Next! On-boarding Senior Leaders

When it comes to hiring senior leaders, many companies focus on recruiting the best talent available. While this is certainly an important consideration, it is not enough to guarantee success. In fact, there are several other factors that are equally important in ensuring the success of senior leaders. In this blog post, we will explore why recruiting the best talent is not enough to guarantee success when hiring senior leaders, and what other factors should be considered.

The First 90 Days

Hiring a new senior marketing and sales leader is an important decision for any company, and ensuring their success requires a thoughtful and strategic approach. One key factor in ensuring a successful tenure for new senior leaders is the critical time period immediately after they are hired. This time period is when new leaders are most vulnerable and when companies have the greatest opportunity to set them up for success.

The first 90 days after a new senior marketing and sales leader is hired are the most critical time period. This is the time when the new leader is forming impressions of the company, building relationships with their team, and setting the stage for their tenure. According to a report by Harvard Business Review, 90 days is the amount of time it takes for a new leader to get up to speed and make an impact in their new role.

During this critical time period, it is important for companies to provide new senior leaders with the support and resources they need to succeed. This can include things like a formalized onboarding process, access to key stakeholders, and a clear set of goals and expectations. It is also important to provide new leaders with a mentor or coach, who can offer guidance and support during this challenging time.

Critical Considerations

One key factor in ensuring a successful tenure for new senior leaders is setting clear expectations from the outset. According to a report by Korn Ferry, companies should ensure that new leaders have a clear understanding of their role and responsibilities, as well as the goals and metrics that they will be measured against. This can help to avoid any confusion or misunderstandings down the line.

In addition to setting clear expectations, it is important for companies to provide new senior leaders with the resources they need to succeed. This can include things like a defined budget, access to key stakeholders, and the ability to hire and manage their own team. By providing these resources, companies can help to set new leaders up for success and increase the likelihood of a successful tenure.

1.  Company Culture and Fit

One of the most important factors in ensuring the success of senior leaders is company culture and fit. Even the most talented and experienced leaders will struggle to succeed if they are not a good fit for the company culture. It is important to ensure that senior leaders share the company's values and goals, and that they are able to work effectively within the existing organizational structure.

A report by Deloitte notes that company culture is a critical factor in the success of senior leaders. The report recommends that companies take steps to ensure that new hires are a good fit for the company culture, and that they have the support they need to adapt to the culture over time.

2.  Clear Goals and Expectations

Another important factor in ensuring the success of senior leaders is clear goals and expectations. Even the most talented leaders will struggle if they are not given clear direction and goals to work towards. It is important to ensure that senior leaders understand their role and responsibilities, and that they have clear goals and metrics to measure their success.

A report by Harvard Business Review notes that clear goals and expectations are critical to the success of senior leaders. The report recommends that companies take steps to ensure that new hires understand their role and responsibilities, and that they have clear goals and metrics to measure their success.

3.  Support and Resources

Finally, it is important to provide senior leaders with the support and resources they need to succeed. Even the most talented leaders will struggle if they are not given the tools and resources they need to do their job effectively. This can include things like access to key stakeholders, a clear budget, and the ability to hire and manage their own team.

A report by McKinsey & Company notes that providing support and resources is critical to the success of senior leaders. The report recommends that companies take steps to ensure that new hires have the tools and resources they need to succeed, and that they have access to the support they need to overcome any obstacles that may arise.

In conclusion, recruiting the best talent is an important consideration when hiring senior leaders, but it is not enough to guarantee success. In addition to talent, it is important to consider factors like company culture and fit, clear goals and expectations, and support and resources. By taking a holistic approach to hiring senior leaders, companies can increase the likelihood of success and build a strong leadership team that will drive the company forward.

As a company grows, so does its need for senior sales and marketing leaders. The success of a company depends largely on the effectiveness of its sales and marketing efforts, and having the right people in leadership positions is essential. However, simply hiring senior sales and marketing leaders is not enough. In order to ensure their success, it is important to follow certain steps throughout the recruitment and onboarding processes. In this blog post, we will discuss three key ways to ensure the success of your new senior sales and marketing leaders: recruiting the best talent, providing a formalized onboarding process, and ensuring they have a mentor and coach preferably from outside the company.

success

1.  Recruit the Best Talent, Not Just Who You Know

When it comes to hiring senior sales and marketing leaders, it is important to focus on recruiting the best talent, rather than just hiring someone you know or who has worked for the company before. While there is certainly value in hiring someone who is familiar with the company culture and has a track record of success, it is also important to consider candidates who bring fresh perspectives and new ideas to the table.

One way to recruit the best talent is to cast a wide net during the hiring process. Don't limit yourself to a small pool of candidates or rely solely on internal referrals. Instead, use a variety of recruitment methods, such as posting job listings on industry-specific job boards, attending job fairs and networking events, and working with executive search firms.

Another important factor to consider during the recruitment process is diversity. It is important to ensure that your candidate pool includes individuals from a range of backgrounds and experiences. According to a report by McKinsey & Company, companies with diverse leadership teams are more likely to outperform their peers. Diversity of thought and perspective can lead to more creative and innovative solutions, which can ultimately benefit the company.

2.  Provide a Formalized Onboarding Process with an Executive Level Assistance

It's not often in one's career that they change companies and need to onboard to a new company while building a First 90 Day Plan. Maybe 2-3 times over the course of a 30-year career. In these cases, leaning on an outside expert like a seasoned CMO or CRO (Fractional CMO / CRO) can often assist in onboarding to ensure they get off to a good start. Once you've hired your new senior sales and marketing leaders, it's crucial to provide them with a formalized onboarding process. This process should include executive-level assistance to ensure that the new leaders have the support they need to succeed.

A comprehensive orientation program is a key element of a formalized onboarding process. This program should include information about the company's culture, values, and mission, as well as an overview of the sales and marketing strategies and goals. The new leaders should also be introduced to key stakeholders and given the opportunity to establish relationships with their team members.

According to a report by Aberdeen Group, companies that provide regular coaching and feedback to their employees see a 39% increase in employee engagement and a 23% increase in employee performance. Executive-level assistance can also be instrumental in the success of new senior sales and marketing leaders. This assistance can come in the form of an executive sponsor or mentor who can provide guidance and support to the new leaders. According to a report by the Association for Talent Development, employees who have a mentor are more likely to feel satisfied with their job and have higher levels of engagement.

3.  Ensure They Have an on-going Executive Mentor and Coach (from the Outside)

When it comes to ensuring the success of new senior sales and marketing leaders, having an ongoing executive mentor and coach from outside the company can be a game-changer. This mentor and coach can provide unbiased guidance and support to the new leaders, helping them navigate the challenges of their new role.

The mentor and coach should have a deep understanding of the sales and marketing industry and be able to provide insights and perspectives that are not available within the company. They should also have experience working with senior leaders and be able to help the new leaders develop their skills and behaviors in a way that is tailored to their specific needs.

An ongoing mentor and coach relationship can help new senior leaders to stay on track and continue to grow and develop over time. It can also provide a sounding board for new ideas and strategies, helping the new leaders to refine their approach and stay ahead of the competition.

Overall, having an ongoing executive mentor and coach from outside the company is an essential component of a successful onboarding process for new senior sales and marketing leaders. By providing this level of support, companies can set their new leaders up for success and ensure that they are able to make a positive impact on the organization.

Conclusion

Recruiting new senior sales and marketing leaders is a crucial decision for any company, and guaranteeing their success requires a strategic and thoughtful approach. Companies can establish their new leaders for success by concentrating on recruiting the best talent, implementing a formalized onboarding process with executive-level assistance, and ensuring they have an external mentor and coach. It is crucial to remember that the success of new leaders is not solely dependent on their own abilities, but also on the support and resources provided by the company. By investing in the success of their leaders, companies can drive growth and achieve their sales and marketing goals.

Sources:

• "Diversity Wins: How Inclusion Matters," McKinsey & Company, 2020
• "The Power of Employee Coaching," Aberdeen Group, 2013
• "Mentoring and Coaching," Association for Talent Development, 2019.
• "The First 90 Days: Critical Success Strategies for New Leaders at All Levels," Michael Watkins, Harvard Business Review, 2003
• "The Chief Marketing Officer: Fact versus fiction," Korn Ferry, 2020