The CMO Podcast

Lynn Teo (Northwestern Mutual) | The Power of Time When Building a Financial Plan

Sep 13, 2023

Lynn Teo, CMO for Northwestern Mutual, talks about her unorthodox background and the purpose of Northwestern Mutual in freeing people from financial anxiety. They discuss the changing role of CMOs, questioning value and delivering outcomes, and the influence of influential boss Debbie Newman. They also touch on balancing hard-hitting feedback with team support and share three key takeaways for business, brand, and life.

58:42

Episode guests

Lynn Teo

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Episode notes

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Quick takeaways

Understanding the business model and marketing funnel helps CMOs identify growth opportunities.

Reflecting on life goals and seeking financial guidance early ensures future preparedness.

Mentorship, kindness, and empathy are crucial for both leadership and personal growth.

Deep dives

Understanding the Business Construct

Lynn emphasizes the importance of understanding the business model as a CMO. This includes knowing how the company makes money and where marketing fits in. By understanding the full marketing funnel and the different touchpoints, CMOs can identify opportunities for growth and impact.

Introduction

3min

Meeting New People and Learning the Business

12min

The Changing Role of CMOs and Differentiating on Purpose

2min

Questioning Value and Delivering Outcomes

20min

Reflecting on Past Roles and Stretching Experiences

3min

Debbie Newman: An Influential Boss and Mentor

12min

Balancing Hard-Hitting Feedback with Team Support

6min

Three Key Takeaways for Business, Brand, and Life

2min

Jim's guest today on The CMO Podcast is Lynn Teo, Chief Marketing Officer for Northwestern Mutual, one of the perennially most-admired companies in the world. Founded 166 years ago, Northwestern Mutual is a growing $35 billion company today. The company strives to free people from financial anxiety; its products and services include life insurance, disability income, long-term care insurance, and a range of other financial planning services.

Lynn has an unorthodox background for a CMO: she earned her Bachelors at the National University of Singapore, specializing in English Language, Linguistics and Geography, before earning her Masters at Carnegie Mellon in Professional and Technical Writing and Interaction Design. She has worked for a host of companies on both the client and agency side, including AKQA and McCann on the agency side, and Thomson Reuters, CA Technologies and Wolters Kluwer on the client side.

With a year as the CMO of Northwestern Mutual under her belt, Lynn joins Jim to talk about her career so far. She shares what her "superpower" is and how hiking brings a refreshing outlook to her path.

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