In our first article, we talked about the concept of the "surgical strike" and how it can help you close bigger deals, faster.
We also offered you a valuable tool to get started: a free list of hundreds of CXOs with known big data initiatives in place (see orange button below).
Our second article offered simple tips for finding this type information on your own.
In our last post, we covered how to connect the dots between an executive's key initiatives and the solutions you are selling.
Now that you are well on your way to being relevant to these executive decision makers, this post puts forth some ideas for keeping the conversation going. What follows are our top five tips for creating communications and programs to appeal to C-level decision makers.
1. Demonstrate Thought Leadership by sending a relevant article, piece of industry research or book with a personal note. Snail mail with a hand-written note works best in these days of digital communication overload.
2. Designate Executive Sponsors who have something in common with your target executives. Many companies have formal Executive Sponsorship programs where they designate one of their own executives as the sponsor for a key account. Why not choose one of your executives who has something in common with one of the key decision makers? Whether they are both from Brooklyn, served time in the military or went to the same university, having something in common can help break the ice and build relationships.
3. Help Them Be a Thought Leader by asking them to do a brief interview for your company's publication or blog on a relevant topic. This is not about asking them to talk about your company; it's to talk about their business or something else that they care about. Choose a topic that will make them look smart and advance their own personal brand. In the example of the Big Data CXO, you could ask them for example, "How has data-driven insight changed your company's go-to-market strategy?" or "How has the rising importance of marketing analytics changed the way you work your company's marketing team?"
4. Create a Relevant Executive Event. Create content and select speakers based on insight gleaned from profiling your CXO customers. CXOs say content and networking are the top two reasons they attend events, so make sure your content aligns with their careabouts--and call this out in a personal note when you invite them. Better yet, invite them to speak at your event on a topic about which they are passionate.
5. Invite Them to a VIP Program at an Industry Event. See the note about content and relevance above. Create a by-invitation-only event-within-an-event at a key industry tradeshow where you know CXOs gather--and make sure the topic aligns with what they care about.
William Gerard (Gerry) McCartney, VP, IT, CIO of Purdue University
We hope this series on Big Data CXOs has given you some ideas that you can immediately put to use for your company. If you have feedback or another topic you would like us to cover, please drop us a line.
Boardroom Insiders wishes you success in your next executive engagement!
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