So far in our marketing trends, I’ve covered AI, Emerging Technologies, Customer Experience, Interactive Content and Sustainability & Values. In this pen-ultimate guide I’m looking at fostering agile marketing structures.
Agile marketing structures are flexible and iterative. They prioritise creating high-value outputs in short, productive bursts. Be aware of the latest trends and best practice around marketing methodologies and soft skills. This will equip your organisation to be more responsive to market changes and help you to retain a proactive, forward-thinking team.
6. Agile Marketing Structures
Here are some current agile marketing structures, to support an organisation that is more flexible and responsive to the marketplace:
- Implement cross-functional teams for faster decision-making. We’re all familiar with collaboration, agility and testing in research and development (R&D), but the same is not always true across different functions. Introducing and supporting the same approach within marketing and between your different ‘departments’ can be a game changer. Joined-up task forces (marketing, sales, operations, customer service, HR, finance) can increase the quality and time of decision-making – rather than relying on monthly ‘board’ or Directors meetings.
- Adopt an agile marketing methodology; such as Scrum, adapted for marketing or Kanban adapted from Toyota’s lean manufacturing model which uses visual boards to help prioritise tasks, manage work in progress (wip) and identify bottle necks.
- Embrace continuous learning and adaptation to keep up with industry changes. Build in learning time in both your technical area of expertise, but also in business skills. As a leader of an organisation, your role is to oversee the business and every successful business runs without it’s owner. Keep investing in yourself and provide leadership by keeping aware of trends – and foundational thinking. The foundational recommendations I always start with are Simon Sinek – ‘Start with Why‘ & Influence: ‘The Psychology of Persuasion‘ by Robert B. Caldini.
- Invest in upskilling your team in emerging technologies and data analysis. Encourage your teams to ask for training and to come up with ideas. empower them to fail fast, be curious and find better ways to deliver your vision.
If you are looking to respond better to market changes and empower a stronger, more agile marketing team email me or book a quick call.