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My Blog: Tales, Tips, and Tricks From 30 Years' Marketing Experience
Welcome to my own very special corner of the marketing landscape. I love to write based on my own experiences in the hope of inspiring and mentoring others. I've been lucky to have great counsel throughout my career, so I hope this adds value to your journey. Let me know what you think.
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Customer-Centric Tips - Three Examples Of Techniques That Make A Difference Today
Every fractional CMO pitch says "customer-centric" somewhere. I’m no exception. The phrase gets used so often, yet it’s easy to be misunderstood or seem daunting to adopt. Here's a working definition. Customer-centric means building the best possible experiences, decisions, and processes around what customers actually go through, rather than around what's easiest for the company or the org chart. This isn’t a values statement on a homepage or in an investor deck; it’s what ha

Mike Ridgewell
Sep 93 min read


Why Tech Alone Won’t Win: The Leadership Advantage in the New Service Economy
By Gareth Fraser, Vice President of Sales and Marketing Operations at Alliants Artificial intelligence, automation and digital platforms are transforming hospitality, security and every other service-driven industry. Yet amid the rush to adopt new technology, one fundamental truth is easy to overlook: technology can improve the mechanics of service, but leadership determines how that service ultimately feels. It’s that human X-factor that is the game-changer. This is a key

Gareth Fraser
Aug 254 min read


Before You Automate Anything: How To Set Claude Up As a Working Partner
By Julia Whyte from https://thecamberwell.com Most people, by now, will have used AI as a chatbot: to reply to an email, analyse a document or put together a PowerPoint. But AI can now help with the work itself, automating some parts and pulling together the information you need for others. If you’ve heard people talking about automation or AI agents and wondered how they got from one to the other, this setup is part of the answer. And you don’t need to be a developer, but yo

Julia Whyte
Aug 195 min read


Why Scaling DTC Brands Can Stall - A Cautionary Tale
Every DTC brand that asks me to help them scale already has a basic PowerPoint plan full of fundamental growth frameworks, a bundle of good ideas, and great intentions. But often I see the same gaps once we dig into the details: No real long-term vision for where they're going. Funding that doesn't match the ambition. No clearly defined ideal customer to target. No ownership of the back half of the customer journey. No clear tracking across the digital ecosystem. And in some

Mike Ridgewell
Aug 63 min read


Managing Customer Churn - Every Customer Leaves Twice — Are You Watching for the First Time?
Managing customer churn us a critical retenton strategy. Whilst the topic lacks the visibility of a loyalty program, it's a smart place to start when creating a retention strategy

Mike Ridgewell
Jul 173 min read


Effective Strategies to Reduce Churn Rates for Your Business
Customer churn is a major challenge that many companies ignore. Losing customers not only reduces revenue but also increases the cost of acquiring new ones. Reducing churn rate means focusing proactively on keeping customers engaged and satisfied, the key to steady growth and stronger brand loyalty. Developing your strategies to reduce churn should be a priority - for marketing, product, sales and leadership. Customer retention dashboard on laptop screen Understanding Why Cus

Mike Ridgewell
Jul 64 min read


So, What Do You Do?
There is a peculiar silence that follows the question “So, what do you do?” It usually happens at a conference or networking event, or occasionally at a wedding or funeral, and almost always when I am holding a drink I don’t want and a small plate I don’t need. The person wants a tidy answer, not a well-rehearsed elevator pitch or list of differentiators. Like a noun. Doctor. Plumber. Teacher. Pilot. Something they can file away and feel reassured by. You hear “pilot,” and yo

Mike Ridgewell
Jun 92 min read


Why Fractional CMO Services Make Sense: Part-Time Marketing Leadership Solutions for DTC Brands
Companies need marketing to focus on many elements, such as identifying the target market, driving awareness, telling their story with content, creating growth strateies to keep customers coming back, maximize their lifetime value relative to customer acquisition costs, and more. But hiring a full-time Chief Marketing Officer (CMO) can be expensive and sometimes more than what your business needs right now. The alternative? Part-time marketing leadership solutions. Fractional

Mike Ridgewell
May 263 min read


Unlock Potential with Flexible Marketing Leadership: The Power of Fractional CMO Services
If you’ve ever felt like your marketing strategy is a ship without a captain, you’re not alone. Steering a brand through the choppy waters of customer retention and growth can be daunting. But what if you could have a seasoned marketing leader on board—without the full-time cost? That’s where flexible marketing leadership comes in, and it’s changing the game for brands like yours. Why Fractional Marketing Leadership is a Game-Changer Imagine having a marketing expert who jump

Mike Ridgewell
Apr 264 min read


The Role of Fractional Marketing Leadership in Business
When you think about marketing leadership, what comes to mind? A full-time Chief Marketing Officer (CMO) steering the ship, right? But what if your business doesn’t need a full-time captain? Enter fractional marketing leadership - a flexible, cost-effective way to get senior marketing expertise without the full-time price tag. It’s like having a marketing maestro on call, ready to conduct your brand’s growth symphony whenever you need. Let’s dive into why fractional marketing

Mike Ridgewell
Mar 174 min read


Harness Expertise with Fractional CMO Services
Imagine having a seasoned marketing leader on your team without the full-time price tag. Sounds like a dream, right? Well, that’s exactly what the fractional CMO role offers. It’s a smart, flexible way to bring top-tier marketing strategy and leadership to your direct-to-consumer brand. Whether you’re struggling with customer acquisition, activation, and retention, or aiming to boost lifetime value, this approach can be a game-changer on an efficient budget. What Exactly Is t

Mike Ridgewell
Dec 15, 20255 min read


The Benefits of Fractional CMO Services
When it comes to growing a direct-to-consumer brand, having the right marketing leadership can feel like trying to find a needle in a haystack. You want someone who understands your business, your customers, and the ever-changing marketing landscape. But hiring a full-time Chief Marketing Officer (CMO) can be expensive and sometimes unnecessary, especially if you’re still scaling. That’s where fractional CMO services come in—a smart, flexible solution that offers strategic ma

Mike Ridgewell
Oct 13, 20255 min read


Can AI Replace Business Leaders? Time to Lean Into Our Humanity
Despite the power of AI - business leaders still need the human touch

Mike Ridgewell
Sep 4, 20252 min read


New Year, Big New Plans? Sometimes You Need More Empathy In Business.
This blog is about how things don't always go to plan, and the importance of empathy in business

Mike Ridgewell
Jan 9, 20253 min read


Team Mentorship And Development Idea - What Would You Tell Your 25-Year-Old Self?
What would you tell your 25-year old self? This blog ponders the advice you would give after gaining experience in the working world

Mike Ridgewell
Jul 11, 20242 min read


Goldilocks and the Three Ideal Client Profiles
Companies focus on ICP, but what happens to ensure targeting is appropriate to their evolution from Startup to Maturity?

Mike Ridgewell
Mar 26, 20243 min read


🎉 Celebrating Four Years of Denmark Street Marketing 🎉
Denmark Street Marketing celebrates four years serving clients in DTC and loyalty marketing

Mike Ridgewell
Jan 26, 20242 min read


Insider Client-Side Tips On Navigating The Procurement Process
Tips for sales teams to manage your relationship with procurement

Mike Ridgewell
Oct 12, 20233 min read


Unlocking Storytelling with - that’s right - LEGO!
LEGO creative play helps with strategic planning

Mike Ridgewell
Sep 14, 20233 min read


You're On Mute....
You're on Mute is a phrase often heard on post pandemic zoom calls. Perhaps that language is harsh

Mike Ridgewell
Nov 7, 20223 min read
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