Stop Trying to Measure Everything, Use an Outcome-Focused Lens Instead

Stop Trying to Measure Everything, Use an Outcome-Focused Lens Instead

Marketing Strategy — Fri., Sep. 29, 2023

A map is a metaphor for many things, but has limitations. Polish American philosopher and engineer penned the phrase "the map is not the territory" to remind us of this. Metrics are messy and often do not match up to reality. To update our map, we should focus on outcomes and impact, instead of effort and output.

Using a different lens, we can look at our map and think of our marketing WHY, and how to define successful outcome or impact. Macro and micro details should be tracked, with quarterly analysis and rolling averages. A few key signals should be monitored, and new and better methods will emerge over time.

At the end of the day, every metric is an abstraction of the impact we have on humans. Outcome-based marketing is successful, and marketers should focus on outputs, outtakes and outcomes. Mistakes are made when metrics don't matter to top management, so let's go straight to the source and keep fiddling with the dashboard.

... continue reading below
Sign up for free to read the full article.
Enter your email address to continue reading

Stop Trying to Measure Everything, Use an Outcome-Focused Lens Instead

Don't worry ... it's FREE!

Already a member? Sign in now.

Related Articles

The State of B2B Influencer Marketing

The State of B2B Influencer Marketing

What are the top challenges B2B firms face with their influencer programs? Do they have dedicated budgets for those programs? What are their top influencer marketing priorities? Which B2B influencer content types are most effective?

What's Changing in B2B Marketing in 2025? Everything.

What's Changing in B2B Marketing in 2025? Everything.

Explore nine B2B marketing trends reshaping 2025, from AI-driven personalization to trust-focused data strategies. Read more.

Small Business Marketing Trends: Top Challenges, Goals, and AI Uses

Small Business Marketing Trends: Top Challenges, Goals, and AI Uses

Small businesses say driving lead generation and dealing with budget constraints are the top marketing challenges they face, according to recent research.

Americans' Views on Companies, Technology, and the Economy

Americans' Views on Companies, Technology, and the Economy

Most Americans say they do not think the government should punish companies for political stances, and they also say tech companies should be responsible for removing misleading content, according to recent research.

2025 Digital Ad Trends and Predictions: Time to Turn the Page

2025 Digital Ad Trends and Predictions: Time to Turn the Page

Discover the top B2B digital advertising trends for 2025, from privacy-first ads to AI's role to adtech. Read more.

The Four Pillars of B2B Marketing Success in 2025—and How AI Can Help You Master Them

The Four Pillars of B2B Marketing Success in 2025—and How AI Can Help You Master Them

See how AI amplifies B2B marketing's four pillars—content, influencer marketing, SEO, and social media—boosting efficiency and impact. Read more.

Subscribe to the MarketingProfs Today newsletter