What Is Marketing, Exactly?
“Our jobs as marketers are to understand how the customer wants to buy and help them do so.” Bryan Eisenberg (more…)
Hiring an effective marketing leader: Why a two-pronged approach makes all the difference
My job allows me the unique opportunity to speak with five to ten small business leaders per week. When you get the chance to connect with this many leaders you start to gain valuable insight into what concerns are top of mind for folks who are running successful businesses. As I ask questions about their business, we always get to the topic of marketing (probably because that’s what I’m there to discuss). Most of the time, the conversation about marketing goes something like this: “We don’t currently have anyone leading marketing. In the past we’ve tried some things, but I’ve…
Attracting Marketing Talent in a Tight Labor Market: Jennifer Zick published in Upsize Magazine
Authentic CEO, Jennifer Zick, was published in the January/February 2019 edition of Upsize Minnesota magazine, on a topic that has become central to every client and prospect conversation: Attracting marketing talent. (more…)
Building a Financially Resilient Business
Building a successful business that weathers the ups-and-downs of economic cycles takes tremendous resilience. Leveraging boom times to prepare for leaner times is critical. Knowing when to save, and when to invest, can be the difference between success and failure. (more…)
Planning for the Next Recession: Jennifer Zick Featured on The Business Gist Podcast
“Times won’t always be this rich, so how can we plan ahead for recession?” This question sparks the conversation between Jennifer Zick and Megan Effertz, host of The Business Gist podcast, as they discuss ways that business leaders can plan ahead for the next recession. Because it’s not a matter of whether it will hit, but when. “When times are good, sales and marketing budgets flourish. When times are tough, marketing is generally the first team to get hit [with cuts]. …But sales without marketing is not a formula that works in today’s modern buyer’s journey. Cutting off…
When is a Fractional CMO Right for Your Business?
When starting a business, most founders need to focus their attention on developing their core product or service and acquiring new customers. While sales is absolutely a top priority at this stage, marketing is often on the back burner, and that's normal. (more…)
Jennifer Zick Debut Guest on The Founders Mentality: Testing Resilience
What an honor to be invited as the debut guest on Josh Fedie’s new SalesReach podcast / vlog: The Founders Mentality. In Episode 1, Josh and I discuss the struggles that exist in getting your company started, imposter syndrome, knowing when to launch, and the importance of giving back.
Make a “NOT-TO-DO” List for Marketing in the New Year
Isn’t the New Year great? It’s time to bust out those resolutions and ring in the start of a new calendar by making a change that brings something positive to your life. Many of us will sit down and write out a list of “To-Do’s for the New Year.” (more…)
Take Your Company From $5 Million to $50 Million (or More) With the Marketing Leadership You Need
Business owners and marketers around the world agree on one thing: Marketing tends to be one of the hardest areas to focus and scale when growing your business. Whatever stage your company is at, this doesn’t seem to change. (more…)
Social Media Breakfast presents: You’re not the boss of me. Jennifer Zick speaks to the joys and perils of being self-employed
We were grateful to be included in a recent panel discussion at the Social Media Breakfast MSP series. The panel of entrepreneurs and independent consultants shared what it's really like to be your own boss. (more…)
