War in Europe and the Middle East, an escalating environmental crisis, and technology replacing human jobs. Headlines from spring 2024 paint a bleak picture.
Is the situation genuinely as dire as it seems?
At Netprofile, we look into the future with informed optimism. While we cannot solve geopolitical strife or planetary emergencies, we have a privileged position in technology communications and marketing which allows us to engage with emerging trends.
For this report, we interviewed 21 North European communications and marketing executives working for organizations in B2B technology-related industries. We asked their views on how they see communications and marketing developing in the next three years until 2027.
The results show that generative AI is revolutionizing our field, though its full potential remains uncertain. The quantum revolution looms on the horizon, promising vast computational power. Sustainability remains a critical concern, shaping corporate ethos.
At Netprofile we believe that technology holds the key to a better future. We see our work with leading tech enterprises driving positive change. The Insight Track 2024 report focuses on four key themes that show where our industry is going, providing valuable insight for dealing with change:
1. Rise of AI
2. Changing operational environment
3. Strategic horizons
4. Thought leadership supremacy
We hope you find the outcome informative, inspiring, and invigorating, and that the report offers practical foresight for planning your strategies and operations.
Generative AI has a profound transformational impact on B2B tech communications and marketing.
Its adoption has great potential for enhancing efficiency and providing tailored messaging with the opportunity to automate many tasks.
The challenge lies in balancing AI use with the need to stand out from mediocre content and engage in increasingly personalized communication.
Ethical use of AI is imperative to maintaining brand reputation and stakeholder trust. Issues such as copyright, bias, and misinformation require careful consideration.
We need ongoing discussion to set guidelines for responsible AI usage.
B2B tech customers have access to more information than ever. Many now look for comprehensive, strategic partnerships over transactional relationships. Many customers seek very specific and detailed information from their networks. Predictive analytics and audience metrics are critical in maximizing communications and marketing impact.
Cybersecurity has become a core element of corporate responsibility, demanding transparency, especially around storage and use of personal data.
Sustainability has evolved into a baseline expectation rather than a differentiator. Authenticity in sustainability efforts is crucial, and regulation against greenwashing will make a mark on marketing communications.
Complicated times call for comprehensive strategic thinking. Differentiation in the B2B tech space remains challenging. To stand out, an enterprise must forge a human connection and, in its language, move beyond jargon to emotive messaging.
AI should augment rather than replace human creativity in content creation. Human oversight is needed to ensure alignment with strategy, brand, and values.
Data is critical in understanding and engaging with customers at the various stages of their journey.
Communications and marketing teams must evolve with technology, continuously learning and upskilling.
In the current operational environment of B2B tech marketing, thought leadership is paramount. Your business needs content that connects on a human level.
Traditional social media and advertising methods are in flux and becoming less efficient. In the current operational environment of B2B tech marketing, thought leadership is key. Business needs content that connects on a personal level.
Thought leaders’ own networks and personal brand are increasingly important. Building thought leadership through individuals in the organization is an impactful way to build the brand.
While AI accelerates content creation and other tasks, human creativity is essential to secure a brand's relevance, differentiation, and top-of-mind position.
Content quality is paramount for thought leader supremacy. Critical audiences have limited time for content consumption, and poor quality will not cut it
Netprofile's goal is to help our customers in building and growing their business, in strengthening their position in the market, and in making a difference with innovations that matter. Together, we build a world where technology makes life smoother and more fulfilling.
Let us know if we can help your organization – we'd love to hear from you!