june 2024
Has the role of marketing become too broad?
In smaller organisations, the lead marketer is often responsible for everything from branding and social media to SEO and content creation.
Defining goals to ensure marketing can remain focused and productive is crucial.
I recently looked at a range of marketing job descriptions and, whilst marketing wears many hats, expectations of the role can be overly demanding with so many responsibilities.
Small marketing teams are stretched, leading to marketing being undervalued if they can't deliver.
Marketing is changing rapidly and is expected to deliver data, analysis, Google Analytics, social media management and more, whilst remaining colourful and super creative!
A blend of both is desirable, analytical skills and creative flair.
If you are trying to get through a vast list of marketing actions and need outside help, email me at lucy@mktlab.co.uk for flexible marketing support.
Why The ‘5 Whys’?
The 5 Whys is a tried and tested method of understanding problems within a business or organisation where the repeated use of the question “Why?” eventually uncovers the root cause.
Created by Toyota in the 1930s with the philosophy of ‘go and find out’ to solve problems and understand issues, this method is simple yet effective.
You may need more than 5 Whys or fewer depending on the issue.
The 5 Whys gets you to a solution quickly!
This can be a useful method of approaching a business issue and remains widely used in Tech, Start-ups, Manufacturing, Charities and other sectors.
It has a place as a simple yet effective method for brainstorming issues within a team. It also serves as a great brainstorming session with a team, give it a go!
For more information:
Mind Tools | Origins of the 5 Whys Technique
Environmental Quality Management | Asking “Why?” Five Times
SixSigma | Determine the Root Cause: 5 Whys
Freelance Marketing Consultancy
Marketing consultancy can take many forms but encompasses helping an organisation move from Point A to Point B, even if Point B is not entirely clear at the outset.
In 2011, I set up as a freelance marketing consultant and was lucky enough to be engaged in some really interesting projects.
The variety of the work was amazing and no two days were the same.
When the opportunity arose last year to return to freelance marketing after 10 years in full-time employment, I jumped at it.
Almost a year later, the variety is key, I love it and have met some amazing people and worked on fascinating projects including:
supporting an independent school moving from co-ed to all-girls provision
working with a recruitment company to enhance their website and provide a monthly newsletter
growing the business of an independent, very talented artist
working with an outdoor learning charity to obtain PR coverage and promote their charitable cause.
I have learned loads since becoming freelance again and recently attended sales training which hammered home the importance of a good sales process and how to make it work for you and your clients.
Offering support and being a friendly additional pair of hands, I am flexible in scaling up and down depending on client needs.
If you’re looking for flexible marketing support, drop me a line at lucy@mktlab.co.uk.
Marketing Services
Newsletters and blogs
Website content
Social media management
Growth tactics
Brand and marketing
Lead generation
Award entries