You may find that you have questions about your primary responsibilities. Don’t be afraid of appearing ignorant by asking questions. Remember, if you lacked the marketing skills the job demands of you, you would not have been selected as the marketing manager!
Trick 2# Understand Your New Job
Collect any and all information about the job—your new employer, the company, your department, your job, and the people. Be discreet in your investigations, however.
Trick 3# Accept Resistance to Change
As the new marketing manager, you should expect to encounter at least a few belligerent know-it-alls who have been with the company longer than you have. If you do not encounter any, you are lucky. Resistance to change is predominant in every human psyche. Thus, do not expect the team to be overtly friendly from day one. Build bridges.
Trick 4# Connect with Your Team of Sales Professionals
How does the team/department function and get results? Are goals being accomplished? Are customers’ expectations being met?
Gather the team of sales professionals and introduce yourself and your objectives. Brainstorm answers to these questions both as a team and individually. This will help you understand the entire team and its individual members’ strengths and weaknesses.
Trick 5# Create Relationships
Be open, friendly, and approachable. Never befriend only select members of the team. Doing so, even unintentionally, will injure the team’s morale and increase your chances of losing your authority.
Trick 6# Ensure Individual Development
A team is made up of various members and their individual aspirations and hopes. Together, as a team, they are a formidable force, but the need for individual progress will affect performances. The team should feel confident that the marketing manager is aware of individual growth while also helping the team’s collective performance to improve.
Trick 7# Take Stock Regularly
At the end of the first week, summarize, review, and plan ahead. Identify issues that will require your immediate attention. Repeat this exercise every week. To become a successful marketing manager, you cannot let mistakes bog you down; you must move beyond them.
Trick 8# Don’t Make Promises You Can’t Keep
As the new marketing manager, you will be judged on your ability to pitch the company’s sales figures. But be very careful what you promise. Keep expectation levels to a minimum and strive to deliver above expectations, not the other way around.
Trick 9# Lead by Example
To be an effective marketing manager, set examples for your team of sales professionals to adopt. Set objectives and standards, identify potential markets, and meet all deadlines in order to showcase your own strong commitment to achieving target goals.
Trick 10# Accomplish a Few Easy Goals
As the new marketing manager, you should accomplish a few quick, easy goals. This will not only boost your confidence levels but will also pump up the team’s confidence in your marketing abilities.
