Authentic®

Ippon Technologies USA, a consulting firm that helps customers transform their business through technology modernization and innovation, had experienced a period of slow business growth and was looking for the guidance of a marketing executive to help transform their disjointed marketing processes and tools. Living in a “tactical hell”, they realized that they needed an overhaul when it came to existing business development and lead generation processes. Enter Authentic: the calm to their marketing "storm". Under guidance and leadership of a fractional CMO, Ippon has seen the following results: 🔍 Implemented an "account-based everything" approach to help identify their largest account opportunities and stepping stone accounts. 📈 Created the ability to monitor marketing-qualified leads and their progression through the sales pipeline. ✔️ And more! Read the full story here: https://hubs.ly/Q02SX3D90

Introducing Tracy Steeno - Authentic® Fractional CMO and passionate brand leader. With over 20 years of leadership experience, Tracy boasts a rich marketing background. She has navigated both B2B and B2C landscapes, mastering the art of customer lifecycle management—from acquisition and upselling to retention and loyalty building. Tracy has crafted and executed strategies that not only elevate brand presence but also enhance digital footprints, boost qualified leads, and drive sales conversions. Her efforts have consistently met revenue and growth targets on both a national and international scale. As an Authentic Fractional CMO, Tracy partners with fellow CMOs through our Authentic Mindshare™ and utilizes our tried-and-true Authentic Growth™ Methodology. She helps clients swiftly pinpoint opportunities to solidify their foundation and reach their ambitious growth objectives. We are passionate about guiding exceptional clients toward sustainable growth, using proven processes, strategic alignment, and the wisdom of seasoned leadership. We are Authentic Fractional CMOs™ Tested. Trusted. True Executives.

You know that AI tool adoption is the next step for your organization, but where do you start? Chapter 2 of our AI readiness guide sheds light on the three pivotal challenges you may face on this journey to prepare your for true adoption: Challenge #1: Information Inequality Challenge #2: Business Plan Challenge #3: Technology Plan Read our AI readiness guide linked below where we delve deeper into each challenge and provide actionable insights to navigate the AI landscape effectively. https://hubs.ly/Q02SLPgK0 #AIReadiness #BusinessStrategy

Looking to give back to the children of our community? Come join us at our next Two or More volunteer event with Free Bikes 4 Kidz MN on November 7 from 2-5PM! 🚲 Free Bikes 4 Kidz MN is a non-profit organization geared toward helping all kids ride into a happier, healthier childhood by providing bikes to those most in need. The public donates gently used bikes, they organize thousands of volunteers to clean and refurbish them, and then they give them away to kids in need. We'll be spending the afternoon cleaning, repairing, and prepping bikes to be given away to children in our community! No mechanical experience required - there are opportunities available for all skill levels 😊 Ready to register? Reserve your free ticket here: https://hubs.ly/Q02Sm90q0

There is still time (barely!) to register for THIS week's Authentic Growth™ Live Webinar event on Thursday October 10, from 12:00 - 1:00pm CT for a live conversation titled, Overcome Random Acts of Marketing: Marketing Essentials for Small to Mid-sized Businesses. Join this webinar to learn: ❓ What most small to mid-sized businesses are missing in their marketing mix 📣 How to fill the foundational gaps and align strategy to execution 💪 When and how to bring marketing leadership to the table 📈 The modern approach to building high-performing marketing teams 💯 Most essential marketing metrics for every growing business Registration link in the comments!

Wow... what an absolutely wonderful time we had seeing all our Visionary, Integrator, and Implementer Partners at last Thursday's VIP MN event! 🧡 It is truly so special to see the entrepreneurial spirit that shines so brightly in the Twin Cities area! Take a peek at some photos from the event below from the talented Jackie Adelmann 📸! You can view the full album here: https://lnkd.in/gZn6-62S

Today we're celebrating Tracy Steeno for her 6-year Authentiversary🎉🙌❤️ Check out some of the qualities that our team at Authentic® admires about her in the video below! Tracy is truly a rockstar CMO, and we love having her as a part of Authentic ♥️

"How much should we budget for marketing?" 💵 It's one of the most common questions we field at Authentic®. And since it's budgeting season, I thought I'd offer some thoughts on the topic! The hard answer is - there is no "one size fits all" when it comes to budgeting. * Owners have different appetites for investment, and expectations for growth. * Industries have different margins and models. * There are often grey areas about what is considered sales, business development, client services, or marketing budget (such as software, swag, events, client appreciation, etc.). There are many cultural and financial realities that factor into marketing budgeting. And the reality is - it's not worth investing in strategic marketing until your leadership team is committed to the journey. Marketing needs to be approached as a long-term investment strategy - with the wisdom to help guide thoughtful investments, layered over time, with an understanding of when and where to accelerate or decelerate. But the sad fact is, too many businesses spend marketing dollars like they're at a casino... Put the money in, cross your fingers, and hope that money comes out. "Random acts of marketing" is a losing game every time. Authentic® is passionate about helping growing businesses Overcome Random Acts of Marketing® - by bringing the wisdom of experienced, executive marketing leadership to the table, on a part-time, fractional basis. Our #FractionalCMOs are expert guides in marketing budgeting, resource planning, strategy, and orchestration of all areas of execution. Please don't gamble your marketing dollars away. We're here to help you confidently take the next right step toward healthy growth. 🙌

Meet Barb Bertsch, MA, CPPM, Authentic® Fractional CMO, marketing strategist, mentor & coach, sales alignment guru, and generous career mentor and volunteer. Barb is a talented multi-channel marketing leader with diverse experience within large and emerging growth manufacturing and distribution companies. She's an expert at developing strategic go-to-market plans that align with the company's business priorities and initiatives, and has a passion for well-defined corporate values that are driven by leadership and embraced by employees. As an Authentic Fractional CMO, Barb collaborates with CMO peers through our Authentic Mindshare™ (which she speaks about in this video), and leverages our proven Authentic Growth™ Methodology to help clients quickly identify opportunities to strengthen their foundation and achieve their growth goals. We love helping great clients take the next right step toward healthy growth with proven process, alignment, and the value of experienced strategic leadership. We are Authentic Fractional CMOs™ Tested. Trusted. True Executives.

ONE WEEK AWAY! 🍂🍁🧡 Calling all MN-based #Visionaries, #Integrators, and #Implementer Partners! Authentic® - through our LIFT Integrator Community™ - is excited to invite you to VIP•MN: a mix-and-mingle event for executives who run their business on EOS. Register with this link to reserve your spot: https://hubs.ly/Q02R8gzb0 Attendee Criteria: - This event is exclusively for Visionaries, Integrators, and EOS Implementers - Attending Visionaries / Integrators must lead businesses with 10+ employees - No exceptions. No solicitation. Thank you to our presenting partner Bridgewater Bank, our sponsors Strategic Talent Partners, All In One Accounting, Augurian, Abdo, and our peer group partners Allied Executives, Manufacturers Alliance, and Entrepreneurs' Organization - Minnesota for making this event possible!