In this episode of Breakthrough Innovation, we sit down with Trice Alford, Senior Director of Marketing at ShotTracker and a seasoned marketing strategist, to explore his career evolution from media sales to a leadership role in marketing innovation. Trice reflects on how his journey has shaped his approach to strategic marketing and innovation, emphasizing the importance of incremental improvements, collaboration, and customer-centric thinking.

Trice’s career spans over 15 years, with key roles that highlight his focus on helping businesses, both small and medium-sized, navigate the complexities of marketing in dynamic industries. His expertise blends business acumen with a deep understanding of customer needs, which has enabled him to drive impactful marketing strategies across organizations.

Key Lessons Covered in This Episode:

1. The Power of Incremental Innovation

Trice discusses how innovation isn’t always about grand shifts but rather the small, continuous improvements that can lead to meaningful outcomes. He shares his experience of helping organizations realize untapped potential through simple yet effective changes, such as initiating email campaigns to engage dormant customer bases—leading to measurable results.

2. Fostering Trust and Collaboration

Drawing from his leadership roles, Trice highlights the importance of trust-based relationships in driving innovation. He emphasizes the value of outside perspectives in cross-functional teams and how collaboration helps eliminate barriers, encouraging teams to take action and explore new ideas without fear of failure.

3. The Role of Experts in Shaping Innovation

Trice advises aspiring leaders to listen to subject matter experts, recognizing their unique insights and expertise. This not only fosters innovation but builds trust and accountability, creating environments where ideas can flourish and lead to better outcomes.

4. Overcoming Fear and Embracing Change

One of Trice’s key takeaways is that fear of failure often stifles innovation. He discusses how creating a safe space for experimentation can help organizations shift their mindsets, encouraging them to explore new possibilities and adopt customer-focused strategies.

5. Leadership Lessons for Emerging Marketers

Trice offers practical advice for new leaders: be authentic, embrace vulnerability, and empower teams to take ownership of their work. His insights emphasize that leading with humility and listening to experts is crucial for effective marketing leadership.

Key Takeaways:

• Embracing small, incremental innovations for big impact.
• Building trust and fostering collaboration to enhance marketing strategies.
• The role of experts and outside perspectives in driving innovation.
• Overcoming fear and creating environments conducive to experimentation.
• Leadership advice focused on authenticity, vulnerability, and empowering teams.

Links And Resources:

• Connect with Trice Alford on LinkedIn

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