How can a Marketing Operations Manager keep up with industry trends?

Continuous Learning: Engage in webinars, courses, and industry publications. Networking: Join forums, attend conferences, and connect with peers for insights. Tech Exploration: Regularly explore new marketing technologies and tools. Benchmarking: Compare strategies with industry leaders for best practices. Team Collaboration: Foster cross-team collaboration to share diverse perspectives. Data Analysis: Regularly analyze marketing data for emerging patterns. Stay informed about updates and advancements from marketing tool vendors. Follow industry influencers and discussions on social platforms. Encourage team feedback and insights on industry shifts. Cultivate a mindset of adaptability to swiftly incorporate new trends into strategies.

Subscribing to industry-relevant newsletters is something that has been super useful for me! For example from company leaders and online media. I also recommend checking out Google Trends and signing up for their news trend report.

While following thought leaders is an important way to stay updated within the industry, what's more meaningful is looking for trends in what thought leaders are saying or sharing. You're not looking for a guru to follow here. You're looking to uncover what they agree and disagree on, and - even more importantly - what one or two might be noticing that everyone else isn't.

We should also ask is a trend “right for your company”? Things are not one size fits all. One size fits all clothing is the worst in my opinion😊. What works to sell and market a $10k solution is typically quite different from what works for a $100k solution or a multi-million dollar deal. Context is key in finding the trends and strategies that are the “right fit”. Being data-driven will help you to focus on both the trends to try and the established tactics that work best for your company or business unit.

"The Lunch & Learn Seminar is highly influential, featuring new technology subjects with a focus on features, advantages, and benefits. The seminar includes a live product demonstration, and it concludes with a raffle draw."

Staying current in marketing as a Operations Manager involves subscribing to industry publications like AdAge and MarketingProfs. Join marketing groups such as AMA for newsletters and events. Attend conferences, workshops, and engage on LinkedIn and Twitter for networking. Follow influencers and relevant hashtags on social media for real-time updates. Attend online sessions on platforms like LinkedIn Learning. Work closely with sales, support, and product teams for internal insights. Dedicate time for reading articles, watching videos, and listening to podcasts for continuous learning. Stay informed on industry benchmarks from sources like Gartner and Forrester. Establish regular communication with the team for insights and improvement.

"Conduct email marketing by sending an innovative message about our technology product, highlighting key points (F.A.B.), with customizable solutions, proven results, and expert support. This approach is typically targeted towards a group of professionals in related industries, utilizing email. In its broadest sense, every email sent to a potential or current customer can be considered email marketing, serving as part of our advertisement strategy to boost efficiency, which is cost-effective."

Mapping past experiences and gaining new knowledge via self-learning modules and current responsibilities usually helps operations managers cope with the rapid changes in the industry. Marketing is very vast, with the changes in trends it behaves very differently each time and hence one must always be updated about such changes. Sharing experiences and instances, speaking with like-minded people, following influencers, and reading blogs are very basic and common stuff that one can do to manage their role and further thrive in it!

Take after Industry Distributions and Blogs Go to Conferences and Webinars Networking with peers within the industry through social media, LinkedIn bunches, or industry gatherings. Joining affiliations Contribute time in nonstop learning: Stages LinkedIn Learning Take after compelling marketers, industry pioneers, and specialists on social media stages like LinkedIn. Utilize social tuning in devices to screen industry discussions, trending themes, and competitor exercises. Internal Collaboration Studied Investigate Reports By combining these procedures, a Promoting Operations Director can construct a vigorous understanding of the advancing promoting scene and make educated choices to drive fruitful promoting operations.

I believe attending as many expos and conferences as possible. A face to face interaction is more valuable than online ones. Even walking the floor or a semi relevant expo can be beneficial.

Great advice I received from a mentor, David Lewis, “None of us is smarter than all of us” which sounds better when said aloud. My added perspective is that if you aren’t discussing and sanity checking your problems with smart colleagues across industries, you are doing a disservice to your org and worse, yourself.

Online communities are a great way to see what is working right now. Though I enjoy peer communities, those that attract consumers are even more valuable in capturing voice of customer and discovering how the work we do resonates or falls flat with the target market we're trying to reach.

Don't stop short at just joining the online communities. Also, engage in the communities and share your knowledge, engage in debates, and learn from people who work in different business models and use different marketing tools. There's a lot of commonality of process that gets lost in a tool-centric discussion, so engaging in these higher level discussions is important.

In my business journey, I identified the biggest knowledge amplifiers within communities. I can firmly declare: “Knowledge grows when shared”. In niched communities, you'll find intellectual collaborations and brilliant peers which will expand the magnitude of your understanding. Embrace the opportunity and possibility to be close to other Marketing Operations Professionals and grow together.

The explosion of online communities has made it very easy to learn from others and connect with others in your field. However, it can also be overwhelming. And time consuming! I would recommend that you join a few, explore, engage, and then figure out which ones are a good fit for what you are looking for, where they are aligned with your thoughts and approach, and where you feel most comfortable. Keep in mind that communities are like anything else - you get back what you put in. Therefore, if you want to benefit from online communities, you should be open and willing to engage and participate in order to maximize the return!

Absolutely! Joining online communities is a fantastic way for Marketing Operations Managers to stay updated on industry trends, network with peers, and gain insights into best practices

Communities are a great place to see what questions other people are asking a lot, to spot trends, and to learn what other people and companies are doing to answer those questions (and contribute questions and answers yourself). You do need to add this community time to your calendar in order to make it a daily habit, and Slack workspaces can be helpful to keep all your community networking/learning in one place. A few great communities for marketing operations managers to join include Pavilion, MoPros (marketingops . com), Wizard of Ops, RevOps Co-op, Operations Nation, Opsy, MarketingOps Professionals, Women in Revenue, Revgenius, and more. Though it doesn't have a Slack workspace, the HubSpot community is also great for spotting trends.

Online communities are the best place to go! Communities can help you, and you can help them. Search for communities which their purpose makes sense, get in touch, feel the temperature, and create Bounds! I have followed a few communities on Linked In and I’ve learned a lot about the behind the scenes of Marketing.

Joining a community is one thing, but staying up to date with trends is another. One way in which I have worked communities into my routine is through my Google Nest. Google Routines kickes off my day by playing summarised podcasts from sources such as TechCrunch. Seamless 😉

In the MarTech realm, online communities are invaluable for knowledge and networking. Their structured formats allow for focused exploration of your desired topics. These platforms are perfect for learning, sharing insights, and engaging in discussions, leading to a deeper understanding of MarTech topics. Here, you'll encounter 'MarTech Heroes' and experts eager to share their wisdom. Actively participate by asking for recommendations, sharing experiences, and joining conversations. This engagement is key to expanding your professional horizons in the dynamic world of MarTech. Do not forget to introduce yourself and also give back your thoughts and wisdom. Active participation is where the real learning and growth occur.

In my experience attending consultancy businesses events tend to be more solution focused. Versus a vendor event or webinar which would be more product and feature specific. So make sure you get a mix of vendors and consultancy/solution led webinars.

Even within our increasingly remote first work environments, attending industry events where you get to interact in person with peers and subject matter experts is a great way to facilitate organic knowledge sharing around pitfalls and best practices

Attending events whilst travelling for work trips or trips away can be super enlightening. Understanding the nuances of marketing operations in different parts of the world is invaluable. Each region comes with its own set of marketing challenges and innovative solutions, which can significantly broaden your perspective. Engaging with professionals from diverse backgrounds and learning about their approaches can provide a more holistic view of the global marketing operations landscape. This not only enhances your professional knowledge but also equips you with a diverse set of strategies to apply in your role.

Attending webinars is a great way to learn from others on specific topics that are relevant for you. With in-person and virtual events, there is also an opportunity to network and build your circle of like-minded individuals and advisors that you can share/ bounce ideas off of. In the RevOps Collective community, we host smaller member events like 5-7 people fireside chats, 10 people roundtables, and other 1:1 conversations to foster deeper dialogue on relevant topics while allowing members an opportunity to build their own trusted group of advisors. Another area to explore is podcasts. These are great for learning "on demand" when you have time. In the car, waiting at an appointment, doing chores.... whenever it makes sense for you!

It's simple, the more you're part of the wider marketing conversation, the more innovative and practical ideas you bring to your team. Attending events or webinars is not just about the gatherings but powerhouses of insights and tactics from top industry figures. They offer a front-row view of the latest trends and hands-on approaches. Plus, the chance to network is invaluable, opening doors to potential collaborations and mentorships.

I believe it’s of great help to interact with people from the same function yet different company and different industry. As at times we thought we have faced some unique issues while it might have been universal, and it might be the other way around that you can learn some new ideas from other that solves the issue that bugs your process.

It is good to attend both in-person events and Webinars whenever possible. There are many great Webinars available during the work week- if you aren't able to attend in person, or even if you are, and you really enjoyed the Webinar, make sure to watch the recordings afterward. In-person events are a great way to make one-to-one connections with other experts and have more in-depth discussions.

The best thing about webinars is that you get the chance to meet people and confront them in real time. Webinars give the chance to listen and see in first person, without boundaries, the depth of some topics. I often search for webinars on Linked In and Event tribe, and if they are free, I always register so I don’t miss a thing.

For MarTech newbies, webinars are a goldmine for industry insights. Choose sessions that align with your interests for tailored learning. Active participation, like asking questions, deepens understanding. Many webinars are recorded, so you can revisit and share with colleagues. Industry events broaden this learning, offering lectures and networking opportunities. Engage in these events for real-world connections and diverse perspectives. Regular attendees should inquire about discounts or free seats, especially if they're clients of sponsoring vendors. These platforms aren't just for learning—they're crucial for professional growth and networking in the MarTech world. For me it is always the chance to meet in person with real MarTech Heros

A wise man once said, "Make it so easy to do something that there couldn't be even a single excuse to not do it." All one has to do is to be up to date with trends is Go to Google > Type Marketing Operations > Click on the News Tab And from here you'll find yourself branching into deeper and knowledgeable articles and content.

Well, this is tricky. The best answer is always checking every info that comes to you. Then if it makes sense, if you value the entity that created the report, blog, etc. assume it in your work. I often check content from these places- Hubspot research trends and Hubspot Blog State of Marketing of Rock Content and Rock Content Blog The Future 100 (Wunderman Thompson Intelligence) TDLR – I follow all the newsletters Instagram trend report

In MarTech, strategic engagement with reports and publications is crucial. Prioritize content from reputable sources, focusing on annual reports for a comprehensive view of trends and insights. Tailor your reading to your specific interests to efficiently navigate the vast information available. I also recommend reaching out to specific vendors or institutions for the latest publications. Stay current by subscribing to updates from trusted vendors or institutions. Also, follow MarTech experts who often distill key points from complex materials, offering deeper insights. This approach keeps you informed and ahead in the fast-paced MarTech landscape, ensuring you have the latest knowledge and perspectives.

One way to hack this is to make some time every day to read 2-3 newsletters, and additionally to listen to at least one podcast episode on a daily basis while you commute. It can be challenging to make time for this (the same way it's difficult to make it to the gym regularly) but keep at it and you'll see the difference in 3 months' time.

Reading reports and editorials released by the big guys is important, but it's just as (if not more) important to keep abreast of what your peers and local competitors put out there. Competitors are not necessarily the enemy, and we can all learn a thing or two from those walking similar paths to our own. Be humble, be willing to learn, maintain an ethical approach, and keep the gates open 👌🏻

In B2C, being oneself on social media and staying vigilant/curious about new techniques used by influencers and bloggers (especially those dealing with business development/lead development). Don't hesitate to sign up to gain access to the complete sales funnels and collect bonuses (which can sometimes be real gems), and then do some reverse engineering. Personally, I have an email address created solely for this purpose. As usual, and I remind you here, but you all know, operational marketing is a PROCESS. Identify a technique, test it, review the results, keep what works, discard the rest, and I start again. What works for one may not work for another.

In B2B, attending webinars/conferences, especially those of marketing automation software publishers, is beneficial. If it exists in your profession, don't hesitate to share with your peers, even if they are your competitors. And look at what is being done in other sectors; I am a strong advocate of cross-fertilization. I work in the insurance sector and have borrowed many techniques from the telecom sector, for example.

There are a lot of industry reports and publications to read. Focus on an area that is relevant to your daily work and read up on that area - widening your scope when it's relevant to your interests and day-to-day work. You may end up needing to give your contact information (or at least your email) for a helpful resource, but this may lead to a good connection with a representative from the Company sponsoring the content (and it's good karma to give them someone to contact).

There is an expectation that leadership are responsible for being on the pulse. However, your teams are the best resource in helping you stay current. Providing support and resources to specialists in your team that encourage them to test, investigate and experiment is key to knowing not just what is on trend, but what might solve problems for your business. Consider allocating a budget for testing new software, or time for team members to talk about trends they've seen or new tools they come across. By making this part of the culture of your team, you're far more likely to stay ahead than if you tried on your own to be the master of future Martech.

The most important attitude to being always ahead is to understand that OPs is a very rappidly evolving role - so forget about marketing, sales, CS. Just focus on how you can bring the most value to your organization using the tools that you have in hand. If you think you can improve response rate to prospects by changing a process for the sales team, suggest that even if you're "Marketing Operations". The data and the process are agnostic to titles and roles. You should be as well

In MarTech's fast-paced world, where over 11,000 tools have emerged, experimenting is vital. Start with a clear strategy, identifying problems and defining use cases. Utilize comparison sites like G2 for user feedback on tools. Organize potential tools into categories for effective comparison. Seek vendor demos with specific questions for deeper insights. For free tools, set up a technical testing unit for hands-on experimentation. Begin with a Minimum Viable Product (MVP) on platforms like Zapier, Make or n8n to test and refine ideas. Stay ahead by continuously exploring new solutions and involving your team in the innovation process. Experimentation isn’t just exploration; it’s a strategic approach to MarTech innovation.

You can experiment and test, but don't be pulled this way and that by what's trendy in the overall Marketing landscape. What experiments are relevant to you? What questions do you have about your content? Start with a foundation directly relevant to your company's needs and branch out from there. Don't rush creative experimentation.

You can only learn so much for others with Martech, because each company is so different what works for one might not work for another, the same is true for tech. Some tech might work really well for one company but just not hit the mark for another, the only way to really learn and find out is to try it and be very open to rolling back if it doesn’t work.

After 20+ years in marketing ops, the best way to stay up to date is test and learn! Then streamline! Find ways to continuously iterate in small meaningful ways that save time and money. New processes and tools are fun to play with BUT don’t throw out your tried and true systems and frameworks. Don’t take anybody’s word that a system is better than what you already do. Test it - weigh the pros and cons carefully- then decide. Marketing operations gives you the power to be creative and disciplined! Use both to your advantage.

Expеrimеntation is еssеntial to formulatе a stratеgy, catеgorizе tools, and lеvеragе comparison sitеs likе G2 for insights. Conduct vеndor dеmos with spеcific quеriеs and еstablish a tеchnical tеsting unit for hands-on еxploration, еspеcially with frее tools. Implеmеnt a Minimum Viablе Product (MVP) on platforms likе Zapiеr for tеsting and rеfining idеas. Lеadеrship should еncouragе tеams to stay currеnt, allocating rеsourcеs for tеsting nеw softwarе and fostеring a culturе of innovation. Tеams arе invaluablе in idеntifying trеnds and solutions that align with businеss nееds. Collaboration and a proactivе approach еnsurе staying ahеad in MarTеch еvolution.

Leadership is supposed to be accountable for keeping an eye on things. Your teams, however, are your most valuable asset when it comes to staying up to date. It's important to provide experts on your team the tools and support they need to explore, test, and experiment in order to discover not just what's popular but also what might work to address challenges for your company. Think about setting aside money for software testing or scheduling team meetings where members can discuss emerging technologies or trends they've noticed. You have a much better chance of staying ahead of the curve if you integrate this into your team's culture rather than trying to become the future Martech master on your own.

Good old reality self-check: 1️⃣ How do you make sure a process/tool is being properly adopted? Surprise-surprise, simply sending a 'here’s-what’s-new' email doesn’t always do the trick. Consider a quiz, internal certification or metrics that foster accountability to complete onboarding right. 2️⃣ Can you name 3 most frequent missteps? No matter how well you personally know the process/tool, people work in different contexts, esp. when 5 other departments are involved. If you’re not aware of issues, it doesn’t mean they don’t exist. 3️⃣ Is there a regular AND easy way to share feedback? If not, most probably truly honest feedback circulates in internal chats, rand-and-whine coffee chats and elsewhere BUT where it should be dealt with.

Always encourage your team to bring new ideas, trends, and technologies to discuss. Create a culture of challenging the status quo. One thing we know is that marketing is ever-changing. "That's just how we've always done it" should never be said. Allow for formal and informal collaboration, discussion, and brainstorming within your team. Encourage your team to challenge your own thoughts and ideas.

Use your CSMs! They are there to help support your organizational goals but also to keep you informed of trends and industry changes. Your partnerships are the most valuable part of tech-led growth in your marketing organization.

We established a "tooling factory" process that consists of ongoing research with weekly demo days and unified evaluation forms for the whole organization. Once a quarter we define piltot POCs and invite select vendors. This way we minimize the risk of complex integration in our stack, we verify first hand that the tech works. We are walking away from traditional RFP by having a consolidated, collaborative process between Business and IT. A sort of reverse Sales Pipeline.

In MarTech, success hinges on a growth mindset, going beyond basics like following leaders or attending events. It involves understanding your role and ambitions, which naturally guides you to explore MarTech's vast landscape and uncover hidden gems. I advocate forming a roundtable with peers using similar tech stacks or in your industry, fostering a community of professionals with shared goals. Regular, diverse meetings, ideally monthly and rotating in organization, offer a platform for knowledge exchange and collaborative problem-solving. If possible, build a local network for stronger connections. These interactions are more than meetings; they're invaluable for professional development and networking in MarTech.

As a marketing operations manager, staying updated with industry trends involves various strategies. Attending conferences and webinars offers firsthand insights, while building a strong network and following industry leaders on social media facilitates idea exchange. Subscribing to specialized publications and engaging in continuous online learning ensures up-to-date knowledge. Analyzing competitors and collaborating closely with creative teams are key practices. Additionally, using analytics tools and joining professional associations provide access to specialized resources. By integrating these strategies, I can effectively tailor operational strategies to emerging trends in a friendly and approachable manner.

1. Check notifications of your tech stack/tools from time to time. 2. Subscribe to the newsletter of your tech stack partner. 3. Carve out to time to research innovation in the industry. The best thing to do is to book your calendar for 60 minutes every quarter. 4. Define annual professional goals to complete certification on the latest practices.

Marketing Leadership means facilitating your teams with vision, trust, transparency and clear objectives, then Marketing operations should be able to walk the talk, be accountable and contribute towards common goals. #OuterLimitsLeadNowhere

Optimization is one of the most tangible ways to contribute to a company's bottom line, getting more out of current marketing and auditing current marketing tech and practices to make sure everything is a good fit for the company. You can save a company tons of budget every year by making sure things are fitting and running well for a company.