The role of the marketing director in a recession-Pt. 1

Take Action.  Don't be Afraid.

When faced with the uncertain, most people become afraid.  That fear causes them to be hesitant or even paralyzed.   This is the first step towards failure. 

Marketing directors - don't allow yourself or your firm's leadership team to be paralyzed with fear.  Take action and take it NOW. 

The first action I would suggest is to gather the firm's leaders together to brainstorm a plan of action.  Hopefully your CEO or managing partner has already done this, but if not, you do it.  I believe the primary role of every marketing director is to make sure the phone is ringing, so if a fee-earner thinks you're overstepping your bounds, remind them of what your purpose is.

Focus the group on identifying 3 to 5 things that are vital to do in the short-term and 3 things that are vital in the long-term. 

Don't be afraid and don't let your firm be afraid.  Action alleviates fear.  Action creates momentum.  Momentum creates opportunity.  Opportunity offers the chance for success. 

Don't wait.  If you haven't already, now is the time to take action.

Comments

[Debra Helwig]

Hey Barb - great post! And it gave me a thought.

Remember, your clients are probably scared too (especially if they're in the real estate or construction industries!) Now would be a very good time to review your contact plans and, in addition to working on alleviating your own fears, find a way to alleviate some of theirs. A "we recognize the issues and we're in this with you" approach can go a long, long way toward building relationships that will last even when times are good!