it must be woven into the organisation’s agile marketing processes and ways of working. Marketing teams with agile frameworks are better positioned to test, learn, and adapt AI tools quickly, allowing them to unlock the full potential of AI in their strategies. Successful AI adoption hinges on integrating it into competency frameworks, success metrics, and daily operations. Agile methodologies provide the flexibility required to experiment and scale AI across marketing functions.

Key takeaway: AI should be seen as a tool that provides opportunities across the function to help deliver marketing outcomes. From in-depth data analysis and insights, to developing strategic plans and creative campaigns, the role of AI in marketing will grow exponentially in the coming years. And, while currently most marketers are just dabbling with AI for content creation, having a robust process for AI tool selection, testing and implementation is what will set apart the AI innovators from the laggards.

  1. Testing, guardrails, and demonstrating value

While AI offers exciting possibilities, it’s crucial to establish clear frameworks and guardrails for responsible experimentation. Marketing teams need the freedom to test AI tools, but with safeguards to mitigate risks and ensure that AI applications align with business goals. KPIs should be built into testing processes to measure the tangible impact of AI on marketing operations. Demonstrating early results will help build a business case for wider AI adoption across the organisation.

Key takeaway: Structured testing and clear metrics are essential to showcase AI’s value and ensure responsible usage in marketing campaigns.

  1. Creativity and efficiency gains: Unlocking potential

AI has the potential to free up creativity within marketing teams by automating routine tasks like design resizing, video production, and data analysis. This shift allows marketers to focus on high-value, strategic activities, such as campaign innovation and targeting. However, efficiency gains have been limited to specific tasks rather than widespread across all operations. Time saved through AI automation is often redirected to other critical areas, reflecting the workload complexity typical of B2B marketing.

Key takeaway: AI can enhance creativity and optimise certain tasks, but its broader impact on efficiency will take time to materialise as B2B teams explore more use cases.

  1. Prioritising AI use cases for maximum impact

To ensure the most effective AI adoption, there needs to be top – down consideration of company-wide objectives around areas such as efficiency, productivity, improving customer experience etc as well as marketing teams prioritising use cases based on key criteria such as impact, scalability, and alignment with the business wide objectives. AI tools should be deployed where they can deliver the greatest value to marketing efforts, especially in areas like campaign optimisation and data analysis. Scoring use cases can help determine where to focus resources and ensure maximum return on investment.

Key takeaway: Focusing on high-impact, scalable AI use cases will enable B2B marketing teams to derive more value from their AI investments.

  1. Addressing leadership expectations and adoption challenges

A common challenge is the misconception from senior leadership that AI will immediately reduce headcount or replace marketing teams. In reality, AI in B2B marketing is still in its early stages, and the focus should be on enhancing capabilities rather than replacing staff. It’s important to manage expectations and communicate the strategic benefits of AI, particularly in driving smarter automation and providing actionable insights. Bring transparent with AI experimentation and its results will help those at all levels understand the role of AI in the business, and it can also help to reduce ‘Shadow AI’, the unsanctioned use of AI with an organisations.

Key takeaway: Leaders must focus on AI’s potential to enhance marketing efforts rather than seeing it as a tool for reducing workforce costs.

  1. Training and skills development for marketing teams

AI adoption requires not only the right tools but also consideration of training to equip marketing teams with the skills needed to maximise AI’s potential. Attendees discussed the need for formal training programmes to ensure that teams can fully leverage AI tools and integrate them into their agile marketing workflows. Teams should be encouraged to take a test and learn approach and use experimentation to try things out openly and share the result, this would also reduce the risk of shadow AI use.

Key takeaway: Structured training is essential to ensure marketing teams have the skills to harness AI effectively within agile marketing environments.

  1. Data analysis as a key AI use case

AI’s ability to streamline data analysis was highlighted as one of the most promising use cases in B2B marketing. Tools like Copilot allow marketers to efficiently interrogate complex datasets, providing insights that can drive more informed decisions and targeted campaigns. This enables marketing teams to focus on higher-level strategic analysis rather than manual data handling.

Key takeaway: AI-driven data analysis is a critical area where AI can deliver immediate value to B2B marketing teams by simplifying complex tasks and enabling data-driven decisions.

  1. The importance of the “human AI” sandwich

Near misses, like incorrect translations or missing key details in technical content, show the importance of a “human-AI-human” sandwich approach. First, human input guides the process, setting the context. Then, AI works to quickly create and process the content. Finally, a human checks the output to catch any subtle errors or missed nuances. This layered approach ensures both speed and accuracy, especially when dealing with complex topics where AI might miss the finer details.

Key takeaway: A human-AI-human workflow combines the best of both worlds, ensuring efficient and accurate results.

Conclusion

Mark Breslin, AI expert and dinner guest shares his thoughts…

“Humans are creatures of habit and changing working practices is hard. To help drive sustained adoption of AI inside an organisation, once you’ve landed on high impact use cases that you’ve got the data for and you can measure, think through how the workflows need to change, and make it as seamless as possible.

For example, you want to avoid having colleagues copying and pasting in and out of ChatGPT into multiple tools, you want GenAI integrated with your tooling and your company’s data because that’s how you will achieve ROI. Foster a culture of innovation and experimentation, define the guardrails so controlled failure is okay”.

It is clear that agile ways of working are foundational and provide a framework that allows for the adoption and scaling of AI within marketing and beyond. This dinner revealed valuable insights into how AI can be integrated into B2B marketing by adopting agile marketing, prioritising high-impact use cases, and ensuring that teams are well-trained. As AI continues to evolve, agile marketing environments will enable B2B marketers to experiment, learn, and scale AI initiatives effectively. While efficiency gains are still developing, the potential for AI to drive creativity, enhance data analysis, and support smarter marketing operations is clear.

Our next marketing leaders’ dinner will take place early 2025, attendance is by invitation only, you may request a place on the waiting list here 

October 15, 2024 Zoe Merchant
Zoe MerchantKey takeaways from the Marketing Leadership Dinner: AI Activation in B2B Marketing
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5 common barriers to adopting agile marketing … and how to overcome them

5 common barriers to adopting agile marketing … and how to overcome them

Adopting agile marketing can revolutionise your team’s efficiency and creativity, but the road to getting there isn’t always smooth. Many companies face hurdles that hinder the full potential of agile practices. In this article, we’ll break down five common barriers that could stand in your way when embracing agile—and how to successfully navigate them. 

  1. Cultural resistance to change 

Agile marketing requires a shift in mindset. For teams used to traditional marketing methods, this shift can be intimidating. Employees might resist breaking free from the hierarchical decision-making and long-term planning that they’re accustomed to. Without fostering an open, collaborative environment that embraces learning, agile can feel like an alien system. 

How to overcome:  Build a strong agile marketing team by starting small, introducing agile concepts gradually. Emphasise the benefits—like faster delivery times and more flexibility—and create a culture of experimentation where failures are seen as learning opportunities. 

2. Lack of leadership buy-in 

Even if a marketing team is eager to adopt agile, without leadership support, the initiative can fall flat. Leaders may be skeptical, concerned about the potential disruption to established workflows, or unclear on how agile aligns with the broader business strategy. 

How to overcome:  Ensure leaders understand the value of agile. Communicate clear benefits, such as greater adaptability in competitive markets. Offer pilot programs or workshops to demonstrate how agile can fit within the organisation’s goals. 

3. Unclear roles and responsibilities 

Agile marketing thrives on cross-functional collaboration, but without clear roles, things can quickly get messy. Teams might not know who is responsible for what, leading to confusion, missed deadlines, or overlapping tasks. 

How to overcome: Define roles clearly at the outset of adopting agile practices. For example, appoint a Product Owner or Marketing Lead to oversee priorities while ensuring that every team member understands their function within the agile framework. Clear communication is key to keeping everyone aligned. At Bright we always develop a RASCI. This framework identifies those who are Responsible, Accountable, Supporting, Consulted and Informed, this helps the whole team know who needs, and who delivers, relevant information. 

4. Overloaded teams 

One of the greatest risks to agile marketing is overwhelming your team with too many projects. When there is constant pressure to deliver quickly, teams can burn out. This can create a vicious cycle of decreased productivity, ultimately derailing the very agility the process aims to improve. 

How to overcome:  Set realistic expectations for your sprints and ensure that workloads are manageable. Focus on prioritising tasks that drive the most value. It’s also essential to encourage a work-life balance to prevent burnout and maintain the team’s enthusiasm for agile. 

5. Inconsistent feedback loops 

Agile thrives on feedback, whether it’s from customers, stakeholders, or internal team members. Without consistent feedback, teams can end up iterating on the wrong ideas or moving too far away from customer needs. 

How to overcome: Set up regular review sessions with key stakeholders and use tools like surveys or customer feedback platforms to gather insights. Make feedback a central part of your sprint reviews and planning, ensuring the team has a clear direction for improvement. 

Adopting agile marketing can offer tremendous rewards, but it’s important to acknowledge the potential challenges along the way. By addressing these common barriers head-on, your team can unlock the full potential of agility and move towards more efficient, creative, and customer-centric ways of working. 

If you need some support to get your agile marketing back on track, our team of agile experts can help you review and re-establish your ways of working, and even help create the vital leadership buy-in to need to ensure your agile aspirations are fully realised. Contact us.

 

October 8, 2024 Jen Gudka ,
Jen Gudka5 common barriers to adopting agile marketing … and how to overcome them
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A/B testing: An agile marketing approach to B2B marketing optimisation

A/B testing: An agile marketing approach to B2B marketing optimisation

Let’s face it, the B2B world is a rollercoaster. One minute, you’re riding high on a new tech trend; the next, you’re bracing for an economic downturn. It’s like trying to hit a moving target in a fog, and to make things even more interesting, there’s the constant noise of new competitors and a sea of content that’s drowning out your message. Cutting through the noise and being able to relate directly to your prospects and customers is not just a ‘nice-to-have’ but a necessity.

At Bright, we believe the key to success lies in continuous improvement and data-driven decision-making. That’s where A/B testing comes in – the best unkept secret for optimising your B2B marketing efforts in this dynamic environment. It isn’t just about why you apply A/B testing but also how you apply the methodology to make it work.

To test or not to test? That really is the question.

A/B testing, also called split testing, pits two variations of a marketing element against each other to see which one performs better. This could be anything from a landing page headline to a call-to-action button in an email. By statistically analysing the results, you gain valuable insights into what resonates with your target audience.

Here’s why A/B testing is a perfect fit for agile B2B marketing:

  • Fast iteration: The agile methodology thrives on quick cycles of experimentation and learning. A/B testing allows you to test hypotheses, gather data quickly, and refine your approach based on real-world results.
  • Data-driven decisions: Forget gut feelings. A/B testing removes guesswork from the equation. You’ll see concrete evidence of what works and what doesn’t, empowering you to make data-backed decisions for better ROI.
  • Continuous improvement: A/B testing is an ongoing process. As you learn what resonates with your audience, you can keep iterating and optimising your marketing tactics for maximum impact.

A/B testing for B2B marketers

While A/B testing offers a powerful tool for any marketing campaign, the B2B landscape presents unique opportunities and challenges. To truly optimise your B2B marketing efforts, you need to tailor your A/B testing strategy to address the specific needs of complex customers. Here are some A/B testing ideas specifically for B2B marketing:

  • Landing page optimisation:Test different headlines, CTAs, images, and layouts to see which ones drive higher conversion rates e.g. eBook downloads, demo requests.
  • Email marketing:A/B test subject lines, email copy, sender names, and send times to improve open rates and click-through rates.
  • Website Calls to Action:Experiment with different CTA button text, colour, and placement to see which ones get the most clicks.
  • Social media ads:Test different ad creatives, headline variations, and targeting parameters to optimise your ad spend and reach the right audience.

Test. Process. Learn. Repeat

So, how can you take this one step further and implement the A/B Testing Process into your own marketing efforts? By using the principles and practices of agile marketing, you can take a structured approach to your experimentation, ensuring continuous improvement and positively impact your effectiveness.

Here’s a step-by-step breakdown of the A/B testing process, designed to operate within an agile framework:

  1. Identify a goal: Start with a specific goal you want to achieve,like increasing leads from a particular campaign.
  2. Formulate a hypothesis: What element do you think will impact that goal?(e.g., a stronger headline will increase website sign-ups)
  3. Create variations: Develop two versions of the element you’re testing (e.g.,Headline A vs. Headline B)
  4. Run the test: Split your target audience and expose them to each variation.
  5. Analyse results: After a statistically significant amount of data is collected,analyse the results to see which variation performed better.
  6. Iterate & improve: Based on your findings,refine your marketing strategy and implement the winning variation.

The Bright way

At Bright, we’re passionate about leveraging data-driven insights to optimise marketing strategies. By conducting controlled experiments, we can identify which elements of a campaign are most effective and make data-backed decisions to improve performance.

A recent case study: Social media ad formats

Recently, we had the opportunity to work with a client to determine the optimal ad format for their social media campaign. The client’s goal was to increase engagement and drive conversions.

Hypothesis: Video adverts vs. static image ads

Our hypothesis was that video adverts would outperform static image ads in terms of engagement. We reasoned that the dynamic nature of video would capture attention more effectively and lead to higher click-through rates (CTRs) and conversions.

The experiment

To test our hypothesis, we created two versions of the ad: one with a static image and the other with a short video. Both ads featured the same messaging and call to action. We then split the target audience into two groups and randomly assigned each group to see one of the ad variations.

Outcome: Video adverts triumph

The results were conclusive. The video ads significantly outperformed the static image ads in terms of engagement and CTR. Users were more likely to click on the video ads, watch them, and take the desired action.

 

Key Insights

  • Video is a powerful tool: Video content can capture attention, tell a story, and evoke emotions in a way that static images cannot.
  • Engagement matters: Higher engagement rates can lead to increased brand awareness, trust, and conversions.
  • A/B testing is essential: By conducting controlled experiments, we can identify the most effective elements of a campaign and make data-driven decisions to improve performance.

Conclusion

In conclusion, this case study underscores the value of A/B testing as a strategic tool for optimising social media campaigns. By carefully experimenting with different ad formats, we were able to identify the most effective approach for our client and deliver tangible results.

The data-driven insights gleaned from this experiment not only inform future campaigns but also provide valuable benchmarks for industry standards. As social media platforms continue to evolve, A/B testing remains a cornerstone of successful marketing strategies. By pioneering innovative approaches and harnessing the potential of data, businesses can redefine their industry and achieve remarkable marketing success.

So, what are you waiting for?

Being a B2B marketer today demands constant adaptation and improvement. By embracing A/B testing as an ongoing process, you can transform your marketing efforts from a guessing game into a data-driven science. This iterative approach empowers you to refine your messaging, optimise your creative assets, and ultimately achieve superior marketing effectiveness. So, don’t be afraid to experiment, embrace the learnings from each A/B test, and watch your B2B marketing efforts soar to new heights.

Ready to take your B2B marketing to the next level? Contact us today and let’s unlock the full potential of your marketing efforts through the power of agile marketing!

 

September 25, 2024 Alaina Roberts ,
Alaina RobertsA/B testing: An agile marketing approach to B2B marketing optimisation
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Maximising marketing impact with Agile Target Operating Models (ATOMs)

Maximising marketing impact with Agile Target Operating Models (ATOMs)

A strategic approach for today’s challenges

Successful marketing operations hinge on creating a solid Target Operating Model (TOM) that aligns day-to-day activities with strategic goals, providing a flexible framework that links business vision to objectives and supports adaptability. At Bright, we help organisations through this process, collaborating with leading B2B companies to build Agile Target Operating Models (ATOMs).

 

In our latest white paper, we’ve distilled our knowledge into a practical guide on how to develop your own ATOM. It focuses on customer-centricity, improving your ways of working (and thinking), and building in continuous improvement to achieve marketing excellence.

With this ebook you gain:

  • a deep understanding of a Marketing ATOM

  • a blueprint to create your own Marketing ATOM

  • advice on creating your business case

  • tips to measure the effectiveness of your Marketing ATOM

Download the whitepaper today to start transforming your ways of working and drive better results!

Complete the form below to download the whitepaper

September 3, 2024 Alaina Roberts ,
Alaina RobertsMaximising marketing impact with Agile Target Operating Models (ATOMs)
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Building high performing B2B teams: Powered by agile marketing

Building high performing B2B teams: Powered by agile marketing

The way you work directly impacts the results you achieve.

We’ve seen first-hand how agile marketing can transform teams, making them more resilient and able to achieve better outcomes.

So, we’ve created an exclusive checklist packed with industry insights and practical advice on how to build a high performing B2B team powered by agile marketing. Agile marketing offers a dynamic framework for navigating the complexities of large organisations. By fostering flexibility, collaboration, and data-driven decision-making, marketing teams can not only survive but thrive.

Whether you’re looking to enhance your team’s adaptability or drive better results, this helpful resource is designed to increase impact and inspire new, effective ways of working.

Click here to download the Agile Marketing Checklist as a PDF

At Bright, we’ve supported many B2B marketers to craft a new name for their solution. It can be an expensive mistake if you get it wrong, so if you’d like an expert to support you throughout the process, please get in touch.

August 14, 2024 Alaina Roberts ,
Alaina RobertsBuilding high performing B2B teams: Powered by agile marketing
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FinTech marketing challenges – insights from industry roundtable

FinTech marketing challenges – insights from industry roundtable

We’re at a crossroads, it’s called H2. The numbers aren’t where they need to be, do you persevere or pivot. Persevere and have confidence in your current direction, pivot to respond to the immediate external pressures, or take a moment to step back and reassess. Re-evaluate your current state of play and your goals, and decide whether your strategy is supporting the business goals. 

With so many pressures on FinTech marketing leaders right now, what’s your plan? 

I recently attended an industry roundtable and wanted to share some of the insights into the key challenges FinTech marketers are facing right now.  

Implementation of AI in Marketing 

The roundtable discussed the implementation of AI, focusing on the “how” and “where” of integrating this technology. While there is a clear understanding of AI’s availability and potential, the main challenges lie in navigating its vast landscape. Data security and regulatory compliance are critical to any marketing initiative in financial services, given the importance of data access, data sharing, and the protection of proprietary information. 

Adapting to Market Changes 

Given the current turbulent market conditions, agility in marketing strategies was a key topic. There is a notable gap in the understanding of agile marketing, highlighting the need for education on proactive adaptation rather than reactive measures. The discussion underscored the importance of strategic decision-making—knowing when to pivot and when to persevere. Despite the necessity for immediate results, participants acknowledged that these expectations often misalign with market realities. Budget constraints for testing new strategies remain a significant challenge, but there was consensus on the need for bold investments and calculated risks, alongside smaller-scale testing. 

Market Performance and Inbound Inquiries 

The first half of the year has seen most businesses struggle, with a notable decline in inbound inquiries. This situation has led to a reassessment and realignment of targets for the second half of the year. 

Adoption of MarTech and SalesTech 

Adoption rates for marketing technology (MarTech) and sales technology (SalesTech) remain low. There was a robust discussion on the necessity of high-quality data and system interoperability. The group explored strategies to encourage sales teams to adopt new technologies, emphasising the need to clearly demonstrate the value these tools bring to their processes. One innovative approach discussed was the potential launch of a pilot campaign to align marketing and sales teams, ensuring a shared understanding of technology benefits. 

Marketing and Sales Alignment 

A recurring concern was the inefficiency of lead conversion. A significant proportion of leads handed over to sales teams fail to progress, raising questions about alignment between marketing and sales. With only about 10% of leads converting, the discussion centred on strategies to maintain engagement with the remaining 90% and the cost implications of generating these leads. Effective collaboration between marketing and sales is essential to improve lead nurturing and conversion rates. 

At Bright, we help businesses who are at a point when they want to see improvements in their effectiveness, efficiency or engagement but not sure how to move the dial. We believe that it’s the way your teams work that underpins your ability to adapt to change and drive results.  

By adopting agile marketing principles and practices, you can transform marketing within your organisation to boost collaboration, ensure continuous improvement and the become more empowered to demonstrate the value of marketing to the rest of the business. 

If you’re interested in learning how to upskill your marketing team, contact us about our FinTech Agile Marketing Training. 

August 1, 2024 Lydia Kirby , , ,
Lydia KirbyFinTech marketing challenges – insights from industry roundtable
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Communicating marketing value to the C-Suite: A strategic and agile approach for B2B Marketers

Communicating marketing value to the C-Suite: A strategic and agile approach for B2B Marketers

In the dynamic landscape of B2B marketing, securing investment from the C-suite hinges on effectively communicating the value of marketing efforts. Senior marketers in mid to large firms must demonstrate a balance between short-term demand generation and long-term brand building while showcasing resilience and adaptability. 

The balanced approach: Brand building and demand generation 

To gain C-suite buy-in, illustrate a strategy that balances immediate needs with sustainable growth. Short-term demand generation drives sales and meets targets, whereas brand building enhances market positioning and fosters customer loyalty. This dual approach is akin to a balanced diet: quick fixes might offer immediate energy, but long-term vitality requires a sustainable approach. 

Effective communication strategies 

To communicate marketing value effectively, marketers should: 

  1. Align with business objectives: Ensure marketing strategies are directly linked to business goals. This alignment helps the C-suite see how marketing initiatives drive company success. 
  2. Utilise data-driven insights: Present concrete data that highlights the impact of marketing campaigns on lead generation, conversion rates, and ROI. Data-driven insights lend credibility and demonstrate tangible benefits. 
  3. Showcase success stories: Highlight real-life examples where marketing efforts have led to significant business outcomes. These success stories resonate with executives and illustrate practical benefits. 
  4. Focus on KPI: Track and present key performance indicators (KPIs) that demonstrate both short-term and long-term value. These include customer acquisition cost (CAC), lifetime value (LTV), brand awareness, and engagement rates. 

Understanding stakeholder needs 

Different stakeholders in the C-suite have varying requirements and priorities. Tailor your communication to address these needs effectively: 

  1. Chief Financial Officer (CFO): The CFO is focused on financial efficiency and return on investment. Highlight metrics like CAC, ROI, and LTV to demonstrate the financial impact of marketing activities. Show how marketing investments contribute to cost savings and revenue growth and establish agile budgeting to allow for adaptability.
  2. Chief Revenue Officer (CRO): The CRO prioritises revenue generation and sales performance. Emphasise metrics such as lead quality, conversion rates, and sales pipeline growth. Take a RevOps approach and showcase how marketing efforts drive high-quality leads and support the sales team’s objectives.
  1. Chief Executive Officer (CEO): The CEO looks at the overall strategic vision and long-term growth. Present a balanced view of short-term results and long-term brand building. Highlight how marketing aligns with the company’s strategic goals and supports sustainable growth.

Demonstrating value over time 

Understanding and tracking the right KPIs is essential for demonstrating marketing value over time. Essential KPIs include: 

  1. Customer Acquisition Cost (CAC): Measures the cost of acquiring a new customer. A lower CAC indicates more efficient marketing.
  2. Customer Lifetime Value (LTV): Estimates the total revenue a business can expect from a single customer account. A higher LTV signifies greater long-term value and is influenced by retention and expansion metrics.
  3. Brand awareness: Metrics such as brand recognition, and social media engagement gauge the effectiveness of brand-building activities.
  4. Funnel metrics: Track performance at each stage of the buyer journey:
    a) Awareness stage: Impressions, click-through rates (CTR), and engagement rates.
    b)     Consideration stage: Lead generation, cost per lead (CPL), and lead quality scores.
    c) Decision stage: Conversion rates, sales-qualified leads (SQLs), and win rates and value.
  5. Retention and expansion metrics: Key for understanding customer loyalty and growth potential:
    a) Retention rate: Measures the percentage of customers retained over a period.
    b) Churn rate: Indicates the percentage of customers lost over a period.
    c) Customer expansion: Tracks upsell and cross-sell success rates.
    d) Net Promoter Score (NPS): Measures customer satisfaction and loyalty, reflecting the long-term impact of brand-building efforts. 

6. Avoiding vanity metrics: Vanity metrics, such as social media likes and website traffic, can be misleading as they do not necessarily correlate with business growth. Focus on actionable metrics that provide insights into customer behaviour and business impact. 

Addressing budget cuts and resource reduction 

Budget cuts and headcount reductions can significantly impact marketing effectiveness. To manage these challenges: 

  1. Show consequences with data: Use data to project the business impact of budget cuts, illustrating how reductions might lead to fewer high-quality leads, lower brand engagement, and ultimately affect revenue. 
  2. Leverage agile budgeting: Adopt agile budgeting practices that allow for rapid scaling up or down based on market conditions. This approach ensures flexibility without compromising long-term goals. 
  3. Avoid tactical short-termism: Balance short-term needs with long-term brand-building activities to avoid focusing solely on immediate results. 

Building resilience in marketing teams 

In today’s ever-changing business environment, resilience is key. Resilient marketing teams adapt to shifts and support evolving objectives, reflecting positively in performance. Strategies include: 

  1. Embrace change: Foster a culture open to change and quick to adapt. Agile marketing practices, such as regular sprint reviews and iterative planning, help teams stay flexible and responsive. 
  2. Invest in your team: Continuous professional development ensures your team has the skills needed to navigate new challenges and leverage emerging opportunities. 
  3. Foster collaboration: Promote cross-functional teamwork to drive more effective and innovative marketing solutions. 

Agile marketing practices 

Embed agile marketing practices that are data-driven and focused on continuous improvement because the way your teams work underpins the results you achieve: 

  1. Experimentation and learning: Implement a test-and-learn approach to discover what works best and iterate based on findings. 
  2. Data-driven decision making: Use data from experiments to refine strategies and demonstrate business impact. 
  3. Collaborative cuts: Work with the C-suite to make informed, collaborative decisions about budget cuts, ensuring they are strategic and support long-term goals. 

And finally, lead by example 

Demonstrate a growth mindset, take the feedback given and work with it. B2B marketers must adopt a strategic approach to effectively communicate their value to the C-suite. By aligning marketing initiatives with business objectives, leveraging data-driven insights, focusing on meaningful KPIs, and adopting agile practices, marketers can secure the necessary investment for success. Understanding the specific needs of different stakeholders, avoiding vanity metrics, and demonstrating the tangible impact of marketing activities will ensure the C-suite recognises marketing as a critical driver of business growth. 

For more insights and agile marketing strategies, explore Bright’s Bright Ideas. By showcasing the strategic value of marketing, senior marketers can elevate their role and drive enduring success.  

July 22, 2024 Zoe Merchant , , ,
Zoe MerchantCommunicating marketing value to the C-Suite: A strategic and agile approach for B2B Marketers
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