Based on the podcast “Exit Five – B2B Marketing with Dave Gerdhardt Episode #96: How To Build Your Marketing Plan and Get It Approved (With Rowan Tonkin),” the most successful startups combine smart marketing with careful budgeting. Heading into 2024, mixing these strategies could be the secret to massive growth and achievement.

1. Know The Power of Strategic Partnerships

It’s essential to rethink the role of the finance department in B2B marketing. Rather than viewing them as mere budgetary gatekeepers, it’s more constructive to recognize finance as strategic collaborators vital for achieving overarching business goals. This partnership establishes a synergy that, when harnessed correctly, becomes a competitive advantage in today’s market landscape.

2. Master Financial Frameworks

Today’s marketers must go beyond creative campaign ideation. Understanding the financial planning frameworks and the benchmarks and ratios that finance teams use becomes indispensable. This knowledge ensures that marketing strategies resonate with audiences and align seamlessly with the company’s financial goals. This interview covers how to be relevant as CMO to the company objectives.

3. Shatter Myths and Build Alliances

Historical perceptions paint the finance departments as the strict controllers of the purse strings, often clashing with the expansive visions of marketing. However, modern financial teams have evolved into strategic units. Their insights now shape growth strategies, moving past mere number-crunching to provide perspectives on maximizing ROI and utilizing each dollar effectively. For a marketing leader, Sales team alignment is as valuable as a relationship with accounting and your CFO. Check out this interview to learn more.

4. Discern the Metrics Hierarchy

In the age of data-driven decisions, understanding metrics is paramount. Operational metrics, like leads and MQLs, serve as a foundation. When harnessed effectively, they inform commercial metrics such as win rates and pipeline growth. For startup founders, the challenge lies in balancing user engagement metrics with hard financial data, offering a comprehensive view of company performance. Here are 6 KPIs every CMO should track.

5. Elevate Marketing with Fiscal Grounding

With the right financial insights, marketing initiatives can truly soar. Marketers gain a deeper understanding of essential financial metrics by actively collaborating with finance teams. This partnership ensures that marketing campaigns are innovative and grounded in economic realities. Here’s an interview that covers the 5 traits a CMO needs to succeed in B2B marketing.

6. Navigate the Financial Landscape

A successful marketing plan in today’s complex environment means understanding and navigating financial constraints. Every ambitious marketing strategy should be meticulously tailored to align with the company’s operational expenses and financial objectives. This delicate balance between creativity and fiscal responsibility defines truly effective planning.

7. Harness External Benchmarking Tools

To stay ahead, marketers should leverage external resources. Platforms like Insight Partners, renowned for its deep industry insights, and RevOps Squared, a hub of actionable data, are invaluable. Utilizing these tools can offer a robust foundation rooted in real-world data, enhancing the formulation and execution of marketing strategies. ABM is a primary strategy for B2B growth. Here are the metrics that you should measure.

8. Craft and Communicate a Cohesive Plan

Effective marketing is as much about strategic communication as it is about innovation. Marketers should be adept at highlighting how their plans align with broader financial and commercial goals. This approach, focused on synergy and mutual objectives, increases the chances of buy-in from both finance teams and executive leadership. Listen to this podcast interview to learn the most effective way to market today.