How to Become a Successful Leader Within The Marketing and Communications Industry
Marketing & Communications Leader Series Eepisode.1: Bee Patel
We are pleased to be launching EMR's Marketing and Communications Leader Series. In this podcast, we dive deep into the journeys of exceptional senior marketing and communication practitioners. Join us as we take a closer look as to how they got started in marketing and the strategies that led them to success in their industries.
To kick off the series, EMR's MD Tom Brockton interviews Bee Patel, who currently holds the position of the Global Director of Brand & Communications at AlphaSights. Find out more about Bee's path to success and gain invaluable advice for navigating a career in marketing and communications.
How to craft your path to a successful career in marketing?
Starting from scratch, Bee learned the basics of website development and content creation. She then transitioned into a role within a large technology organisation and continued to ascend the ranks, accumulating a wealth of experience encompassing event management, demand generation, and strategic leadership.
How to approach decision-making and strategy in a marketing role?
When crafting a marketing strategy, it’s crucial to understand the business strategy, including the business goals and objectives, and the strategic direction that the organisation is taking.
Understanding "the why" helps me to bring in the team, get that buy-in from my team in terms of the marketing goals and strategy that we set.
Once we have clear goals and vision, it’s important to revisit previous campaigns to see what has worked well in the past and what hasn’t. We also need to look at our competition and what they are doing, which will help benchmark but also potentially identify any gaps. And last, but not least, we need to have a good understanding of the available resources and platforms, and the expertise within our team.
What are the key skills and experience required for a successful marketing career?
Bee emphasises the significance of empathy and persuasive communication. These skills can help us foster meaningful connections with both internal stakeholders, but also with clients.
Whether you're in sales or marketing, being an active listener will help you really get to know your target audience; like what are they feeling and what's important to them, and then what pain points are you trying to solve for them.
Aspiring marketing and communications professionals need to hone their writing skills, particularly in crafting concise and impactful messaging.
By prioritising empathy, communication, and adaptability, individuals can position themselves for success in the competitive industry of marketing and communications.
We're in that world where change is all around us. So it's just having a wits about you, being curious and embracing that the fact that change is going to continue as we progress.
How to navigate boardroom dynamics?
Communicating effectively with non-marketing stakeholders, such as board members, requires speaking their language and presenting ideas at a macro level. Explain how a marketing activity is going to help the business.
So a good example would be, and it's one that I've used quite often is rather than talking about PR or media relations, talk about the corporate reputation, the business reputation as an example. And suddenly you've got ears perking up around the room.
The devil is in the details. Go to a boardroom meeting armed with all the data and every granular detail possible around a particular project, but present at macro level. This will allow you to give the details when asked and help build your credibility in the room.
Another great tip is to never go with just a single idea as business decision-makers, at senior board level like to have options.
By translating marketing initiatives into tangible business outcomes and demonstrating flexibility in response to feedback, marketing professionals can foster trust and collaboration at all levels of an organisation.
How to balancing work and personal life?
Outside the office, Bee is a devoted mother of two. She shares a framework for achieving balance between her personal life and her marketing career. It's the three P's: prioritising, planning and preparing.
So ensure that you are prioritising everything that you are doing day and night, whether that's personally or professionally, and then planning in that order. So work out what the five things that you need to get done today or this week and then plan whether it's using your diary time blocking, whatever works for you, make sure you plan them in to get them done. And then finally is prepare for the unknown because it will occur, whether that's at work or whether that's your son forgetting his homework or having a sports day, prepare for the unknown.
Further advice for aspiring marketing or communications leaders
Whether you’re an aspiring head or director of marketing and communications, or young professional at the start of your career, Bee offers the following advice:
- Study the core principles of marketing and communications
- Hone your persuasion and negotiation skills
- Work on your personal brand
- Take pride in everything you do
Listen to the full interview with Bee Patel above and follow EMR on LinkedIn to hear the next episode in this series.
Let EMR help you with your executive search and recruitment
Ready to take your career to the next level? Check out EMR’s Senior Appointments resources or browse our senior vacancies.
Alternatively, find out more about EMR’s senior and executive search recruitment expertise across marketing, digital and communications.
Whether you’re an aspiring head or director of marketing and communications, or young professional at the start of your career, Bee offers the following advice:
- Study the core principles of marketing and communications
- Hone your persuasion and negotiation skills
- Work on your personal brand
- Take pride in everything you do
Let EMR help you with your executive search and recruitment
Ready to take your career to the next level? Check out EMR’s Senior Appointments resources or browse our senior vacancies.
Alternatively, find out more about EMR’s senior and executive search recruitment expertise across marketing, digital and communications.
Ready to take your career to the next level? Check out EMR’s Senior Appointments resources or browse our senior vacancies.
Alternatively, find out more about EMR’s senior and executive search recruitment expertise across marketing, digital and communications.
Sign up for more insights
Related jobs
Salary
£45000 - £50000 per annum + Benefits
Location
City of London, London
Job Type
Fixed Term Contract
Discipline
Design
Seniority
Manager
Salary
£45,000 - £59,999
Sector
Financial Services
City
London
Description
Senior Graphic Designer - 6-month FTC
Reference
RPML_1715975159
Expiry Date
01/01/0001
Author
Ronak PatelAuthor
Ronak PatelSalary
Negotiable
Location
City of London, London
Job Type
Permanent
Discipline
Social Media
Seniority
Specialist
Salary
£30,000 - £44,999
Sector
FMCG & Consumer Services
City
London
Description
Working for a leading health and wellness company this role will see you working fully remotely and joining their existing marketing team.
Reference
PR/132497_1715960506
Expiry Date
01/01/0001
Author
Rebekah CrampAuthor
Rebekah CrampSalary
£50000 - £62000 per annum + Bonus + Benefits
Location
City of London, London
Job Type
Permanent
Discipline
Marketing (general)
Seniority
Manager
Salary
£60,000 - £79,000
Sector
Financial Services
City
London
Description
Marketing Manager - B2C Financial Services
Reference
RPTR_1715783271
Expiry Date
01/01/0001
Author
Ronak PatelAuthor
Ronak PatelSalary
£80000 - £90000 per annum
Location
Doncaster, South Yorkshire
Job Type
Permanent
Discipline
Digital Marketing
Seniority
Director/Chief
Salary
£80,000 - £99,999
Sector
Events & Hospitality
City
Yorkshire and Humberside
Description
Digital Sales and Marketing Director for a leading Tourist Attraction and Entertainment Destination in Doncaster, South Yorkshire.
Reference
PR/132492_1715773235
Expiry Date
01/01/0001
Author
Amy McCrowAuthor
Amy McCrowSalary
£80000 - £90000 per annum
Location
London
Job Type
Permanent
Discipline
Digital Marketing
Seniority
Director/Chief
Salary
£80,000 - £99,999
Sector
Events & Hospitality
City
London
Description
Digital Sales and Marketing Director for a leading Tourist Attraction and Entertainment Destination in Doncaster, South Yorkshire - Relocation support available
Reference
YWP/MD_1715773426
Expiry Date
01/01/0001
Author
Amy McCrowAuthor
Amy McCrowSalary
£75000 - £83000 per annum + Bonus + Benefits
Location
City of London, London
Job Type
Permanent
Discipline
B2B
Seniority
Manager
Salary
£80,000 - £99,999
Sector
Financial Services
City
London
Description
Senior Marketing Manager
Reference
RPE_1715613814
Expiry Date
01/01/0001
Author
Ronak PatelAuthor
Ronak PatelSalary
£45000 - £55000 per annum + + Benefits
Location
Sheffield, South Yorkshire
Job Type
Permanent
Discipline
Social Media
Work From Home
Work From Home
Seniority
Manager
Salary
£45,000 - £59,999
Sector
Education
City
Yorkshire and Humberside
Description
Become a Social Media Manager for an education platform that specializes in providing educational material for students and parents across the UK.
Reference
PR/132491_1715611396
Expiry Date
01/01/0001
Author
Shanelle GreenAuthor
Shanelle GreenSalary
£400 - £500 per day
Location
England
Job Type
Contract & Interim
Discipline
Brand Marketing
Work From Home
Work From Home
Seniority
Manager
Salary
£500 - £749
Country
United Kingdom
Sector
Professional Services
Description
Brand Project Manager needed for a 9-month contract with a global professional services firm
Reference
CR/132486_1714572853
Expiry Date
01/01/0001
Author
Sam BrimbleAuthor
Sam BrimbleSalary
£45000 - £55000 per annum + 20% Bonus + Benefits
Location
City of London, London
Job Type
Permanent
Discipline
Marketing (general)
Seniority
Manager
Salary
£45,000 - £59,999
Sector
Financial Services
City
London
Description
Event Manager
Reference
RPP_1714477382
Expiry Date
01/01/0001
Author
Ronak PatelAuthor
Ronak PatelSalary
£30000 - £35000 per annum
Location
London
Job Type
Permanent
Discipline
Social Media
Work From Home
Work From Home
Seniority
Executive
Salary
£30,000 - £44,999
Sector
FMCG & Consumer Services
City
London
Description
Social Media Manager for a fast-growing hair and skincare brand known for premium quality products that are affordable.
Reference
PR/132484_1714400129
Expiry Date
01/01/0001
Author
Amy McCrowAuthor
Amy McCrowRelated posts
Teaser
Career adviceContent Type
ArticlesPublish date
05/20/2024
Summary
Marketing and Communications Leader Series Episode 4: Dominic Elliott Welcome back to EMR's Marketing and Communications Leader Series podcast, where we dive deep into the journeys of exceptional seni
Teaser
Career adviceContent Type
ArticlesPublish date
05/14/2024
Summary
Marketing & Communications Leader Series Podcast Welcome back to EMR's Marketing and Communications Leader Series. In this podcast, we dive deep into the journeys of exceptional senior marketing and c
Teaser
Career adviceContent Type
ArticlesPublish date
05/13/2024
Summary
Over the last few years, we're seeing a significant change in the landscape of the marketing sector, pushing brands to adapt and implement new ways of advertising. This shift has ushered us into a new
Teaser
Discipline expertiseContent Type
ArticlesPublish date
05/10/2024
Summary
The Marketing & Communications Leader Series Podcast Welcome back to EMR's Marketing and Communications Leader Series. In this podcast, we dive deep into the journeys of exceptional senior marketing
Teaser
Industry newsContent Type
ArticlesPublish date
05/08/2024
Summary
The recruitment industry has experienced seismic shifts in the last few decades. With technological advances and changes in the workforce landscape, client expectations have evolved significan
Teaser
Career adviceContent Type
ArticlesPublish date
05/08/2024
Summary
EMR is uniquely positioned to understand the transformative nature of communications in the marketing industry. In this dynamic field, roles in communications are constantly evolving. The underlying f
Teaser
Discipline expertiseContent Type
ArticlesPublish date
04/18/2024
Summary
In the wake of the global pandemic, the tech industry has embraced change and innovation in the way it operates and manages its workforce. The shift to remote and hybrid work, the acceleration
Teaser
Case StudiesContent Type
ArticlesPublish date
04/18/2024
Summary
Spotlight: Property GPE is a UK property development and investment company - it mainly owns office buildings, with a smaller amount of retail property. The company invests in and develops cent
by
EMR Recruitment
Teaser
Case StudiesContent Type
ArticlesPublish date
04/18/2024
Summary
Spotlight: B2C Based in Palma, Italy, Barilla is an Italian family-owned food company and the world’s largest pasta producer. Established in 1877, it’s now an international Group present in mor
by
EMR Recruitment
Teaser
Discipline expertiseContent Type
ArticlesPublish date
04/02/2024
Summary
The pandemic has fundamentally changed the way businesses operate and reshaped clients' expectations, emphasising the importance of agility, efficiency, and digital fluency in service delivery. At
Recently viewed jobs