Kellie Richter, CMO of First Command Financial Services: Marketing a Mission
Jan 24, 2024
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Kellie Richter, CMO of First Command Financial Services, discusses marketing a mission, responding to feedback, and the importance of client experience on the Building Better CMOs podcast. She talks about the accountability that comes with her title, the motivations behind First Command's mission, and why some of the best marketers are at Trader Joe's. The podcast also explores the financial challenges military families face during government shutdowns.
Trust between a brand and its reputation is crucial for successful marketing.
Accountability drives First Command's Chief Marketing and Client Experience Officer to advocate for clients.
Listening to customer feedback and incorporating it into business decisions is vital for improving the client experience.
Deep dives
The importance of aligning brand and reputation
The brand represents what a company says about itself, while reputation is what people say about the brand. When these two are not closely linked, trust is broken and marketing efforts cannot repair it.
Owning your title as a marketing leader
Kelly Richter, Chief Marketing and Chief Client Experience Officer at First Command Financial Services, emphasizes the accountability that comes with her title and how it drives her to advocate for clients and ensure their needs are met.
Importance of customer-centricity
Marketers should not try to fix a poor client experience solely through marketing. Understanding customer expectations and delivering a great experience that aligns with the brand is crucial for building trust and fostering customer loyalty.
The value of listening to customers
Kelly Richter highlights the importance of listening to customer feedback and incorporating it into business decisions. She shares examples of how First Command actively listens to clients, responds to reviews, and uses insights to improve the client experience.
The role of continuous learning in marketing leadership
Continuous learning is essential for marketers to stay relevant and understand the evolving needs of customers. Kelly emphasizes the value of staying up to date with industry trends, leveraging resources for professional development, and continuously enhancing skills and knowledge.
By her own admission, First Command Financial Services exec Kellie Richter's official title is a mouthful. It's "EVP, Chief Marketing and Client Experience Officer" — but those aren't empty words to her.
The clients who First Command cares about are military service members, veterans, and their families; even more than a regular financial services customer, Kellie says, "they do their research ... they're protective of their services and they should be."
Having Client Experience in her title gives Kellie an added layer of accountability, and serves as an invitation to anyone researching the privately-owned firm to reach out about their experiences, good or bad.
"A lot of times, it's not about getting a one or a five star," she says. "It's about, are you listening? Are you paying attention to the feedback? And are you responding to that? And that's what people want to see."
Today on Building Better CMOs, Kellie talks with MMA Global CEO Greg Stuart about how First Command's mission motivates its employees, why marketing can't fix a broken client experience, and why she believes some of the best marketers in the business are at Trader Joe's. Plus: What happens to military families during a government shutdown?