Are MQLs really dead, or just evolving?

In this episode of The Hard Corps Marketing Show, I sat down with Melissa McCready, Founder and CEO of Navigate Consulting Group. With decades of experience in marketing automation, customer success, and growth operations, Melissa is a recognized thought leader and award-winning expert in her field.

Melissa unpacks the evolving role of MQLs and why they’re far from obsolete. She explains how engagement scores and persona alignment still make them vital to marketing strategies when used correctly. We also explore the rise of growth operations as a strategic business function, the need for detailed AI implementation, and how leaders can stay ahead by embracing trends like generative engine optimization (GEO).

In this episode, we cover:

• Why MQLs still matter, and how they’re evolving, not disappearing
• What it means to train AI like a new team member using SOPs and expert input
• Why growth operations is broader than revenue ops and demands a seat at the table
• How early adoption of GEO can give you a competitive edge
• Why mentorship, community, and giving back elevate your career and credibility

If you're ready to rethink traditional marketing operations and strategically prepare for an AI-powered future, this episode is full of actionable insights you won’t want to miss!

🔔 Don’t forget to subscribe and hit the notification bell so you never miss an episode of The Hard Corps Marketing Show!

Follow us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-hard-corps-marketing-show/ 

Connect with Melissa:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/melissamccreadylovesgrowthops/  
• Twitter: www.x.com/mcp823  
• HLX: https://teamhlx.com/ 
• Navigate Consulting Group: https://www.navigateconsultinggroup.com/  

Ways to Tune In:

• Apple Podcasts:  https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-hard-corps-marketing-show/id1338838763
• Amazon Music/Audible: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/0f4497c6-b402-4cad-9018-1e41b7e8f2bb/the-hard-corps-marketing-show
• Spotify:  https://open.spotify.com/show/1vVLpNI1LssMTiL6Kdsamn
• Stitcher: https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/the-hard-corps-marketing-show
• Google Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkcy50cmFuc2lzdG9yLmZtL3RoZS1oYXJkLWNvcnBzLW1hcmtldGluZy1zaG93
• YouTube: https://youtu.be/sqMEBK3-MfM 

Hard Corps Marketing is produced and sponsored by Ringmaster, on a mission to create connections through branded podcasts. Learn more at https://ringmaster.com/