Example response for question delving into Influence, Marketing Communications with the key points that need to be covered in an effective response. Customize this to your own experience with concrete examples and evidence

•  Context: Provide a brief overview of the marketing initiative and the stakeholders involved
•  Identifying the Need: Explain how you identified the need to influence stakeholders for support
•  Building Relationships: Describe how you built relationships with the stakeholders
•  Understanding Stakeholder Perspectives: Explain how you gained an understanding of the stakeholders' perspectives and concerns
•  Developing a Compelling Case: Detail how you developed a compelling case for the marketing initiative
•  Effective Communication: Describe the communication strategies you used to influence stakeholders
•  Addressing Concerns: Explain how you addressed any concerns or objections raised by stakeholders
•  Gaining Support: Detail the actions you took to gain support from the stakeholders
•  Measuring Success: Explain how you measured the success of your efforts in influencing stakeholders

  What the Interviewer is trying to find out about you and your experiences through this question

•  Leadership skills: Assessing your ability to influence and persuade stakeholders to support a marketing initiative
•  Communication skills: Evaluating your ability to effectively communicate and articulate the benefits of the marketing initiative to stakeholders
•  Problem-solving skills: Understanding your approach to addressing any concerns or objections raised by stakeholders and finding solutions to gain their support
•  Collaboration skills: Assessing your ability to work collaboratively with stakeholders to align their interests and goals with the marketing initiative

  How to avoid some common minefields when answering this question in order to not raise any red flags

•  Lack of specific example: Not providing a specific example or using vague language may indicate a lack of experience or ability to influence stakeholders effectively
•  Blaming others: Blaming others or focusing on negative aspects of the situation may suggest a lack of accountability or problem-solving skills
•  Lack of results: If the candidate cannot demonstrate positive outcomes or successful results from their efforts to influence stakeholders, it may raise concerns about their effectiveness in this role
•  Poor communication skills: Difficulty in clearly articulating the situation, strategy, or outcomes may indicate weak communication skills, which are crucial for influencing stakeholders
•  Inflexibility: An inability to adapt or consider alternative approaches when faced with resistance from stakeholders may raise concerns about the candidate's ability to navigate complex situations

 Related

  Other questions asked for the Marketing Communications Manager in Marketing function. View details for the Marketing Communications Manager here

• Can you provide an example of a successful marketing campaign you have managed?
• Tell me about your experience in marketing communications.
• How do you develop and execute marketing communication strategies?
• How do you stay updated with the latest marketing trends and technologies?
• How do you ensure consistent messaging across different marketing channels?
• What tools or software do you use for marketing communications?
• Tell me about a time when you had to handle a crisis or negative publicity.
• How do you prioritize and manage multiple marketing projects simultaneously?
• How do you segment and target specific audiences in your marketing communications?
• How do you adapt your marketing communications for different channels (e.g., social media, email, print)?
• Tell me about a time when you had to handle a tight deadline in your marketing communications work.
• How do you incorporate storytelling into your marketing communications?
• Can you provide an example of a marketing communications campaign that failed? What did you learn from it?
• How do you ensure brand consistency in your marketing communications?
• Tell me about a time when you had to manage a limited budget for marketing communications.
• How do you measure the effectiveness of marketing communications?
• Can you provide an example of a successful collaboration with other departments?
• How do you approach creating content for different stages of the buyer's journey?
• What metrics do you consider when evaluating the success of a marketing campaign?