Marketing Execs Struggle to Show ROI

January 22, 2009

This article is included in these additional categories:

Analytics, Automated & MarTech | Financial Services | Retail & E-Commerce | Technology

Marketing executives are under increasing pressure from CEOs to show a return on investment for their programs, but many are struggling with complex processes, technological difficulties and internal resistance to measurement systems, according to a report from The Conference Board.

Because measuring marketing return on investment (MROI) is still relatively new, many executives say they lack the technological and institutional tools necessary to measure their programs, the study found.

Lack of resources, lack of connection with performance objectives and inadequate focus are some of the primary sources of frustration. Major barriers to implementing MROI programs – largely related to issues of business infrastructure – include problems with data availability or integrity (47%), technology/infrastructure (41%), resource dedication (39%), and methodology/know how (22%).

conference-board-roi-top-drivers-barriers-mroi-implementation-december-2008.jpg

Though the report finds that the top driver of success is a strong commitment from leadership, many marketing execs face considerable internal resistance to MROI, while others report their organization lacks sufficient commitment to allocate the budget, time, and resources required to measure MROI.

ROI is a Slow Go

Half of the companies surveyed have been measuring MROI for less than two years, while more than one-third still report making no efforts to measure MROI at all, the study found. Among the companies that haveimplemented programs, none have yet achieved their goals in measuring ROI. Only one-quarter report making “good” progress, the survey found. The majority said they found the process more difficult than anticipated.

conference-board-roi-progress-toward-mroi-company-type-length-time-december-2008.jpg

Additional survey findings:

  • The most frequently used metrics for measuring MROI include customer loyalty/satisfaction, customer retention, market share, marketing spending, revenue, web page views and profits.
  • Technology is key to measuring ROI effectively. More than half (55%) said that technological/infrastructural deficiencies have had “a lot” or a “significant” effect on their efforts.
  • 73% of companies that have been measuring MROI for more than three years say they are making good progress, compared with 4% of those who have been at it for less than two years.
  • 91% of companies who report “good progress,” and 67% of companies who report “some” progress, have incorporated marketing ROI into their performance objectives. More than half of those who report “good” progress have also put in place recognition programs for marketing ROI.
  • The amount of time spent on MROI activities is a greater predictor of success than time spent in meetings.
  • B2B companies lag behind B2B/B2C combination companies in measuring MROI. B2B companies do not report as much progress, nor have they been working at it as long.
  • The most important competencies cited for success with MROI are decision-making, analytical thinking, collaboration, openness to change, and goal orientation.
  • Those making the most progress toward measuring MROI say they have the necessary infrastructure/platform, data availability/integrity, and software/tools in place.

“In the past, marketing awareness and brand-building activities were enough to define marketing’s mission and role in a company, and to justify its budget,” said Lorrie Foster, VP of Councils and Research Working Groups at The Conference Board. “But the focus of marketing has evolved toward more strategic, value-added activities that can be quantified and linked to corporate goals. New approaches, methodologies and tools, and technologies are making it possible to link marketing investments directly to revenues and profits, holding marketing executives accountable for achieving expected results.”

Although the inputs and expenses associated with marketing can easily be measured on a monthly or quarterly basis, the results of a successful marketing effort — enhanced brand recognition and reputation, customer loyalty, improved market penetration, expanded networks and cross-selling opportunities -may not be realized in the form of increased revenue within a specific timeframe and may be difficult to forecast, the report noted. External economic forces, such as market movements, business cycles, and competitors’ marketing efforts, make it difficult to evaluate returns on specific marketing efforts in the near term. Internal factors, such as changes in product quality, delivery times or technical support, can also affect “returns,” making it difficult to attribute results to a specific marketing campaign.

“Progress in this area has been difficult,” says Foster. “Many of the expected returns from marketing efforts are intangible or long-term. Hence, measuring the return on investment in marketing is a more complex and less well-developed process than calculating investment returns in other business areas.”

About the research: To compile the report, “Managing and Measuring Return on Marketing Investment Research Approach,” the Conference Board distributed 7,842 surveys via e-mail and direct mail and obtained valid responses from 73 companies. Of these, 24 companies were not yet making any efforts to measure marketing investment, and hence completed only part of the survey. For purposes of analysis, these companies were treated separately as a control group. The discussion in the report relates to the remaining 49 companies that report some to significant efforts in measuring return on marketing investment. The research was conducted between April and July 2007.

Chart-Library-Ad-1

Explore More Articles.

Which Skills Are Important in RevOps?

Which Skills Are Important in RevOps?

9 in 10 RevOps professionals view data analysis skills as being important, a high percentage also don’t believe they need this skill for their job.

Marketing Charts Logo

Stay on the cutting edge of marketing.

Sign up for our free newsletter.

You have Successfully Subscribed!

Pin It on Pinterest

Share This