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Ashley, ABM Manager / Lead at Fortune 100 Technology Company: Advize Career Interview

A career journey showcasing adaptability and a willingness to "wear many hats," starting with unpaid internships during a recession and culminating in a leadership role at a Fortune 100 technology company, is revealed.

The interviewee's account-based marketing (ABM) management position involves leading a team, leveraging technology for account insights and campaign management, and collaborating extensively with internal and external stakeholders.

Success in this role requires a blend of creative and analytical thinking, strong communication skills, and a collaborative spirit, while the biggest challenge lies in maintaining team motivation amidst high expectations.

The technology marketing industry's cutting-edge nature and the opportunity to work on emerging technologies are highlighted, emphasizing curiosity and the ability to explain complex concepts simply as key to thriving.

The interviewee shares valuable lessons learned, including the importance of teamwork, effective time management developed through undergraduate experiences, and leveraging women-specific networking opportunities to advance a career in marketing.

Aspiring marketers should expect to invest "sweat equity" but will be rewarded with fulfilling and well-compensated opportunities.

Advizer Information

Name

Job Title

Company

Undergrad

Grad Programs

Ashley Beckord

ABM Manager / Lead

Fortune 100 Technology Company

Milwaukee School of Engineering 2011

N/A

Majors

Industries

Job Functions

Traits

Business Management & Admin

Technology

Communication and Marketing

Scholarship Recipient, Took Out Loans, Greek Life Member, Student Athlete, First Generation College Student

Watch all of this Advizer's videos below

Career Path of an Account Based Marketing Manager at a Leading Technology Company

Ashley's career journey, beginning with unpaid internships during a recession and progressing through various marketing roles at companies like Harley Davidson and Rand McNally, showcases adaptability and a willingness to "wear a lot of hats." This ultimately led to a focus on account-based marketing, a field they helped pioneer and scale, culminating in their current ABM Manager/Lead position at a Fortune 100 technology company.

Main Responsibilities Of An Account-Based Marketing Manager At A Fortune 100 Technology Company

Ashley, an ABM Manager/Lead at a Fortune 100 technology company, leads a team focused on "driving demand and building better relationships within specific accounts" in the Americas, while also providing strategic guidance globally. This includes overseeing a company-wide ABM tech platform and reporting key performance indicators to the chief marketing officer.

A Day In The Life Of An Account Based Marketing Manager At A Fortune 100 Technology Company

A typical day for this ABM Manager involves prioritizing tasks based on business impact, collaborating with internal and external stakeholders in "a few hours of meetings every day," and leveraging Demandbase for account insights and advertising campaign management. The role requires a global perspective, with early and late calls to coordinate with other regional teams, and proactive performance tracking to anticipate potential roadblocks before they escalate to senior leadership.

Most Important Skills For An ABM Manager At A Top Tech Company

Ashley, an ABM Manager/Lead at a Fortune 100 technology company, highlights the crucial skill of "switching between a creative mind and an analytical mind" throughout the workday, a necessity due to the diverse solutions and audiences covered by their team at Keysight. This "flexibility and ability" to adapt to various tasks and perspectives is key to success in their role.

Favorite Parts Of Being An ABM Manager At A Big Tech Company

Ashley, the ABM Manager/Lead, most enjoys the collaborative nature of the role, citing the opportunity to "develop deeper relationships" with clients and internal teams. This strong sense of teamwork, crucial for success and regrouping after setbacks, is a key aspect of what makes the position fulfilling.

Biggest Challenges for an Account Based Marketing Manager at a Fortune 100 Tech Company

Ashley's biggest challenge as an ABM Manager is maintaining team motivation, as account-based marketing is viewed as a "shiny new tool" with the expectation of immediate financial returns. Setting realistic expectations and sustaining enthusiasm when quick wins are absent requires ongoing effort.

Favorite Parts of Working in the Technology Industry as an Account Based Marketing Lead

Ashley, an ABM Manager/Lead at a Fortune 100 technology company, enjoys the marketing industry's "cutting edge tactics" and Keysight's role in testing emerging technologies, finding it "fascinating" to work on "test beds for 6G" while the public experiences 5G rollout, thus highlighting a forward-thinking career in a dynamic field.

What Type Of Person Thrives In The Technology Industry, According To An Account Based Marketing Manager At A Fortune 100 Technology Company

Ashley, an ABM Manager/Lead at a Fortune 100 tech company, emphasizes that "curiosity is really key" for success in technology and marketing, requiring individuals to constantly research and anticipate industry trends. A crucial skill, particularly in technology marketing, is the ability to "take something really technical...and explain it to like a 10-year-old," bridging the gap between technical expertise and effective communication.

What an ABM Manager at a Tech Company Wishes They Had Known Before Entering the Marketing Industry

Ashley, an ABM Manager/Lead at a Fortune 100 tech company, advises that a marketing career, while "glamorous and fun," demands significant "sweat equity" to advance. The payoff, however, is substantial, contradicting the common misconception that marketing professionals are underpaid, as long as one is willing to invest the necessary time.

Entry-Level Positions for Aspiring Marketing Coordinators and Specialists

Many entry-level marketing roles exist for undergraduate students, with "coordinator" and "specialist" titles frequently representing initial positions; Ashley recommends exploring these options, perhaps starting general and then specializing, as "you can either start general...or you can just take a guess at one."

Significant Career Lesson From an ABM Manager at a Fortune 100 Technology Company

Ashley's most significant career lesson, learned from observing leaders "step in and really lend a hand," is that no one is above contributing to team success. This hands-on approach fostered a highly motivated team environment, which Ashley replicates by leading with a "we're all tapping in and doing it" mentality, regardless of title.

College Experiences That Helped An ABM Manager At A Tech Company Succeed

Ashley's undergraduate experience, juggling "an on-campus job," an unpaid internship, coursework, and extracurriculars, instilled crucial time management and motivation skills, proving invaluable in their career. This rigorous balancing act also fostered a healthy "work-life balance," preventing the pitfall of becoming solely defined by work.

How Identity Has Influenced An Account Based Marketing Manager At A Top Tech Company's Career

While finding the majority of marketing teams comprised of women to be a "rare case," the interviewee benefited from women-specific networking groups and mentorship opportunities, gaining crucial coaching on navigating challenges like "getting a seat at the table." These experiences, unavailable to the general public, fostered professional development, strengthened the interviewee's marketing skills, and ultimately advanced their career.

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