Curated-Content-banner-300x187-300x187This post was originally written by Grant Butler and featured on the Brand Publishing Institute blog.

The notion of establishing thought leadership has emerged as a top priority with sales and marketing executives. Growth-starved organizations are looking for ways to differentiate themselves with new ideas, education, and relevant solutions that address buyer pain and influence their perceptions of value. Marketing executives are learning that subject matter expertise and a strong point of view are now essential to success in the digital, social, and mobile channels that buyers use during the majority of the buying process. Sales executives realize original research and compelling insights make it easier to open doors, start quality customer conversations, generate referrals, and cross-sell solutions.

A chorus of consultants and marketing leaders are writing about the importance of thought leadership in all aspects of sales and marketing. Senior executives surveyed by Forbes regard finding ways to differentiate the customer experience in social, mobile, and digital channels as vital to achieving growth goals as media fragmentation and changing buyer behavior diminish the value and effectiveness of ad impressions.

While the messengers may vary, one message is becoming clear – investing in creating thought leadership makes good business sense. If you want to improve sales effectiveness, differentiate your brand, and give customers the engagement and insights they are seeking – invest in a thought leadership program.

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Cheryl Treleaven

Cheryl Treleaven

Principal

Engaging your customers is at the heart of successful marketing programs. For more than 20 years, Cheryl has been building and executing content and thought leadership strategies designed to do just that. She is excited to be applying that well-honed skill to a help companies like Microsoft, Cisco, 3M, Intel, Capital One and Barclaycard tap into their stakeholder communities and build sophisticated content strategies.

Her experience base spans a range of industries – from technology and financial services to retail, travel, consumer products and healthcare. Cheryl has served as an integral member of her clients’ marketing teams, providing counsel on marketing and brand strategy, thought leadership, media relations, product introductions, and event management.

Prior to joining ComBlu, Cheryl spent 10 years leading corporate marketing for large, complex organizations.