Should you become a fractional CMO?

Should you become a fractional CMO?

The playbook for executive marketing careers has changed. Marketing and communications professionals are the most burnt-out across all corporate job functions. At the same time that marketers face burnout, more pathways are available than ever before to build a meaningful career and life. Working 50- to 70-hour workweeks dedicated to one enterprise is no longer the only way to achieve a high-impact, high-value executive marketing career. Many experienced marketers are rethinking work’s place in their lives and leaving corporate jobs to pursue a flexible, consulting-based career that helps them achieve a better balance. The growing gig economy and the proven…
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How much does a fractional CMO cost?

How much does a fractional CMO cost?

If you’re evaluating whether a fractional CMO is right for your business, one of your first questions will likely be: how much does a fractional CMO cost? Getting a clear answer to this question can be tricky because there are a variety of fractional CMO models that offer different levels of engagement, expertise, and pricing structures.  (more…)
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A Founder’s Five-Year Reflection

A Founder’s Five-Year Reflection

On November 7, 2017, I sat at my kitchen table and filed “Authentic LLC” with the State of Minnesota, and then held my breath when I pushed the button on our first pre-revenue business expense: $2,000 to buy our .com domain name.  Following a recent painful job loss, and having no individual income and three children (then ages 7, 11, and 13) - that domain purchase felt extra significant. And it was. That purchase was the first bet I placed on myself. On my dream. It was an act of love toward myself and toward the team I hoped to…
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What is a fractional CMO?

What is a fractional CMO?

A fractional CMO is a contract Chief Marketing Officer (CMO), retained on a part-time basis to provide executive marketing leadership for a growing business. - Authentic (more…)
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From could to should: Purposeful growth starts with marketing clarity

From could to should: Purposeful growth starts with marketing clarity

Growth opportunities can feel endless for entrepreneurial businesses: expand upstream or downstream of current buyers, cross over to a new vertical, expand geographic regions, introduce new capabilities, add new strategic marketing channels to the mix, and so much more. However, if you’re like most entrepreneurial businesses, the landscape of growth opportunity is as overwhelming as it is inspiring. There’s so much your company could do that it becomes difficult to determine what it should do.  (more…)
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What’s marketing’s role in a supply-constrained market?

What’s marketing’s role in a supply-constrained market?

Businesses today are navigating a strange marketplace. The economy is strong in certain ways — there’s investment interest and money to be spent — but the ripple effects of the COVID-19 pandemic continue to show up in unpredictable ways. Most companies feel the impacts of record-high labor shortages, and many are working through supply chain disruptions. The resulting resource constraints are driving costs up and making it difficult to deliver on customer demand. As a result, many companies are projecting flat or declining revenue and profits. (more…)
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Jennifer Zick featured on Intentional Growth Podcast with host Ryan Tansom

Jennifer Zick featured on Intentional Growth Podcast with host Ryan Tansom

Marketing Doesn't Have to Feel Like Hocus Pocus and Pixie Dust: Demystifying Marketing and the Role of a CMO with Jennifer Zick The following is an excerpt from the Intentional Growth Podcast Episode #273: with Jennifer ZickHosted by Ryan Tansom “Marketing is just hocus pocus and pixie dust” — does that feel familiar? Most of us are tired of wasting time and money on the latest marketing strategies that never seem to work. Jennifer Zick of Authentic shares why one of her clients said this (and why it’s one of her favorite quotes of all-time) on today’s show. Not only…
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