The Chaos That Never Ends If there's one thing I've learned from working with CEOs over the past few years, it's this: the chaos never stops changing. When we started planning this blog series, tariffs dominated every business conversation. Today, immigration policies, international conflicts, and a dozen other crises have shifted into focus. By [...]
The Brand Identity Crisis Here's a scenario I see playing out in companies every single day: A CEO invests thousands of dollars in a trendy, engaging Instagram presence. Their website exudes luxury and sophistication. But when customers walk through their doors, they encounter something that feels high-end yet oddly old-fashioned. What's happening here isn't [...]
The CEO's Blind Spot In my decades of working with CEOs across various industries, I've witnessed a pattern that never fails to astound me: the most successful leaders aren't necessarily the smartest, the most experienced, or even the most well-funded. They're the ones who have mastered something deceptively simple yet profoundly challenging—they think like [...]
In the fast-paced world of business growth, there's a tendency among CEOs, especially those leading successful small businesses, to focus exclusively on immediate sales. The mantra becomes "sell, sell, sell" at all costs, often at the expense of brand awareness initiatives that could yield far greater returns in the long run. At Amy Matthews [...]
The Uncertainty Dilemma In my years working with CEOs across various industries, I've observed a concerning pattern emerge whenever market uncertainty increases: marketing fundamentals are often the first casualty of anxious decision-making. While the specific sources of uncertainty vary—economic shifts, geopolitical tensions, technological disruptions, or changing consumer behaviors—the reaction follows a predictable pattern. CEOs, [...]
The Digital Disintegration Dilemma Imagine walking into a restaurant where each chef is cooking a different cuisine—Italian pasta at one station, Thai curry at another, and American barbecue at a third. When these disparate dishes arrive at your table simultaneously, the experience isn't innovative fusion—it's confusion. This scenario perfectly illustrates what's happening with most [...]
The CEO's Marketing Dilemma In all my years working as a marketing executive and now as a fractional CMO for small businesses, I've witnessed a consistent pattern: CEOs often sabotage their own marketing efforts through entirely avoidable mistakes. These aren't small tactical errors but fundamental misconceptions about how marketing drives business growth. They are [...]
The CEO's Brand Dilemma As someone who has spent more than 30 years working with large and small organizations, I've observed a consistent pattern: CEOs often fall into brand narcissism. They become enamored by their brand, consumed with talking about their company's greatness, and obsessed with making sure everyone knows that their company is [...]
In today's dynamic business landscape, CEOs face a common challenge: how to achieve sustainable growth while navigating the complexities of the market. The answer lies in strategic marketing – a powerful approach that goes beyond fleeting tactics to build enduring brand equity and drive long-term success. Defining Strategic Marketing Strategic marketing is more than [...]
In today's rapidly evolving business landscape, CEOs face countless challenges. From navigating economic uncertainty to managing a global workforce, the pressure to make the right decisions and drive growth can be overwhelming. One area where many CEOs struggle is marketing. Despite investing significant resources, they may find that their marketing efforts aren't delivering the [...]
