Why EOS® Companies Struggle with Marketing: The “Little m Dilemma”

Why EOS® Companies Struggle with Marketing: The “Little m Dilemma”

Companies running on EOS®* often struggle with marketing — not because EOS is flawed, but because of how marketing is typically integrated (or under-integrated) into the Accountability Chart and organizational structure. Here’s a clear look at what’s really going on, rooted in what Authentic calls the “Little m Dilemma.” Read on below, or watch the following video to hear directly from our Founder and CEO, Jennifer Zick, as she unpacks a common story for businesses who Run On EOS®: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_9s4rbeCGZ4 1. EOS Structure Puts Sales & Marketing in One Seat In the EOS model, the “Sales & Marketing” roles are…
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How Fast-Growing Companies Scale Their Marketing Without Hiring a Full-Time CMO

How Fast-Growing Companies Scale Their Marketing Without Hiring a Full-Time CMO

In this episode of the Shift Spotlight podcast, host Winter Paskins interviews Jennifer Zick about her journey from small-town pageant queen to the founder of Authentic®, a fractional CMO firm dedicated to helping growth-stage companies overcome chaotic, strategy-less marketing. Zick shares how Authentic® helps clients Overcome Random Acts of Marketing® by embedding experienced CMOs directly into client teams as W-2 employees—a distinctive model that builds deeper relationships, culture, and results. Watch the Full Episode https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L20GuMwyM68 Listen to the Full Episode Key Takeaways Overcoming Random Acts of Marketing®: Jennifer explains the most common challenge facing growing businesses — disjointed, tactical marketing…
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Allure Aesthetics: Client Story

Allure Aesthetics: Client Story

Scaling Smart: When Strategy Meets Execution “[Our CMO] helped us start viewing marketing from the top down - shifting from instinct to metrics, strategy, and sustainable growth. She brought structure without slowing us down, and kept us focused on the bigger picture.” Cory Gallagher, CAO, Allure Aesthetics Allure Aesthetics at a Glance Company size: ~10-15 employees Industry: Health / Medical / Pharmaceutical Business model: B2C, Brick-and-Mortar Headquarters: King of Prussia, Pennsylvania Authentic Growth® Drivers: Sharpen Market Focus and Value Proposition Expand Brand Awareness and Create Demand Make Tactical Marketing Execution More Strategic The Problem Allure Aesthetics is a luxury medical…
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Authentic Intelligence™: Our Human-Centric Approach to AI Innovation

Authentic Intelligence™: Our Human-Centric Approach to AI Innovation

The artificial intelligence revolution is transforming how businesses operate, and marketing is no exception. Every day brings new AI-powered tools promising to automate campaigns, generate content, and optimize performance. But amid the excitement and hype, critical questions emerge: How do we harness AI's power while maintaining ethical standards, protecting privacy, and preserving the human insight that drives authentic business relationships? At Authentic®, we believe the answer lies in Authentic Intelligence™—our human-centric approach to AI innovation that enhances rather than replaces human expertise, guided by our core values of Authenticity, Wisdom, Humility, Passion, and Generosity. The Challenge: Innovation Without Foundation The…
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Lean Manufacturing Meets Smart Marketing: Driving Efficiency and Brand Loyalty

Lean Manufacturing Meets Smart Marketing: Driving Efficiency and Brand Loyalty

In an industry where precision and efficiency reign supreme, manufacturing companies are increasingly discovering that smart marketing isn’t just a nice-to-have—it’s a competitive edge. By aligning operational excellence with compelling brand storytelling, manufacturers can amplify their value, build lasting customer loyalty, and open doors to new markets. We invited three Authentic CMOs, Daneen Kiger, Christy Joyce, and Sean Syring to dive deeper into the topic of how to drive efficiency and brand loyalty through marketing in the manufacturing industry.  What metrics should manufacturers track to align operational efficiencies with marketing goals and ROI? Daneen: Manufacturers should implement a comprehensive tracking…
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Financial Services Company: Client Story

Financial Services Company: Client Story

How strategic marketing fueled growth and positioned a financial services company for success and acquisition. The Problem A high-end life insurance provider offering strategic, customized solutions for clients with significant wealth faced challenges in aligning their marketing and business development efforts to effectively communicate their unique value proposition and support their long-term growth. Seeking a strategic marketing partner, they turned to Authentic® for guidance. The Solution Authentic worked closely with the client to establish a strong foundation for marketing and business development. Rather than immediately launching new initiatives, the team took a step back to assess and refine the company's…
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Harnessing Data Analytics for Healthcare Innovation and Market Expansion

Harnessing Data Analytics for Healthcare Innovation and Market Expansion

For marketers and business leaders in the healthcare industry, data is more than just numbers—it’s the key to unlocking new opportunities, improving patient outcomes, and driving business growth. Healthcare organizations that strategically leverage data analytics can gain deeper insights into patient demographics, personalize care delivery, and enhance operational efficiency. Data also plays a critical role in identifying market opportunities, refining customer engagement strategies, and ensuring compliance. We invited three Authentic CMOs, Kim Leistikow, Marina Erulkar, and Veronica Williams, to dive deeper into the topic of using data analytics to innovate and expand in the healthcare industry.  How can healthcare organizations…
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ConvHERsations with Kristie Clayton Featuring Jennifer Zick

ConvHERsations with Kristie Clayton Featuring Jennifer Zick

Kristie Clayton of HERverse invited Authentic Founder & CEO Jennifer Zick to her ConvHERsations podcast where they engage in a dynamic conversation focusing on community building, personal growth, and empowering women in business. They discuss the significance of an abundance mindset and collaboration over competition, particularly in the context of virtual events during the pandemic. Jennifer reflects on her transition from a corporate job loss to entrepreneurship, motivated by a blend of emotions. She offers inspiration and practical advice for women facing similar challenges, highlighting the importance of processing emotions and taking bold steps forward. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=crX137b_UX0 Key Takeaways Building strong communities…
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Creating a Workplace Employees Love: Lessons from Authentic’s CEO

Creating a Workplace Employees Love: Lessons from Authentic’s CEO

​In a recent Inc.com article, "How to Build a Company Culture Employees Will Love," Jennifer Zick, founder and CEO of Authentic, shares her insights on cultivating a thriving workplace culture. Drawing from her own experiences, including the motivation to establish Authentic after encountering negative cultural environments, she emphasizes the importance of intentional and collaborative culture-building.​ "Company culture isn't something you can just force to happen from the top down," Zick states. "You have to listen and understand." She highlights that without deliberate efforts to shape the desired culture, it will develop organically, often leading to undesirable outcomes.  At Authentic, Zick…
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