Marketing Musings: Connected Growth

Last weekend I rescued a rose bush that was growing amongst grasses and brambles on the side of my house. I declared myself their knight in shining armour, proudly thinking it was me who saved the roses from obscurity, boldly claiming accolades, and crowning myself their protector.

I rescued them. Or so I thought.

Muse with me as I reflect on the importance of connected efforts to foster unprecedented growth.

Marketing makes things beautiful (and makes beautiful things); nurtures leads and customers, strips the thorns away and ensures the path is clear for growth and prosperity. Yet we don’t exist without all areas of the business. It’s “and” not “or” – it is about connection, not ego.

As human beings we jump to conclusions and solutions without really considering why the problem exists in the first place. We type in prompts to the latest AI tool and get back answers we think are best and think we have outsmarted someone somewhere. We want to be the “one’. We can have it all.

Yet the lesson of the roses is a powerful one.

You see, I thought those roses needed me to rescue them; but I was the one who needed rescuing. A reminder from the natural world that it existed before me and will exist after me. I was the one who needed to appreciate the beauty of growth, the loving hand of the gardener, the power of the nurturer and the muse of the poet. I needed to remember why I eat organic food, have two composts and no car; why I have an abundant garden far bigger than my house. Why I am part of something bigger.

It's a humble attitude that keeps us open to learning, growing and appreciating the beautiful things in life. It opens us up to seeing opportunities. And that’s not just great Marketing…it’s great business!

Connected growth means:

• recognising we exist because of others and with others;
• that organisations exist in systems that allow us to connect ideas, projects and people; and
• customer centric marketers are some of the best leaders. ?

When we truly understand the systems we exist in we can navigate complexities. We understand how to motivate people. We can see what’s coming and set a vision to not only dodge problems and meet targets but also to bring more growth and innovation. A garden of ecosystems.

Cue the music: “Te digo amor” by Miguel Bosé

*****

Esther Clark?is author and outstanding contributor to Forbes and the World Economic Forum (WEF). Follow @ClarkEsther?

?