Marketing Minds Get it Right
In these difficult economic times, marketing departments have to accomplish more with less—less staff and less budget. This calls for more creativity, innovation, and responsibility. It is more critical than ever to synergize marketing teams that may be fragmented and overworked, and ensure each team member is skilled in key marketing competencies.
In our decades of working with medical marketing professionals and driving marketing campaigns, AllOut Marketing has discovered that a successful marketer has what we call MarketingMIND™. Without MarketingMIND, the road to marketing effectiveness is difficult and severely limited. The good news is MarketingMIND is completely achievable with assessment, dedication, and proper application. Here are some tips to develop MarketingMIND.
- When they’re home-grown. Not all marketers in medical technology come from a marketing background. Many times, the technology and products are quite complex, making it easier to “grow” a marketer from within…coming from sales or research and development. The skills a sales professional brings to the marketing mix are completely different from the skills from a technical person. Each has unique experiences and knowledge that influences their marketing think and marketing eye. Leverage these background strengths, but don’t stop there.
- First thing’s first. How can you determine whether you or your team members will succeed in marketing? First thing’s first. Assess their marketing competencies and identify specific marketing skill gaps. Find out what marketing they know, how well they know it, and if they can apply their knowledge to bring everyday market success.
- Competencies that matter. AllOut Marketing has identified 15 competencies that determine success in marketing. Competencies range from marketing basics to specialized skills needed for the medical industry, such as understanding the regulatory process, reimbursement, and technical concepts. Keep in mind that leadership is one of the most important marketing competencies and carries an additional eight skills needed to be effective. Start with a good leader, and you are already a huge step closer to marketing success.
- Now that’s a MarketingSTAR™. Once you evaluate current skills versus the necessary skills, create a developmental plan that specifically addresses challenges for the individual or the group as a whole. Allow opportunities to apply the newly learned abilities, and suddenly, you’ll see the promise of a MarketingSTAR™, or better yet an entire team of them.
Want to know if you or your team has MarketingMIND™? Contact AllOut Marketing to tap into our wide range of marketing development and medical marketing expertise.
— Posted 06/22/2009
