153 Why B2B Marketing Is Coming Up Short with Michelle Killebrew

Sales Is King

B2B marketing is under fire(again). IBM alum, Ted Talk(er), and CMO, Michelle Killebrew is back on SIK!

00:00:30 (Michelle'a Career Summary) Guest discusses her roles at CA Technologies, Broadcom, PwC, and NTT Limited, detailing her experiences and challenges.

00:05:13 (Evolution of CMO Role) Discussion about the evolving role of the CMO in the post-pandemic world, emphasizing the need for AI knowledge and performance measurement.

00:11:26 (Focus on Customer Success) Focus on the importance of customer success, the shift in demand from new logos to current customer base, and the role of customer success in revenue growth

00:16:51 (Breaking Through B2B Marketing Noise) Addressing the challenges of breaking through the clutter in B2B marketing, the demand for personalized experiences, and the need for authenticity.

00:22:06 (Future of Remote Work) Discussion on the future of remote work, emphasizing the need for intentional gatherings and the importance of personal relationships in remote working environments. Discussion about the challenges and changes in the role of the Chief Marketing Officer in the tech and marketing industry.

Challenges of B2B marketing (00:26:43) Exploration of the declining quota attainment and the impact of market consolidation on sales cycles in the B2B sales arena.

Impact of the pandemic on marketing strategies (00:29:10) Analysis of the macroeconomic conditions and the changing dynamics of buying behavior in the B2B market due to the pandemic.

The future of remote work (00:30:23) Discussion on the impact of remote work on sales and marketing teams, and the challenges of rebuilding institutional knowledge and relationships.

The evolving relationship between sales and marketing (00:31:53) Insights into the changing dynamics of sales and marketing operations, resource allocation, and the increasing complexity of the buying committee.

The role of AI in marketing (00:35:37) Exploration of the potential of AI in marketing, including its impact on team collaboration, optimization, and its role in operationalizing revenue flow.

The CMO's position in the C-suite (00:39:47) Analysis of the position of the Chief Marketing Officer in the C-suite and the challenges in contextualizing marketing impact in business language.

Marketing accountability and business outcomes (00:44:32) Discussion on the accountability of marketing for profitable growth and the challenges in predicting ROI accurately.