Business Growth Strategies For CEOs: Top CMOs On Marketing Strategy Implementations

Pete Hayes

Co-Author of #1 Amazon Best Seller "The Growth Gears" and Co-Principal of Chief Outsiders since 2010, Pete Hayes possesses an impressive track record of success in global marketing, promotion, brand development and consulting. He has held executive marketing positions with Fortune 100 companies, managing $50 million budgets, and he has also played key executive management roles in helping startups grow from first steps to over $1 billion in revenue. He enjoys speaking to CEO Peer Boards as well as to Business Schools.

Navigating Economic Headwinds in the Consumer Products Industry

Tue, Apr 15, 2025 | Posted by The Chief Outsider

Strategic Moves to Weather Uncertainty with Confidence

The U.S. consumer products industry is contending with a convergence of headwinds: elevated inflation, shifting consumer priorities, and a volatile macroeconomic environment. While the instinct in challenging times may be to pause or retreat, the companies that endure and evolve are those that lean in — making strategic choices rooted in clarity, purpose, and value.

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Combining Passion and Expertise for Effective Nonprofit Leadership

Wed, Dec 4, 2024 — In this episode of CEO Growth Talks, Pete Hayes interviews Michael Waxman-Lenz, CEO of the American Technion Society, who reflects on his shift from corporate to nonprofit leadership. He stresses the need to modernize philanthropic approaches and shares valuable insights on managing crises, adapting to generational shifts, and integrating corporate metrics with mission-focused, trust-building practices. He also underscores the significance of mission-driven initiatives, effective management, and fostering open communication as vital for success across various sectors in today's changing landscape. See full video here.

Financial Resilience: ITR Economics’ 15-Year Forecast to Help You Through the 2030s

Thu, Nov 14, 2024 — The below article from ITR Economics, a valuable and trusted resource for Chief Outsiders, details steps you can take to prepare for the economic depression coming in the 2030s. If you aren't confident that your business can weather the downturn, it may be a good time to reach out to one of our Fractional Chief Marketing Officers and Chief Sales Officers. They can provide the agile, adaptable support required to quickly pivot marketing and sales strategies as economic conditions evolve.

Why Hiring a Fractional CMO or CSO Isn’t Always the Right Solution

Wed, Sep 18, 2024 — Over the past several years there’s been an explosion of companies turning to fractional Chief Marketing Officers (CMOs) and Chief Sales Officers (CSOs). Why? For their expertise and flexibility. They offer high-impact strategic guidance and operational support without the long-term commitment of a full-time hire. But while fractional executives are incredibly valuable, they might not always be the best fit for every organization at every point in time. In this article, I’ll dive into why a fractional CMO or CSO might not always be the right solution and how it compares to the value of a permanent executive.

Beyond Leadership: Exploring Business Performance and Culture

Tue, Sep 17, 2024 — In the latest CEO Growth Talks episode, Pete Hayes interviews Kyle Buckett, CSDO and Co-Founder of Stealth Energy Startup, Co-Founder of Culture Force, and author of “Leadership is Overrated.” Kyle advocates for self-led teams and a culture of collaboration, drawing on his Navy SEAL experience. He emphasizes that empowering teams and improving culture are crucial for long-term success and employee satisfaction. See full video here.

Building Business Resilience: Lessons in Leadership, Financial Savvy, and Strategic Growth

Tue, Sep 3, 2024 — In the latest CEO Growth Talks episode, Pete Hayes interviews Cameron Brown, Co-Owner of Einstein Moving Company. Cameron talks about their journey in scaling Einstein Moving Co., highlighting key lessons learned along the way. He discusses starting in different industries and overcoming growth challenges and stresses the importance of clear communication, financial savvy, and constant innovation for maintaining success during fast business growth. See full video here.

Defining the Future of C-Level Fractional Support

Thu, Aug 1, 2024 — In the latest CEO Growth Talks episode, Pete Hayes interviews Ellen Wood, CEO, founder, and president of VCFO. Ellen reflects on her 28-year journey pioneering the virtual CFO concept. She discusses the company's growth, overcoming initial skepticism about the fractional model and its acceptance as an industry standard. See full video here.

Bridging the Gap Between CEOs and Marketing Leaders

Tue, Nov 21, 2023 — Recent research from McKinsey & Company reveals a concerning trend - while 90% of CEOs believe their marketing leaders’ roles are well-defined, only 22% of marketing leaders agree. This staggering discrepancy highlights a growing divide in how marketing leadership roles are perceived and utilized in organizations today. This insight was brought to light in a recent article from the Wall Street Journal, “Divide Between CEOs and CMOs is Widening…”

CEOs: The 7 C's of Hiring Fractional Executives

Wed, Jul 5, 2023 — Since Christopher McKenna signaled the rise of ‘The World’s Newest Profession’ by publishing his book in 2006, the trend towards hiring and deploying management consultants has only been on the rise. One of the newest categories of management consulting is the Fractional Executive. But how does a CEO go about selecting one? Surely it’s not the same process and set of qualities you’d look for in an executive hire?

Navigating Growth During the Economic Sugar Crash

Thu, Aug 4, 2022 — Everyone “knows” we’re in a recession except the economists. We feel the pain of collapsed 401k's, higher fuel and food prices, so isn’t that enough to declare a recession? And shouldn’t my business be hunkering down to ride this out? In today’s chaotic economy, we are more likely to react to news headlines and stock market trends than market insight. We might completely abandon a core strategy, or delay critical execution tactics, based on the sick feeling in our guts. One way to solve this is by tapping the reliable data and forecasts published by ITR Economics.

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