Last week, Big Valley Marketing announced three expanded strategic services to help B2B companies build brand reputation, drive demand generation, and strengthen intelligent decision-making.

One of those services is the brand-new Marketing Strategy practice, which I’m thrilled to lead. Our Marketing Strategy practice helps clients align marketing initiatives with business priorities and build resilient, high-performing marketing functions that drive growth and shed the perception of a cost center.

CMOs and marketing leaders today are under immense pressure to deliver measurable growth while navigating an ever-changing market, shifting customer expectations, and a massive AI technology evolution some say is equivalent to the Industrial Revolution. This economic uncertainty has led to widespread budget cuts, forcing marketing leaders to do more with less in 2025. In a recent PwC survey, 75% of CMOs agree their marketing budget will likely be cut before other departments.

But here’s the rub: cutting budgets reactively—without a clear strategic vision—only deepens long-term challenges.

When marketing is viewed as a cost center rather than a growth driver, marketers face an uphill battle. Without a well-defined strategy, teams chase short-term gains, deploy scattered tactics, and fail to build the foundation necessary for success. This is why CMOs must take a proactive, strategic, integrated approach to marketing.

Three Important Takeaways for Today’s CMO

In this current environment, focus is going to be important for CMOs looking to gain a competitive edge and demonstrate that marketing is impacting the business – especially when budgets are disappearing.

Marketing Strategy Can Feel Slow, But It’s Worth It 

Focusing on marketing strategy can feel slow. It takes real effort to pause, take a step back, and ask, “Are we doing the right thing?” without producing. It can also feel lonely, especially if other executive functions question the value of marketing.

But the companies that focus on strategy win the long game. I’m reminded of the story of the two log cutters – one left each day for an hour, working only 7 hours, and always cut 25% more logs than his partner who cut logs all day for 8 hours. How did he do it? He spent an hour sharpening his axe each day.

Marketing strategy is your axe sharpening – and even if it feels slow or even moving backward at times, it’s the right long-term solution to achieve the business objectives.

Tactical Execution Without Strategy is Just Noise…and Decreases Credibility

Without a strategic framework, marketing becomes a series of disconnected efforts between different functions. When organizations fall into the trap of launching siloed campaigns without a consistent narrative, competitive differentiation or alignment with goals, it leads to ineffective marketing and wasted budget.

Producing marketing initiatives without a clear strategy and alignment with the business also leads to distrust with colleagues. At first, the volume, completion of campaigns and content are viewed as a success. However, marketers lose credibility without the ability to clearly demonstrate the why behind the marketing and how it impacts the business.

If you’re unable to answer why – several times – then it’s time to take that step back and sharpen the axe.

CMOs Need a Trusted Partner to Navigate Complexity

The number of conversations I read daily about today’s B2B marketing pressures today is never-ending. Marketing leadership today is more complex than ever. With increasing expectations, changing buyer journeys, and the impact of AI in the marketing industry, it’s no wonder CMOs are struggling.

But going it alone…you can only go so far.

“If you want to go quickly, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.” – African Proverb

CMOs and marketing leaders need expert guidance – and a partner that gets them – to navigate these challenges.

After 15+ years in B2B marketing, I’ve seen firsthand the challenges marketing leaders face. I’ve worked with companies that treat marketing as a necessary expense and those that harness it as a competitive advantage. The difference? It’s always a clear, well-executed marketing strategy.

The Big Valley team is passionate about helping CMOs cut through the noise, align their teams, and drive meaningful business outcomes. Marketing leaders deserve a strategic partner who understands their world—and that’s exactly what Big Valley’s Marketing Strategy Practice delivers.

So if you’re ready to sharpen your axe – we’re ready for you. To learn about the Marketing Strategy products we offer, please view our website here.