The 10 Influential Marketing Leaders 2019

““I never give up”, “I am
always open for new
challenges but I do it my
way” and “I people”.“
like
Marianne Späne
Global Head of Business
Development, Marketing & Sales
Siegfried Group
and services. One segment has own developed products and
the other segment offers company's technology to develop
pharmaceutical products according to the demand of
audience. Company uses two different sales teams the one
who has very dominant sales and market skills the other one
who knows deep technology with high service level
thinking. To customize the different offerings to appeal to
the target audience she also prioritizes Business Outlook
Intelligence and understanding of Size, Geography and
Culture of customers.
Walking the Talk
Marianne considers it is important to have a deep
knowledge about the market environment and company's
customers' needs. She focuses on building up relationship
with company's customers and analyzing their needs and
requirements to be in a position to offer customized
solutions. She says that company's spirit is walking the talk.
In her own words, “We understand the market, identify
opportunities, explain requirements and needs to the
departments, define business and legal terms, agree with
customers about contracts and accompany him/her
throughout the whole journey. BD/Sales/Marketing is for
me and the team much more than “Selling”....”
Learning through Experiences
According to Marianne, as a Sales and Business
Development person one is supposed to be very good in
communication, relationship building combined in
company's business with technical and financial knowledge
accompanied with passion for what one is doing. She
explains that she learned how to cope with pressure,
deception and hope through various learning experiences
and she never give up finding a solution. She says, “keep
your motivation, follow your target consequently and you
will be successful.”
Being Decisive and Authentic
Marianne says that as a leader one is a role model and one
needs to make many decisions. She believes that one should
learn very quickly and sufficiently to have convincing
arguments for one's decision. She encourages forming a
team that is heterogeneous and not homogenous to have
enough constructive discussions within one's team. She
says it can be little bit more difficult to manage but one will
profit from a strong team that can work independently and
is well prepared for difficult negotiations. She advises to be
authentic even amidst challenges as well. She reminds
sometimes silence is a stronger means than speaking and
says that combination can make one more successful.
Being Open to Learning
Next to her actual global role to strengthen and grow the
business of her company Marianne is interested to make use
of her knowledge and experience in interesting Board
positions. She says, “Never stand still, be open for changes
and never stop learning.”
Marianne advises emerging marketing leaders to think
about what are one's strengths and weaknesses and start to
develop one's strengths and cope with one's weakness. She
suggests working hard and having fun in what one is doing
and one will be successful. She encourages accepting
failures and seeing them as experience to grow. She
emphasizes to never give up and follow one's target. She
asks to develop one's personality but also reminds to stay
authentic. She advises to celebrate successes but never rest.
She asks to be always open to always have the track with
one's environment.
May 2019|
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