Different Tools in the Toolbox
To determine which tool you need, you first have to understand what exactly needs to be done. But there are a lot of different tools in the toolbox, so how do you know which one to choose? You encounter a similar dilemma when your organization needs a digital strategist. A digital strategist differs from company to company, role to role, and even project to project.
Before your organization hires its next digital strategist, ask these three questions in order to ensure the new hire is the right fit:
1. What critical conversations is this individual going to have?
The role of a digital strategist varies. Digital strategists can talk to clients, UX teams, analysts, boardrooms, technology teams, marketing teams, outside vendors, and more. However, different knowledge and skill sets are required for interacting with each group. Firstly, understand the specific critical conversations your digital strategist will have. Ask yourself, “Who will be involved in these conversations?” Then determine what knowledge and skills are needed for the role.
2. What specific deliverables will this individual produce?
For example, will your digital strategist be responsible for producing highly visual presentation decks to sell ideas to stakeholders in boardrooms? In another case, they may have to produce highly-detailed strategy documents for clients who will be closely involved with the work. Otherwise, they may have to produce project plans which the organization’s UX, digital marketing, and analytics teams make executable. Understand the specific deliverables your digital strategist will produce in order to understand the knowledge and skill sets required for the role.
3. What project oversight responsibilities will this individual have?
Digital strategists can play many roles in project oversight. They can wash their hands of a project the second it is passes to the implementation teams. Alternatively, they can be a shepherd and keep the initiative moving through the various stages. In this case, the digital strategist would ensure that potential obstacles are removed and strategy remains on point. A digital strategist could also take on a fairly detailed project coordination role. Understand the specific needs in project oversight in order to better determine the knowledge and skill sets needed for the role.
Final Thoughts
Like the tools in a toolbox, different strategists have different experiences and skill sets which make them perfect for certain kinds of roles. Determine which kind of strategist will be the best fit by asking yourself these three questions. Of course, when making a strategy hire, there are more things to consider, but these three questions are a great place to start.
Check out our Thought Leadership articles to learn more, or contact us to discuss your digital strategist hiring and recruiting challenges.
Hiring Your Digital Marketing Quarterback
As author Roy T. Bennett once said, “If you want to fly, you have to give up what weighs you down.”
Marketing changed drastically when the internet became everyone’s main source of information. Digital marketing is now cheaper, faster, more measurable and more engaging than traditional marketing.
3 Keys to the Champion Mindset of a CDO
The Chief Digital Officer (CDO) is typically a company’s principal leader in the digital transformation process. 84% of companies fail at digital transformation, and the average tenure of a CDO is shorter than other C-Suite roles. Of course, there are many reasons for this; it isn’t easy to serve as the primary transformation leader and intermediary between other executives and functions in the creation and rollout of digital initiatives. In order to be successful as a CDO, you must have a champion mindset.
Three Questions to Ask Before Hiring Your Next Chief Digital Officer
The Chief Digital Officer (CDO) drives digital transformation and optimizes an organization’s internal processes. Though the role is a relatively novel one, the strategic leadership of the Chief Digital Officer is critically important in driving growth and connecting companies to tech-savvy consumers.
