Authentic Blog - Marketing Insights for Growing Businesses

Butts or Bots? How to Build a Modern Marketing Organization with the Right Talent Mix

Butts or Bots? It’s a funny question, but one of the most pressing considerations for growing businesses today: Where should AI augment, accelerate, or even reallocate human talent? The structure of a modern marketing organization is evolving rapidly. AI has become a powerful tool in the marketer’s arsenal, raising new questions about how to effectively blend leadership, in-house talent, agency partnerships, contractors, and now—AI-driven automation. At Authentic®, we’ve been guiding businesses through this complexity for years. Since our inception, we have helped companies maximize their marketing resources by building the ideal blend of Fractional CMO leadership, in-house talent, and augmented…

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…

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…

The Science of Fractional Marketing and The Secret Sauce of a W-2 Talent Pool

8 years ago, Jennifer Zick set out to create a new marketing standard. She noticed that marketing was becoming ever more chaotic through growth in new tools, channels, and models. She also saw the rise of marketing executives that could make phenomenal fractional leaders, and that fractional already existed for finance and back-office management, but not for marketing. So she combined the two - marketing expertise and a fractional modelworking relationship, to offer what is now Authentic, a marketing consultancy that helps growing businesses “Overcome Random Acts of Marketing®”. Both are crucial for every leader building their team, their org,…

Plymold: Client Story

Transforming strategy: Plymold's path to 50% e-commerce growth and sustainable marketing leadership. "The matchmaking process between Authentic and Plymold was excellent. Our fractional CMO ensured we had set clear objectives and mutual understanding throughout our relationship, making it a safe and smooth business transition for me and my team." Ryan Dahnert, CEO, Plymold https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dshx4OHH10Q Plymold at a glance Company size: 133 employees Industry: Manufacturing / Distribution Business model: B2B, Distribution / Network, Channel Partnerships / Alliances, Ecommerce Headquarters: Kenyon, Minnesota Key initiatives: Marketing strategy, SEO, CRM implementation, product development, marketing coaching & mentoring, marketing analytics The problem Plymold, a company…

Drive Business Value and Multiples: Building Brand Equity

The ultimate goal for many businesses is to maximize value—whether to scale, attract investors, or prepare for a future sale. Driving business value and improving valuation multiples requires a strategic focus on operational excellence, brand equity, and financial performance. The Value Multiplier Effect According to Harvard Business Review, businesses that prioritize strong brand equity, efficient operations, and clear growth trajectories can achieve valuation multiples up to 20% higher than their competitors. Investors and buyers are willing to pay a premium for businesses with scalable, sustainable models. Why It Matters Increases Marketability: A well-positioned business attracts better offers from investors or…

Prepare for Capital Raise / Pitch: Telling Your Value Story

Securing investment is a pivotal moment for many growing businesses, but standing out to investors requires more than just financial projections. A compelling pitch weaves together your vision, value, and validation into a story that inspires confidence and action. The Power of a Strong Pitch Research from CB Insights highlights that 38% of startups fail due to insufficient capital or investor interest. Crafting a well-prepared, data-driven pitch can be the difference between securing funding and being overlooked. Why It Matters Attracts the Right Investors: A clear and compelling pitch resonates with investors aligned with your goals. Builds Credibility: Comprehensive preparation…

Achieve Operational Efficiency and Scalability: Grow Smarter, Not Harder

Scaling a business doesn’t just mean doing more—it means doing it better. Achieving operational efficiency is about streamlining processes, reducing waste, and creating a scalable infrastructure that supports growth without compromising quality or profitability. The Efficiency Advantage According to IBM, in a global survey of chief executive officers, 77% said they would pursue operational efficiencies to drive total revenue growth. Efficiency lays the foundation for scalability, enabling businesses to handle increased demand without overextending resources. Why It Matters Improves Profit Margins: Streamlined operations reduce costs and boost profitability. Supports Growth: Scalable processes ensure your business can expand without breaking down.…

Enhance Customer Experience and Loyalty: The Heart of Sustainable Growth

Customers are the lifeblood of your business, and their experience with your brand can make or break your growth. A superior customer experience (CX) fosters loyalty, reduces churn, and turns customers into your most powerful advocates. In today’s competitive landscape, delivering exceptional CX is no longer a differentiator—it’s an expectation. The ROI of Loyalty According to Bain & Company, increasing customer retention rates by just 5% can boost profits by 25% to 95%. Additionally, research by PwC shows that 73% of consumers say a good experience is a key factor in their purchasing decisions. Why It Matters Drives Retention: Satisfied…

Adapt to Changing Market Dynamics: Stay Agile, Stay Competitive

Markets are constantly evolving—whether due to economic shifts, competitive pressures, or changing customer preferences. Businesses that adapt quickly and strategically to these changes are better positioned to survive and thrive. Agility is no longer optional; it’s a key driver of growth. The Agility Advantage An IESE study found that companies with agile practices grow revenue 37% faster than their less-adaptive peers. The ability to respond proactively to change gives businesses a distinct competitive edge, enabling them to capitalize on new opportunities while minimizing risks. Why It Matters Improves Resilience: Adaptable companies can navigate economic downturns and industry disruptions more effectively.…

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