The Importance of Regular Marketing Strategy Audits

When it comes to marketing, you can't afford to be sentimental about what's not cutting it. That’s why regular strategy audits are essential. It’s about looking at your marketing strategies and exposing the good, the bad, and the ugly.

Let's chat about why some people might hesitate to pull the trigger on an audit. You might think you've got your strategy dialled in, right? It’s moving along, you're hitting some targets, and it feels like you're on track. But here’s the thing: sometimes you're too close to the picture to see the whole thing. That’s where bringing in an outsider makes all the difference. They show you what’s working (and what’s not) with a clarity that can only come from not being bogged down in day-to-day operations. At co&co, we say it as it is. If your strategy is sh*t, we’ll tell you about it.

Why Most Marketing Strategies Fail

A lot of marketing strategies fail because they’re built on a foundation of wishful thinking and outdated data. Too many brands stick to their guns, using tired techniques that might’ve worked a treat five years ago but are now about as effective as a car with no petrol. You’re not gonna get anywhere. In the UK alone, more than 304,000 businesses fail each year, with 20% going under in their first year and around 60% folding before they hit their third. That’s a brutal reminder of how quickly dreams (and dollar) can turn to dust.

Here at co&co, we're here to tell you straight, no fluff, no bullsh*t – just the truth. A lot of strategies fall flat because they aren't aligned with current market dynamics or the actual capabilities of the team tasked to deploy them. This misalignment is often due to a lack of clear objectives, understanding of customer behaviour, or simply using tools and channels that are not right for the target audience.

The Role of External Auditors in Refining Strategy

External auditors play a mega role in the health and effectiveness of your marketing strategy. These professionals act as impartial observers, free from the internal biases and influences that might cloud judgement or hinder progress within an organisation. Their primary task is to evaluate your strategy from a fresh perspective, providing insights that might otherwise go unnoticed.

They assess the efficiency of your spending, the effectiveness of your channel strategies, and the overall coherence of your marketing efforts. This role is key for identifying both risks and opportunities, helping to steer your strategy towards more profitable and sustainable practices.

Enter the external auditor – that’s us 😉. We come in with zero baggage, zero biases, and a sh*tload of brutal honesty. What we do is dissect your current efforts, tell you what’s not working and what is. We delve into why certain strategies are failing and others are succeeding, using hard data and insights to back up our claims. Our goal is to not only identify the weak links but also to strengthen your overall strategy with actionable recommendations.

For instance, we conducted a comprehensive audit for Manchester Apartments that included assessing marketing channels, setting KPIs, and improving online customer interactions. These actions led to mega improvements in operational efficiency and financial performance. Here’s the results:

✔️A cost per sale at less than 50% the market average

✔️A commercial approach to strategy based around KPIs

✔️A marketing budget reconciled on a monthly basis

✔️A strategy that encompasses a full range of marketing channels

✔️An in-house marketing team set up like an internal agency with defined roles

✔️Several high-profile award nominations and wins within the first 6 months

✔️A clear process for the wider business to make requests of the marketing team

✔️An entire workforce that feels involved in the future of the business

We bring a fresh perspective, one that's detached from preconceived notions. This allows us to question everything, from your core messaging to the channels you’re using, ensuring every part of your strategy is geared towards actual, measurable results.

Quantifiable Benefits of Strategy Audits

The benefits of getting your strategy audited are crystal clear and measurable. Here's what you can gain:

🖤 New Perspectives: Fresh eyes can spot the cracks and the potential that you might overlook when you're too close to the canvas.

🖤 Better Decisions: With our audits, decisions are driven by up-to-date, relevant data—not guesses, gut feelings, or outdated trends.

🖤 Enhanced Team Output: The potential of strategy audits are endless, you can re-energise your team. Clearing the air and setting new, clear directions can boost morale and productivity, completely changing the way your team works. You must invest in your team management, it’s well worth it.

Why Trust Us with Your Strategy Audit?

We’ve seen good, bad, and ugly strategies at play. We’re driven by results. We speak plainly, act fast, and deliver strategies that actually show up on your bottom line. No fluff, no bullsh*t, just results. Let's get down to business and sort out your ROI.

If you want to stop gambling and start gaining, give us a shout. Let’s work together.