Outsource components assembled in house
Most B2B manufacturing companies have a pretty consistent playbook. They design products in house, often outsource much of the component manufacturing, and then assemble and test finished goods in their own factory.
That mindset pervades much of the operation - they prefer to build and nurture value add capabilities in house.
But as digital marketing became more common, even in the industrial space, many manufacturers were challenged to effectively staff required and unfamiliar skill sets internally. So there was a phase in the evolution of digital marketing during which manufacturers began to outsource marketing to agencies.
That trend is reversing now for several reasons:
- Manufacturers prefer to build their own internal muscle
- The trend of zero based budgeting that's started with large B2C CPG companies is gradually working its way down to B2B manufacturers
- Agencies often fail to deliver
- Data & revenue growth are core business functions, and increasing specialization requires staffing
Build the muscle
Outsourcing digital marketing made sense in the early days of content when simply following a formulaic, process and activity approach of certain numbers of blog articles and social media posts moved the needle. That was akin to sending a drawing and receiving back a certain number of machined parts.
Just as many manufacturers are now investing in their own 3D printing capability for short runs in addition to traditional prototyping, they're increasingly rigorous in evaluating functions. Most manufacturers, who are tinkerers by nature, believe that they can build a better capital equipment sales and marketing engine themselves.
They want to "own" the capability.
Zero based budgeting (ZBB)
"Last year plus 5%" is a pretty silly way to set a budget - but be honest, that's the way many sales forecasts and capital equipment sales & marketing budgets are set. For many manufacturers the bulk of the marketing piece is actually contained in the trade show line on the P&L.
B2C companies began pushing back on this as digital advertising costs ballooned. Many started 2017 with aggressive programs to consolidate agencies and providers, to rigorously evaluate ROI on all digital ad spend and to build budgets that reflect current market requirements rather than legacy allocations. (McKinsey and others have explored this trend.)
I sense it's starting to bleed over into the B2B space. Constantly under pressure to buy the latest Martech gadget, to demonstrate return, to align with sales and to staff for new skills (like data analysis and video,) B2B companies are beginning to take the same fresh zero based budget approach that their B2C CPG peers already embraced.
Outsource doesn't mean better
Manufacturing firms run by folks that are often traditionalists who may be skeptical of social media, blogging tactics, etc. often figured that an agency of millennials might be the answer. After all those folks "got it."
Except that in many cases they didn't. Sure, they understood the mechanics of cranking out content, CTAs leading to landing pages with forms to convert, marketing automation, social media, etc. They could build a list of tasks and check them off. But in most cases they didn't understand the industrial manufacturing world in which their clients, and their clients' customers operated. In fact, they sometimes had very little business knowledge. Topics like capital allocation, purchase justification, and engineering evaluation were not well understood.
The marketing product reflected that gap. Lots of action, yet little intentionality.
So manufacturers naturally ask themselves "Why outsource?" if the outcome is mediocre.
“Historically, companies outsourced many marketing capabilities, including media buying and highly specialized technology skills,” says Christine Cutten, principal at Deloitte Consulting LLP. “Today, marketing data is a critical asset that companies want to own and monetize, so they are making strategic decisions to invest in in-house talent and capabilities.” Deloitte via WSJ
Specialization and proliferation of roles
Companies used to have a VP of Sales and a Director of Marketing....and IT used to buy software and manage the website.
Most companies have refocused IT on security and data management, while intuitive CMSs and easily integrated cloud software have pushed more of the traditional IT functions to the marketing department.
This is reflected in both skills required and, in larger businesses, an explosion of C-Suite roles and titles. Gartner's 2017 CEO survey found:
"58 % of respondents said growth was their top business priority this year...product improvement and technology were rising priorities among CEOs. “Almost twice as many CEOs are intent on building up in-house technology and digital capabilities as those [who] plan on outsourcing it,” reports Gartner Vice President and Fellow Mark Raskino...As digital transformation and technology initiatives take center stage, so do the people put in place to manage these business efforts. Already, many companies have decided the traditional C-suite roles of CEO, COO, CFO, CIO and CMO no longer suffice when it comes to executive leadership needs. CIOs and CTOs are now joined by CISOs (chief information security officers), CAOs (chief analytics officers) and CDOs (chief digital officers). The CMO has a new partner as well, with more and more marketing and technology leaders earning CMTO (chief marketing technology officer) roles." Marketingland
Small, lower middle and middle middle market companies may not be staffing with the same gusto as the companies Gartner surveyed, but the emphasis on digital transformation and growth, and recognition of the role of data in PaaS models and new revenue streams is expanding the required skill sets.
As the need for those skills, integrated across departmental activities, becomes apparent, manufacturers are further reducing their reliance on an outsource agency model.
Insourcing isn't the same as expertise
There's a risk though. Bringing a function in house, and staffing for a skill set doesn't permanently address the requirement.
Skills, resources, market requirements all evolve. Many companies blend in-house counsel with outside firms, as they rely on auditors and outside consultants to compliment their CFO and finance team.
That's the revenue growth model that's evolving in the industrial manufacturing space.
There are a lot of levers to pull and a lot of work to do. Some requires particular expertise. At a high level that could be integrating company strategy, revenue growth strategy and an execution framework. It could also include developing a staffing / skills road map, change management around consolidating sales & marketing functions, or even building the customer intelligence to anticipate revenue opportunities (beyond traditional product marketing weighing new features.)
Similarly it could include very specialized expertise such as executing an increasingly critical Facebook ads (yes! even for B2B) program. (This Databox article featuring Rick Kranz highlights some of the nuance andintricacy which is often overlooked and which can make the difference between squandered resources and real results.)
Both types of expertise are missing from every industrial manufacturing company with which I've ever spoken. But they're also missing (at least the full spectrum) from every agency.
That means revenue growth becomes a CEO responsibility in aggregate and to a fairly granular level. It's not enough anymore to simply hand it off to a VP of Sales & Marketing. It's now a far reaching strategic and human capital management challenge for companies - both responsibilities which sit squarely in the CEO's lap.
It's also an increasing challenge for boards. Following a "nose in, fingers out" approach, boards have to understand the trends well enough to ask the insightful questions of management to ensure that the right people are tracking the critical issues.
Boiling it down
Manufacturers build stuff - and they prefer to build the muscle to do things themselves. Agencies are struggling to deliver results as detail and nuance, strategy and practical sales and channel experience become more important than simply throwing up blog articles.
So companies are taking more responsibility for complex sales digital marketing in-house. And successful companies are drawing on specific expertise to optimize their efforts at both strategic and execution levels.
Understanding How Digital Marketing Eases a Complex Sales Process
In the world of enterprise sales, navigating the intricacies of a complex sales process requires a sophisticated approach, one that digital marketing is uniquely positioned to support. The journey of a complex sales cycle often involves multiple decision makers and spans various stages, from discovery and qualification to the final agreement. This landscape makes it crucial for sales professionals to harness the power of digital marketing in order to effectively reach and engage potential customers.
Understanding Complex Sales and the Role of Digital Marketing
Complex sales, distinct from transactional sales, involve a longer sales cycle and are characterized by the need to address business pain points in a nuanced manner. This type of selling often encompasses complex deals in sectors like technology, industrial equipment, and enterprise solutions. Here, the product or service being sold is not just a simple commodity but a significant investment for the customer, involving multiple decision makers and a thorough evaluation process.
Digital marketing plays a critical role in this arena. It equips sales reps with the necessary tools to build and maintain customer relationships over longer sales cycles. Through targeted content marketing, social media strategies, and sales intelligence software, digital marketing enables sales teams to stay connected with their prospects, offering valuable insights and solutions to their specific challenges.
Leveraging Digital Marketing for Effective Complex Selling
To sell complex products successfully, it's essential for sales professionals to understand the nuances of their customers' needs. Digital marketing provides a platform for conducting and applying this research. By using analytics and sales intelligence software, sales teams can identify key decision makers, understand their pain points, and tailor their approach accordingly.
The discovery and qualification stages of the complex sales cycle are particularly critical. During these phases, digital marketing can be used to nurture leads by providing them with informative content that addresses their specific concerns. This content could range from detailed blog posts and whitepapers to webinars and case studies, all aimed at educating the potential customers about the value of the product or service.
Digital content also helps to reach members of the shadow buying team throughout a complex sales cycle.
The Digital Approach to Complex Deals
In complex sales processes, it’s not just about reaching more decision makers; it's about reaching the right ones with the right message at the right time. Digital marketing allows for a level of customization and precision that traditional marketing methods can't match. Through targeted campaigns and personalized communication, sales reps can ensure that their message resonates with each stakeholder involved in the decision-making process.
Furthermore, digital marketing analytics provide valuable insights into customer behavior and preferences. This data enables sales teams to refine their strategies continuously, ensuring that every interaction moves the customer further along in the sales cycle towards a successful sale.
Digital Marketing as a Catalyst for Complex Sales Success
Digital marketing is an indispensable tool for enterprise sales reps looking to navigate the complex sales landscape effectively. By providing a means to build stronger, more informed customer relationships, digital marketing supports sales professionals throughout the lengthy and intricate process of complex selling. Whether it’s through providing detailed insights about potential customers, facilitating personalized communication, or offering strategic content at every stage of the longer sales cycle, digital marketing is key to turning complex challenges into successful sales opportunities.
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