Connect Fall 2016 | Page 23

The Chief Marketing

Technologist — Now Coming to a Business Near You

Expanding Employees ’

TECH TOOLBOX

Given the swift pace at which technologies are changing , it ’ s critical to stay on top of trends — making sure that your workforce remains current . Thankfully , the digital revolution that ’ s sparking these shifts is also causing technological education to be more available and cost-effective than ever . These high impact , low demand openlearning initiatives offer significant benefits to companies that are looking to expand their employees ’ toolbox :
ÎÎOUTSIDE PERSPECTIVE
ÎÎEXPERT INSTRUCTION
ÎÎCOST-EFFECTIVENESS
ÎÎIMPROVED OPERATIONS
ÎÎINCREASED INNOVATION
Whether investing in educational courses or utilizing knowledge sharing platforms , there are a myriad of options your business can explore . Two examples :
ADVANCED CLOUD COMPUTING This online course from Amazon Web Services ( AWS ) blends 17 hours of instructor-led lectures with practical , hands-on exercises , helping students master key skills and understand how cloud technology fosters cost-effective business solutions . Worth $ 699 , it ’ s just $ 39 through tnw . com .
KNITCON This two-day event brings 700 Pinterest workers together for employee-led sessions on a variety of topics and presentations by successful or inspirational leaders . Its aim : To further its mission as the “ catalog of ideas ” while encouraging employees to embody Pinterest ’ s culture .
As technology is increasingly the backbone of marketing platforms , CMOs and their staff are finding themselves as involved with tech as CIOs — or more . In the wake of this change , a new executive position has emerged — one that has the authority and resources to bridge the gap between both business areas while managing marketing technology .
The Vision-Caster Playing a variety of roles — from strategist and creative director to tech leader and teacher — the Chief Marketing Technologist ( CMT ) establishes the technological vision for marketing . As a change agent that reports to the highest levels of management and is empowered accordingly , they ' re responsible for :
ÎÎaligning marketing tech to business goals
ÎÎacting as a liaison to IT
ÎÎevaluating and selecting marketing tech providers
ÎÎdriving innovation and supporting agile methods
Fittingly , many are increasingly responsible for developing new digital business models to generate competitive advantage in an environment where it ’ s vital that marketing and IT work together .
A Central Figure Blending marketing passion with technological depth , CMTs are at the epicenter of managing the company ’ s marketing technology — the critical link between four vital stakeholders : CMOs and senior marketing staff , CIOs and the IT organization , outside software and service providers , and the broader marketing team . The CMT ’ s role : to inspire these potentially disparate areas to work together aligning goals , strategy , and support across them .
CONNECT TECHNOLOGY FALL 2016 // SNB . COM | 23