Ep 447: C-Suite Exclusive: How to Build a Mathematical Model that Leads to your Growth Goals with Sarah Carusona from Alpha Lion
Oct 14, 2024
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Sarah Carusona, a growth expert with a rich background in brands like Olukai and Alpha Lion, shares her insights on using a mathematical model to drive growth. She discusses the power of last-touch attribution in understanding consumer behavior and the significance of aligning business goals with clear metrics. Sarah emphasizes the importance of balancing new and repeat orders, as well as utilizing organic video strategies for brand recall. Listen for her tips on Q4 planning and leveraging various channels to increase marketing effectiveness.
Incorporating multiple methodologies like marketing mix modeling can clarify metrics and enhance the effectiveness of e-commerce growth strategies.
Focusing on top-line and bottom-line revenue as key performance indicators helps businesses align their marketing efforts with overall financial health.
Deep dives
The Importance of Mathematical Models for Growth
Utilizing a mathematical model is essential for achieving growth goals in e-commerce. An example highlights a discussion with a company that struggled with high costs and low metrics despite successful advertising on social media platforms. The issue stems from relying solely on last touch attribution, which oversimplifies the complex consumer journey. However, incorporating multiple methodologies, such as marketing mix modeling (MMM) and conversion lift tests, can help contextualize these metrics and provide a clearer path toward business objectives.
Key Performance Indicators in E-commerce
The focus on specific key performance indicators (KPIs) is crucial for effective e-commerce management. While businesses often track various metrics like customer acquisition cost (CAC), return on marketing spend (ROM), and unique visits, the primary concern should be on top-line and bottom-line revenue. It's important to analyze how these metrics influence overall financial health rather than treating them as standalone achievements. By doing so, businesses can better align their marketing efforts and budget allocations to drive meaningful growth.
Forecasting and Managing Repeat Orders
Effectively managing and forecasting repeat orders presents unique challenges in e-commerce. Unlike acquiring new customers, which offers clearer metrics, repeat transactions can fluctuate unpredictably, requiring careful analyses, such as cohort studies. Additionally, using metrics from email and SMS engagement can help businesses evaluate their repeat order strategies accurately. By fine-tuning their forecasts based on these insights, businesses can develop targeted strategies to retain customers and boost lifetime value.
Today we're revisiting Apex Operator Sarah Carusona's talk from C-Suite Mastermind in Victoria BC.
Sarah has masterminded growth for brands like Olukai, Roark and now Alpha Lion along with cutting her teeth in the trenches of performancing marketing with Common Thread Collective.
In C-Suite Talk she gives you a simple mathematical model where the math actually maths, that actually leads you to your growth goals.
The ecom hiking map metaphor
Why last touch attribution still rules the day
Topline and bottom line dollars are the most important ones
Timestamps
00:00 - Intro to Sarah Carusona's Growth Strategy 02:15 - Importance of Real Math in E-commerce Attribution 04:30 - Aligning Business Goals with Key Metrics 06:55 - Balancing New and Repeat Orders for Growth 09:20 - Utilizing Last Touch Attribution and MMM for Clarity 11:35 - Forecasting and Adjusting for Seasonal Trends 13:55 - Leveraging Organic Video Strategy and TV for Brand Recall 16:30 - The Role of YouTube and Streaming in Brand Awareness 18:45 - Q&A and Wrap-up