Steve Grady

Authentic Fractional CMO™

Steve Grady’s diverse background includes roles as CMO, VP Sales, VP Engineering, VP Product, and General Manager. Steve has launched 100’s of marketing programs, processes, successful products, and customer loyalty programs for start-ups to national mid-size companies to multi-billion dollar global conglomerates.

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Meet Steve

As a CMO my passion is helping Small and Medium businesses create their Vivid Vision of Success, define their Strategic Action Plan to achieve that vision, tell their compelling Story, deploy the Structures that optimize their customer’s journey and develop a Spirit of Service selling process that delivers a great customer experience.

My forte is working with technology companies and that now means every company! Digital transformation solutions are now pervasive in every part of a business. I enjoy working with Leadership teams to map out coherent Go To Market strategies and action plans that integrate processes, people, software tools, and success metrics.

I measure my professional success by how well my clients have embraced and executed their success vision and how much fun we had along the way. 

CliftonStrengths
Top Five

IdeationAchieverFuturisticResponsibilityStrategic

KEY AREAS OF EXPERTISE

AdvertisingAnalyst RelationsAnalytics & InsightsBranding & MessagingContent MarketingCreative DirectionCRMData & SystemsDigital MarketingDirect MailEcommerceEmail MarketingEventsGo-To-Market StrategyKPIs & MetricsLead GenerationManagement & MentorshipMarketing AutomationMarketing Budgets & ROIMarketing OperationsMergers & AcquisitionsMulti-Media ProductionProduct DevelopmentProduct MarketingPublic RelationsResearchSales AlignmentSales EnablementSearch Engine OptimizationSocial MediaSponsorshipsVideo/AnimationWebsite PerformanceJobs To Be Done TheoryRevenue Enablement FrameworkPowerglass Pipeline System

LEADERSHIP EXPERIENCE

Revenue Models

Business-to-Business (B2B)Distribution / NetworkChannel Partnerships / AlliancesEcommerce

Industries

Professional Services / ConsultingSoftware / SaaS / High TechManufacturing / DistributionTelecommunicationsEducationEnergy / Environmental / SustainabilityNon-Profit / Associations / MembershipSystem Integrators

Scenarios

Startup / Early StageTurn-AroundSmall and Mid-SizedLarge NationalGlobal EnterpriseVenture CapitalPrivate EquityPrivately OwnedMergers & AcquisitionsPost-M&A Integration

Revenue Models

Business-to-Business (B2B)Distribution / NetworkChannel Partnerships / AlliancesEcommerce

Industries

Professional Services / ConsultingSoftware / SaaS / High TechManufacturing / DistributionTelecommunicationsEducationEnergy / Environmental / SustainabilityNon-Profit / Associations / MembershipSystem Integrators

Scenarios

Startup / Early StageTurn-AroundSmall and Mid-SizedLarge NationalGlobal EnterpriseVenture CapitalPrivate EquityPrivately OwnedMergers & AcquisitionsPost-M&A Integration

LEADERSHIP IMPACT

  • Increased new logo revenues at software company 92% year over year
  • Created messaging and pitch decks to raise $70m venture capital 
  • Messaged Nasdaq listing that increased market cap $3B
  • Managed Fiber to the home launch realizing $450M in first two years
  • Created Vision and Acquisition Plan for software company netting owner substantial exit
  • Founded Fire Networks and sold to Reltec for 20x revenues 
  • Part of leadership team to turn organization from -10% loss to +37% gain yr/yr
  • Led emerging markets sales team to over 100% growth for 3 years

HONORS & ACCOLADES

  • Design Center (AB client) Quarterly Culture Award for Be Fearless

THOUGHT LEADERSHIP

BOARDS & COMMUNITY LEADERSHIP

  • Boy Scouts of America - Cub Scoutmaster and Unit Commissioner - 7 years
  • Minneapolis Commodores Chorus - VP marketing, Show Chairman and Charity Chair

TESTIMONIALS

We have been an Authentic Brand client since last year. We could not be happier. Our Fractional CMO is knowledgeable, efficient, effective and a great addition to our team. We recently extended our agreement and added more hours. He [our CMO] has helped to guide our team and I have seen tremendous growth in our branding, communications, marketing, and sales activity. I recommend Authentic Brand whole-heartedly.
Scott Lidberg
CEO, Unify
Steve Grady developed a new and highly effective approach to web marketing and communications, product messaging, web customer analytics, and lead generation. Always taking the initiative to present a creative solution to both opportunities and the inevitable issues that arise in business, he focused on a solid understanding of the customer and how that value proposition translated into a customer marketing and product solution. He is professional and I recommend him without reservation.
Bill Priesmeyer
CEO, Cymbet
Steve is a unique Business Executive that understands the intricate technology (hardware and software) details and can use them to connect the “big picture stuff” into reality. Steve’s broad knowledge and robust creativity will benefit and energize any organization that is lucky enough to work with this talented individual.
Marty Hauge
President, AllGen Power Services

ON A PERSONAL NOTE...

I am blessed to have a wonderful family. My wife Jodie and I have been married for 43 years and our two children are successfully finding their way in life. We love Minnesota’s beautiful seasons, but like to travel and look forward to seeing more of the world when it “reopens for business”. 

I have been singing since age six and have been in barbershop choruses and quartets for decades. It is such a thrill to share the joy of music with others. I am a marketing process and technology nerd and spend personal time investigating “what’s new and working”.