#Strategic Balance: The Art and Science of Asset Allocation in Finance

[unitedgoodsusa]

Strategic Balance: The Art and Science of Asset Allocation in Finance

[amplecapital]

Achieving Financial Goals: The Role of Portfolio Management in Wealth Management

In the realm of personal finance, achieving long-term financial goals requires more than just saving money; it necessitates a strategic approach to wealth management. One of the cornerstone strategies in this journey is portfolio management. This blog explores how portfolio management, particularly through the lens of Ample Capital, plays a crucial role in realizing financial aspirations.

Understanding Portfolio Management

Portfolio management involves the art and science of selecting and managing investments to achieve specific financial objectives within a defined risk tolerance. At its core, it’s about balancing risk and return by diversifying investments across various asset classes such as stocks, bonds, real estate, and commodities. Ample Capital understands that each investor has unique goals, timelines, and risk appetites, necessitating tailored portfolio strategies.

Customized Strategies for Diverse Goals

Ample Capital excels in creating customized portfolio management strategies tailored to individual financial goals. Whether the aim is retirement making plans, wealth preservation, funding training, or legacy constructing, their approach starts offevolved with a comprehensive assessment of the consumer’s economic state of affairs, possibilities, and future aspirations. In order to This personalized technique ensures that every portfolio is established to optimize returns while handling chance effectively.

Diversification: Mitigating Risk, Maximizing Returns

One of the fundamental principles emphasized by Ample Capital is diversification. By spreading investments across different asset classes and geographies, they mitigate the impact of market volatility on the portfolio. This strategy not only stabilizes returns but also enhances the potential for long-term growth. For instance, a well-diversified portfolio may include a mix of equities for growth, bonds for income, and alternative investments for further diversification.

Active Management: Adapting to Market Dynamics

In a dynamic market environment, passive investment strategies may not always suffice. and Ample Capital’s active portfolio management approach involves continuous monitoring of market trends, economic indicators, and geopolitical events. We know This proactive stance allows them to seize opportunities and adjust allocations swiftly, ensuring that client portfolios remain aligned with their evolving financial goals.

Risk Management: Safeguarding Wealth

While achieving high returns is desirable, protecting wealth is equally crucial. Ample Capital integrates robust risk management practices into their portfolio strategies. They employ techniques such as asset allocation, diversification, and periodic rebalancing to minimize downside risk. Additionally, they educate clients on the importance of staying invested for the long term while being prepared for market fluctuations.

Transparency and Client-Centric Approach

Ample Capital prioritizes transparency and maintains a client-centric approach in all interactions. They believe in fostering a collaborative relationship with clients, where open communication and clarity regarding investment decisions are paramount. Through regular portfolio reviews and performance updates, clients are kept informed and empowered to make informed financial decisions.

Technology: Enhancing Accessibility and Efficiency

In today’s digital age, technology plays a pivotal role in portfolio management. Ample Capital leverages advanced analytics and portfolio management tools to streamline processes and enhance decision-making. Clients benefit from real-time access to their portfolios, performance metrics, and personalized insights, enabling them to track progress towards their financial goals conveniently.

Education and Empowerment

Beyond managing investments, Ample Capital is committed to educating clients about financial markets, investment strategies, and the importance of disciplined wealth management. Through workshops, seminars, and personalized consultations, they empower clients to make informed decisions that align with their long-term aspirations.

Conclusion

In conclusion, achieving financial goals requires a strategic approach to wealth management, of which portfolio management is a cornerstone. Ample Capital exemplifies this approach through its commitment to customized strategies, diversification, active management, risk mitigation, transparency, and leveraging technology. By partnering with Ample Capital, individuals can navigate the complexities of financial markets confidently, knowing that their portfolios are designed to optimize returns while safeguarding wealth over the long term. Whether planning for retirement, preserving wealth, or realizing other financial milestones, Ample Capital stands ready to guide clients towards a prosperous future.

[shreyasharma456]

"Navigating Financial Success: A Professional's Guide to the Art and Science of Portfolio Management"

First of all,

The function of a Portfolio Management Professional (PMP) is essential for optimizing investment strategies, reducing risks, and accomplishing long-term financial goals in the fast-paced and constantly-changing world of finance. In this blog post, we'll examine the diverse duties of a portfolio management professional and the knowledge and abilities needed to succeed in this fulfilling field.

What Makes a Portfolio Effective?

The art and science of managing an investor's or institution's asset collection in order to meet predetermined financial objectives is known as portfolio management. It is the duty of a portfolio management professional to make well-informed judgments to optimize returns while taking client investing preferences and risk tolerance into account.

Primary Accountabilities:

Defining investment objectives and coordinating portfolios with client objectives are all part of the strategic planning that PMPs undertake. They provide careful consideration to variables like liquidity requirements, time horizon, and risk tolerance.

Risk Assessment and Mitigation:

 An essential component of portfolio management is assessing and controlling risk. PMPs carry out in-depth risk assessments, put risk mitigation plans into action, and keep a close eye on the risk-return profile of portfolios.

Asset Allocation: 

Strategic asset allocation is necessary to create a portfolio that is well-balanced. Based on the status of the market and the financial goals of their clients, PMPs choose the best combination of asset classes (stocks, bonds, real estate, etc.).

Industry Research and Analysis:

 It's critical to stay up to date on geopolitical events, economic indicators, and industry trends. In-depth investigation and analysis are carried out by PMPs to help them make wise investment choices.

Performance Monitoring: 

The key to success is keeping a close eye on the performance of your portfolio. PMPs evaluate the success of their plans using a range of metrics and make necessary modifications.

Client Communication: It's critical to communicate with clients in an effective manner. PMPs explain investment ideas, give clients performance updates on their portfolios, and respond to any queries or worries they may have.

Required Skills:

Strong analytical abilities are necessary for PMPs to evaluate risk, understand market data, and make data-driven choices.

Financial Acumen: 

For efficient portfolio management, a thorough understanding of financial markets, investment products, and economic trends is necessary.

Communication Skills:

 When describing complicated financial ideas to clients, it's important to communicate in a clear and simple manner. PMPs need to be able to communicate ideas clearly and concisely.

Adaptability: 

Because the financial environment is ever-changing, PMPs must be able to change with the times and make necessary adjustments to their portfolios.

In summary:

The path to becoming a Portfolio Management Professional involves a blend of communication skills, strategic thinking, and financial knowledge. In their capacity as stewards of money, PMPs are essential in assisting people and organizations in navigating the complexity of the financial markets and achieving long-term financial success.

[sattasport37]

The Art and Science of Growing Net Worth: A Modern Approach to Wealth Building

In an era where financial success is increasingly celebrated and sought after, the concept of "Net Worth Culture" has emerged as a focal point for individuals aiming to understand, build, and grow their wealth. This cultural shift goes beyond the traditional measures of success and delves into the intricate details of one's financial standing. In this SEO content piece, we will explore the essence of Net Worth Culture, its significance, and how you can actively participate in this movement to secure a more prosperous future.

Defining Net Worth Culture

Net Worth Culture is more than just a buzzword; it's a mindset, a lifestyle, and a commitment to understanding the true value of one's financial portfolio. At its core, net worth is a simple equation: assets minus liabilities. However, the cultural aspect comes into play when individuals embrace the idea of regularly assessing, improving, and leveraging their net worth to achieve financial goals NetWorthCulture.Com.

The Significance of Net Worth

Understanding your net worth is like having a financial GPS; it provides direction and insight into your overall financial health. This holistic view goes beyond the balance in your bank account, taking into account your investments, properties, and debts. By calculating your net worth regularly, you gain a comprehensive understanding of where you stand financially, enabling you to make informed decisions about saving, investing, and spending.

Building and Growing Your Net Worth

Active participation in Net Worth Culture involves not only understanding your current financial standing but also actively working to build and grow your net worth over time. Here are key strategies to consider:

Budgeting and Expense Management: Create a detailed budget to track your income and expenses. Identify areas where you can cut costs and allocate those savings towards building your assets.

Investing Wisely: Diversify your investment portfolio to mitigate risks and maximize returns. Whether it's stocks, real estate, or other investment vehicles, a well-thought-out strategy can significantly contribute to your net worth.

Debt Reduction: Actively work towards reducing high-interest debts. By chipping away at your liabilities, you increase your net worth and free up resources for future investments.

Continuous Learning: Stay informed about financial trends and opportunities. Attend workshops, read books, and seek advice from financial experts to make informed decisions that positively impact your net worth.

Net Worth Culture and Personal Growth

Net Worth Culture is not just about money; it's about personal growth and empowerment. By actively participating in this culture, individuals develop a sense of financial literacy, discipline, and resilience. The journey towards understanding, building, and growing your net worth fosters a mindset of long-term planning and strategic decision-making, ultimately contributing to a more secure and prosperous future NetWorthCulture.Com.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the Net Worth Culture represents a paradigm shift in how individuals approach their finances. It's about more than just accumulating wealth; it's a commitment to understanding, building, and growing your net worth for long-term financial success. By embracing this culture, you empower yourself to make informed decisions, navigate economic uncertainties.

[lingerieday]

How to Navigate the Complex World of Corporate Finance

Corporate finance is an intricate realm, operating at the intersection of business strategy, decision-making, and capital management. Whether you're a budding entrepreneur, a finance professional, or someone seeking insights, navigating this complex world can be daunting. In this guide, "How to Navigate the Complex World of Corporate Finance," we break down the essentials, offering a roadmap to mastery.

1. Understanding the Core of Corporate Finance

At its heart, corporate finance is about maximizing shareholder value. It's the art and science of allocating resources, balancing risk and profitability, and making strategic decisions to ensure an organization's financial well-being.

2. Capital Structure: Debt vs. Equity

One of the foundational decisions in corporate finance is determining the company's capital structure. Should you fund operations through debt (borrowing money) or equity (issuing shares)?

Debt: Comes with interest obligations but can be tax-efficient due to interest payment deductions. However, excessive debt can increase the risk of bankruptcy.

Equity: Issuing shares dilutes ownership but doesn't saddle the company with repayment obligations.

Understanding the right mix is crucial for optimal financial performance.

3. Budgeting and Financial Planning

Effective budgeting and financial planning entail forecasting revenues, expenses, and profitability. Modern tools and software, like SAP and Oracle Financial Services Analytical Applications, can help streamline these processes, providing data-driven insights.

4. Investment Decisions: Capital Budgeting

Where should a company invest its resources? Whether it's launching a new product or acquiring a competitor, capital budgeting techniques, like Net Present Value (NPV) and Internal Rate of Return (IRR), help assess the potential returns on various investments.

5. Working Capital Management

Ensuring smooth daily operations means managing short-term assets and liabilities. This encompasses:

Inventory Management: Balancing stock levels to meet demand without tying up excessive capital.

Accounts Receivable: Managing credit offered to customers and ensuring timely collections.

Accounts Payable: Strategizing payment terms with suppliers to optimize cash flows.

6. Risk Management and Hedging

With global operations and intricate supply chains, businesses face multifaceted risks. Currency fluctuations, interest rate changes, and geopolitical events can affect profitability. Instruments like futures, options, and swaps can hedge against such risks.

7. Mergers and Acquisitions (M&A)

In the quest for growth, companies often look to merge with or acquire other businesses. M&A strategies require comprehensive financial analysis, assessing how the move will add value to shareholders.

8. Dividend Decisions

Should profits be reinvested in the business or distributed to shareholders as dividends? This decision affects stock prices and perceptions of the company's financial health.

9. Navigating Regulatory Waters

Corporate finance doesn't operate in a vacuum. From SEC regulations in the U.S. to GDPR guidelines in Europe, understanding and adhering to financial regulations is pivotal.

10. Continuous Learning and Adaptation

The world of corporate finance is ever-evolving. Keeping abreast with:

Global Economic Changes: Shifts in global economies can influence corporate strategies.

Technological Advancements: From blockchain to AI, technology is reshaping financial landscapes.

Emerging Market Trends: Tapping into new markets or niches can offer growth opportunities.

Conclusion

Navigating the labyrinthine world of corporate finance requires a mix of analytical prowess, strategic vision, and continuous learning. While the complexities are manifold, the rewards – both in terms of business growth and personal development – are significant.

In this digital age, where information is abundant, mastering corporate finance is not just about number-crunching. It's about synthesizing vast amounts of data, discerning patterns, and making decisions that propel businesses forward.

[libraryexpress]

Quantitative Methods in Finance PDF Download

"Quantitative Methods in Finance" stands as a comprehensive and illuminating guide that unravels the intricate web of mathematical strategies underlying sound financial decision-making. In this review, we delve into the book's core themes, its impact on the world of finance, and its potential to empower professionals and enthusiasts alike.

Unveiling the Power of Quantitative Analysis

At its heart, the book is a testament to the power of quantitative analysis in the realm of finance. It skillfully introduces readers to the world of mathematical models and statistical methodologies that are instrumental in decoding complex financial scenarios. By harnessing quantitative tools, professionals gain the ability to dissect risks, evaluate investments, and optimize portfolios with mathematical precision.

Navigating the Landscape of Risk Management

A central theme of the book is risk management. Through a quantitative lens, readers are exposed to an array of statistical techniques designed to quantify and manage diverse forms of financial risk. From the volatility of markets to the uncertainties of credit, the book equips financial practitioners with tools to navigate the ever-changing risk landscape with confidence.

Valuation Models: The Art of Investment Insight

"Quantitative Methods in Finance" provides a masterclass in valuation models that lie at the heart of prudent investment decisions. From discounted cash flow analysis to intricate option pricing models, the book demystifies the mathematical underpinnings of investment valuation. This empowers readers to discern the true value of financial assets and make well-informed investment choices.

Crafting Optimal Portfolios: Balancing Risk and Return

The book skillfully elucidates the art and science of portfolio optimization. Through quantitative techniques, readers gain insights into constructing portfolios that not only maximize returns but also strategically minimize risks. The book introduces concepts like efficient frontier analysis, capital allocation, and diversification, offering a nuanced understanding of portfolio dynamics.

Real-World Application: Bridging Theory and Practice

A hallmark of this book is its real-world application. The integration of case studies and practical examples seamlessly bridges the gap between theory and practice. Readers witness quantitative methods in action, demonstrating how financial decisions are made in the face of real-world complexities.

Empowering Financial Professionals and Enthusiasts

In conclusion, "Quantitative Methods in Finance" is a beacon of knowledge for those navigating the ever-evolving landscape of finance. Its emphasis on mathematical precision, risk management, valuation models, and portfolio optimization provides a well-rounded toolkit for financial professionals. However, the book's accessibility and real-world relevance also make it an enlightening read for financial enthusiasts seeking a deeper understanding of quantitative analysis.

Hashtags and Keywords:

Hashtags: #QuantitativeFinance #FinancialDecisionMaking #RiskManagement #ValuationModels

Keywords: Quantitative Methods in Finance, quantitative analysis, risk management, investment valuation, portfolio optimization, financial decision-making, mathematical precision, real-world application.

Rating: 5/5

"Quantitative Methods in Finance" earns a perfect rating for its meticulous research, practical relevance, and ability to empower both seasoned professionals and curious learners. This book is not merely a guide; it's a gateway to harnessing mathematical insights for making informed, strategic, and impactful financial decisions.

[the-record-briefs]

Aug. 14, 2019: In other news

WCC Board of Trustees met on Thursday, August 8

The Wilkes Community College Board of Trustees met on Thursday, August 8, at the WCC Ashe Campus in West Jefferson.

Cynthia Alford, executive assistant to the president and board liaison, administered the oath of office to the following trustees: Pamela Scott, newly appointed; Susan Murphy, reappointed; Dr. William Davis, reappointed; and Larry Stone; reappointed.

The business session began with the approval of the minutes from the May 2019 Board of Trustees meeting.

 Buildings and Grounds Committee

Trustees voted to give authority to the building and grounds committee to select a designer for the open-end design agreement. WCC has several upcoming small projects that will require design services.

The building and grounds committee was given authority by the full board to approve a guaranteed maximum price for construction for the Ashe Campus project.

The Culinary Center project is now complete and ready for the arrival of the students on August 15.

State construction has given final approval of the early site work portion of the Ashe Campus project, which includes site development, foundations, concrete and structural steel. State Construction established July 23 as the project start date, with completion scheduled for March 4, 2021. Vannoy Construction will begin mobilizing for early site work the week of August 12.

 Finance Committee

The board gave authority to the finance committee to approve the 2019-2020 state budget allocation and other budget-related items that require action prior to the board’s October meeting, reporting the same at the October meeting.

The board approved appropriations for the 2019-2020 fiscal year:

·                      County of Wilkes: regular appropriation of $3,447,958, capital outlay appropriation of $150,000, salary supplement (3%) of $366,000, and bond matching (3 of 5) of $202,000.

·                      County of Ashe: regular appropriation of $428,878, capital outlay appropriation of $15,000, non-recurring supplement-Early College High School renovation of $2,500, and salary supplement (3%) of $17,282.

·                      County of Alleghany: regular appropriation of $184,657 and salary supplement (3%) of $10,965.

 The 2019/20 academic year schedule of student fees approved at the April meeting was revised with the following; a fee of $15.00 per year to freshmen sophomore students at the Ashe Early College High School to allow those students to participate in WCC student activities. The board approved the revised fee schedule.

As part of WCC’s “5-Year Strategic Plan”, a goal was established to review all endowed

scholarships and determine the best plan to maximize scholarship dollars. It was determined that there were a number of endowed funds with a principal balance below $10,000 and have been in existence for more than ten years. Due to the number and asset size of the endowed funds, WCC finds it impractical to continue to maintain them in their current state. Pursuant to Chapter 36E of the North Carolina General Statutes (Uniform Prudent Management of Institutional Funds Act), Wilkes  Community College combined the endowed funds into a general scholarship endowment to be called the WCC Founders Scholarship.  Wilkes  Community College will continue to honor the generosity of the donors by listing their names as donors to the scholarship on the website.

 Personnel Committee

The trustees were presented biographical narratives on new employees who began work since the board last met. They are Denise Crews, custodian; Matt York, Network Security Administrator; Nicole Fogle, Executive Director of Institutional Research, Planning and Effectiveness; Morgan Barnette, Coordinator of Recruiting; Elizabeth Simons, Instructor, BPST programs and ACA 115; Irene Bunker, Library Assistant; and Ed Price, Director of EMS.

Employees assuming new roles at WCC are Darrell Finney, Dean of Arts and Sciences Division; Cinnamon Martin, Dean of Advising; Kim Perkins, Student Advisor/ACA instructor; Donna Brooks, Student Advisor/ACA instructor; Sheneele Wagoner, Student Advisor/ACA instructor; Becky Kennedy,

Student Advisor/ACA instructor. Other personnel changes include the retirement of Benita Hampton, Director of Employability Program at the Alleghany Center and Dr. David Ritter, Economics and Business Information Systems, lead instructor. And resignations of Jeff Foster, Director of Innovative Programming and Business Training; Billy Eller, Lead Instructor, Diesel and Heavy Equipment; Curtis Owens, Facilities Maintenance Technician; and Thomas Schlitt, Director of SAGE. And sadly, the passing of Vickie Cothren, who has served as a WCC Library Technician for over 30 years.

  Chairperson’s Report

For the 2019-2020 year, the board of trustees named Terry Bumgarner to serve as chairperson; Larry Stone, vice-chairperson; and Gerald Lankford, secretary.

The board shared details of the next trustee orientation/education session, as prescribed in G.S. 115 D-19(b), to be held August 21-23 in Wilmington and the Association of Community College Trustees (ACCT) Annual Leadership Congress to be held October 16-19 in San Francisco.

 College President’s Report

Dr. Jeff Cox recognized two Ashe  County  High School students who both earned their Associate in Arts degrees a couple of weeks prior to their high school graduation. Anna Blackburn and Chloe Parker graduated from WCC with 4.0 and 3.76 GPAs, respectively.  

According to Dr. Cox, both Chloe and Anna began taking WCC courses the summer before their junior year of high school. They each consistently carried a college load of between six- and fourteen-hours a

semester as well as in the summer of their junior and senior years. All this was in addition

to their high school schedule. Blackburn plans to attend Washington and Lee University and Parker plans to attend The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Dr. Cox gave an update on the Ashe  Early College High School. The 2018-2019 school year was a year of “Rising to the Challenge” for Ashe  Early College High School, and it is a pleasure to announce that the challenge was met. The first cohort of 60 students to enter the early college included 16 sophomores and 44 freshmen. A principal, administrative assistant, college liaison, and a counselor joined with three high

school teachers and two WCC custodians to form the faculty and staff.

Trustees approved the new WCC policy manual that was revised with the aid of Campbell and Shatley, attorneys at law, in Asheville, NC.

Dr. Cox shared highlights from the 2018-2019 strategic plan implementation and gave a brief overview of major initiatives slated for implementation in 2019-2020.

The WCC Board of Trustees will meet again on Thursday, October 10, 2019, at the John A. Walker Center, Lakey Ballroom.

[martechadvisor-blog]

How MarTech-Enabled Marketing Operations Drives New Marketing Structures

Ten years ago, Marketing Operations was still a very new role in org structures. Today, it has become the backbone of a marketing team driving the marketing excellence and supporting the business growth. This article describes that, with the rise of MarTech, how Marketing Operations has been further redefined and has driven the new marketing structure, writes, Luque Wang, Senior Marketing Manager, GE Digital  

WHAT IS MARKETING OPERATIONS

Ten years ago, Marketing Operations was still a very new role in org structures. The number of people with Marketing Operations as their job title was just over 100, representing less than 50 companies globally. Today, marketing operations has become the backbone of a marketing team driving the marketing excellence and supporting the business growth. But what is marketing operations?

**Marketing operations empowers marketing to efficiently scale with quality and consistency**. Imagine an organization as a country, marketing operations is like the roads and bridges that connect its cities, plants, people and resources within the country, and transport all sorts of assets inside and outside the country. For an organization, Marketing Operations conveys all sorts of data across various channels with the governance to provide business insight, and join not only marketing programs but also different departments and business units as well as external agencies together to accelerate sales and support business expansion.

MARTECH RE-DEFINES MARKETING OPERATIONS AND ORG STRUCTURES

With the rise of MarTech, Marketing Operations has been further redefined, so have marketing org structures. Now Marketing can do a lot more than it was able to before, and has changed its character from pure art to the combination of art and science. Although in many companies’ org structures, marketing may be still inherited from its traditional functions, which are typically led by creative design and marketing communications, this old model has been modified by many early adopters – startups and global enterprises who lead the marketing evolution to form a new model. Under this new model, driven by MarTech, Marketing Operations has expended its responsibilities, adding new elements such as analytics and tech management, and consolidating many functions that were used to be standalone, such as brand awareness, and lead gen, into one integrated function. Together with MarTech-enabled Marketing Operations, Product Marketing, Event Marketing, Customer Marketing, Partner Marketing, and Market Research outline the new landscape of marketing.

With this change, MarTech-enabled Marketing Operations doesn’t only manage end-to-end native marketing activities but also aligns with product development and sales to support product launches and drive pipeline growth. It creates marketing excellence by matching marketing strategies with metrics, holding accountability with data-driven decisions, and enabling ROI review with real-time analytics and trending reports. MarTech-enabled Marketing Operations typically contains the following key elements.

Strategic Planning

This is self-assessment and goal setting, basically, to understand what you have and what you want. What is your marketing strengths and where are the gaps? What are the steps you need to go through to achieve the desired business goals? It starts with defining your Go-To-Market strategies, and tactics to implement and measure each strategy, including budget management, and asset management.

Strategic planning also includes Marketing Technology management. Questions you usually want to ask are like:

“What is the list of tools we have versus we use?” “Are we having too many tools or too few?”

“How do we want these tools to work together to provide a holistic view of business rather than siloed reporting?”

Brand Awareness

Increase your branding awareness as a thought leader in your market by creating a content machine that supports a broad content distribution strategy. It includes developing a content calendar and creating collaterals, such as web pages, blogs, white paper, videos, infographics, brochures, and ads. You want to decide how you want to leverage each channel to distribute your content: organic vs. paid, self-developed vs. sponsored, and social media vs. public relations (PR) as well as analyst relations (AR). Based on your strategic planning, you also want to decide how resource and budget should be allocated to digital marketing vs. traditional marketing.

Demand Generation

Establish marketing lead-gen and lead nurturing programs that capture early-stage leads and qualify them through the marketing-sales funnel. Customer intelligence is the key here.

Identify your customer persona, understand customer journey of each persona, and map the journey to your marketing offering as well as the sales process.

Design your marketing campaigns, analyze conversions, and perform data governance and lead management.

Half of your battle in this arena is determined by the maturity of your Marketing Automation ecosystem. What tools do you use, and how each tool integrates with each other? Is your marketing tech stack talking to your sales tech stack? What’s the complexity and implication if you add a new tool or remove one? Can you truly automate the process that you don’t want to manually maintain? Last but not the least, how competent is your Marketing Automation team? Remember, almost 11 times more companies are using marketing automation today than were in 2011. Yet, 27% of companies say that their marketing automation maturity level is still “new”, and 64% of marketing operations teams have ten or fewer members.

  Sales Enablement

Simply speaking, the two key objectives are feeding sales with more qualified leads and shortening the sales cycle. You can achieve them by:

Creating a repetitive marketing offering that enables your sales team to quickly land new customers and demonstrate value.

Creating a prescriptive sales approach supported by easy-to-use sales resources that shorten the sales cycle for winning net-new deals.

Obviously, you can develop sales playbook, compile competitive analysis, and design email template. You can also provide training to sales regularly to help them better understand the customer intelligence and market insight you captured. But more importantly, you want to setup standard operational procedures (SOPs) across marketing and sales. These SOPs help the marketing team provide business insight in a consistent manner, guide the inside sales to connect marketing initiatives with sales activities, and ensure the field sales to input clean data into the CRM to form a single source of truth.

Performance Measurement

The effectiveness of marketing operations can be and should be measured, and setting up such metrics helps to foster a metrics-driven culture in an organization. This is another example where MarTech-enabled Marketing Operations goes beyond the traditional marketing scope. It aligns with sales to create  SMarketing model, where marketing and sales have integrated goals and approaches, agree on common terminologies and KPIs, and have measurable targets and mutual accountabilities through the entire marketing and sales process. Depending on the time sensitivity, measurement can be grouped as real-time analytics and notifications, and trending reports. Depending on the business, metrics can be grouped as content-based, contact-based, and traffic-based. To read more, please refer  10 Metrics that Help You Gain More Insight into Your Marketing Operations.

THE BEST PRACTICES OF MARTECH-ENABLED MARKETING OPERATIONS

Lead MarTech Innovation

The maturity of the Marketing Operations goes along with the evolution of MarTech. Five years ago, there were less than 400 MarTech vendors available in the market, this number has reached over 5,000 by 2017 and is still growing, according to  Scott Brinker's Chief Marketing Technologies Report.

**Marketing Operations should take the ownership and leadership of MarTech tools, rather than leaving them with IT**. Marketing Operations should regularly review and optimize integrations between each tool within the MarTech ecosystem, strategically balance and validate Marketing Automation versus genuine personalization, and diligently evaluate and push technological innovation within the organization.

Gain Cross-functional Knowledge

As the rise of the MarTech, it becomes more and more demanding for MarTech-enabled Marketing Operations professionals to expand their knowledge and experience beyond classic marketing, such as branding or PR, into analytics, IT, Sales, Finance, or other cross-functional roles that are not traditionally considered as marketing.

Align Marketing with Sales and Work with Cross-functional Teams

**Develop integrated SMarketing operations to align Marketing and Sales*8. A typical way is to design your closed-loop funnel and set the goal of each layer from bottom to top. Starting at the bottom of the funnel, the target annual sales, you estimate the number of closed deals needed, and the number of opportunities in the pipeline based on the closing ratio. Then in the middle of the funnel, calculate how many Sales Qualified Contacts (SQCs) are required to fill the pipeline, and how many Marketing Qualified Contacts (MQCs) are required to generate these sales-ready leads. Eventually, determine how many individual leads are expected to drive the required MQLs at the top of the funnel.

MarTech-enabled Marketing Operations can also enable Agile Marketing by coupling people from cross-functional teams. For example, pair a strategist with an IT expert for a given project. The strategist needs to have business sense with some technical background to effectively convey business requirement and validate the implementation, whereas the IT expert needs to have the deep technical domain expertise to fulfill strategies. Since the work is carried out by two people but representing two teams, it can be efficient, especially in the large-sized enterprises, by significantly reducing unnecessary meetings without sacrificing the "wisdom of the crowd".

Fostered Metrics-Driven Culture

Twenty years ago, when a solicit ad was sent out, the best a marketer can do is to hope the phone rings. Today, when a business deal is closed, we would be able to tell when and who from the buyer side made the first search on our website and filled out the first web form, regardless it was two days ago or two years ago. Thanks to MarTech-enabled Marketing Operations, we can track and analyze every step of a customer along with his buying journey. It’s true for B2C where emotion plays a significant role, and equally true for B2B where decision makers usually only surface in the later stages during a long sales cycle. Metrics-driven culture enables us to easily get the answers to many strategic questions. For example, which source provides the most qualified contacts? What is the percentage of marketing leads to the contribution of pipeline growth? Which sales person performs the best this month and which one would miss the target? Which sales stage has the slowest sales velocity that needs to be fixed? We can adjust our marketing strategies based on content conversion and allocate budget to the most effective channels. Metrics-driven culture backs up our decisions, encourages us to focus on results yet not to be afraid of risk, and holds everyone accountable for each business activity.

THE ULTIMATE LEVEL OF MARTECH-ENABLED MARKETING OPERATIONS

The ultimate level of MarTech-enabled marketing operations is that you don’t feel their existence because they just work the way you would naturally expect. Elevate MarTech-enabled Marketing Operations enables us

Make data-driven business decisions

Identify and close business gaps with technological innovation or procedure optimization

Develop and evaluate strategies and tactics

Allocate budget and resource effectively

Increase funnel width and conversion rate, and reduce sales cycle

Offer best practices for global standardization and regional customization

Welcome to MarTech-enabled Marketing Operations, the invisible roads and bridges of an organization. As a marketer in this ever-changing marketing evolution, what do you see in front of you, challenges or opportunities?

This article was first appeared on MarTech Advisor