In this episode of Beyond SaaS, Jason Niedle speaks with Sharon Harrison, CMO of Gravyty, about the critical role of engagement in driving growth for tech companies, particularly in the education sector. They discuss the importance of pivoting in marketing strategies, aligning sales, marketing, and customer success teams, and the unique challenges women face in tech. Sharon shares insights on Gravyty's recent mergers and how they are innovating in alumni engagement and donor relations. The conversation also touches on growth strategies, understanding customer needs, and the significance of effective communication.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Engagement and Growth

01:47 The Importance of Pivoting in Marketing

09:39 Aligning Sales, Marketing, and Customer Success

11:08 Collective Learning and Cross-Functional Collaboration

12:14 Women in Tech: Challenges and Opportunities

15:23 Gravity's Mergers: A New Era in Education Technology

20:01 Enhancing Student Engagement Through Technology

21:36 Growth Strategies in a Competitive Landscape

28:25 Overcoming Internal Constraints for Growth

32:48 The Importance of Communication in Leadership

Takeaways

·       We shouldn't be afraid to pivot in our strategies.

·       Alignment between sales, marketing, and customer success is crucial.

·       Women in tech face unique challenges that need addressing.

·       Gravyty is innovating in alumni and donor engagement.

·       Understanding the academic cycle is key to outreach.

·       Communication must be bi-directional for effective engagement.

·       The importance of A/B testing in marketing strategies.

·       Internal constraints can hinder growth; prioritize effectively.

·       Utilizing AI can enhance operational efficiency.

·       Building a strong team culture fosters collaboration and success.

Sound Bites

"We shouldn't be afraid to pivot."

"You don't want to talk over their head."

"Communication is bi-directional."

Keywords

growth strategies, marketing, alignment, women in tech, education technology, Gravyty, mergers, customer success, engagement, AI solutions